Hundreds of boots crunched through a fresh dusting of snow as families made their way to Crown Point’s Bulldog Park for Oak Partners’ Annual Lace Up Your Skates ice skating party. Thanks to Oak Partners, the night featured cookies, hot cocoa, and hours of ice-skating fun giving clients, friends, and families a chance to relax and connect.
“This gives us an opportunity to get to know our clients on a more personal level,” said Crystal DeHaven, Director of Client Experience. “It also acts as a great platform for introductions. We don’t talk business at all, it’s just about having a good time.”
This is Oak Partners fourth year hosting the event, and the second time doing so at Bulldog Park. For the financial advisors on their team, it serves as a good chance to get away from the office and get to know clients on a more personal level.
“This event gives us a different picture of our clients,” said Michael Hadt, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Oak Partners. “It’s about getting outside of the meeting room, or out from behind the desk. Building that relationship away from work is what sets us apart.”
Both the team at Oak Partners and their clients were impressed by the ice rink at Bulldog Park last year when construction was still wrapping up, so it was an easy choice for them to bring the event back.
“This rink is already getting tons of use, it’s been a great addition to the community” said Bridget Shoemaker, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Oak Partners. “I grew up skating so I was excited when the city announced they were building a rink.”
Shoemaker was excited for the chance to see the families she always hears about in meetings with her clients.
“Our clients always talk about their families so it’s great to get a chance to put faces to the names,” she said. “It’s a great chance to connect those relationships.”
John Jordan, Owner and President of CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana, is a friend of the firm and brought his family out to enjoy a night on the ice.
“Community events like this help Oak Partners develop those long-term relationships,” Jordan said. “It’s a big part of why I came out here, I think it really helps to have ways to get to know each other through new ways outside of doing business.”
The gathered crowd came from all age groups, with parents and grandparents snapping pictures of their kids taking their first steps on the ice.
“We’re expecting 250 people to come by today,” DeHaven said. “Our clients bring their grandchildren, or even their whole families. Hosting these family-oriented events are really a big part of who we are. At Oak Partners we believe the relationship makes the difference.
“It’s really in the nature of our office to host family-oriented events, that’s a big part of who we are. At Oak Partners we believe the relationship makes the difference.”
To learn more about Oak Partners Inc., visit www.oakpartners.com.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.
