For many would-be responsible investors, learning how to make the shift from traditional investments to sustainable or impact investments can be overwhelming. All of the details, from how to ‘break up’ with your existing wealth advisor, to physically transferring portfolios, to understanding how to align your investments with your values, and of course, how to choose the right investments to reach your financial goals can create a lot of barriers to making the shift.
But according to Tim Nash, the biggest barrier is getting over inertia. “Most people have the same bank account their parents got them as a kid,” he says. “They have the same investment advisor from when they first started. Most people don’t know how to shop around or who to trust.”
As the founder of Good Investing, an investment coaching company that’s working to help a million Canadians invest more sustainably, Nash knows how strong the forces of inertia can be. That’s why he’s set out to make it easier for Canadians to invest more sustainably. “My niche is helping people who care,” he says. “I am on the bleeding edge when it comes to sustainable investing, and my real passion is impact investing. It’s a big driver behind what I do.”
From investing courses to one-on-one coaching
Through Good Investing, Nash offers online courses and one-on-one consultations with any Canadian looking to shift their portfolio to sustainable investing – even those who are just getting started. “I’m not a broker or an advisor,” he says. “I never touch the client’s money. The way I work is I teach people the fundamentals of sustainable investing and empower them to make choices and invest according to their values on their own.”
Nash got started down this path thanks to a family history in the investment industry, an early inheritance from his grandfather, and a penchant for asking tough questions about how to invest ethically. After completing his bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy and his master’s in sustainability, he launched his career by helping institutional investors divest from fossil fuels.
Since then, he has rebranded as Good Investing to focus less on money, and more on mindset.
“Most people just haven’t thought much about this. So I’m trying to empower people to take ownership and control of their dollars – just like we do with consumption. We need to make those same kinds of decisions when it comes to our savings.”
Working hand-in-hand with Genus
At Genus, we’re pleased to partner with Good Investing to help educate and support investors on their sustainable investing journey. It’s our passion, too, and joining with other like-minded advisors is a great way to extend our reach.
Our own Head of Eastern Canada, Darryl Brown, worked with Nash at Good Investing prior to joining the Genus team in October of 2023, and now he’s helping to ensure clients looking for an investment advisor get just the right match. “Back then, we were both fans of Genus and their approach,” he says. “We felt we could send clients to Genus because the team really does understand sustainability, and has a methodology and systems to meet people where they’re at.”
Now that he’s with Genus, Brown is able to offer continuity to clients who came through Good Investing. “Many people who have been connected with Good Investing for quite some time recognize my name. So there’s a nice continuity of personality and perspective.”
He’s also able to ensure that investors get the service and experience that aligns with their journey. “Many investors carry with them their perspectives and experiences. They know what they want and don’t want in their portfolio, and they expect financial returns,” he says. “At Genus, we work on crafting investment policies where they’re being seen and heard and we’re also focused on generating wealth for the future. But a full-service advisor may not be the solution for everyone. In that case, Good Investing offers a nice solution and a place where they can get support.”
Interested in learning more about how sustainable investing could work for you? You can book a free consultation with Tim Nash at Good Investing, or explore digital and personal wealth management services at Genus.
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