The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, September 30, 2003-19 .Donaldson Financial Group celebrates 25th year. By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion H elena DonaldsoVs parents would be proud. As founder and president of Donaldson Financial Group Inc., sbe said sbte still follows bard and fast tbe three principles ber parents taught ber while growing up: appreciate the value of money, think about the consequence of every action and respect otber peo- ple's property. "In what other business is this more applicable?" Ms Donaldson asked of fmnancial institutions. It's these three principles 10 which Ms Donaldaun attributes the success of her business as Donaldson Financial Group cele- brates ils 25th anniversary this year. "Most peoplé don't bave tbe time or expertise lu, take care of their financial situations. We take tbal stress out of tbeir lives," Ms Donaldson said. Donaldson Financial Group is located aI 310 Main St. E., suite 101. Its five employees work bard to serve 450 households, handling aIl their fmnancial needs witb tbe exceptions of accountmng and gen- eral insurance. WVhile many clients reside in Use Halton area, Ms Donaldson said she bas clients who live every- where from China 10 Use U.S, - in most cases, they moved frons Use Halton area but wanted to stay on with Donaldson Financial. "I tbink that's one of the best accolades," Ms Donaldson said of ber clients' loyalty. Ms Donaldson's business pbilos- opby is simple enougb - give clients one-on-one attention and really gel to, know their needs. Sbe said it's important Ilsat a client's financial institution fits "emosion- ally and mentally. "You couldn't do a plan for someone without ftnding out what their needs are," she said matter-of- factly. Ms Donaldson said clients often feel so comfortable witb ber advice that they calI ber up and ask ber questions such as: Should 1 lend sorte money 10 my son? Should I buy a car? "I'm a sounding board," she said. Tbe idea lu starl a financial insti- tution of her own came to Ms Donaldson after a rather fruslrating experience as a secretary, sbe said. "I remember receiving the saine bonus as someone upstairs wbo was reading tbree novels a week. 1 thougbt, 'l don't want 10, be work- ing in a salaried position. Whatever the amount of work I do, 1 want to be paid for il,"' sbe said, viewing commission sales as tbe way to go. So, gathering ber gumrption, she opened Donaldaun Financial Group in Oakville. When an office space opened here in town 16 years ago, Ms Donaldson said she decid- ed lu go for il and moved the coin- pany. "ls's a lovely town with wonder- fuI peuple so I thought, 'Why 0f course, Donaldson Financial bas faced many challenges over tbe past 25 years. One of tbe biggesl bas been over tbe past three years wben, Ms Donaldson said, tbe markets bave been at their worst. It's in these difficult tises that Ms Donaldson said the une-on-une relationship is particularly impor- tant. "We need tu be there for thens and feel Useir pain," she said. Ms Donaldson's goal is to even- tually employ a lawyer and an accountant to offer clients une-stop sbopping, she said. Although her job requires long hours and weekend work, Ms Donaldson said she doesn't mind, "I talk to clients Saturdays, Sundays and in Use eveninga. It's tbe least 1 can do." Her job is extremnely rewarding, Ms Donaldson said. From the young couple Usat's able 10 buy a home sooner than they expected, 10 Use man who's able to retire when be's still heaithy and active -these stories make ail the long hours worth it, she said. "I get postcards frons peuple ail over Use world saying, 'It's thanka lu you that we're here.' I Usank my lucky stars Usat I've been given Use opportustity lu, do this." Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncana- dianchampion.com. ,-Milton s Eco Solutions stocking up on natural de-icing products Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Helena Danaldmon, president of Donaldson Financlal Group. la proud of her companys accompllshments. A Milton company is the exclusive Ontario distribu- tor of a product il calîs "the cunting edge on snow removai technologies." Now UsaI summner's nearing an end, Eco Solutions on Lower Base Line is preparing for Use cold weatber, stocking ils shelves with three ail natural agricultural liquid de-icing produets -Geomnelt, Biomielt and Mountain melt. "Our liquid anti-icing and de-îcing produets are environtnentally friendly," reported an Eco Solutions press release. "They are made front agricultural-based ingredients such as sugar, heéts and coin," The company said Use produçts don't have Use saine hassiful effects on Use envsronmrent sait dues. They're made by Use Iowa, U.S. company Grain Processing Corporation. th e DONAJDSON,- FI1N AN CIAL C ROU P SCARTIER PARTNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES * Mutual Funds / Segrcgated Funds e Life, Term & Dlsabillty Insurance * Reg'd Retirement Savings Plans * Reg'd Retirement Income Funds e Annulties & Life Income Funds e Advanced Financial & Estate Planning E'mployee Benefits / Group Plans *Guaranteed Investment Certificates *Long Term Car / Critical Ilness Insurance * Provlded by Cartier Partners Financlal Services 'Hln *oaldo eeP eLU IC. 1C 0 *IIGCINSSE17 e Thma F. Taby B.c Ei 10i 101-310 Main St. East, Milton, ON L9T 1P4 Tel: 905-875-3366 Fax: 905-875-3574 www.donaldsonfinancial.com