Sue Berard
Executive Sales Director

Debt Management

As Sue Berard is concerned, debt is our biggest enemy.

“Too many Canadians are floundering and going under as waves of debt erode not only personal finances, but families as well,” says Sue, talking about what she calls her “crusade” to help families eliminate debt and regain control of their financial futures.

Four years ago, she worked as a financial advisor with a local big-company money-manager. But the services offered there only focused on people with spare money to tuck away for their future dreams. Meanwhile, she saw families under stress from having nothing to spare by month-end. And all the while, she remembered her own dream of being her own boss in charge of a successful business.

“When I first heard about Debt Freedom Canada through a friend, I knew that this was the opportunity I’d been looking for,” she says.

Three years ago, she made her move, and took a position as the Debt Freedom Canada Executive Sales Director for Manitoba. “Remember it as a proud moment. Not only have I been able to pursue my own career goals, but never have I felt like I was making such a positive impact in other people’s lives.”

If there is one thing that inspires Sue day to day, it’s her conviction that her clients deserve to see their dreams come true. "I’ve seen so many people who’d given up on their dreams of owning a cottage, taking their families for a wonderful vacation, or even retiring with security, and we’ve been able to give them the tools to make it happen and give them back that hope.”

Since its inception in 2003, Debt Freedom Canada has refinanced in excess of $275 million, saving families more than $21 million in unnecessary interest payments. And those same clients kept more than $1 million of monthly disposable income in their pockets. Sue says that in Manitoba, the numbers are just as encouraging. “We’re seeing monthly savings of $500 to $1,000 per family that has adopted our debt elimination program, but that’s only the first piece of the picture. We know that loan consolidation by itself doesn’t solve the problem, so we work with families and financial institutions to come up with a comprehensive approach that will provide a true blueprint for success.”

With 15 full- and part-time associates in Manitoba now, Sue juggles many roles: manager, mentor, recruiter, educator, motivator and more. “It is so difficult to pinpoint one particular thing that brings me the most satisfaction. Putting people back into the driver’s seat of their own lives is still my touchstone. And yet, I am very motivated to build my team of associates. I see a lot of people, just like myself, who are looking at having a career that is rewarding, both financially and morally.”

She points to her background in customer sales and service as being absolutely invaluable in giving her the interpersonal skills behind her success, both with clients and in identifying people best suited to join her. “We are growing and there is tremendous potential for advancement with our organization,” she says.

With plans to establish 10 satellite offices around Winnipeg in the next 24 to 36 months, she spends countless hours meeting with hopeful candidates and new 21 associates, including leading a weekly Saturday-morning training session.

“Yes, I have business commitments even on the weekend,and evenings,” she admits, “which is why I am adamant about making my family time 100 per cent focused on my partner and my two children. We’re fortunate enough to have a pool, so we do a lot of backyard ‘vacationing,’ having friends and family over. And of course, with a background in the airline industry and travel, I enjoy planning special get-aways when I can.”

“We just came back from California and a cruise. That was a long time coming. Creating balance can be a challenge, but my family is the motivation behind my drive to achieve. I am reminded of the importance of my husband and children in my life every time I sit down with a new family that is under so much strain. I owe it to my loved ones to enjoy our time together and I’d like others to be able to do the same because, in my eyes, we’ve all earned it.”

“I’ve seen so many people who’d given up on their dreams of owning a cottage, taking their families for a wonderful vacation, or even retiring with security, and we’ve been able to give them the tools to make it happen and give them back that hope.”

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