A Manitoba team of financial experts launched Blackwood Wealth Planning (Blackwood) in Winnipeg today.

Founded by Patrick O’Connor and Mike Couture, Blackwood is a new full-service financial planning firm employing an experienced group of dedicated specialists who serve the unique needs of incorporated individuals both within Manitoba and across Canada.

Blackwood approaches financial planning using a specialized proprietary process — the Wealth Optimization Planning Process. The company says this process brings clarity and addresses the complete financial picture of incorporated individuals, including business owners, doctors, dentists and other professionals. Working together with clients, Blackwood is pioneering the shift towards true planning and offering clients many of their services on a fee-based approach.

“Our proprietary planning process is unique in that it offers our clients the opportunity to truly gain clarity around their key goals, before they begin the complex task of selecting the tactics and tools to put their plan into action,” says Patrick O’Connor, one of the Blackwood partners. “Our planning process starts at a different place then any other process out there — we start with Mission, Vision and Values and we work closely with our clients to identify and meet these needs.”

The Blackwood planning process reflects the company’s slogan: Grow. Protect. Share. It is the unique concept of sharing that is of rising interest amongst today’s socially conscience population. Baby Boomers especially, are increasingly thinking about making a difference and leaving behind a family or social legacy. Leaving a legacy involves specific financial considerations that require specialized planning.

“More and more people are committed to sharing their wealth with charities or organizations that are important to them. They want to leave a legacy in their community or family and we focus on getting them the right plan,” says O’Connor. “It has been my experience that after a client has gone through the process, they have a clear understanding of their financial choices and the confidence to take action.”

Business owners and incorporated individuals are in a unique position because their personal and business financial situations are closely related. This situation comes with complex tax and financial issues. Blackwood has the unique ability to bridge business and personal financial needs through having in-house expertise in all areas of financial management, including group benefits, investment planning, living benefits and wealth and estate planning.