CAROLYNE WHEATON, Financial Advisor, Assante Financial Management Ltd.– Steadfast Wealth Team
CAROLYNE WHEATON
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish”
Carolyne Wheaton, Financial Advisor at Assante Financial Management Ltd., firmly believes that envisioning a successful future is not enough; it requires continuous learning, growth, and consistent hard work to achieve one's goals. This mindset has been fundamental for her as a young, female Advisor who has encountered adversity while working in this industry.
“If you are willing to work hard, surround yourself with supportive individuals, and maintain a mindset that refuses to acknowledge limits, you will accomplish remarkable things,” she says.
Carolyne entered the industry nearly a decade ago, starting from the bottom and gaining experience and mentorship along the way, which has given her an appreciation for the path that led her to her current position. “Prior to entering the financial industry, I attended Carleton University where I studied business commerce,” she recalls. “However, this stream of education didn’t resonate with me, so I made the switch to enroll at Fleming College. Here, I gained hands-on experience that better suited my learning style.”
After earning her business diploma, Carolyne moved closer to Toronto where she worked in retail and real estate before returning to her hometown in the Ottawa Valley. It was at this point that her father offered her a job as an administrator for Assante Wealth Management. “Around this time, I found myself being asked the same question time and again whether it was always my plan to join the family business.” The short answer was, no it wasn’t the plan!
“While I did possess a business mindset like my dad, growing up, there was never any pressure to pursue the business,” Carolyne says. “I felt it was necessary for me to venture out on my own, discover what I did and didn’t like, and then return to find my own path and make an independent decision to enter the business. It started off as just a job, as I needed employment at the time. However, it quickly evolved into a career that I fell in love with and came to realize that it aligned with my passion and aspirations.”
Like Father Like Daughter
Growing up, Carolyne always expressed interest in her father’s business. Although she didn’t fully understand what he did on a day-to-day basis, she came to the realization that he was genuinely helping people. She discovered that by pursuing this career path, she could do the same. Witnessing her father’s work and joining him in helping people led Carolyne to pursue her license and become a partner in the business.
Carolyne and her father have a unique relationship, evolving from a boss-employee dynamic to a collaborative business partnership. “It's a running joke around here, but we have successfully transformed our roles from father-daughter to Advisor-Advisor, and it works exceptionally well for us,” she explains.
Although it was difficult to navigate in the beginning, being able to create boundaries between work and personal life was essential for this father-daughter duo. “I consider myself privileged and extremely fortunate to have him as both a father figure and a mentor,” she says. “The experience and insights he brings to the table greatly enhance my overall understanding and perspective.”
Youth and Female Empowerment
Carolyne is particularly passionate about empowering people, especially women and the younger generations, through financial literacy. “It was obvious to me upon entering this industry that it was predominantly male-dominated– both from the Advisor and client side of the table. Although this was a bit intimidating from my perspective, I recognized the need to bridge the gap in knowledge for both females and younger generations.”
In today’s complex financial landscape, many young individuals enter adulthood without a solid understanding of budgeting, investing, and making informed financial decisions. Recognizing the gap, Carolyne has designed a new initiative known as the Financial Boot Camp, which is aimed to educate the younger generation about financial literacy and empower them with essential money management skills.
Carolyne proudly highlights her company’s efforts in addressing this issue by placing a strong emphasis on diversity, actively recruiting more women in the industry, and fostering conversations among Advisors. Having a solid team serves as a bedrock for personal growth. “The significance of a team approach cannot be overstated,” she says. “There's a saying that goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together’. I genuinely believe in the power of teamwork and finding a group of individuals who can support and uplift you. Having colleagues to rely on, seek support from, and share experience with has made a tremendous difference for me.”
Values and Services
As an experienced Financial Advisor, Carolyne strives to uphold several values that guide her practice. “Some of our team’s core values revolve around our dedication and commitment to our clients,” she mentions. “Operating in a small town requires us to be mindful of how we conduct business, considering the tight-knit nature of the community. This commitment is evident in the work we do and the referrals we receive.”
“Our values also encompass the concept of building an everlasting legacy for our clients, tying in the long-term impact and importance of our services.” While the Assante team provides a wide range of financial advisory services, what distinguishes Carolyne’s practice is their emphasis on holistic life planning.
According to Carolyne, “Family planning is a significant aspect of our business. It’s common to see a mix of older clients working with my dad, and younger clients working with me– depending on the situation. I believe this reflects our emphasis on holistic planning that spans generations. Our goal is to preserve wealth within the family, or at the very least, ensure a smooth transfer of assets and offer peace of mind knowing someone will take good care of clients and their family’s legacy.”
Carolyne and her team have a strong focus on working with families and business owners. They have strategically built a diverse team with specialized expertise in different areas, catering to the unique needs of clients. “We prioritize finding the right fit between clients and Advisors, ensuring that every client receives the best possible care,” she says. “This process involves patience and thoughtful consideration, as we understand that not everyone will resonate with every Advisor. We believe it is crucial to have open and sometimes challenging conversations to ensure that our client’s needs are met and that they are receiving optimal support from their Advisors.”
“When we engage with clients, whether it’s during inter-meetings or discussions about numbers, plans, or insurance, the key is to ensure that clients understand and are able to work with us toward their goals,” she says. One particularly meaningful experience that Carolyne reflects upon is centered around retirement. “Together, we work on your plan, examine the numbers, and determine what is important to you. Then, we schedule a meeting for when you reach that retirement date. This approach allows me to witness the journey from beginning to end, acquiring knowledge along the way!”
“It is what you make it”
“Making an income is a necessity for all of us, but I strongly emphasize making an impact while earning.” Emphasizing the value of continuous learning, growth, and pursuing her passion, Carolyne expresses determination and eagerness to continue making a difference in her career and build a successful future in the industry.
“Undoubtedly, it can be challenging to navigate the abundance of information to learn in this field,” she says. “However, the beauty is that there is always so much to explore and countless possibilities to consider in terms of where you want to take your career. It's a matter of organizing and prioritizing your schedule, ensuring that you allow yourself the time and space to pursue those opportunities.”
Carolyne expresses enthusiasm for the near future, highlighting her strong desire to give back to her community by getting involved in schools to provide financial education for youth. “ I firmly believe in the importance of starting young and providing education, as knowledge acquired early leads to better outcomes later in life,” she says. “By educating and assisting, we can expect to have clients who are better informed and educated in 10 to 20 years, resulting in overall improved client relationships.”
As a reputable Financial Advisor, mother, and advocate for positive change in the industry, Carolyne remains dedicated to offering exceptional financial guidance and support to her clients. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals, especially women and the younger generation, she is committed to empowering them through financial literacy and education. Carolyne's unwavering belief in continuous learning, growth, and hard work drives her to achieve remarkable results and inspire others to do the same.
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Carolyne Wheaton
Financial Advisor
Assante Financial Management Ltd. – Steadfast Wealth Team
1205 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, Ontario K8A 7R6
613.735.8366
Carolyne Wheaton is a Financial Advisor with Assante Financial Management Ltd.
Please contact her at 613.735.8366 or visit https://advisor.assante.com/web/steadfast-wealth-team/ to discuss your particular circumstances prior to acting on the information above. Disclosure – Please visit https://www.assante.com/legal or contact Assante at 1-800-268-3200 for information with respect to important legal and regulatory disclosures relating to any of the information above.