Choosing SFS as your Business Partner

Kay Aarons, founder and CEO of Strategic Financial Solutions is a woman with a big vision and an even bigger heart. Her commitment to providing quality communication and financial advice coupled with a deep desire to genuinely help people is a winning combination for any business partnership.

I have known Kay for the past 3 years in my role as CEO of Open Up Communication Global. In that time I have worked with her and her team to help them create a business culture founded on the principles of Trust, Truth and Integrity - not just as some nice "buzz words" but as a living culture that is reflected in who they are BEING and in everything they DO. Kay believes in open and honest communication - really saying it like it is and keeping her culture clear of withholds and unspoken things that so often cause blocks in a business. SFS's ongoing coaching relationship with Open Up Communication is evidence of Kay's commitment to continued learning and growth for the business and everyone associated with it.

Entering into partnership with SFS means taking on this culture and learning how to "walk the talk" in partnership with a group of people who really care about the quality of every relationship including with staff, colleagues, peers and clients.

Choosing partnership with SFS means just that - working together to create commercial and personal outcomes that satisfy everyone and doing it all with laughter and enjoyment too.

Lorna Patten
CEO
Open Up Communication Global
+61 409 918 284

6 December 2004

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Kay and the Strategic Financial Solutions team for their effort in continually improving our financial health by selecting and monitoring the performance of quality investments based upon our changing financial circumstances.

I continue to look forward to improving the already strong partnership with SFS, based upon many years of investment knowledge and experience, customer service, value, integrity and due diligence, that provide the basis for the development of a balanced and diversified investment portfolio that continues to provide strong returns, with respect to our risk profile and strategic plan.

D Precel

Director

Precel Nominees

From Kevin D of East Malvern:

4th August 2002

Kay Aarons
Managing Director
Strategic Financial Solutions Pty Ltd.
Level 7, 20-22 Albert Road
South Melbourne, Vic. 3205

Dear Kay,

I believe that good service should be acknowledged. Consequently, I am writing to you to congratulate you on the high level of service and professionalism that you and your staff have demonstrated in managing my investment portfolio.

I initially chose your company to manage my investments after "shopping around" a number of other Financial Advisers. At our first meeting I felt that I could communicate easily with you, that you showed an enthusiasm, which I found lacking at similar interviews with other Advisers and that you demonstrated an excellent depth of knowledge in the area of Financial Planning. I was also impressed by the fact that a large corporation does not own your company and hence I feel that the advice you give me is unbiased and independent.

After being a client of yours for almost three years I can say that I am very satisfied with the service given by both you and your staff. I find that our regular half yearly meetings keep me in touch with the progress of my portfolio and afford me the opportunity to review and discuss my long-term goals with you.

To date, I have been pleased to recommend your Company to a number of my family and friends.

Yours sincerely

Kevin D.
East Malvern

From Irene W of Sandringham:

7 August 2002

Kay Aarons, head of Strategic Financial Solutions, was one of a number of people recommended to me, a newcomer to Melbourne, when I was looking for a financial provider who I could entrust with a lifetime's worth of superannuation contributions. Unlike the others I spoke to, Kay was more than happy to answer any and all questions that I had. I wasn't about to hand over this hard-worked-for money to just anybody! Kay understood this intrinsically. In fact, she challenged me to continue to ask questions until I was completely satisfied. I'm not altogether sure she knew what she was getting into then - but she soon found out. I'm happy to say that she took me on as a client anyway.

Five years down the track it is still a decision I'm very happy with. Why? Well, a number of reasons spring to mind:

• Strategic Financial Solutions is able to provide me with a sense of security even when the world's financial markets appear to be in turmoil;
  
  
• Kay and her staff continue to chase and follow up clients like me who are tardy in making and or keeping appointments to review their personal investment portfolio (sorry Kay, I promise to do better one day!); and
  
  
• Last, but not least, we have built a firm friendship based on trust and respect.

Irene W.
Sandringham

From Joanne W of Melbourne:

August 2002

I have been a client with Strategic Financial Solutions since 1996. During this time I have seen Kay Aarons and her company Strategic Financial Solutions Pty Ltd grow and expand. I have also experienced the highs and lows of the financial markets that have affected my own financial goals and needs.

Strategic Financial Solutions has always been there when needed to advise what is the best financial plan to achieve goals and provide the required lifestyle. I feel that my portfolio is monitored on a day-to-day basis and should something happen that requires action, I will be advised and any necessary changes will be implemented without loss of time.

The complexities of investments and financial planning are always explained in easy to understand language and Kay and staff are prepared to take whatever time is necessary to ensure clients fully comprehend what is happening and understand all aspects of the advise that has been given.

I have also been impressed by the high standards maintained by staff. They are invariably professional and courteous whilst maintaining a friendly rapport and interest in their clients.

In conclusion I would like to say that I feel that Strategic Financial Solutions has much to offer, they are in the position to give independent advice and put their clients first. I feel that many clients have become friends and many friends have become clients, which indicates to me that the quality of information and performance is maintained at a very high level.

Joanne W.
Melbourne

From Jenny D of Beaumaris:

August 2002

I have been working with Kay Aarons from Strategic Financial Solutions for just over 12 months. When I was first referred to Kay, I was very unclear and quite concerned how I would manage my financial affairs up to and including my retirement.

Kay and her staff have made this process painless. From the very first meeting with Kay, different avenues of investment and strategies were explained to me in a very detailed, simple and straightforward manner. I was initially concerned about taking risks no matter how small, but now with a more solid understanding I have developed a confidence and I now have a clear picture of how I can make my money work for me.

I have the utmost respect for Kay and her staff, they have been approachable at all times, they have kept me informed and have been understanding to my tentative approach to financial matters. They have always displayed a friendly and relaxed approach whilst at the same time have always returned telephone calls promptly, never trivialized even the smallest request and have always operated in a confident and professional manner. I am very pleased that I was introduced to Kay and her company, they have relieved the stress and discomfort associated with making my financial decisions.

Jenny D.
Beaumaris

From Andrew P of Albert Park:

July 2002

SFS is special. The company treats you as an individual. I had a custom designed financial planning model designed that suited my short and long term financial goals as an accumulation client. Too many financial planning practices use a generic model, which does nothing to make you confident that your portfolio is being managed with the care it deserves. SFS is a specialised financial planning practice in a class of its own.

Andrew P.
Albert Park