Willie Reyelts
Willie Reyelts has never been easy to pin down. At a glance, he’s a man of contrasting parts: a former sound designer who studied advanced mathematics, a sharp-dressed sneakerhead with a soft spot for classical music, an investor who advises real estate developments and non-profit publishing. His journey hasn’t been traditional—but it’s deeply intentional.
Raised in Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood, Willie grew up with a front-row seat to both high-level business and high-fidelity jazz. His father, the president of Valspar, led with quiet authority and a deep love for culture—filling the house with the sounds of Oscar Peterson on his cherished Steinway. “He was as comfortable in a boardroom as he was behind a keyboard,” Willie says. “That balance stuck with me.”
Willie’s early adult years weren’t about following in anyone’s footsteps—they were about figuring out who he was. He enrolled at IPR, a music production school in Minneapolis, and landed a job in California designing sound effects for film. He preferred classical music over jazz (but wasn’t one to shy away from any genre of music). Yet, after a few years out west, the pull of something more rigorous called him back home.
At the University of Minnesota, he dove into theoretical mathematics—a field as abstract and beautiful as any symphony. “There’s something elegant about it,” he says. “It makes the invisible visible.” But the typical careers available to math grads—government work, pharmaceuticals, defense contracting—felt disconnected from real life. “We joked we’d either save the world or blow it up.”
Eventually, the threads began to weave together. Willie started shadowing his father, applying his analytical skillset to real estate development. He learned how to assess risk, read markets, and—perhaps most importantly—invest in neighborhoods with purpose. it became a space where personal gain and community giving could coexist. He began understanding these projects as not just business but places that would be impactful for the commuinty—parks, green spaces, gathering spots for families.
Meanwhile, fatherhood found him. And everything else clicked into place. “I’m obsessed with parenting,” he says. “There’s something sacred about being present with your kids. Especially when they fall asleep in your arms—those are the moments I live for.”
With his father’s passing in 2024, Willie stepped into roles once reserved for another era: board leadership, philanthropic work, long-term planning. But he’s doing it his way—showing up in coordinating outfits: rare Air Jordans, and never a boring suit. “It’s not about rebellion. It’s about consistency,” he laughs. “I dress like I think—fully aligned.”
Cigars, too, are part of the rhythm. “Choosing one is like digging through a box of records. You’re not looking for what’s popular—you’re looking for what speaks to you.”
Willie’s life is a quiet remix of legacy and individuality. A man raised in the shadow of achievement who has found his own shape in the light. Not a carbon copy. Not a contradiction. But something—and someone—entirely his own.