In a recent planning meeting, the discussion came up about the pending soft launch of our new company, Northern River Financial. I was asked what date would be most appropriate for the soft launch of our new website and social media platform. We were aiming for early September. Then it dawned on me. What about the 12th anniversary of the launch of my predecessor company Bentley Financial? This was the company I started when I first took the leap into self-employment after leaving the corporate consulting world behind.
Being me, it started me pondering about the underlying rationale for the change in the first place. The main reason is the true spirit behind any entrepreneur; the continual need for self- awareness and self-improvement. Entrepreneurs by their very nature cannot be idle or complacent.
Such was the case in the evolution of my business. For a while, I have been contemplating a need to rejuvenate the company and to create a stronger message and brand in line with where I saw the future of the business progressing. Back when I was approaching my early fifties, I saw a need to make two fundamental changes to what I was promoting in our financial life planning practice. Both changes revolved around the nature of our practice.
First, I wanted to draw a stronger, and more important, emphasis on incorporating life planning into our financial planning practice. The perspective is that people should be living the life they want now and not just in retirement. Life goals are as important as financial goals. They should work together in unison to accomplish your desires. It isn’t just all about the numbers.
The second change was to differentiate our brand from the traditional ones in our industry. I wanted a reflection of a balanced and holistic lifestyle. Most industry brands are built around personalities, associations and financial achievement. I wanted an image that reflected on the more important things in life. People need to live for the moment and enjoy their lifestyle. To me, that is drawn out by a northern inspiration which is just one potential reflection of a peace of mind. For me, peace of mind is a cottage on a wilderness lake with a canoe paddle in hand.
So, there it is. Reflection and Rejuvenation. There is always time for this. It comes out in the passion for your personal and professional life. If we aren’t always trying to improve and enhance what we believe in or how we live it, then we are passive. People have so much potential and it is there for all that want to grasp it.
So September 15th is the soft launch date. It’s a chance for us to enhance our brand, values and message to reflect our current direction. We are excited as it approaches and look forward to engaging with our clients and future clients to show you your potential and how you can live life to its fullest. That is our satisfaction and gives us all of us peace of mind.
