Jason Hare, CFP, H.BSc., OD and President and Founder of Cornerstone Wealth, has over 20 years of business and financial experience. Having started out as an optometrist, Jason earned his Certified Financial Planner designation and has devoted his career to helping families and business owners achieve their financial goals through proper planning and risk mitigation.
Jason believes the best solutions for business planning and family wealth creation is to continue to research new investment and insurance opportunities for clients. Along with his colleagues, they understand the importance of having an excellent administrative team who can provide the best possible service at Cornerstone Wealth Planning.
Where did the concept for Cornerstone Wealth originate?
JASON HARE: We chose the name Cornerstone because it brings to mind a solid foundation, which is really the underlying premise of our approach and our business. We create financial security in stages, and we build plans with our clients from the ground up. We want our clients to see their relationship with us as the cornerstone of reaching their financial goals.
How do you distinguish yourself from other wealth management firms?
JASON HARE: First, we place a huge emphasis on finding and retaining quality people who are client-focused, and who understand that our business only exists to create that security and satisfaction for our clients. So we’ve established that culture and we’ve built a loyal client base who’ve placed their trust in us, and who recommend our services to their colleagues across many different industries. We make sure to reach out to our clients at least two or three times more per year than any of our peers. This lets them know that they matter to us, that our relationship with them is important and vital, and that they feel more like friends than customers. That approach has been very successful for us.
How do you approach a consultation with your clients?
JASON HARE: I know from my own experience that clients don’t want to feel like they’re being sold a financial product, like they’re in a clothing store or something. My team and I make sure we’re approaching our consultations as conversations, as opportunities to educate and to learn from them what their priorities are. We’re almost like coaches – we’re making informed decisions on what each client is bringing to the table, we’re maximizing their skills and interests, and we’re setting them up for success. We don’t have arbitrary goals or quotas that put undue pressure on our team to sell. We want to be focused on authentic guidance and finding a clear direction for our clients.
How does your life outside of work affect your professional success?
JASON HARE: I spent most of my time outside of work with my family. My wife and I have two sons, and our goals for them are the same as the goals most of our clients have, so I can certainly relate to that need to create financial stability for your family. I work with some Nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston (ON), as well as with the Shop with a Cop charity. I also love golfing, and as a family, we support the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. All these activities help keep me balanced and mentally healthy, and focused on what’s really important in life.
