It’s typically female best friends that raid each other’s closets for fashion advice. But then there’s very little that’s typical about Brock Melnyk, 32, and Jason Longshaw, 30, and that’s the way they like it.
Brock and Jason are Senior Financial Advisors with ATB’s wealth management firm ATB Investor Services, business partners and close friends. Both men are highly successful in their line of work with $250 million of assets under management, but took very different paths to the top.
Brock calls himself “alphabet soup” for the number of professional acronyms following his name, including his Bachelor of Management, (B. Mgt), his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and his status as a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI).
Jason had a much less traditional career trajectory – he got his start selling car accessories on eBay at the age of 16, and in just four years built that initiative into a business worth $2.5 million in revenue.
Both men started their ATB careers as bank tellers with ATB Financial, and met as they worked their way up the corporate ladder and transitioned over to ATB Investor Services. Since then, they’ve come to rely closely on each other opinions’ on stock portfolios, market trends and fashion.
As young, bold professionals in a line of work known for being conservative, Brock and Jason use their sense of style to stand out from the competition. The pair work with clients every day, and rely heavily on the power of fashion to portray an image of competence, confidence and maturity.
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
We help personal and corporate clients with long-term wealth management needs. We also help affluent individuals grow their net worth and meet their financial goals.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
B: I took a portfolio management class in second year of university and knew it was what I wanted to do.
J: My dad was a banker at ATB for 25 years, so it’s in my blood. He was also one of Brock’s first bosses. We have a passion for financial markets and educating people to become successful investors.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part is that our business is a lifestyle, not a nine-to-five job. Not many people are excited for Sunday nights, but we are happy to go to work Monday mornings. We care about making a difference for our clients and that’s fun for us.
The most challenging parts have been building a portfolio of clients from scratch as two young guys competing in a very conservative industry, and handling market variables we can’t control. We try to provide certainty in an uncertain world, and that can be a challenge.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
B: While we were building our practice there was scarce personal time. My wife and I just had a child, and I was able to take time off to be with my family. In hindsight I can see that might not have been as easy to do in the first five years of creating our business.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Five years from now we see ourselves as relevant in the investment business in downtown Calgary. We’ll have grown our team and doubled our assets under management to $500 million.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Age. It’s a challenge when you start out at age 24 or 25 and have to get people to trust you with their wealth. And the recession was a big hurdle.
We overcame it by being confident, knowledgeable and aware of trends in the marketplace. Our support network and competitive nature helped us to stay determined and stick with it.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
J: No, money doesn’t equal happiness. For me, success is helping my clients accomplish their goals.
B: For me, success is the ability to provide my family with what they need and the freedom to not worry about it.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Eighteen months ago when the flood hit Calgary, our clients were impacted and our office was shut down. We wanted to be a part of the relief efforts, so we sought help from our contacts and in five days were able to put together a fundraiser at Craft Beer Market. It was dubbed the YYC Floodraiser and we raised $60,000 in total, including donation matching by ATB.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
B: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have; you’ll exude confidence.
J: Choose an industry you are passionate about, don’t just go for the money. If you love your career, you won’t think of it as just a job, and you’ll be well compensated.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
We love food. We know all the options out there and CHARCUT (899 Centre Street SW) is one of our favourites.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
J: I read and golf. I’ve golfed since I was twelve and Brock says I could make a living at it.
B: I’m a foodie and love cooking. I love to create a meal right down to the wine pairings.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
B: Chicago for the unreal energy.
J: Big cities, either in Europe or the US. London is probably my favourite because it doesn’t have big sky scrapers; it’s a different kind of big city.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Ima Robot’s Greenback Boogie (the theme song from the TV show “Suits”).
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
B: I’d be a chef.
J: Running a hedge fund. Or the GM/President of a hockey club. Brian Burke is an inspiration.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
B: I started the Brock Melnyk Invitational Golf Tournament eleven years ago which raises funds for children’s hospitals in the province.
I’ve also been involved in the United Way Day of Caring here at ATB for the past twelve years. We organize 100 bankers to paint houses for underprivileged seniors.
And as my wife and I both received scholarships to help pay for our university education, we started scholarship programs at our high schools.
J: I’m currently researching a philanthropic project involving golf. Golf teaches discipline and I think there’s an opportunity for me to give back in that arena.
What to you is notable?
B: Being able to make a difference in people’s lives; whether it’s our clients’ financial goals or providing an opportunity to someone that was not otherwise available.
J: What’s notable to me is being passionate about something, from philanthropy to dedication to one’s field. And making friends along the way.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone 5s and iPads for these fellows.
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