VELA Wealth recently sponsored The Entrepreneur 2019 presented by Open2Discussion, providing an exclusive glimpse into the lives, tactics and strategies of some of Vancouver’s most extraordinary entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Watch the Video

A few weeks ago, we hosted our flagship annual event, GRAVITY. GRAVITY is a platform for community, connection and possibility. This year’s event was a resounding success thanks to our guests, contributors and speakers. GRAVITY is proof that the potential of collaboration is unlimited.

The Champions Mindset

We were delighted to invite Dr. Jeff Spencer from California to speak about the power of overcoming the ‘Human Mindset’ and channeling the ‘Champion’s Mindset’. Dr. Jeff is an accomplished Olympic athlete and world-renowned coach. He passionately believes in team and takes the position of ‘Mission Control’ for the high performing individuals he works with. This vantage point allows Dr. Jeff to see the path to achievement where others may not.

GRAVITY 2019 was uniquely recorded in real time by a highly talented illustrator and the following image shows the ‘Human Mindset’ vs. the ‘Champions Mindset’ through the lens of a 2012 Olympic Gold medallist who was coached by Dr Jeff.

The Earth Group

Kori Chilibeck and Matt Moreau from Edmonton founded The Earth Group in 2005, and joined us at GRAVITY to share their journey and achievements. The Earth Group exists entirely to provide food, water and education to children globally and does this through an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) where 100% of profits are donated to fund school meal programmes.  The Earth Group has provided over 3,650,000 meals so far and is targeting 1,000,000 meals in 2019.

The Earth Group is also pushing the envelop with bottled water, standing for the use of aluminum packaging, instead of plastic, as the recycling rate for aluminum is exponentially higher than plastic and it is less environmentally damaging.

The Earth Group’s business model is truly transformational as they’ve created a vehicle to affect positive change for the world through everyday purchases.

What are we capable of?

Imagine a world where individuals and communities reach their full potential and are consistently high performing. We could achieve endless feats. Getting there takes discipline, commitment and working effectively in teams. GRAVITY 2019 was proud to create a forum for learning and connection that stimulates our network to thrive and discover new ways to be entrepreneurs and leaders with impact.

When we talk of our ‘networks’, we often perceive them to exist virtually, within our own minds or in a space where the countless connections cannot be illustrated or the potential experienced. Before LinkedIn or Shapr helped record, contain and develop networks, who we knew and what they did likely just existed in our minds and we relied on our brains to make valuable introductions and consider potential collaborations. This first degree of connection has it’s limitations, mainly relating to our own grey matter’s ability to step up to this task. (more…)

WELCOME

I’d like to welcome you to VELA’s new quarterly newsletter, GRAVITY. The intention of this communication is to provide timely, relevant ideas and content.

Very best wishes, Jason Boudreau Principal & Founder

WE ARE MOVING

We are pleased to announce that we are one step closer to leaving the confines of a traditional corporate office and moving into our own new and innovative space. Downtown Vancouver has been a great hub for VELA, but we knew it would be beneficial for our growth to leave the hustle and bustle of downtown to relocate somewhere that has a strong sense of community that meshes with our values. North Vancouver is where many of our clients and team call home.  This area is one of the most sought-after locations in Vancouver due to its location, diversity, natural beauty and overall family-friendly environment. Our deep connection with the area made it the obvious choice when deciding where to locate. The new space will be housed in the recently completed West Quay development on West Esplanade, a short walk from Lonsdale Quay.

It was crucial that our office be centrally located and easily accessible to all. Inside, you will find a working space that is modern and simple, yet timeless. At 1,765 square feet, the space permits plenty of room to expand our growing client-base and add to our amazing team.

The open concept invites free-flowing communication and encourages collaboration, while individual offices with moveable glass walls meet the need for privacy that is so key in our business. Each detail and trim throughout the space was hand selected with care to foster an environment for progressive and impactful thinking that to help guide the success of our clients. Natural sunlight shines through the entire space in large part to the floor to ceiling window which leads to our private balcony. Here you have an unobstructed view of Waterfront Park where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.

This change in scenery is vital to maintaining our approach of breaking from traditional methods of financial planning and empowering those we advise to make a clear plan that not only makes a positive impact on their family but to the world as well. Thank you to our clients and advocates for putting your trust in us and moving forward with us through this transition.

We look forward to opening the doors of our new home to you and continuing the progression towards your unique vision for life.

Sincerely,

VELA Wealth Management Inc.

TAX AND PLANNING

London Life has created this fantastic article outlining passive investments, small business deductions and many other key tools that can be used in financial planning.

London life article

NETWORK FEATURE: THE PROOF IS IN THE PURPOSE

In today’s ever-changing landscape PURPOSE might be the only constant in your business. Purpose enables you to define your company’s true brand and create its desired culture. Your vision and your mission may change over time as you adjust your goals and how you do business but your purpose, the reason your business exists, remains the same. Purpose helps to ground your business, it provides a guideline for your services, procedures and policies.  It drives your corporate identity and provides direction in decision making, it is your foundation. When crafting your purpose statement find a way to express your organization’s impact on the lives of your employees, customers, clients and other stakeholders.  You want to elicit an emotion make them feel what you do.

Purpose will enhance many areas of your business including improvement to your bottom line.  You will benefit from an enhanced corporate culture, improved employee attraction and retention, and engaged loyal customers/clients. Purpose when done well is your competitive advantage.  Your brand is built on strong, clearly articulated purposes.  If your company’s aspirational culture and its actual culture are not aligned your customers will notice.  When promise and behavior are in sync you are anchored from a place of purpose delivered by engaged employees who fulfill and deliver the purpose brand you have instilled.  Your competition can replicate your product or service, but can they match your integrated purpose?

Brady Fletcher, Managing Director, TSX Venture Exchange commented on how giving back to the community ties together all their stakeholders. “TMX is committed to giving back to charities in our local communities and beyond.  We are grateful to our clients for their generous contributions, and even more importantly, to our employees who dedicate countless hours to make our charitable campaigns a huge success year after year.”

Millennials are leading the charge when it comes to change in the workplace. Millennials want a challenge and fulfillment from their work, but they also expect their employer to have a conscience and give back to the community, protect the environment and make a real difference in the world. Purpose is not the new business buzzword it is a trend that companies large and small are implementing because they see the value.  Purpose has been around for a while and businesses who have authentically incorporated it into their model are seeing the impact for themselves and the communities they work in.

Your marketing message should not say what you do or even how you do it but WHY you do it.

Find your clear sense of purpose, pair it with your values, set it in motion and see the ripple effect on your business.

Sharon Davis

Co-founder and Consultant

Giving Well

www.givingwell.ca

info@givingwell.ca

SALIL MANGA

Salil is the newest member of our team at VELA Wealth Management. After pursuing a career in medicine, he decided to transition to financial planning and it was a natural fit, given the many parallels between the two disciplines. In his role of Client Development, Salil helps guide clients through VELA’s holistic planning process, ensuring they are well-looked after throughout their life. A caring and passionate individual, Salil brings a genuine and thoughtful approach to stewarding the client relationship. We are delighted to have him on board!

1. You may be able to defer property taxes on a principal residence if you are over the age of 55, supporting a child under the age of 18, or supporting a child of any age attending a post-secondary institution.
2. If you have tax-paid capital, you can lend it to a trust and then have the trust invest it to split income with family members.
3. You can have dual wills for personal assets and then for private company shares.
4. You can use permanent life insurance to help preserve the Small Business Deduction.
5. There’s a way you may be able to turn a $5000 charitable donation into a $100,000 donation.

FUNDAMENTAL changes to private corporations have been announced that could significantly affect entrepreneurs and incorporated professionals

On July 18, 2017, the Canadian Department of Finance released a consultation paper that proposes ground-breaking modifications to the Income Tax Act. Should they become law, these proposals could drastically affect private companies and their shareholders.  The proposals are a complete u-turn on decades of case law founded and CRA accepted practice.

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We’re proud to announce VELA Wealth has recently brought Rob Wallis across the pond to join the team as our newest Senior Advisor.

With a personal goal to achieve meaningful, long-standing relationships, Rob takes the time to create an environment of trust, comfort and confidence. A methodical and analytical thinker, Rob compassionately navigates clients through the financial planning process, ensuring they feel guided and supported.

Fast Facts about Rob:

Favourite Book: The God of Small Things

Hobbies: Skiing & collecting old maps

Favourite Pastimes: Hiking, cooking, travelling and spending time with family

Dream occupation — if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now: Commercial airline pilot

Most unusual item in his desk drawer: A picture of the Laughing Cavalier.  Always makes me chuckle, check it out  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_Cavalier

Guilty pleasure: British beer and French Wine

Bucket List Task: Hiking across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. 600km, 60 days, 50,000 metres elevation gain over the hike. And to learn to fly a float plane!

It was just two weeks ago when we hosted Gravity 2016, and we are still buzzing.

The Back Story

As we came to the conclusion of our brand revitalization and website refresh, it was suggested that VELA host a launch event of some sort. Personally, this didn’t resonate with me. Our brand speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit. We embrace and encourage connection and collaboration. A website launch party simply didn’t coincide with those values.

Through further discussion with my wife, Carissa Boudreau of Clearly Prepared; my branding agency, Free Agency Creative; and my PR team at Neesh Communications, we decided to host Gravity.

Gravity is a unique opportunity to celebrate that entrepreneurship can go beyond simply networking to explore new collaborative models.

Gravity 2016 Recap

Right off the bat, Ripe Rides made a statement in front of the Terminal City Club, delivering some of our 120 guests in VIP style. Inside the venue, Beta5 Chocolates, Body Energy Club, Moody Ales, and Happy Water took care of our food and beverage needs for the evening.

Jason Boudreau of VELA Wealth hosted the evening, while Norm Trainor of The Covenant Group provided the keynote address. Free Agency Creative also spoke to the brand values and creative direction behind VELA’s ‘Guiding the Entrepreneurial Spirit‘ video presentation.

Of course, the evening included the opportunity to mix and mingle with known colleagues, and also encouraged forging new meaningful connections.

Last, but not least, we thank our gifting partners for providing such useful and relevant gifts for Gravity attendees.

Body Energy Club, CHIMP, Pressed & Proper, The $2000 Coffee, Clearly Prepared, Groundwork Athletics, Jiva Organics, Style by Sarai and Your Ultimate Speech.

Welcome!

After tweaking and re-tweaking, the newest iteration of the VELA Wealth website is finally here!

If you’ve found your way to here, it’s likely you know a little about our team and what we do. On our blog you’ll find a collection of curated thoughts and ideas in relation to wealth management, the entrepreneurial spirit and living your life by design.

Expect to find case studies, relevant news, and education, along with entrepreneur profiles, thought provoking posts about vision and life planning and resources for both the established and emerging business owner.

Did you read something you loved that you think we’d enjoy? Share it with us at @VELAWealth on Twitter. We look forward to engaging with you.

Until our next post,
VELA Wealth