Client Profile: Richard & Grevis
Grevis has kindly written an article about his and Richard’s working lives, travel, creative passions and their relationship with GFM Wealth Advisory. We appreciate their contribution to Trade Secrets.
They do say Melbourne is a village. Well, in our case, the ‘village people’ have been very helpful!
Firstly, in 2020, a close, highly switched-on friend recommended GFM to us. We haven’t looked back since. To use a marketing phrase, we are absolutely ‘raving GFM fans’! GFM continuously and truly go beyond expectations. They have an excellent mix of sophisticated expertise, ethical transparency and outstanding service delivery. Furthermore, from the outside looking in, they foster a dedicated, thriving, and trusting workplace culture; one that looks after external clients and each other.
Speaking of ‘switched on’ friends, Richard and I met through a sympatico friendship connection. That was back in 2002. Since then, we have enjoyed exploring life together, becoming parents, taking interesting trips, being ‘on-call’ for our cats, and restoring our domestic hobbit hole.
To channel that song by Freddie Mercury, work-wise, we have both broken free. For each of us, our career experiences over the years have become exponentially more creative! Back in the nineties, Richard started his working life as a doctor, then trained as an old-age psychiatrist, and I, as a (very) young lawyer, in a Collins Street mega law firm. Then, after about 20 years, Richard pivoted to contemporary painting and now divides his time between his two passions: oil painting and playing the oboe. Richard has had several successful solo exhibitions (www.richardknafelc.com) and is an oboist in various amateur orchestras.
Likewise, my ‘life journey’ has seen me leave the John Brack-ian milieu of Collins Street to work internationally in Pakistan as a volunteer for a year. I also undertook fulfilling roles in equal opportunity peak bodies for a decade. Subsequently, that same ‘switched on’ friend and I set up a consultancy to help workplaces resolve and prevent workplace conflict. I am excited to say that the business is still going strong and is in the hands of new owners. Consequently, over the past seven years, I have thoroughly enjoyed dabbling in interior design, volunteering for paradigm-shifting independent candidates, and all things bookish.
We both enjoy having the time to nourish our inner souls, fuel our creative passions, and create a welcoming nest to celebrate life with family, friends and neighbours. Amidst all of this, it is such a great relief to know that GFM is there to help guide us financially in the long term. We are so grateful for the combined efforts of the GFM team, particularly Paul Nicol’s highly valued strategic advice, wisdom, and knowledge.