Our Story
Purpose & Impact
Build Your Legacy. Elevate Your Impact.
From Adversity to Legacy
Every legacy begins with a story — a defining moment where everything changes.
For James LaRusso, that moment came through surviving both personal and environmental storms, rebuilding from the ground up, and transforming hardship into growth.
After two decades leading in finance, luxury events, and business development — including scaling a multi-state company to seven figures and advising entrepreneurs through SCORE and national organizations — James discovered a greater mission: to help others rise above limitation and build lasting impact through business.
Our Purpose
We believe entrepreneurship is more than profit — it’s a calling.
It’s about creating something meaningful, transforming challenge into opportunity, and building a legacy that endures long after the final sale or client call.
Through Legacy Coaching and Wylde Horse Academy, James helps high-potential entrepreneurs master the disciplines of growth — combining strategic clarity, faith-driven resilience, and proven execution frameworks to create freedom, fulfillment, and financial independence.
Our Impact
Every entrepreneur we coach becomes a catalyst for change — in their families, communities, and industries.
By equipping business leaders with clarity, systems, and strategic insight, we create a ripple effect that uplifts others and fuels sustainable success.
This isn’t about chasing success. It’s about becoming the kind of leader who creates it — consistently, purposefully, and with legacy in mind.
Legacy-Building for Entrepreneurs
With Wylde Horse Academy, our coaching and strategic consulting pillars supports entrepreneurs who are ready to build something bigger than themselves. Led by a seasoned growth strategist with over three decades scaling businesses across finance, legal, and luxury service sectors — including over $100M+ in revenue growth — our work is focused on impact, longevity, and aligned leadership.
Whether you’re launching a boutique empire or refining your next chapter, we guide you through brand development, positioning, offer structure, premium pricing, leadership confidence, and lasting visibility.
This is not surface-level coaching — this is entrepreneurial legacy design for those who want to build with purpose and scale with confidence.
A Legacy of Luxury Event Production
Discerning clients turn to James LaRusso when elegance, emotion, and flawless execution are non-negotiable. Our event production services span curated entertainment, fine art photography, cinematic videography, bespoke floral design, live musicians, and signature enhancements — all thoughtfully crafted to elevate life’s most meaningful milestones.
With over 30 years producing high-profile weddings and events across New York and New Jersey’s most prestigious venues, our founder brings a legacy of excellence marked by hundreds of verified 5-star reviews, national recognition, and industry acclaim — including being named Most Supportive Wedding Coordinator – Northeast USA by LUXLife’s Global Wedding Awards, and earning a place in The Knot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.
Now headquartered in Sarasota and serving elite clients across Southwest Florida and beyond, we deliver the unmatched sophistication of the Northeast luxury experience to a new generation seeking events that are polished, personalized, and unforgettable.
Whether your vision is timelessly classic or boldly modern, you can trust that every element — from sound to scent, lighting to layout — will be handled with artistic precision and heartfelt care. Because at James LaRusso Signature Events, your event isn’t just planned — it’s masterfully produced.
Meet James LaRusso
Strategic Growth Partner | Business Scaling Coach | Former Wall Street Advisor | Built & Exited Multi-Million-Dollar Event Business
With a career spanning more than three decades, James LaRusso has dedicated his life’s work to the art and strategy of growth — building, scaling, and transforming ventures that stand the test of time. His journey moves seamlessly from the boardrooms of Wall Street to the frontlines of entrepreneurship, blending financial mastery, leadership insight, and legacy-driven purpose.
James began his career on Wall Street as Vice President of Investments at JPMorgan Chase, where he advised ultra-high-net-worth families and institutions with precision and trust. He went on to earn national recognition as an award-winning financial advisor at AIG, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley, where he stewarded over half a billion dollars in client assets through some of the most complex and volatile markets in modern history. His approach was never just about numbers — it was about building trust, stability, and legacy across generations.
Leveraging this financial and strategic foundation, James transitioned into entrepreneurship and founded a multi-million-dollar luxury event firm, scaling it to serve clients across three states and earning industry honors from The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, LUXlife Global Wedding Awards, and leading business journals. After successfully exiting the business, he turned his focus toward empowering others to achieve similar success through strategy, structure, and purposeful scaling.
Today, James leads three synergistic ventures under the Wylde Horse brand:
James LaRusso Legacy Coaching – High-ticket 1:1 and group coaching for visionary entrepreneurs seeking to scale strategically, strengthen leadership, and achieve financial freedom without burnout.
Wylde Horse Academy – A comprehensive education platform offering online courses, masterminds, and scalable digital products designed to accelerate growth and impact.
Legacy Growth Partners – A fractional growth and equity partnership firm that partners with select founders to expand operations, increase enterprise value, and drive long-term profitability.
As a Strategic Growth Partner, Business Scaling Coach, and former Certified SCORE Mentor, James has helped countless entrepreneurs and executives clarify their vision, build systems that scale, and unlock sustainable, generational success. His advisory style combines Wall Street precision with real-world entrepreneurial execution — a rare blend that bridges insight with measurable outcomes.
Beyond business, James has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and faith through his extensive community involvement. He has served as an Executive Committee Member and Business Development Chair for SCORE, guiding entrepreneurs and small business owners toward sustainable growth. As President of his Homeowners Association Board of Directors, he championed collaboration and strategic development within his community. In addition, James serves as an Officer on the Board of Directors for the Knights of Columbus, where he holds the roles of Lecturer and Editor & Publisher of the Council’s newsletter. A proud Third Degree Knight, he continues to embody the organization’s values of faith, fellowship, and purposeful service. These principles remain the cornerstone of his mission: to elevate others, lead with integrity, and transform ambition into enduring legacy.
Through every venture, James LaRusso is defined not only by what he builds — but by how he builds it: with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering belief that true success is measured not in moments, but in the legacies we leave behind.