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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Rainmaker Investment Advisory
Your Top Questions Answered About Private Market Investing in Canada
Rainmaker Investment Advisory specializes in providing trusted, alternative investment solutions for professionals, business owners, and family offices. Below you will find answers to the most common questions from clients considering a smarter way to invest.
Understanding Rainmaker
What is Rainmaker Investment Advisory?
Rainmaker is a Canadian private investment advisory dedicated to helping successful individuals and families build wealth through exclusive private market opportunities; beyond the volatility of the stock market. Since 2004, we have provided access to real companies and real assets with proven strategies and transparent structures.
Who typically works with Rainmaker?
Our clients include business owners, professionals, retirees, and family offices who are tired of market noise, high fees, and political uncertainty. They value independence, stability, and a smarter path to financial growth. Many are referred by trusted advisors, accountants, lawyers, and peers.
Is Rainmaker politically aligned?
No. We are fully independent and not influenced by political ideology, institutional mandates, or media narratives. Our focus is always on helping you protect and grow your wealth with clarity and control.
How does the investment process work?
We begin with a 30-minute consultation to understand your goals. Then, we design a personalized portfolio using private investment opportunities which are often reserved for institutions or insiders. You can invest online or work directly with an advisor. Either way, you will receive clear reporting and regular updates.
How is Rainmaker compensated?
Rainmaker does not charge advisory or portfolio management fees. Instead, we are compensated by the investment issuers through a one-time selling commission and an ongoing trailing commission which is paid to the Exempt Market Dealer(EMD). These are disclosed transparently in each offering document. 100% of your capital is invested, ensuring our incentives are aligned with your long-term success and the performance of each investment.
Who is Sentinel Financial Management Corp. and how do they relate to Rainmaker?
Rainmaker Investment Advisory provides advice and access to private investments as a registered Dealing Representative of Sentinel Financial Management Corp., an Exempt Market Dealer registered in Canada.
This means all investments offered through Rainmaker are distributed under the compliance, oversight, and registration framework of Sentinel. For clients, it provides the peace of mind that every opportunity is reviewed under Canadian securities regulations while still benefiting from Rainmaker’s independent, personalized approach.
Investing in Private Markets
Why should I consider moving away from traditional investments?
Public markets are increasingly volatile, politicized, and driven by speculation. Private investments offer better control, lower correlation, and opportunities for consistent returns backed by real business fundamentals; not market hype.
What types of private investments does Rainmaker offer?
Our curated portfolio includes established private companies, structured real estate, and other vetted opportunities with strong income, tax-efficiency, and performance histories. All are regulated investment securities with detailed offering documents and due diligence.
Can I use my RRSP, TFSA, or other registered accounts?
Yes. Most of our investments are eligible for registered accounts, including RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, RRIFs, and corporate accounts. We will help you set up or transfer the accounts with trusted custodians.
How resilient are Rainmaker’s investments during economic downturns?
While no investment is without risk, our offerings are selected for resilience. Many involve income-producing assets, long-term contracts, or inflation-protected strategies designed to weather economic and political uncertainty.
What are the potential fees inside an investment?
All fees are disclosed in the official offering documents and may include:
- Management Fees (0–2%) – Paid from the fund, not by you directly
- Front-End Commissions (0–8%) – Paid by the issuer when you invest
- Trailing Commissions (0–1%) – Ongoing compensation from issuer
These do not reduce your invested amount or returns directly.
Are early redemptions possible?
Yes. While private investments are not traded daily like public markets, issuers we work with have historically provided early redemptions when clients needed access to their capital. Most requests are partial redemptions, and the typical processing time is 45 to 90 days with a modest fee.
It is important to note that redemption terms and timing are always at the discretion of the issuer. Please see the Offering Documents for specific details.
The Questions Every Cautious Investor Asks
Are private or exempt market investments actually vetted or regulated?
Yes. While exempt market investments are not traded on public exchanges, they are regulated. In Canada, these offerings must comply with securities laws and are generally offered under specific exemptions, such as to accredited or eligible investors.
At Rainmaker, we go further: we carefully vet each offering, review issuer due diligence, and only present investments that meet our high standards of transparency, structure, and integrity. Just because it’s private doesn’t mean it’s risky, it just means it’s exclusive.
I am sitting on a lot of cash, is private investing safe for someone like me?
If you, or your company, have been sitting on cash, you are not alone. Many of our clients were too; until they learned there were options beyond volatile public markets. Private investments are not “safe” in the way a GIC is, but they are designed to offer steady income, asset-backed security, and low correlation to market swings. At Rainmaker, we only recommend opportunities that suit your risk tolerance and goals.
I have saved for years in my RRSP or TFSA, are there better ways to invest that money?
Yes, and this is one of the most eye-opening moments for many of our clients. You have done the hard work, contributed year after year, built up significant value; but those funds have often sat in stale portfolios delivering underwhelming results. What most people don’t realize is that RRSPs, TFSAs, LIRAs, and even RRIFs can be used to invest in private opportunities.
With Rainmaker, you can finally put that capital to work in strategies that align with your values, goals, and risk comfort. Once clients see this, they often say, “Why didn’t I know this was possible sooner?”
Why have I not heard of these investments before?
Because they are not typically offered by banks or big institutions. These are exempt market investments, available only through licensed dealing representatives like Rainmaker. They are not “secret”, they are just not mass-market. Once clients learn about them, they often say, “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?”
What makes Rainmaker different from other advisors?
As independent advisors, we prioritize our clients; and focus exclusively on investments where investors, advisors, and managers all succeed together. We also believe professionalism does not mean being boring; our clients love that we combine expertise with integrity and a good sense of humour. You are not a number here. You are a real person with real goals.
You are booking a private online meeting with Sean Blix, Rainmaker’s Founder and Private Investment Advisor.
Objective:
Give you clarity, direction, and next steps; without any pressure.
Duration:
30 Minutes
Location:
Online video conference (link provided after booking)
Advisor:
Title:
Title:
Sean Blix
Founder & Private Investment Advisor
Founder & Private Investment Advisor
Please note:
- Available to accredited investors. Others may qualify, contact us.
- Typically 2–3 hours are made available each weekday morning for consultations via Zoom or phone.
- The calendar below shows live availability for the next 10 business days.
- Need a time outside the listed options? Contact us with your preferred date and time; we will do our best to accommodate you.