This year marks 25 years since I started in the industry — fresh out of university and off to Winnipeg in January (yes, January!) for training at Great-West Life (now Canada Life).
Back then, presentations were made with overhead projector slides and acetate sheets. No PowerPoint, no Zoom — just a lot of determination.
The industry has changed dramatically since then. We’ve gone from fax machines to e-signatures, from mailing claims to snapping photos on our phones. But one thing hasn’t changed: it’s still about people.
I never saw this as just a job. I didn’t expect to one day own a business, or to be in business with my husband, Tim, nor with our business partners Jay and Stuart.
Jay was our financial advisor before Tim joined the industry, and I met Stuart and the Suttons early in my career. Full-circle moments like that remind me how small — and connected — the world truly is.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Don’t let the highs be too high or the lows too low. Business brings both. Staying steady, grounded, and connected to purpose is what truly matters.
And speaking of connection — this year also marks our 25th wedding anniversary! We have celebrated with friends, family, and a memorable trip to Spain.
People often ask how we balance life and work, and my answer is often the same: I don’t think balance is the goal. We have one life — and it’s beautiful, complicated, and intertwined.
We’ve learned to be intentional, to respect each other’s strengths, and to always put our marriage first. Through it all, the relationships — with each other, our family, our team, and our clients — are what keep us inspired.
And at the heart of it all is Tim. Building a life and a business together hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding. After 25 years together, I know for certain — I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb
