Who's Who Women in Business

who's who women in business 13 i n fashion and finance, Dianne Szelag helps clients make wise investments. As a financial planner and investment adviser with BMO Nesbitt Burns, Dianne Szelag, CFP, CGA helps clients meet personal goals and face the future with confidence. As the owner of clothing boutique Investment Pieces, she helps her store's clientele face the world with confidence, as well. Dianne has a solid foundation in both fields. She studied fashion design in Toronto in the early '70s before launching a career as a fashion designer with her own business in Winnipeg. "My passion is creating things, whether it be clothing, a business or a financial plan," she says. "Fashion is, however, my first love. "But, running a growing business in your early 20s is a challenge as you don't have access to much capital." So Dianne needed to create her own long-term financial strategy. After studying business administration at Red River College, she worked as a manager for a major department store and then moved on to work in the accounting field. After attaining her designation as a Certified General Accountant in 1982, she started her own practice. When she realized that many of her clients needed investment advice, she took another career leap, becoming a financial planner in 1986. Seeing many ups and downs over the years in the financial markets, the global market collapse in 2008 gave her pause. She decided to reach out to her old love, fashion. "Professional women were looking for better choices for shopping in Winnipeg. I built my own building at the corner of St. Mary's Road and Kingswood in St. Vital because I wanted to ensure that at the end of the road, I owned a real asset." She finished the building in mid-2011, and Investment Pieces was born. A key aspect of the store is the client experience. "I'm fortunate in the fact that I have some really great staff — mature women with great fashion sense. They provide a very high level of personalized service, which also comes back to my financial background because in my business, it's all about service." Well, service and quality. Investment Pieces carries many Canadian labels — high-quality, well-structured pieces that come with affordable price tags. In addition, there are popular U.S. lines and a few European. The full-service shop stocks shape-wear to provide foundational support, along with accessories to add that special finishing touch. Many lines are very travel-friendly as many clients are frequent travellers. In finance and fashion, Dianne has always understood the needs of her female clientele. "When I got into the financial business, I had a female partner and we created our practice around women," she says. "We used to do seminars specifically geared for female investors to teach women about money." Today, Dianne Szelag, Investment Advisor, enjoys sharing her expertise, teaching men and women how to make the most of their assets. In fashion, she and the staff at Investment Pieces strive to teach women how they can look their best, no matter what shape or size they are and no matter what age. "I like educating people," she says. "Education is really important in a lot of ways, both in fashion and in finance. " • Dollars & Fashion Sense { financial exPert doubles as boutique oWner } By Jennifer McFee Dianne Szelag, Owner of Investment Pieces Szelag's first love is fashion, but her boutique on St. Mary's Road was a sound financial investment as well. PHOTO By DARCy FINLEy

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