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 Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 West Pandosy Village.

Stephen香蕉视频直播檚 practice香蕉视频直播擜ura Wealth Management香蕉视频直播攎oved just a few months ago but already the feedback from clients and the Aura team has been fantastic.

香蕉视频直播淔or most people, when they walk into a financial institution or a bank, the experience is a bit dreary,香蕉视频直播� he says, noting that often it香蕉视频直播檚 a traditional office building, with stiff chairs and a desk or other physical barrier between the professional and the clients. 香蕉视频直播淲e leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淎ll the seating is comfortable,香蕉视频直播� continues Stephen. 香蕉视频直播淲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 wasn香蕉视频直播檛 an intimidating experience.香蕉视频直播�

And clients aren香蕉视频直播檛 the only ones benefitting from the move, as the space is designed to support flexible schedules within the team as well.

香蕉视频直播淥ur team does not have to go to an office if they don香蕉视频直播檛 feel they need to,香蕉视频直播� says Stephen. 香蕉视频直播淢y assistant does 90 per cent of her work from home.香蕉视频直播�

Having that flexibility not only impacts and reduces the company香蕉视频直播檚 environmental footprint香蕉视频直播攖he new space is 588 square feet, rather than 3,000香蕉视频直播攂ut it allows the team to manage their own schedules in a highly efficient way. The office doesn香蕉视频直播檛 have regular office hours, but rather operates on a 香蕉视频直播渂y appointment only香蕉视频直播� basis.

For Stephen, who香蕉视频直播檚 often up and ready for the day before 6 am, that can mean having a day香蕉视频直播檚 worth of work done by late morning.

香蕉视频直播淭hat efficiency allows us to focus on more client-focused things,香蕉视频直播� he says.

It香蕉视频直播檚 also created more room for Stephen to find that elusive work-life balance with his wife, Laura.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e both very focused and driven, but we香蕉视频直播檙e trying to enjoy it,香蕉视频直播� he says, laughing. 香蕉视频直播淲e love to ski and we香蕉视频直播檙e trying to travel more than we have in the past, now that the world has re-opened. We香蕉视频直播檙e big food tourists.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淲e love pretty much everything that the Okanagan has to offer,香蕉视频直播� says Stephen. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 the best move we ever made.香蕉视频直播�

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Leonardo da Vinci. I香蕉视频直播檝e always found him fascinating and been really envious of his intelligence and ability to master multiple disciplines. After reading Walter Isaacson香蕉视频直播檚 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:

You香蕉视频直播檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

I香蕉视频直播檓 not a hugely materialistic person, so I香蕉视频直播檇 likely spend it on world travel. If I had to pick a thing, I香蕉视频直播檓 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. It香蕉视频直播檚 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 you香蕉视频直播檙e secretly proud of?

I香蕉视频直播檓 proud of the fact that I was able to successfully build my business from nothing, especially in an industry that香蕉视频直播檚 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.