NOTABLES IN FINANCE

Notables in Finance

Financial services make up one of the economy’s most influential sectors. From running the largest corporations to a family savings account, the financial sector is involved. Financial experts are needed to drive our economy. Within the industry, there are various avenues: personal finance, consumer finance, corporate finance and more. The strength of the financial sector is crucial to the success of a country and the leaders of these companies that are making positive changes to our community should be noted.

Reveal Niagara Business Magazine by Ownera Media is proud to present the leaders of the financial sector within Niagara who do their part in forging positive change. They are the leaders that recognize the importance of local engagement, support, and mutually beneficial relationships, making them truly notable in their industry, in our community, and beyond.

Trevor Van Nest, B. Comm., CFP®

Owner/Founder Niagara Region Money Coaches

Trevor Van Nest started Niagara Region Money Coaches to change the financial industry. After working as an executive at a Fortune 500 company for many years, Trevor learned he didn’t like much of what he saw. Trevor wanted to educate his clients, remove product sales entirely from the process of financial planning, and enable his clients to their families. With over 25 years of experience, Trevor combines an understanding of the industry with a heart for teaching.

Niagara Region Money Coaches

Since 2010, Niagara Region Money Coaches helps individuals, couples, and families gain control over their personal finances by offering flat-fee services by a Certified Financial Planner® professional. Their goal is to fix your relationship with money, help you plan and teach the tools you need to reach your goals.

Trevor prioritizes giving back to the community. “Giving back has always been a big part of who I am, having been raised by a family of generous community volunteers, including my parents and grandparents,” Trevor said. “I am also involved in several committees at the St. Catharines Rotary Club as a Board member, including being a Rotary Reader, assisting with a breakfast program and having been a Board member at Salvation Army Toronto, Cottage Dreams and University of Toronto’s Seminar College.” Recently, Trevor worked towards the Presbyterian Church in Canada committing to investing 5% of their funds in Indigenous organizations as a push to act on Truth and Reconciliation promises.

Douglas C Smith, President C.R. Smith Financial Services Inc.

Douglas Smith started in the insurance and financial service business in 1987 and began working independently from his father’s business to prove to himself that he could make it on his own. After 2 years he started working with his dad and became a partner in 1992, taking over fully in 1997 when his dad retired. C.R. Smith Financial Services Inc.

Differentiating themselves through their service, this organization stands out because their team will always go an extra mile to provide stellar service. In the community, they give back through time, talent and donations. “The Wise Guys Charity Fund is closest to our hearts, and we all spend what adds up to be hundreds of hours each year volunteering. It is a 100% volunteer organization that we believe is one of the best ways for us to give back to dozens of organizations across all of Niagara. However, there are numerous other charities we support annually as well.” Doug said.

A small business in Niagara, their culture is incredibly important to everyone on the team. “We have eight different team members and eight different personalities, and they all contribute positively. We are only as strong as our weakest link, so we never stop working as a team and supporting each other while we all strive to be better in business and better community members as well,” Doug stated. “Recently, one of our team members had a family crisis and needed significant time away. Another member of our team came to me asking what they could do, not just within the business but to help out personally.”

The team combatted COVID setbacks by continuously pushing forward. Although Doug noted that this was not always easy, they wanted to make sure that as the world began to reopen, they were not sitting still. “It was a time when clients needed us most and we wanted to continue to be there for them.” Doug added. The team knows that support that goes around, comes around. By supporting their clients to the fullest, their clients supported them back.

Jessica Kemp and Michael Kemp, Business Partners Kemp Financial Group

Kemp Financial Group is a boutique firm specializing in wealth management. As a second-generation family business, the company’s value for family overflows into the care and service they provide their clients. Siblings, Jessica and Michael Kemp, continuously look for opportunities to grow and support the community and facilitate success in coaction with other businesses. Kemp Financial Group

This organization emphasizes that family is most important and attributes their dedication and focus on helping other family businesses achieve their goals. “Our focus, after taking care of our clients, of course, is to build and make our community stronger. Born and raised in Niagara, we know how important it is to make sure the people and community around you always maintain a strong foundation. Growth in your community helps everyone succeed.” Jessica stated.

Jessica notes what sets them apart is their commitment to fostering relationships with its clients to better understand their needs. “Our industry is unique in that every advisor has a different way to structure and run their practice. For us, we love connecting people with opportunities that will make their businesses and families stronger,” Jessica says. “By building meaningful relationships, it allows us to not only grow the trust that we want in our clients, but to identify opportunities for other people to succeed. That is what we love to do the most.”

In all regards, the Kemp family puts their clients and community first. Michael Kemp is president at the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton after being asked to be involved six years ago. “The minute he walked onto the property and saw the work they did, he knew he would easily be able to direct his passion to this organization.” Jessica remarked. Jessica also sits on the Board of Trustees at Niagara University. She, herself, attended the University and the initiative to support students in the local community is one of their priorities.