When Stephen Maser became a financial advisor 18 years ago, his goal was to create a calm and welcoming environment in which he could demystify the financial industry for his clients. He recently took that to the next level with a brand new bespoke Raymond James Ltd. office in KelownaB次元官网网址檚 West Pandosy Village.

StephenB次元官网网址檚 practiceB次元官网网址擜ura Wealth ManagementB次元官网网址攎oved just a few months ago but already the feedback from clients and the Aura team has been fantastic.

B次元官网网址淔or most people, when they walk into a financial institution or a bank, the experience is a bit dreary,B次元官网网址� he says, noting that often itB次元官网网址檚 a traditional office building, with stiff chairs and a desk or other physical barrier between the professional and the clients. B次元官网网址淲e leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.B次元官网网址�

The new space is ground level, accessible, bright with natural light, and entirely built around optimizing client interactions.

B次元官网网址淎ll the seating is comfortable,B次元官网网址� continues Stephen. B次元官网网址淲e were mindful of the little things: good coffee, nice tea, even a nice glass of wine if the occasion calls for it. We really wanted people to feel when they walked in that they were comfortable, and that it wasnB次元官网网址檛 an intimidating experience.B次元官网网址�

And clients arenB次元官网网址檛 the only ones benefitting from the move, as the space is designed to support flexible schedules within the team as well.

B次元官网网址淥ur team does not have to go to an office if they donB次元官网网址檛 feel they need to,B次元官网网址� says Stephen. B次元官网网址淢y assistant does 90 per cent of her work from home.B次元官网网址�

Having that flexibility not only impacts and reduces the companyB次元官网网址檚 environmental footprintB次元官网网址攖he new space is 588 square feet, rather than 3,000B次元官网网址攂ut it allows the team to manage their own schedules in a highly efficient way. The office doesnB次元官网网址檛 have regular office hours, but rather operates on a B次元官网网址渂y appointment onlyB次元官网网址� basis.

For Stephen, whoB次元官网网址檚 often up and ready for the day before 6 am, that can mean having a dayB次元官网网址檚 worth of work done by late morning.

B次元官网网址淭hat efficiency allows us to focus on more client-focused things,B次元官网网址� he says.

ItB次元官网网址檚 also created more room for Stephen to find that elusive work-life balance with his wife, Laura.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e both very focused and driven, but weB次元官网网址檙e trying to enjoy it,B次元官网网址� he says, laughing. B次元官网网址淲e love to ski and weB次元官网网址檙e trying to travel more than we have in the past, now that the world has re-opened. WeB次元官网网址檙e big food tourists.B次元官网网址�

The couple moved to Kelowna from Alberta in 2011, and regularly get out to enjoy the abundance of food and wine in the region.

B次元官网网址淲e love pretty much everything that the Okanagan has to offer,B次元官网网址� says Stephen. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the best move we ever made.B次元官网网址�

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Leonardo da Vinci. IB次元官网网址檝e always found him fascinating and been really envious of his intelligence and ability to master multiple disciplines. After reading Walter IsaacsonB次元官网网址檚 book about him, I began to wonder how one sees the world when possessing genius like his.

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

I grew up on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta, so a great steak is always my go-to, paired with a red Bordeaux.

Greed:

YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

IB次元官网网址檓 not a hugely materialistic person, so IB次元官网网址檇 likely spend it on world travel. If I had to pick a thing, IB次元官网网址檓 a sucker for a beautiful car, so probably an Aston Martin DB9 Volante.

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Socks with sandals. I mean, come on, people. Really?

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

Troncones, Mexico. Some wonderful friends of ours introduced us to this tiny little surfing village a few years ago. ItB次元官网网址檚 quiet and relaxing with little to do but walk the secluded beach, read, eat at the local restaurants and generally unplug. It is old Mexico in the best way.

Pride:

What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?

IB次元官网网址檓 proud of the fact that I was able to successfully build my business from nothing, especially in an industry thatB次元官网网址檚 very difficult to survive in.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

Easily my wife, Laura. Not only is she beautiful, but also wickedly intelligent and accomplished in her own right. She challenges me in ways no one else ever has.