For instance, women often leave the workforce for extended periods of time to take care of family needs. During these periods, planning for their long term financial security is often an afterthought. But the reality is that most women live longer than men, therefore the need to save and invest wisely is even more important.

The professionals at Antara Financial take the time to get to know their clients, their individual circumstances and their long term financial aspirations and goals. There is no sense of being rushed or forced. They also speak in a language you will understand so that when you leave an appointment you will feel confortable and confident that you have made the right decision.

The guiding force behind the Antara Financial Group is the firm's founder and president Judith Cane.

With 18 years experience in the financial services industry, Judy has built a solid reputation for putting her clients' financial needs first with an emphasis on long term financial security.

"Building wealth is not about investing in what's hot or trendy today. It's about sitting down with the client, discussing and establishing long term goals, and then coming up with a strategy to achieve those goals," says Judy, who has made educating women about the importance of proper financial planning a personal mission.

Besides holding workshops on her own, Judy often speaks to women's groups as an invited guest about the risks and rewards of proper financial planning.

The first step to securing your financial future is to create a customized Personal Investment Plan. At Antara Financial Group they do this through proper financial planning, reliable investment counselling and insurance services.

But that's only the first step. Once you have established a plan, they implement it and then monitor it's performance on a regular basis. Updates are provided in person twice yearly, during which both the plan and the performance level are reviewed and adjustments are made if necessary.

"Thorough" would be the single best word to describe their approach to managing their clients' portfolios.

When she's not helping other women maximize their financial potential, Judy is deeply involved in her community. Amnog the various causes and organizations she has volunteered for are the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre and the Ottawa Cancer Foundation. She is also past president of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce.