Sunil Chugh has been a financial advisor since 1990, helping individuals and families achieve their financial planning goals. He provides advice on insurance planning, retirement planning, estate planning, intergenerational wealth transfer planning, education savings planning, and tax planning. Working with professionals and families in the Greater Toronto Area, he is committed to providing high quality advice and integrated wealth management solutions, that simplify and enhance the quality of his clients and their families’ lives.
Sunil has completed a Chartered Financial Planner designation and is a member in good standing of the Financial Planners Standards Council. He is also the founder and president of a company based in Mississauga, Ontario. The firm is committed to its clients and their family’s personal prosperity.
He started as an insurance agent back in the 90s and quickly realized that he enjoyed helping people solve their financial concerns. He realized that people listened and followed his advice. He was able to convey his message in a way that clients understood and could relate. His education was in finance and economics, so he further pursued a career as a Financial Advisor.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you?
It was a proactive decision as my education in Finance and Commerce led me to find work in the Financial Services field. My main inspiration is based upon my passion for helping clients achieve their financial prosperity. There are individuals everyday who struggle with the idea of balancing finances and if I were able to help, I always would. Whether it was members of my family, or close friends it was natural for many of them to rely on me for financial support or guidance.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
There were days, weeks and months in the early stages of the company when I was working long hours, which created some doubt. However, I knew that through some hard work that it would eventually allow me to overcome all the foreseen obstacles. I believe that you are able to become successful yourself by in turn helping others achieve that very same success.
How did you get your first customer?
I met one of my very first clients in a cafeteria in Eaton’s Department Store in 1990. I created a Retirement and Estate Plan for him. This client recently passed away in 2018 and his spouse passed away in 2019. I had the pleasure of witnessing their success financially. My greatest pride is to know they were financially sound and financially independent, debt free until their last days. I experienced a full range of emotions while working with this client over the years. I also have the pleasure of working with their children to this day. It is a very satisfying and humbling experience to help the next generation.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works well to generate new business?
My main marketing strategy is to continue to expand my knowledge and education. This process helps me to serve my existing clients better. This usually works well in obtaining additional business from existing clients. Also, I am continuing to explore the online network of individuals who are searching for some financial advice. Some who might just have some questions that could be quickly answered through a online portal. Through these avenues, I hope that we can gain a positive number of clients.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
The toughest decision I had to make this year was to let go of several clients who were not meeting the Assets Under Management guidelines. This is difficult as it is a relationship building business and if some clients are not abiding to the requirements, we are not able to continue our business relationships.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
What makes me successful is the ongoing drive to help others become successful by simplifying their financial lifestyle concerns. If in the world, we proceeded to wish success for everyone, society would be a much more effective and positive place.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying and humbling moments in business is knowing the work I do transcends through generations. One of my close friends passed away a few years ago and I had the opportunity to work with him through an accumulation of wealth and distribution of assets to the respective beneficiaries. It is satisfying to know that his business will continue, and the dependents are financially taken care of.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
The future for the business is to continue to grow and diversify. I have recently passed the Canadian Securities Course. Also, I am in the process of completing the Family Enterprise Advisor course in 2019. All this will allow me to serve my existing client base with additional products and services learnt from the courses above.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
I have added new software and research tools which will help me attain a better level of service by staying ahead of the information curve.
What is the best thing about your current job?
The best thing about my current work is the use of technology to help service clients more efficiently. I enjoy working with clients and seeing their family grow financially. With finances, nothing is certain, but it is a satisfying process knowing that the plan we have initially created is currently all working as best as we could have hoped for.