What you want and I want are probably pretty similar.
And I’ve got a hunch it’s all about choices.
Nobody said it would be like this.
Who would've thought deciding to go out on your own and blu-tac an open sign in an empty shop window, would be the start of one of the biggest personal growth experiences around?
I know I didn't.
How about you?
You see, I'm a business owner too. I get it.
I get the late nights, the uncertainty, the excitement and the sense of building something great.
I get that it's about surviving first and thriving second. Pushing uphill with everything you've got.
I get that you learn a million different skills you never thought you'd need.
I get that you're a specialist in your sweet spot expertise, and a jack of all trades in running the show.
You know about marketing, and book-keeping, and payroll and rostering. And you’re a dab hand at fixing tech (turn it off and on again), making coffee for clients, and sweeping the shop floor for the 7th time today.
You also know there’s a time to call in the experts. Because a specialist’s ability to look at your situation with an objective eye, and apply their deep knowledge can be worth its weight in gold.
When folks need specialist help with their retirement plan, they call me.
Tom Finnegan. Retirement planner.
Because when there's a plan, there's choices.
Pleased to meet you.
Tom Finnegan
Hello, I’m Tom.
I’m a financial adviser and retirement planning specialist for small business owners — especially those who’ve spent more years investing in their business, than their super.
It doesn’t matter where you’re at with your retirement savings right now. My job is to help make sure there’s enough.
Because let’s face it, nobody wants to spend their golden years waking at 2am in a cold sweat, worried about running out of money and having to go back to work.
I’ve got a Bachelor of Commerce and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, and I’m currently studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Along with being a small business owner like you, I love being husband to Em, and dad to three girls — Ella, Keira and Seirsha. We spend weekends koala-spotting, gardening and adventuring out at our cabin on five acres at Ravensbourne.
And I reckon the simple things, can make for a pretty good life.
Sophie Oliver
Hello, I’m Sophie.
I’m the office manager, client service assistant and chief office DJ. I keep a close eye on all the moving parts of your financial plan, and am your first port of call for any questions you might have.
I’ve got a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, a Diploma of Financial Planning and I’m a Justice of the Peace.
And I’ve got big respect for our clients who run small businesses. My dad had his own biz for years, so I’ve seen the long hours, hard work, and ups and downs that go with running your own show.
I’m a self-confessed numbers nerd from 9-to-5, but balance that with yoga teaching, hanging with my 50kg rottweiler Ruffus, and tinkering with Frank — my 1979 Ford XD Fairmont.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, Frank’s an appreciating asset. (And no, that’s not investment advice.)
Merryn Barnes
Hello, I’m Merryn.
I’m a paraplanner, which is a fancy name for someone who prepares your financial advice documents.
I work closely with Tom to research strategies and products, model the options, and write it all out in a Statement of Advice that explains the ins and outs of your financial plan.
You might remember me as your client service assistant when I lived in Toowoomba, but I now work remotely from Canberra, where I live at the army base with my husband.
I’ve studied book-keeping and financial advice, so I know my numbers and how it all works.
But I also love games nights, dancing, and can play a fairly average rendition of "Happy Birthday" on the ukulele.
And if caravanning around Oz is in your retirement plan, hit me up with questions. I’ve had a go at that once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s so much fun.
"We have been clients of Tom for some years now and have always been very impressed with the soundness of his advice, but also the way his understanding of us and our individual circumstances has underpinned his advice.
The truly wonderful thing is that we can relax in the confident knowledge that we are on the right track. We have recommended Tom to friends and relatives and will continue to do so in the most glowing terms."
- Liz