BlueRock Wealth Management as we know it today has been serving families in the Georgian Bay area since 2006, but our story actually began decades before in 1974. That was the year that president and founder Neal Owen, along with his family, experienced a life-changing personal and financial crisis.
Neal’s parents were on vacation in Mexico when his mother became seriously ill. Unable to return home to Canada by commercial airline, she remained in hospital in Mexico for six months as she fought for her life with her husband by her side. Eventually, the generosity of a family friend allowed Neal’s parents to return to the Georgian Bay area via charter jet. However, their long absence resulted in financial trouble for their successful clothing store. Forever changed by the trauma of these events, but also enlightened by the valuable lessons they taught him, Neal resolved to help other entrepreneurial families prepare for life’s uncertainties and protect what matters to them.
Neal’s motivation to advise professionals and entrepreneurs on wealth management certainly stems from his family’s experiences in 1974. It also informs BlueRock’s approach to financial services.
Firsthand experience taught him that financial planning touches on sensitive aspects of people’s lives. He understood early on that building trust with clients is paramount to encourage open, honest communication, as this exchange of information ensures they can make wise decisions about their wealth. In addition, his family’s financial crisis taught him that wealth management should not solely be about returns. A comprehensive strategy includes values-based investing, which helps clients achieve their short- and long-term life goals, challenge the status quo, and live the lives they want to live instead of merely maximizing their wealth.
It has been a long journey, but the insights gained from the 1974 events have remained integral to the work we do at BlueRock Wealth Management. It’s these financial life lessons that have enabled us to carve out a unique place in the financial services industry and make a real difference in people’s financial life plans.