About Derrick
Sometimes I hesitate to share my personal story because most of you know me as a business owner, and someone who is self sufficient. However, I know it is important to share my story because it probably relates to a lot of you.
Like most folks from Grande Prairie - -I come from humble beginnings. My parents made a lot of great financial decisions, like starting education savings for our children when they were born, and they also made a few catastrophic ones – including some that led to bankruptcy when I was a kid. Our family was no stranger to trauma as my father suffered a heart attack which impacted us in many ways, including financially. The struggle with money only intensified after that. When my parents were approaching their retirement, my father learned that his life insurance policy had lapsed due to a missed payment leaving his estate, and my mom with nothing but debt when he passed away in 2008.
That experience shook me and set me on a course to secure financial stability for me and my family.
So, I did what many people have done in this amazing city we call home – I got to work.
That included time in a corporate role with RBC, and then as an entrepreneur for 15 years as a home builder. I loved home building because it let me design space for families to grow, and because I really respect the hard work and tenacity that goes into running a business.
As my children and business grew, so did my understanding of financial needs for entrepreneurs (and the gaps that exist in advice) --- and so I am full circle back in finance and using my experience as a business owner to help entrepreneurs the best way I know how.
I relate to my clients on their level – I know what it takes to be a business owner. I appreciate that you go hard when times are good, and you get innovative when the economy turns.
I too have a family and know that what parents are protecting is more than a paycheck.
I too love my community – there are few places that let you create and reinvent yourself like the Peace Country.
And I am sincere in my values. I value transparency which is why I offer videos of financial subjects on my website.
I value family which is why I work closely with my client’s families as well.
I value trust which is why I adopt the same investing and risk management strategies with my client as I do with my family.
Financial advising is about more than money. It is a relationship of dream drawing and goal getting. It’s a partnership of trust that gives you peace of mind that the future is going to be just fine.