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my story
In my family, the subject of money and finance was always addressed without discomfort around the dinner table. Obviously, it wasn’t the only subject of discussion, but it wasn’t taboo like in many other French-Canadian families at the time and even today. My dad is responsible for my first lessons in personal finance. He’s a disciplined and thrifty man. One of his biggest satisfactions, still today, is to buy a car, pay cash and keep it for 10 years. He’s always saying that it’s important to stay clear of debts and that we should never pay full price. In other words, we should be frugal! I still remember when he gave me a hard time for reaching the limit of a $500 Visa. He had a career as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force and my mother stayed home to take care of her three boys until we were old enough to attend school. Then, she had a career as a teacher. Considering my father’s occupation, my family had a tendency to move every 3-4 years. We had the opportunity to live, among other places, on Vancouver Island and in Europe.
In 1992, my family moved to England for the second time. At my age, the school systems were incompatible, so my parents had to make the difficult decision to enrol me in a private college in the Eastern Townships. The boarding school, more precisely the students, opened my eyes to the importance of having money and being financially independent. Not for the power or the prestige it can bring, but mostly for the doors it can open and the freedom it can offer. Incidentally, it reminds me of a Pericles quote that I appreciate: ‘’Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it’’.
My first contact with the world of finance happened when my father organised a breakfast meeting with his financial planner at the bank. He was proactive after noticing my interest for finance, following my reading of the best seller, The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton. The financial planner, generous with his time, gave me some precious advice. He said: ‘’Complete the CSC, get the financial planner designation, read all the books and magazines on finance you can put your hands on… and you’ll be able to work for any Canadian bank’’. That’s exactly what I did! As I was learning new tricks, I would experiment with my brokerage account. My first stock, I bought it at 19. In 1999, with my CSC in my back pocket, I got my first real job in finance. It was for the very first discount broker in the country. This is where I learned most about customer service, stocks, bonds, the different types of management, as well as options.
In 2004, I got the Financial Planner designation and I moved to Rimouski for a financial planner position with a bank. From my office, I had a fabulous view on the river. If you have never been to Bas-Saint-Laurent for a vacation, I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy spectacular sunsets. To acclimatize myself to this new region, I got involved with the Youth Chamber of Rimouski, until I became the president in my third and last year. I made friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life. At the end of 2007, I moved to Greater Montreal to be closer to my family.
This is who I am and it reflects in my everyday work. Today I have the privilege to work in an un-conflicted environment and to do what is best for my clients. I offer independent planning and a wealth management service without useless fees. I listen to my clients and I understand that everyone has their own story.