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害羞草研究所檚 West Pandosy Village.

Stephen害羞草研究所檚 practice害羞草研究所擜ura Wealth Management害羞草研究所攎oved just a few months ago but already the feedback from clients and the Aura team has been fantastic.

害羞草研究所淔or most people, when they walk into a financial institution or a bank, the experience is a bit dreary,害羞草研究所� he says, noting that often it害羞草研究所檚 a traditional office building, with stiff chairs and a desk or other physical barrier between the professional and the clients. 害羞草研究所淲e leaned really hard into creating a nice experience for clients and prospective clients to come into.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淎ll the seating is comfortable,害羞草研究所� continues Stephen. 害羞草研究所淲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害羞草研究所檛 an intimidating experience.害羞草研究所�

And clients aren害羞草研究所檛 the only ones benefitting from the move, as the space is designed to support flexible schedules within the team as well.

害羞草研究所淥ur team does not have to go to an office if they don害羞草研究所檛 feel they need to,害羞草研究所� says Stephen. 害羞草研究所淢y assistant does 90 per cent of her work from home.害羞草研究所�

Having that flexibility not only impacts and reduces the company害羞草研究所檚 environmental footprint害羞草研究所攖he new space is 588 square feet, rather than 3,000害羞草研究所攂ut it allows the team to manage their own schedules in a highly efficient way. The office doesn害羞草研究所檛 have regular office hours, but rather operates on a 害羞草研究所渂y appointment only害羞草研究所� basis.

For Stephen, who害羞草研究所檚 often up and ready for the day before 6 am, that can mean having a day害羞草研究所檚 worth of work done by late morning.

害羞草研究所淭hat efficiency allows us to focus on more client-focused things,害羞草研究所� he says.

It害羞草研究所檚 also created more room for Stephen to find that elusive work-life balance with his wife, Laura.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e both very focused and driven, but we害羞草研究所檙e trying to enjoy it,害羞草研究所� he says, laughing. 害羞草研究所淲e love to ski and we害羞草研究所檙e trying to travel more than we have in the past, now that the world has re-opened. We害羞草研究所檙e big food tourists.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淲e love pretty much everything that the Okanagan has to offer,害羞草研究所� says Stephen. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the best move we ever made.害羞草研究所�

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Leonardo da Vinci. I害羞草研究所檝e always found him fascinating and been really envious of his intelligence and ability to master multiple disciplines. After reading Walter Isaacson害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

I害羞草研究所檓 not a hugely materialistic person, so I害羞草研究所檇 likely spend it on world travel. If I had to pick a thing, I害羞草研究所檓 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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檙e secretly proud of?

I害羞草研究所檓 proud of the fact that I was able to successfully build my business from nothing, especially in an industry that害羞草研究所檚 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.