At first glance, you wouldn’t expect the financial services industry to have much in common with the wine industry. However, having worked in the wine business for several years, I can attest to the many overlapping ideals and attributes between the two.

While pursuing my English degree at Western University, I spent my summers working at a sustainable winery in Niagara where I honed my passion for customer service (and Pinot Noir). After graduating, I returned as the Assistant Retail Manager and worked diligently to learn about as many aspects of the industry as possible. I loved taking the time to get to know customers, and particularly enjoyed helping them to navigate the mystifying world of wine by distilling complex information into understandable and approachable concepts. Being able to help clients understand complex financial information which is relevant to their own situation will be an important use of my communications skills going forward.

Working for a sustainable company also opened my eyes to the intrinsic relationship between care and quality. It is no coincidence that grape quality improves when greater attention is given to employing “green” vineyard management techniques. Similarly, investors who align their practices with sustainable initiatives may realize greater returns on their portfolios. Responsible investing has been shown to reduce risk and enhance growth over the longer term.

Wine and finance can both be overwhelming spheres without the knowledge and care of industry professionals to help guide your experience. Like providing financial advice, a wine recommendation is useless unless meaningful conversations take place to ensure the customer’s preferences are understood. This is precisely my goal as Associate Wealth Advisor - to help the Arnott-Wood Wealth Advisory team provide you with the attention and support you deserve when navigating the intricacies of personal finance. In working with us, I’m confident you’ll come to find that sustainable investing and portfolio growth truly are the perfect pairing. Cheers!