Most business owners already have capable professionals around them : accountants, lawyers, bankers, and product providers. The challenge is rarely access. It is alignment, coordination, and long-term clarity.
Our work is designed for owners who think beyond the next year or the next deal : those who are building something meant to last across decades and generations. Every decision is evaluated through a dynasty-building lens: how it supports the business, protects the family, manages risk, minimizes unnecessary tax, and teaches the next generation by example.
This page explains how we work together, what to expect, and how responsibilities are shared, so the relationship starts with clarity rather than assumptions.
The Philosophy Behind the Process
We start with the owner, the business, and the family system around it.
What made you successful as an entrepreneur : discipline, patience, pattern recognition, accountability, and respect for structure : must also guide how capital is managed. When investing and insurance decisions are disconnected from those principles, outcomes become fragile, even when individual products appear attractive.
Our role is to help translate entrepreneurial intelligence into durable financial structures: ones that are tax-efficient, adaptable, and aligned with a long-term vision for the business and the family.
This is stewardship, not speculation.
Structure, not improvisation.
Clarity, not complexity.
Our Role in Your Financial Ecosystem
We act as a coordinating partner, not a replacement for your existing professionals.
We are brand-agnostic and strategy-driven. This means:
- No allegiance to a single bank, insurer, or investment manufacturer
- Access to investment solutions from multiple banks, insurers, and independent investment firms
- Contractual relationships with major and mid-size insurers
- Ongoing collaboration with tax specialists, legal professionals, and institutional product teams
Our responsibility is to isolate the best value for the specific strategy being implemented : not what is convenient, popular, or easy to distribute.
In many cases, we also play the role of an accountability partner, and in some situations a mentor, helping business owners and family members remain aligned with long-term decisions when short-term noise or emotion would otherwise interfere.
Step-by-Step Workflow
Thoughtful planning takes time. The steps below reflect how durable decisions are actually built.
Discovery Call
This is a focused conversation to determine mutual fit.
We discuss:
- The nature of your business and ownership structure
- Your long-term vision for the company and the family
- What is currently working and what feels misaligned
- Whether our philosophy and approach match your expectations
No advice is given at this stage. The goal is clarity, not commitment.
Initial Assessment (1–2 weeks)
A big part of our conversations is distinguishing between your needs and your wants. They don't always move in the same direction, and that's okay.
Together, we identify and prioritize what matters most to you. This becomes a clear list of priorities that guides every decision that follows.
If we move forward, we begin with a structured review of your current situation.
This typically includes:
- Corporate and personal structure
- Existing investments and insurance
- Tax exposure and inefficiencies
- Gaps between stated goals and current implementation
Many issues are not the result of poor decisions, but of decisions made in isolation. This phase brings the full picture into focus.
Detailed Analysis (2–4 weeks)
This is where we slow down intentionally.
We model scenarios, test assumptions, and evaluate structures across time : not just across market cycles. Tax efficiency, risk management, liquidity, succession, behavioural factors, and inter-generational impact are considered together.
This phase is designed to reduce future regret, not maximize short-term excitement.
Recommendation Presentation
We present a clear set of recommendations, structured and documented.
Each recommendation is explained in terms of:
- Purpose and role within the broader plan
- Trade-offs and limitations
- Long-term implications
- Interaction with tax, legal, and family considerations
You will understand not only what is recommended, but why it fits your specific situation.
Implementation Support
Implementation is coordinated, not delegated blindly.
We work alongside:
- Your accountant (CPA)
- Your lawyer or notary
- Product and strategy specialists when required
Our role is to ensure that decisions are executed consistently with the original intent, without dilution or drift.
Ongoing Review and Accountability
Dynasty building is not a one-time event.
We establish a review cadence based on complexity and life stage:
- Annual or quarterly reviews, as appropriate
- Adjustments for business events, liquidity events, or family changes
- Ongoing alignment with long-term objectives
Just as importantly, we help prevent unnecessary changes driven by headlines, fear, or short-term performance noise.
Timeline Expectations
While every situation is different, typical timelines are:
- Initial consultation: 15 to 30 minutes
- Full corporate review and strategy design: approximately 4–6 weeks
- Implementation: varies by complexity and coordination requirements
- Ongoing reviews: annually or quarterly
Quality decisions compound. Rushed ones create friction later.
What to Prepare
To work efficiently, we usually request:
- Recent corporate financial statements
- Corporate and personal tax returns
- Current investment statements
- Existing insurance policies
- Any planning documents already in place
- Questions or concerns raised by your accountant or lawyer
This allows us to respect what has already been built while identifying where refinement is needed.
How We Coordinate With Your Professionals
We believe strongly in professional collaboration.
We do not override your accountant or legal counsel. We complement them.
Coordination typically includes:
- Clear definition of roles and responsibilities
- Structured information sharing, limited to what is necessary
- Alignment on tax, legal, and implementation timing
- Respect for professional boundaries
When professionals operate in silos, value leaks. Coordination restores efficiency.
Communication and Service Cadence
You can expect:
- Clear next steps after every meeting
- Documentation of decisions and rationale
- Predictable review schedules
- Direct communication for time-sensitive matters
For exceptional situations, we respond with the same discipline applied to planning : calmly, deliberately, and with context.
How We Are Compensated
Transparency matters, especially in long-term relationships.
As of now, no separate fees are charged for discovery calls, educational sessions, reviews, or ongoing strategic discussions. These conversations are part of the advisory relationship and are available consistently to all clients.
For investment solutions, compensation is paid through the dealer, WhiteHaven Securities Inc., which receives a portion of the management fees paid to the investment fund provider. A portion of that compensation is paid to the advisor by the dealer.
For insurance solutions, compensation is typically paid by the insurance company at the time a policy is issued, with smaller renewal commissions in subsequent years, depending on the product and structure.
The cost of these products is embedded in the product itself and does not change based on the advisor selected. If compensation structures or service models change in the future, this will always be communicated clearly and in advance.
A more detailed explanation is available on the Compensation & Disclosure page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work for a bank or insurance company?
No. The practice is independent and not employed by any single bank or insurer. Solutions are selected based on suitability and long-term fit, not affiliation.
Are you incentivized to recommend certain products?
Compensation occurs when solutions are implemented, but recommendations are not tied to a single provider. The focus is on structures that remain appropriate over time, not frequent changes.
Can I keep my current accountant or lawyer?
Yes : and in most cases, you should. The role here is coordination, not replacement.
What if I only want advice and no products?
That can be discussed. Some situations require restructuring; others require clarity and confirmation. The process begins with understanding your needs.
How often will we meet?
This depends on complexity and life stage. Most clients review annually, with additional meetings when business or family circumstances change.
What happens during market downturns?
Market volatility is expected. The focus remains on structure, tax efficiency, risk management, and long-term resilience rather than short-term performance.
What if I decide to stop working together?
There is no penalty for ending the relationship. Investments and insurance policies remain yours. Structures are designed to serve you, not lock you in.
Who This Process Is For
This process is designed for business owners who:
- Think in decades, not quarters
- Value structure and discipline over speculation
- Care about the example their decisions set for the next generation
- Want an independent, thoughtful partner rather than a product distributor
If you are looking for fast answers, short-term optimization, or transactional advice, this approach will not be a good fit. That clarity is intentional.
Next Steps
If this approach resonates:
- Request a structure review
- Come prepared to discuss vision, not just numbers
- Expect thoughtful questions rather than immediate solutions
The goal is not to do more.
It is to do what matters, consistently, over time.