I learned my first business and financial lessons on the farm. As soon as I was old enough, my grandfather took me to almost every auction barn in southeast Saskatchewan. He was both a farmer and a cattle buyer. At the auction, he taught me that the price was the price, that you cannot control markets and that people needed to know themselves, whether they were a buyer or a seller.

When I was 13, my dad helped me write my first business plan to buy orphaned calves as part of the Young Entrepreneur Program. When I sold the cattle, my grandfather reminded me not to spend the money, so I would be able to purchase more calves in the spring without an additional loan.

What I learned about markets and sales on the farm helped me in my first career as a lumber trader. While I enjoyed the lumber business, my main focus was on products. What I wanted was a hometown office with the opportunity to build face-to-face relationships with clients.

As an Edward Jones advisor since 2006, I have taken the lessons I learned from the farm, my degree and my previous business experience. Building a practice through an understanding of what is important to clients, I focus on individual goals and needs with the objective of helping clients achieve more than they ever thought they could.

My branch office administrator, Vicki Rooks, and I partner with our clients for the long term. Our objective is to make sure every client receives personalized attention and an individualized plan to help make their goals become reality.

When I am not at the office, my wife and I enjoy watching our two teenage children compete in their various sports and activities. I stay active in the community as a member of Rotary. I have also coached youth sports and served on the boards for both the Estevan Bruins and EMHA.