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 Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 West Pandosy Village.

Stephen91裸聊视频檚 practice91裸聊视频擜ura Wealth Management91裸聊视频攎oved just a few months ago but already the feedback from clients and the Aura team has been fantastic.

91裸聊视频淔or most people, when they walk into a financial institution or a bank, the experience is a bit dreary,91裸聊视频� he says, noting that often it91裸聊视频檚 a traditional office building, with stiff chairs and a desk or other physical barrier between the professional and the clients. 91裸聊视频淲e leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淎ll the seating is comfortable,91裸聊视频� continues Stephen. 91裸聊视频淲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 wasn91裸聊视频檛 an intimidating experience.91裸聊视频�

And clients aren91裸聊视频檛 the only ones benefitting from the move, as the space is designed to support flexible schedules within the team as well.

91裸聊视频淥ur team does not have to go to an office if they don91裸聊视频檛 feel they need to,91裸聊视频� says Stephen. 91裸聊视频淢y assistant does 90 per cent of her work from home.91裸聊视频�

Having that flexibility not only impacts and reduces the company91裸聊视频檚 environmental footprint91裸聊视频攖he new space is 588 square feet, rather than 3,00091裸聊视频攂ut it allows the team to manage their own schedules in a highly efficient way. The office doesn91裸聊视频檛 have regular office hours, but rather operates on a 91裸聊视频渂y appointment only91裸聊视频� basis.

For Stephen, who91裸聊视频檚 often up and ready for the day before 6 am, that can mean having a day91裸聊视频檚 worth of work done by late morning.

91裸聊视频淭hat efficiency allows us to focus on more client-focused things,91裸聊视频� he says.

It91裸聊视频檚 also created more room for Stephen to find that elusive work-life balance with his wife, Laura.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e both very focused and driven, but we91裸聊视频檙e trying to enjoy it,91裸聊视频� he says, laughing. 91裸聊视频淲e love to ski and we91裸聊视频檙e trying to travel more than we have in the past, now that the world has re-opened. We91裸聊视频檙e big food tourists.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淲e love pretty much everything that the Okanagan has to offer,91裸聊视频� says Stephen. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 the best move we ever made.91裸聊视频�

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Leonardo da Vinci. I91裸聊视频檝e always found him fascinating and been really envious of his intelligence and ability to master multiple disciplines. After reading Walter Isaacson91裸聊视频檚 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:

You91裸聊视频檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

I91裸聊视频檓 not a hugely materialistic person, so I91裸聊视频檇 likely spend it on world travel. If I had to pick a thing, I91裸聊视频檓 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. It91裸聊视频檚 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 you91裸聊视频檙e secretly proud of?

I91裸聊视频檓 proud of the fact that I was able to successfully build my business from nothing, especially in an industry that91裸聊视频檚 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.