Boakes Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

06/03/2026

Mid-year check-in.

Take a breath.
Relax your jaw.
Have a sip of water.

You do not need to fix anything right now.
You do not need to have it all mapped out.

Just notice where you are.
And keep going.

You are doing better than you think.

05/27/2026

Community means lifting others up. So today, I want to spotlight someone in mine.

Hilary Stuart.

A message I have sent more than once:

“Looping Hilary in. You’re going to feel a lot better after a conversation with her.”

That kind of trust does not happen by accident.

Hilary is a Relationship Manager in Commercial Financial Services at RBC, with a strong focus on agriculture. She brings nearly two decades of experience, including the past nine years dedicated to agricultural banking, and it shows in the way she works with clients.

She understands the realities of farm businesses because she lives them. Hilary and her family run a cash crop farm in Oxford County, which gives her a grounded perspective on both the operational and personal sides of farming.

She listens carefully, asks the right questions, and helps find practical solutions that actually work for the business and the family behind it.

Farm families carry a lot of responsibility across generations. Having someone in your corner who understands both the financial side and the day to day realities makes a real difference.

Grateful to have Hilary as part of the extended community supporting our agriculture clients.

05/21/2026

D**K. D**KWAD. D**KWAC. Dual income, no kids — the acronyms keep evolving because more couples are living this way than ever before. But the financial questions that come with it? Those haven't kept up.

Are you building wealth, or just living well and assuming they're the same thing?

That's exactly what this blog is about.

https://wmc.rbcwealthmanagement.com/boakes-wealth-management/blog/dual-income-no-kids:-navigating-different-financial-responsibilities-4214725616454847217

Acronym dictionary:
D**KWAD: dual income, no kids, with a dog
D**KWAC: dual income, no kids, with a cat

05/20/2026

Choosing a business partner isn’t just a strategic decision. It’s a long-term relationship.

This Forbes piece breaks down 20 traits that consistently show up in successful partnerships, and a few themes stand out:

Alignment matters more than excitement.
Shared values, risk tolerance, and vision determine how you handle pressure, not just growth.

Trust and communication are non-negotiable.
The strongest partnerships are built on transparency, honest conversations, and clear expectations from day one.

Complementary strengths beat duplication.
The best partners don’t do the same things. They fill each other’s blind spots and operate in clearly defined lanes.

Character outlasts skill.
Skills can be taught. Integrity, ethics, and resilience usually can’t.

Mutual value keeps partnerships sustainable.
When one side consistently benefits more than the other, cracks form quickly.

The right partner doesn’t just help you grow faster.
They help you grow better.

Worth the read if you’re choosing a partner, re-evaluating one, or wondering why a past partnership didn’t work.

👉https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2025/03/04/20-key-factors-for-long-term-success-when-choosing-the-right-business-partner/

What’s the one trait you think matters most in a business partner?

05/13/2026

Did you know most people do not realize how many moving pieces are involved in their finances until life shifts?

Not during the calm years.
During the moments that carry weight.

A loss.
A transition.
A business decision that took decades to build.
A change in health.
A family conversation that is hard to have.

Those moments are rarely about one question or one decision.

They are about tax, estate, banking, legal, and planning choices all intersecting at once, often when emotions are high and clarity feels far away.

That is why I care so deeply about working with an extended team.

Behind every conversation I have with clients are trusted specialists who step in thoughtfully, at the right time, to support what really matters. Not to overwhelm. To steady things. To help decisions feel clearer and more manageable.

No one should have to navigate life’s bigger moments alone.

05/12/2026

Nobody talks about the financial part of grief.

The paperwork, the passwords, the "what do I do now?" that sits underneath all the other emotions.

This month, I wrote for the women carrying that weight, and for anyone who wants to feel more prepared before life asks them to be.

https://wmc.rbcwealthmanagement.com/boakes-wealth-management/blog/when-life-changes:-how-your-financial-plans-will-too-2774055002088656120

05/08/2026

Investments. Retirement. Taxes. Estates. You shouldn't have to figure it all out alone. Boakes Wealth Management brings clarity, confidence, and 20+ years of expertise to every client relationship.

See what's possible.

At Boakes Wealth Management, our team of experts is dedicated to helping you take advantage of opportunities, overcome challenges, and reach your goals.

05/06/2026

Now that Chris Rudnick has officially joined Boakes Wealth Management, we thought it would be nice to help you get to know her a little better.

Here are a few quick questions to introduce her.

What drew you to join Boakes Wealth Management?

Chris: I had the opportunity to meet Shannon a few years ago when she joined RBC Dominion Securities, and we quickly developed a strong connection. We share a genuine passion for helping clients and a common belief in leading with comprehensive wealth planning. I’ve long admired the brand she’s built, and I’m excited to now be part of it as we continue to grow the business together!

You are passionate about financial literacy for the next generation. Why is that important to you?

Chris: I’m passionate about Financial Literacy because it’s so empowering. Once you understand the basics of wealth planning and investing, your confidence really grows. The financial world can feel intimidating, with so much terminology and complexity, especially for those who haven’t had the opportunity to manage their own money. I love helping make it more approachable and accessible.

What is something people may not know about you?

Chris: One thing people may not know about me is how much I value simple moments, like walking my dog & spending time with my family. Those are the things that keep me grounded and give me perspective, both personally and professionally.

We are so happy to have Chris as part of the team.

04/30/2026

I’m truly delighted to share some very special news.

Chris Rudnick has joined Boakes Wealth Management as our Associate Wealth Advisor, and I could not be more delighted to welcome her to the team.

Chris brings more than 20 years of experience at RBC Dominion Securities and a deep commitment to the kind of thoughtful, relationship-driven work that means so much to the families we serve. Her care, organization, and attention to detail will be an incredible addition to our team and our clients.

It also feels especially meaningful to continue building what has become a women-led team. Supporting one another, bringing different perspectives to the table, and creating space for thoughtful conversations is something I care deeply about, and I am proud of the environment we are building together.

Chris shares those values, and I feel incredibly grateful that she is joining us.

Chris, we are so happy you are here. Welcome to Boakes Wealth Management.

04/23/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of my work is the opportunity to bring women together.

As a women run team, creating space for these conversations feels especially important to us. Through conversations, events, and shared experiences, we have been building a community where women can learn, ask questions, and support one another as they navigate financial decisions and life transitions.

There is something powerful about these moments. The openness, the perspective, and the willingness women have to lift each other up continues to inspire me.

I am grateful to everyone who has been part of these gatherings so far, and something exciting is on the horizon for this community.