DARRYL TATOMIR, , Senior Wealth Advisor, Bergh Tatomir & Associates, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth

DARRYL TATOMIR

"Stability, Strength, and Good Foundations"

Darryl Tatomir, Senior Wealth Advisor, Bergh Tatomir and Associates, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth has spent his career working with clients with a goal of building a financial foundation that will provide stability for the rest of their lives. For Darryl, every client is a long-term client, no matter how much they invest. He takes their success personally.

Building a plan

Today, Darryl is a respected advisor in the industry, helping families achieve their financial goals. He loves his job.

“People fascinate me. As soon as I think I’ve got something figured out, someone comes to me with a challenge I haven’t seen before. I love it. Every day is a new obstacle to overcome, and we thrive on finding creative solutions for them. No two days are the same, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He starts with listening; to understand what clients value most. It’s Darryl’s first step in working with them, and possibly the most important. What are their goals? Where do they want their financial plan to take them?

What sets Darryl apart from others is that while listening to the client, he makes sure their goals are something he can help them achieve. He doesn’t want to take on a client and make promises he can’t keep. “I don’t bring on new clients lightly. Once we have that conversation, if we can help them get there, I’m all in.”

After Darryl’s initial work, he undertakes a risk assessment. What could go could go wrong? What do we know and what don’t we know? He’ll first seek to address the things that might serve as roadblocks, then he’ll build out the plan accordingly. Darryl quips that “we start with defense. We build a good foundation and assess the risk. Then we can look ahead and have some fun with offense.”

Darryl feels a responsibility to live up to a client’s expectations. It’s why Bergh-Tatomir and Associates is fiercely independent. It allows Darryl, and his team, to keep the customer the priority. “Which is the point.” They aren’t saddled with corporate biases, nor their solutions aren’t restricted by brand name, so they can actually do what’s best for a client. Instead of just doing what they can with a limited set of tools.

Wellington-Altus Private Wealth has allowed Darryl to continue delivering the best possible service. Supportive, and encouraging, they give him the freedom to be at his best.

Setting the foundation

Darryl learned from an early age the importance of hard work, with his father serving as an early inspiration. Art (his dad) worked hard, every day, putting in long hours. With no formal education, but with heart and dedication, he moved to Calgary. He didn’t know anyone.

He was alone.

But Art was a fighter, and within a short period of time he started a general contracting business that became extremely successful. He ran the business for 40 years, before selling and going into a comfortable retirement.

He didn’t know anyone, but he knew what he had to do. Knock on every door he could to find the work, build connections, find more work. Establish successful relationships, take on larger projects. Hire more people, expand the business.

It was a lesson for Darryl that he never abandoned: “never get outworked.” But Darryl is also a former junior athlete so he adds “always be ready to go into the corners.” It’s something he’s never shied away from, hard work. He thrives on it. His commitment level is extremely high because he takes client success personally. “Like I said before, when we bring on a client, it isn’t something we do lightly. We want to make sure we provide the best advice possible and deliver on what we promised. It’s the foundation of what we do.”

The lessons his father taught him have remained core to Darryl’s outlook on business for his entire life and benefit his clients to this day.

Darryl was fortunate to meet a second mentor, early in his career, whose experience gave him the insight he needed to take his career further. Darryl met Brad Bergh 25 years ago when both men were working at London Life. Brad was a well-established advisor, with more than a decade in the business. He was smart. Charming. Charismatic beyond belief. Brad was so good with people; they just loved him and loved doing business with him.

At the time, Brad on the verge of branching out on his own, but he knew he needed the right partner. Someone with the energy to build a solid base of clients, with a good head for business, and a strong moral compass.

Cue Darryl.

Darryl was young, and hungry; eager to prove himself. He worked hard, putting in the time, quickly becoming a much relied upon member of the team.

There was an instant connection between Darryl and Brad, despite the 15-year age gap that separated them. They both had similar outlooks on the business, but most importantly they both felt a deep sense responsibility for clients. That was the catalyst. Darryl knew this was exactly the type of person, and advisor, with whom to build a business. And now that the story is written, he was certainly right!

Brad offered Darryl a partnership and the rest is history. The deal was sealed with a handshake.

Unfortunately, in 2018, Brad was diagnosed with cancer. He fought the disease with strength, dignity, and optimism, but succumbed to the illness. Darryl lost a mentor, partner, and friend.

It was personally devastating for the entire team.

There are few boutique firms in Canada that would be able to absorb such an incredible loss. How they did it is clear: a partnership between two gifted planners, working together to protect their clients through an effective succession plan, and building a business with an unshakeable foundation.

Leading the way

He wasn’t the first, but he was certainly in front of the industry as it moved from peddling product toward comprehensive financial planning. Darryl doesn’t see product as the end goal, he sees it as a tool that builds solutions, or solves problems. The plan comes first. It’s a difficult road to travel, though.

There is often a lot of noise that that can distract and entice; far too many shiny objects in the world that can attract attention. But “discipline and focus” are keys to success. It’s the tortoise and the hare scenario.

One thing that’s unique about Darryl is that he practices what he preaches. Not only in terms of strategy, making sure his financial and estate planning are up-to date, that his insurance protects him in the most efficient way possible for example, but in terms of the advice he provides his clients.

Darryl proudly admits “I don’t recommend a product that I don’t already own personally. I’m patient zero. If I don’t believe in it for myself, there’s no way I’m going to suggest it to a client.”

Serving the community

Darryl is a straight shooter. He’s credible, friendly, and engaging.

Darryl gives his whole heart to his every endeavour, and his personal life is no different. His three sons all play minor hockey, and he is an active volunteer. Getting up early; raising money; doing whatever was needed of him.

Darryl never asked his boys to do anything he wasn’t willing to do himself. He feels compelled to serve the community because so many provided him the same opportunities while he was growing up, and he wants his kids, and as many kids as possible, to feel that support. Darryl continues to serve the community because, as he puts it, “if we can give back, I think we should.”

Darryl combines passion, drive, and heart. He wants clients to succeed, to build a strong foundation that will support their dreams, and Darryl is proud to be a part of it.

The information contained herein has been provided for information purposes only. The information has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. Graphs, charts and other numbers are used for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect future values or future performance of any investment. The information does not provide financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Particular investment, tax, or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to each individual’s objectives and risk tolerance. This does not constitute a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell securities of any kind. Market conditions may change which may impact the information contained in this document. Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc. (WAPW) does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, nor does WAPW assume any liability for any loss that may result from the reliance by any person upon any such information or opinions. Before acting on any of the above, please contact your financial advisor. WAPW is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. © 2022, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO USE OR REPRODUCTION WITHOUT PERMISSION. www.wellington-altus.ca If you no longer wish to receive commercial electronic messages from Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc., please send an email to unsubscribe@wprivate.ca

Gary Milakovic is a veteran writer with more than a decade in the public sector and corporate communications. He has covered a wide spectrum of topics and his work has been featured by large and small organizations across Canada. Gary is passionate about communication, his writing often focuses on uncovering the “story behind the story.”