Our story is… we do our best to make it all about you!
We understand how confusing and untrustworthy the financial industry can be, but we hope to change that. We want to earn your trust by doing what we say we are going to do and by doing great work for you. We also strive to be one of the most valuable, educational and no-nonsense relationships in your life. Life is too short to spend it working with people who don’t bring you value and who you don’t enjoy being around. We feel very blessed to be called friends by many of our clients.
I was fortunate to grow up in a loving home where my parents taught me about the value of hard work, how to put money in its proper place and the importance of one’s reputation. I remember my father telling me “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches”. He used that verse to guide his business.
Fast forward to 2007, the start of my calling in financial planning at one of the largest financial planning firms in Canada. It was a great experience overall; I earned my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Professional designation, and I learned a lot about taking care of clients and financial and retirement planning from a great mentor.
Over time, I came to realize that my clients would be better served if I left the firm and became an independent CFP. Being independent allowed me to free from corporate sales quotas and mandates so I could focus on my client’s bottom line, not the corporation I was working for. Being independent allowed me to always choose the best investment and insurance products for my clients as my compensation was the same no matter which option we chose for them. This is the beauty of working with an independent advisor or CFP.
It was around this time that my amazing wife (pictured below) came up with the name for our business, Rivershore Wealth Planning (RWP). It was based on a verse found in Jeremiah 17: 7-8. I loved the idea that I could be like a stream of water for clients to put “their roots/trust” down in that allowed them to have faith and confidence WHEN (not if) the heat (hard times/(fear/uncertainty) comes. I would be there for them and help them to bear fruit and stay green/alive… the imagery was perfect!
Since RWP came to life, I’ve been very blessed with 3 amazing and adventurous kids and many amazing client relationships. We will continue to work hard to keep that trust and do right by them, and hopefully you. My promise to you is simple: We will care more about you and be more personally devoted to your financial success than anyone you’ve worked with before.
We look forward to meeting with you someday in the future!
Our Team
Joel Van Gaalen
FOUNDER & CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER
PROFESSIONAL®
Heather Dennis
ADMIN ASSISTANT &
CLIENT CARE
SPECIALIST
Isabelle Van Gaalen
MARKETING &
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
