Nia Bowers
William S. Barrett’s success as a CEO, attorney, and mentor reveals the enduring power of traditional entrepreneurial values.
Many traditional values, such as integrity, relationship building, and a strong work ethic, are seen as “old-school” relics of a bygone age. Modern business, instead, tends to focus more on transactional efficiency and scalability. While these qualities have their place, some professionals believe this approach overlooks what it means to be an entrepreneur.
CEO and attorney William S. Barrett is one such professional, which is why he stakes his reputation on his continued dedication to those old-school principles. Barrett believes these concepts are more relevant than ever for differentiating oneself in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.
In Pursuit of Stronger Connections
Ostensibly, Barrett’s tenure as both an attorney and CEO has been successful. However, as his career progressed, he found that his most fulfilling work was advising and mentoring other entrepreneurs. In that role, he continues to share his knowledge and expertise today—both as an author and as a business leader. Across these roles, Barrett helps entrepreneurs grow, scale, and transition their businesses.
Part of how Barrett came to occupy these roles in the first place was through his unconventional yet very intentional career path. As a young attorney, Barrett was drawn to the scale and prestige of global law firms. But after working at one, he realized he valued something else more: working directly with entrepreneurs and playing a meaningful role in their journey.
To pursue this goal, Barrett left for a smaller regional firm, , where he could build a practice that focused on what he could do for his clients, not what his clients could do for him. It was here that he could put his values into practice; rather than process as many clients as possible, he focused on building strong, steady relationships with them, helping his practice stand out for its consistency and trust.
Tangible Impacts and Real Innovation
As Barrett grew into his position as CEO and a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, his impact on the clients he worked with became increasingly noticeable.
During his career, he has guided over a thousand entrepreneurs, influenced business outcomes, and shaped careers by fostering genuine strategic partnerships. These efforts have led to his recognition with awards such as New Jersey Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, where he won Corporate Lawyer of the Year in 2025.
The people Barrett lead also benefit from his stance on traditional values. To date, he has implemented merit-based compensation, entrepreneurial autonomy, and a focus on relationships over rigid structures. This isn’t to say that Barrett’s approach is regressive; he also emphasizes the importance of a strong, values-driven company culture. To this end, he has created a Chief Culture Officer role within the firm to ensure the business continues to invest in its culture.
Mentorship Within the Broader Community
While much of Barrett’s time and effort goes toward supporting other businesses, he also extends his support to his local community through coaching, mentorship, and even serving on his town council.
To educate and share his values with others beyond his immediate community, Barrett hosts his podcast,Fingerprints on Success, which provides strategic advice to business leaders and entrepreneurs.
As a best-selling author, he also reaches people through his books, including his latest, Authentic: An Old-School Approach to Building a Full Life, Successful Business, and Real Relationships. Here, Barrett reflects on lessons passed down from his father and discusses practical principles for long-term success, explaining why it’s important to reject shortcuts in favor of discipline and consistency. Rather than treating integrity and relationships as nostalgia, the book frames them as daily disciplines that can and should be practiced regularly.
Measuring Success Through Relationships
Today, Barrett aims to expand Mandelbaum Barrett PC nationally to create more opportunities for professionals.
He also plans to continue influencing entrepreneurs and leaders through media such as Fingerprints on Success and Authentic to showcase why old-school values are more valuable than ever.
For William S. Barrett, success can be framed as growth, yes, but it’s also a matter of expanding the number of people he can impact for the better. Through his emphasis on integrity and building strong, genuine relationships, Barrett’s traditional approach to entrepreneurship is, ironically, refreshingly novel in today’s modern business landscape.