Mortgage Broker

CMB MAGAZINE cmba-achc.ca winter 2017 | 45 first-time homebuyers, but I'm 10 years in now and have no issue dealing with any client. ROGER: No comparisons, really; that doesn't come up. Matt's a little more outgoing and I'm more analytical, but we complement each other. Our actions are very similar, and you would know we're father and son if you were with us. Has working together improved your relationship? MATT:is has been a great environment for me. e harder I work, I know he supports me. We're working toward long-term stability. We look at our business as an extension of our family and the values that we share. Both of our wives are involved, too. With a small business, there's no way they can't be. Funny story? ROGER: Sometimes when we're at industry events, I'll think, "Where's my son?" Oh, he's off with a broker partner. And I'll say, "What are you doing?". We have each other's backs. I look aer my baby, my firstborn. We're known as "the Wheeler boys" around here. Matt, did you always want to follow in your father's footsteps? MATT:Roger was a bank manager for 25 years, and I was exposed to finance and learned from him. My parents are very supportive and we have a close family. My siblings have their own careers, but I was pegged as the one most likely to work with Dad. I'm most like to my father. My goal out of school was to go away and work in a big city, get in a big company and work my way up. But it came to a point that I decided to come home and be closer to family – that's the most important thing to me. Dad's business was budding at that point, and we always talked about doing something together. So I came home to work with my father and build this business together. Nepotism can have such negative connotations. Does it come up often and, if so, how do you address it? MATT: For me, I was a little bit sensitive to my father introducing me as his son at first. I wanted to be known as his partner and colleague. I've found my place and we've embraced the father-son thing. It's a unique feature for us, with no reservations or worry. Within the Maritimes community, they know us as a pair. We hang out together for business and our friends are all connected. I do call him "Rog" at the office, but always keep it professional. Now that you've joined the family business, do you feel like you wouldn't be able to leave if you wanted to pursue another opportunity? MATT: When I was younger, we talked about a family business. It was a dream of ours, but we didn't know what it would be or when it would come. It's been extremely rewarding, and the level of trust we have between father and son, you can't find that elsewhere. But I know my father would support me if an opportunity to do something else came up. I have his support 100 per cent and do not feel trapped. What was the initial reaction from family? ROGER: My wife's reaction was great! We always had a dream of a family business. Plus, she helps with paperwork and is very supportive. What is your key piece of advice for working with family? MATT: You need to know that you're going to be comfortable with that person on a regular basis. You also have to maintain the professional balance. With anyone you work with, you need to have shared values and friendship. at's already established for us. ROGER: e most important factor is communication. Talk about your values and expectations, and keep an open mind. Be ready "When I was younger, we talked about a family business. It was a dream of ours, but we didn't know what it would be or when it would come. It's been extremely rewarding." –Matt Wheeler FAMILY BROKERAGE PROFILES ROGER WHEELER - Founder/manager of Nova Mortgage Company, which has been operating since 2002. Prior to his work at Nova, Roger spent 25 years in the financial industry working with TDCT (formerly known as Toronto Dominion Bank) as the manager of various branches across the Atlantic provinces. MATT WHEELER - A member of Nova Mortgage Company since August 2006, he has been using his technical and communications skills – as well as a customer-service-oriented attitude – to reach out to the younger generation of homebuyers and potential NMC customers. BERNADETTE LAXAMANA - With over 15 years of experience, and a strong influence as a top producer and partner at Xeva Mortgage, Bernadette educates clients about mortgage options with over 50 lenders to create the best long- term solutions. MIKE LAXAMANA - As a partner at Xeva Mortgage, Mike has over 25 years of Operations and Quality experience. As a registered mortgage consultant, he applies a hands-on approach to managing, as well as to enhancing relationships with clients and lenders through process control and continual improvement strategies.

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