The Polestar Podcast

VELA Wealth

VELA Wealth is dedicated to the financial well-being of business owners. We believe that wealth can be a catalyst for transforming the world. Join the VELA Wealth Polestar Podcast every month with our respected financial experts as they recap experiences and inspirational insights from successful guest entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

  1. Sep 4

    Q2 Market Review & Q3 Outlook

    Podcast Highlights●      Q2 in review: a sharp, short-lived sell-off tied to Middle East conflict, followed by a strong rebound through May and June ●      Q3 outlook: the Iran/Strait of Hormuz conflict, now six to seven months running, keeps oil elevated and pushes prices as high as $100 a barrel — here's what that means for inflation and portfolios from here ●      Inflation is creeping up near 3%, and Jackson Hole commentary from the U.S. Fed puts interest rate direction back in focus for both sides of the border ●      Despite geopolitical noise and cost-of-living pressure, 87% of S&P 500 companies beat earnings estimates this year ●      Why concentrated, DIY stock-picking often underperforms a properly diversified portfolio — even in a strong bull market ●      What individual investors can learn from how pension funds build in alternatives, private assets, and correlation discipline About the Guest – Keith AllanKeith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA's clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page. About the Host – Kevin PartonKevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients' plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.   Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast transcript is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.

    Q2 Market Review & Q3 Outlook
  2. May 14

    Market Update Q2 2026: What’s Driving Markets Now

    Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.   About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.   About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.

    Market Update Q2 2026: What’s Driving Markets Now
  3. Feb 12

    Reflecting on 2025: Volatility, Resilience, and Strong Returns

    Episode Highlights  2025 felt volatile — yet most major markets finished strongly positive. Canada’s TSX surged, powered by banks, energy, and precious metals. The 2025 April tariff sell-off: what felt alarming vs. what truly mattered. Why disciplined diversification outperformed emotional reactions. What the investment team is watching as 2026 begins. About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.   About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page. Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.

    Reflecting on 2025: Volatility, Resilience, and Strong Returns
  4. 10/15/2025

    Q3 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan

    Episode Highlights   Strong YTD for equities: Clients who stayed invested captured the 2025 bull market. Valuations are high, but room remains: Tech/AI leadership and retail flows can still support gains. The market and the economy don’t move in lockstep: Softer labour data and mixed inflation don’t directly dictate stock moves. Rates are uncertain: One cut behind us; future cuts are data-dependent—plan, don’t predict. Gold’s big run: Keep it as a diversifier; consider trimming profits rather than overweighting it. ...and more. About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.   About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.     Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.

    Q3 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan
  5. 09/22/2025

    Building Memories: Nicole Smith’s Journey with Flytographer

    Discover how a spark of inspiration in Paris led Nicole Smith to launch Flytographer, now connecting travelers with photographers in 350+ cities worldwide.Learn how she made the bold leap from a 13-year career at Microsoft to building a global brand from scratch.Hear Nicole’s candid take on the risks, resilience, and pivots required to keep Flytographer alive during the pandemic.Find out why embracing conscious leadership and personal wellbeing has been key to scaling a profitable, purpose-driven company.Get a glimpse of what’s next as Flytographer expands its mission to help people remember their favorite travel stories forever.This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, or turning an idea into a global success story.   About the Guest – Nicole Smith Nicole Smith is the founder of Flytographer, the world’s first global marketplace connecting travelers with local photographers for short, fun vacation shoots. Since launching in 2013, Flytographer has become a profitable, multi-million dollar business and captured memories for 100,000+ travelers across 350 cities. Nicole won BC Business Magazine's 2025 Woman of the Year (Innovator category), has appeared twice on Dragons’ Den, was named an EY Winning Woman, and is also an angel investor focused on women-led startups. Before founding Flytographer, she spent over 13 years at Microsoft in global marketing and consulting, and worked as a product manager at a Seattle tech startup. Learn more at flytographer.com.   About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.

    Building Memories: Nicole Smith’s Journey with Flytographer
  6. 07/10/2025

    Q2 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan

    Episode Highlights  Markets rebounded in Q2 despite economic and geopolitical uncertaintyVELA client portfolios outperformed major indicesActive management and diversification drove stronger returnsInvestor sentiment often misaligns with market performanceOutlook remains optimistic heading into late 2025...and more.       About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.     About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.

    Q2 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan
  7. 05/16/2025

    The Evolution of Consumerism & Effecting Meaningful Change with Stewart Irvine

    Podcast Highlights: Explore the impact of technology on society and consumer interactions.Discover the growing importance of intersecting business and philanthropy in natural ways for consumers to engage. Learn how business practices are evolving in relation to consumer expectations of sustainability. Gain insight into consumerism, highlighting changes in buying behaviours and trends over the past 30 years.  About the Guest – Stewart Irvine, MerchUX & ESquared Foundation Stewart is an accomplished technology entrepreneur and CEO with over 30 years of experience in innovating, founding, and leading groundbreaking companies. His expertise lies at the confluence of technology, media, and engagement, where he has consistently pioneered advancements that redefine industry paradigms. With a rich background in developing startups and steering them toward strategic exits, Stewart's business acumen is matched by his dedication to creating societal value, particularly in enhancing mental health and learning through advanced technologies. Founding multiple revolutionary ventures, Stewart has demonstrated a unique ability to anticipate market needs and harness technology to deliver compelling solutions. Stewart's approach is holistic, integrating his technical prowess with a deep commitment to corporate social responsibility. His initiatives have not only set new benchmarks in business but also underscored the potential of technology to foster significant societal change. His vision for the future is not confined to commercial success but extends to leveraging technology for a sustainable and inclusive world. In the realm of business development and leadership, Stewart stands out for his strategic foresight and ability to navigate complex market landscapes. His leadership style embodies agility and a capacity to think outside the box, qualities that have propelled his companies to the forefront of their respective industries.   About the Host – Jason Boudreau Jason has built VELA Wealth into an established life and estate planning firm, guiding families as they make meaningful choices at the intersection of life and wealth. More specifically, Jason’s areas of expertise include intergenerational wealth transfer and estate planning with a focus on advanced insurance-based solutions that incorporate philanthropy and legacy planning. Leveraging these specialties, Jason brings a fresh perspective and outside-the-box thinking to the strategic planning process. His satisfaction comes from watching clients fulfill their vision of life and create impact with their wealth, knowing that VELA played a role in bringing that vision to fruition for the benefit of current and future generations. Jason is a long-standing, active member of CALU (The Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting), the leading advocacy group promoting the financial health of Canadians and influencing sound public policy. He is a sought-after speaker and contributor to a number of regular publications. A proud family man, outside of the office Jason enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Carissa, their three wonderful children, Benjamin, Noah and Eleana and their Bernese Mountain dog Lucy. Jason is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Vancouver and an active member of the Thunderbird Football Alumni. He has a passion for leading an active lifestyle and as an avid golfer, can be found regularly pursuing mastery of the game that always seems to have mastered him.

    The Evolution of Consumerism & Effecting Meaningful Change with Stewart Irvine
  8. 04/25/2025

    Q1 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan

    Key highlights from this episode: Why Q1 2025 wasn’t as negative as it seemed—and what the TSX’s performance tells us How investor biases like recency and confirmation shape market sentiment The real impact of interest rates and what potential cuts could mean ahead Market volatility: separating tweet-driven noise from economic fundamentals Practical ways to stay resilient during uncertainty ...and more.   About the Guest – Keith Allan Keith Allan is a Portfolio Manager with Harness Investment Management. Harness has engaged in a strategic partnership with VELA Wealth and provides discretionary portfolio management for many of VELA’s clients. With more than 15 years of buy-side investment management experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide insight and guidance to clients regarding their investment portfolios. At Harness, Keith is responsible for developing and maintaining investment portfolios for VELA clients. To learn more, please visit Harness Investment Management team page.   About the Host – Kevin Parton Kevin Parton, CFP professional, specializes in personal and business financial planning, tax reduction, and estate planning. Kevin is diligently concentrating on client education as a powerful strategy for building financial certainty. As no financial situation is the same, Kevin and his team monitor clients’ plans and implement personalized strategies to reduce their personal and corporate taxes, and protect their income, assets, and loved ones against the financial consequences of a serious illness, injury or death, ensuring clients maintain financial certainty and peace of mind. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.   Disclaimer The information provided in the podcast is designed for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security or investment product.

    Q1 2025 Market Outlook with Keith Allan

About

VELA Wealth is dedicated to the financial well-being of business owners. We believe that wealth can be a catalyst for transforming the world. Join the VELA Wealth Polestar Podcast every month with our respected financial experts as they recap experiences and inspirational insights from successful guest entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

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