About Us

Darren has been involved in financial services since 1993. As a professional Financial Planner, Darren has shown his commitment to achieving the highest industry standard designation available. Not only has he attained this prestigious professional designation, but he graduated from the College of Commerce at the U of S in 1989, on the Dean's Honour List, with his Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics. In the fall of 2002, Darren graduated Magna Cum Laude - with Great Distinction - with an MBA (Master of Business Administration). His clients are well assured that in trusting Darren with their financial planning needs and financial future, they are certainly trusting in someone who has proven that he is dedicated to achieving the best for his clients.

Darren is a very entrepreneurial thinker and has proven to be very creative and innovative in his approach to client solutions, and yet still manages to keep it simple. He is the originator of the Think Outside the Box! motto for our group. Active in the community and strongly committed to his family, Darren takes great pride in his many roles.

Darren’s Philosophy

I have no minimum net worth standards for clients. Rather, my ideal client is a person with respect and integrity who is interested in receiving and acting on good advice, is willing to share stories, and, of course, allow us to become part of and share in their lives.

Growing up, my father instilled in me the value of being an honest and ethical businessman.  My dad, although embarrassingly direct on all too many occasions, believed that you said what you meant, and meant what you said.  If you said you would do something, you did it - even if it took more time than planned, cost more money than you budgeted, or made you feel stupid. 

I will always remember my dad saying to his crew: “I pay you to do it right the first time.  If you have to redo it because you were too lazy or too stupid to listen the first time, that’s on your time, not mine.  But it will be done right!”  Again, harsh and sometimes embarrassing, especially when you were the one who took the shortcut in the first place!  But you learn quickly to do it right the next time – with no shortcuts or excuses.

He was also good at reminding me that “just because we have always done it that way, doesn’t mean that that’s the only way, or the right way.  It just means that’s just the way we have always done it.”  I am always looking for a better way for myself, my family, and my clients.  Many years later, I read the following:

|  Courage of Integrity: ‘The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity… these are the choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.’ (i). |

I have learned the best solution is not always the one that creates the most wealth. Advisors need to be human, and understand their client’s emotional needs when organizing their affairs.

Regardless of our own beliefs, never – ever - limit your clients by your own beliefs and preconceived notions.  You may be surprised to learn what your clients are capable of, if you will only let them. 

An Anecdote - when a stock broker or investment advisor looks at the glass of water, he will tell you that it is half full, and is filling up quickly so you should buy a bigger glass. An insurance agent will warn you that a half-empty glass leaves the future uncertain so you should insure against possible consequences. An accountant will tell you that you paid too much for the glass because it is too big.

My goal is to ensure my clients have considered all these issues, focusing on the importance of the water, not the glass. 

The future is built today.  We believe great results come from careful planning, that ambitious goals are powered by initiative and productivity, and the foundation of achievement lies in the will to be the best.

It is this philosophy that guides me to do what I do, and to do it to the best of my ability. Because anything worth doing, is worth doing well. 

I leave you with this quote from Red Adair, legendary fighter of oil-well fires following the Gulf War; “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

 

How can we help you today?