When Rick (58) and Michelle (56) came to us, they had two grown children and a thriving manufacturing business in Ontario with 27 employees. Business was strong, yet their financial structure hadn’t evolved alongside their success.

They managed several corporate accounts and legacy insurance policies, but key questions lingered: Their eldest child  had already joined the firm, while their youngest had chosen a different path. How could they plan for future ownership and ensure fairness within the family?

At the same time, they faced an important crossroads. To stay competitive, their company needed new equipment and infrastructure — a major investment that would strengthen profitability over the next few years but require a significant portion of their savings. They needed clarity on how to proceed: should they finance the expansion or draw from retained earnings? How would that decision affect their long-term goals?

Michelle admitted, “We kept putting it off because it felt too complicated. We didn’t even know where to begin.”

That’s where our work begins — transforming uncertainty into structure, and structure into confidence. Together, we followed a process designed to bring clarity and alignment to every layer of their financial picture whilst keeping their most precious value intact: harmony in the family.

Protect
We began by reviewing their corporate structure, insurance coverage, and shareholder agreements. This revealed gaps around income replacement and succession if one partner could no longer work. We refined their protection strategy to ensure both the business and their family’s personal security were shielded from disruption — reinforcing the foundation they’d worked so hard to build.

Clarify
Rick and Michelle had trusted advisors in place, but their plans weren’t coordinated. We partnered with their accountant and estate lawyer to unify their strategy — ensuring each professional’s work supported the same long-term objectives. This included helping them initiate updates to their wills and power-of-attorney documents, reflecting current ownership, their children’s evolving roles, and their philanthropic goals. We also modelled the short- and long-term impact of financing their new investment versus drawing on retained earnings, giving them the confidence to move forward knowing the decision fit seamlessly into their broader wealth plan.

Realign
With clarity at the ownership level, attention turned to their team. With 27 employees, we helped them design and implement a group benefits program — enhancing their ability to attract and retain top talent, strengthening workplace culture, and providing corporate tax advantages and cost deductions that aligned with their financial strategy.

Over several months, what once felt overwhelming became organized and actionable. They left with a clearer view not only of their business, but of the legacy they were building — one that balanced growth, protection, and family harmony.

Michelle later reflected, “Once everything was laid out, the fear disappeared. It was like we could finally breathe again.”

At Rubach Wealth, this is the outcome we strive for: clarity that replaces fear, structure that creates calm, and strategies that turn good intentions into confident progress.

The work continues as we know things change and evolve. It’s important to keep the conversation going to make sure their clarity and tight plan don’t fall behind. 

Because the only thing scarier than facing your finances — is not knowing where you stand.