Who is IronFjord?

Meet James:

You know that dream of packing up your life, hitting the road with your family, and just... exploring? That’s exactly what I did. I built a custom campervan (affectionately named Vance) with my own two hands and spent a year discovering the hidden gems of the U.S. and Canada with my wife and our two young kids.

It wasn’t luck that made that journey possible—it was the result of thoughtful financial planning and intelligent investing. Somewhere along a Newfoundland fjord, while watching my kids marvel at the world around them, I started thinking: What’s next? When our mini-retirement came to an end and it was time to return to the “real world” so our kids (aged 5 & 3 at the time) could begin their school journey, I knew I didn’t want to go back to just any job. I wanted to build something meaningful—something that combined my experience with my values, gave me purpose, and helped others create their own version of financial freedom.

That’s how IronFjord was born.

Not long after, we found ourselves on the Trans-Labrador Highway—Expedition 51°, to be exact—stopping in a small mining town called Lab City, home to North America’s largest open-pit iron ore mine. The connection hit me.

Fjords are powerful and deliberate—carved over thousands of years with patience and purpose. Just like a well-crafted financial plan, they’re shaped by time, persistence, and the ability to weather whatever comes their way. Iron, on the other hand, represents strength and resilience—the capacity to endure pressure and remain unshaken.

Together, they capture what financial freedom is really about: balancing long-term vision with short-term adaptability. Markets will rise and fall. Life will take unexpected turns. But with the right plan in place, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your foundation is built to last.

For some people, that freedom looks like early retirement or globe-trotting adventures. For others, it’s launching a business, switching to more fulfilling work, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’ll never have to stress about money again. Whatever it means to you, IronFjord is about turning that vision into reality. Because true wealth isn’t just about having more—it’s about living better. It’s about making money a tool, not a barrier.

A bit about my background

Before launching IronFjord, I spent years building a career across nearly every corner of the financial world.

I started as a business analyst in the unsecured lending division of one of Australia’s largest retail banks, where I got a behind-the-scenes look at the financial lives of a huge range of individuals and families. From there, I moved into wealth management before relocating from Sydney to New York City—with no connections, no job lined up, and not even an apartment. Just a backpack and a determination to figure it out.

In NYC, I found my way into private credit, analyzing the financials of small and mid-sized businesses—digging into what makes a company (and its owner) financially strong, and what can quietly undermine that strength. My role was to make informed decisions on behalf of investors, determining which companies were truly worthy of financing and which posed too much risk. After that, I stepped into the startup world as a CFO, focusing on capital allocation, financial planning and analysis, and helping build a more sustainable, strategically sound business.

All up, I’ve analyzed the financial lives of countless individuals, families, and business owners. I know what healthy financials look like—and more importantly, how to help people get there.

Along the way, I picked up an MBA with Distinction in Applied Finance and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation. More than anything, I’ve learned that life’s complex, and we’re all just figuring it out as we go. For me, the most meaningful part of this work is helping people use their financial resources to create a life that feels intentional. When I help someone reduce stress, unlock choices, and align their wealth with what truly matters to them—that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

That’s what we do at IronFjord.

We’re a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor with a fiduciary duty—which means no commissions, no product pushing, and no hidden agendas. Just straightforward, expert advice tailored to your life, your goals, and your definition of success.

Think of me as your financial planning partner—someone who’s been in your shoes, understands what freedom really feels like, and wants to help you design a life you never want to retire from.

Wishing you all the best,
James Mayo, CFA

Principal & Wealth Advisor
IronFjord Wealth Management