Building Portfolios That Actually Work
Most investors struggle because they're chasing trends instead of building foundations. We focus on understanding what investment instruments fit your actual financial situation—not what's popular this month.
Learn Our Approach
Three Core Investment Categories
Fixed Income
Bonds and treasury instruments that provide steady returns. Good for stability, though you won't see dramatic growth. Most Canadian investors hold 30-40% here depending on age.
Equity Markets
Stocks and index funds where growth happens. Higher volatility means you need patience. We help identify which sectors align with your risk tolerance and timeline.
Alternative Assets
REITs, commodities, and specialized funds that diversify beyond traditional holdings. Usually 10-15% of a balanced portfolio for added protection during market shifts.
How We Work With Clients
Every portfolio starts with honest assessment. No scripts, no one-size-fits-all packages.
Initial Assessment
We spend time understanding where you are financially. Current holdings, risk tolerance, what keeps you up at night. This usually takes 90 minutes because rushing this part leads to misaligned strategies later.
Portfolio Design
Based on what we learned, we build a mix of instruments that fits your situation. Not what worked for someone else. We present options with clear trade-offs so you can make informed decisions.
Implementation Support
Setting up accounts, transferring holdings, rebalancing existing positions—this is where theory meets reality. We guide you through each step without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity.
Ongoing Review
Markets change. Your life changes. We check in quarterly to see if adjustments make sense. Sometimes the answer is "leave it alone." That's fine too.
Real Portfolio Examples
These represent actual allocation strategies we've built. Numbers changed for privacy, but the principles remain the same.
Conservative Growth Model
60% fixed income, 30% broad market equity, 10% dividend-focused funds. Built for someone five years from retirement who wanted stability but needed some growth to outpace inflation.
Balanced Approach
40% equity indices, 40% bond ladder, 15% REITs, 5% commodities. Mid-career professional with 15-year horizon. Enough stability to sleep at night, enough growth to build real wealth.
Growth-Focused Strategy
70% equity (mix of Canadian and international indices), 20% sector-specific ETFs, 10% bonds. Younger investor comfortable with volatility, 25+ year timeline before needing the funds.
Income Generation Focus
50% dividend aristocrats, 30% corporate bonds, 15% preferred shares, 5% cash equivalents. Designed for someone already retired who needs consistent monthly income with minimal principal risk.
Who Provides Guidance
Stellan Viklund
Worked in institutional investment management before switching to individual clients in 2018. Prefers straightforward conversations about risk over complicated financial jargon.
Dorian Trewin
Spent twelve years analyzing Canadian equity markets. Now helps clients understand how different instruments actually behave during various market conditions instead of just reading about them.