PEOPLE
CAREER PATH
THE POWER OF LISTENING Some tumultuous times have taught Jamie Suprun the importance of hearing what his clients have to say
Suprun took his first steps into wealth management while still in high school. During Grade 11, he spent four months working three days a week at Midland Walwyn, which also happened to be his father’s workplace. “I compiled data for the advisors in the office to make decisions – it was difficult to get info on stocks and funds without Google. I loved watching how money can grow and dealing with people. After that, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
1995
DISCOVERS WEALTH MANAGEMENT
1997
2001 ESTABLISHES HIMSELF IN A BEAR MARKET Suprun’s first professional position as an investment advisor came at a tumultuous time. “That year, we lived through the tech wreck and then 9/11, and people were feeling ignored – their current advisors were just not picking up the phone. What I did was as simple as listening to clients. It was a great learning experience; you don’t learn when the markets go up.”
2012 CHANGES CULTURE After a decade with one firm, a shift in ownership and culture prompted Suprun to make a change of his own, moving his practice to HollisWealth. “It wasn’t a change in location; it was a change in operating environment. We have an independent platform with the perceived strength of a bank. We are more holistic advisors; we look at the whole picture. There’s an appreciation at a root level of the client’s needs and wants.”
2019 GETS INDUSTRY RECOGNITION Earlier this year, Suprun not only made a repeat appearance on WPC ’s Top 50 Advisors list, but was also named as a finalist for Canadian Advisor of the Year at the Wealth Professional Awards. “I’m happy to be recognized in the company that’s in that award. Being at the top of any occupation is great; the fact that it’s a highly competitive business with high barriers to entry makes it extra special.”
SOAKS IT ALL UP When the time came for university, Suprun examined his options and settled on the University of Guelph, where he earned an honours commerce degree in industry and finance. “I felt that would help me in my future endeavours in finance because I knew that I would come into the business. I worked summers full-time in my dad’s office, mailing out marketing material for him. I was soaking it all up.”
2008
GRAPPLES WITH ANOTHER MARKET SHOCK The global financial crisis provided Suprun with another chance to test his mettle as an advisor.
“People were looking for answers. They wanted ideas; they were tired of the bloodbath. That year cemented for me the importance of explaining the investment process, of under-promising and over-delivering, and giving people better advice than they’re going to get at a bank or brokerage” 2017
BECOMES PART OF IA SECURITIES HollisWealth’s acquisition by iA Securities brought new challenges for Suprun. “Change is inevitable, and in this business, you’d better be prepared for it. An extra level of service had to be provided to the clients to make sure they were happy – I didn’t sleep for six months. I live in a small town; if you do something great, word gets out. It started out quite bumpy two years ago, but now I’m very happy.”
www.wealthprofessional.ca
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