Eight Years In: What We’ve Built, Who We Help, and Why It Matters
January 12th marks a meaningful milestone for Financial Concierge™ — eight years of serving older adults and their families with clarity, care, and purpose.
Reaching eight years in business offers a moment for me to pause and reflect, not just on why I began this company, but on what has been built, how the work has evolved, and why it matters more than ever.
Turning a Vision Into a Thriving Business
Financial Concierge™ exists because of the vision of Mel Head, a retired engineer and former investment client in Calgary, Alberta. Mel recognized that older adults were struggling with essential daily financial tasks —like paying bills and managing their finances— and there were no professional services around that he could find to support them. In response to this need, he developed a comprehensive business case.
That vision became reality when my life circumstances changed. In early January 2018, following a pivotal conversation over coffee, I made the decision to take Mel’s idea off the shelf and declared – “Mel, I’m going to run with it.” I transformed the business plan into a start up company and on January 12, 2018, officially incorporated Financial Concierge Inc.
Mel’s idea quickly became a mission-driven company — shaped by my passion and commitment to help older adults manage their financial affairs and maintain their independence.
How the Work Has Evolved
In the early years, most client engagements focused on document organization and day-to-day money management – like paying bills, depositing cheques and reconciling accounts.
While continuing to provide those services, it became increasingly clear to me that support with Executor and Attorney Services under Powers of Attorney was the primary need attracting clients. More and more engagement came from individuals who had no one to appoint in the important roles of executor and attorneys leaving them unprotected at a vulnerable time in life.
Today, serving clients across Canada I am proud we can help them age in their own homes – protecting their financial and personal wellbeing – as well as manage their estates when the time comes.
A Team Built on Experience
In 2019, I began recruiting seasoned professionals to build a team of Financial Concierges — backed by experience in estate administration and demonstrated passion for working with older adults.
I believe what sets us apart is not just industry knowledge, but perspective. Our diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and desire for continuous learning has fostered strong team collaboration and growth.
Together our access to a network of resources allows us to provide our clients the best possible support and experience.
What We’re Most Proud Of
What makes this 8‑year milestone most meaningful for me is:
How our team supported each other and our clients through the difficult Covid years. During a time of uncertainty, disruption, and heightened vulnerability for older adults, our team remained steady, connected, and committed to doing the work well.
The way we openly share challenges, learnings, wins, and most importantly – laughter. As our team grows, this approach continues to help FCI thrive and provide the expertise and support our clients expect.
Today we’ve grown to a team of 20 – 17 Financial Concierges plus a bookkeeper, webmaster and executive assistant!
I can’t help feeling like we’re riding the crest of a wave, with demand for our services growing every month. My vision is simple: lead this company from Good to Great!”
Looking Ahead with Purpose
As I look ahead to the future, it’s clear that the demand for Professional Executor and Power of Attorney Services is steadily increasing, and will continue to do so.
We’re there for most older adults and busy families with basic estate needs. We’re also one of the few options available when:
- There is no one to appoint as executor or attorneys for property and particularly personal
- The client’s assets are below the required threshold of Trust companies
- An individual dies with no will and their assets may be too small to access public support
Financial Concierge™ has a clear purpose – to provide clarity, commitment and comfort to these individuals and their families – and to offer them peace of mind knowing their wishes will be honoured and legacy protected.
Gratitude for the People Who Made This Possible
This milestone would not be possible without the people and organizations who believed in me and this work from the beginning.
I am eternally grateful to Mel and his vision which grew to become Financial Concierge Inc. A special thank you to:
- Kimberly Wallace, ‘The Estate Lady’ in Calgary, whose referrals helped me gain early traction;
- The Estate Planning Council of Calgary, who welcomed me into their professional community
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, whose startup loan helped me launch FCI.
- My team, whose dedication, experience, and care have helped create the company we’ve become today
All of us at Financial Concierge™ are deeply grateful to our clients and professional network of associates who place their trust in us every day.
Eight Years In — and Here to Help
Eight years in and the work continues. My passion and my team’s passion grows stronger with every new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families.
If you or someone you love needs help getting bills paid, documents organized, and attorney or executor services – let us help you turn overwhelm into order and intention into action.
Financial Concierge™ offers Professional Executor and Power of Attorney services to assist with executor, attorney duties or help with managing daily financial activities. Learn more about Financial Concierge™ here.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not intended to be legal or financial advice and should not be construed as anything other than for information purposes.
