Mick Zarkey:

That’s a great story, Bondguy. I Really do appreciate the feedback and inspiration.

Can you be more specific about being very careful before getting into the business.  It’s my impression that it is not a business one gets into without a robust commitment.  Do you really need to be driven?  I like to work hard and see a business grow but being consumed by a career is probably not what I what to do now.  Just want an interesting job where I can get out and work with a lot of different people and feel like I’ve accomplished something at the end of the week and made some money too.

Mick

  Coming in late in this discussion.  You should be sure that you have several things before you consider making the career leap.    First: a good savings account that you will most likely deplete in the first couple of years or a spouse who can provide a secondary source of income.  If you con't need all of your income to live on you might be able to survive the first 3 or so years.   Second:  A really supportive, spouse if you are married, or a family support system.  The emotional toil of this job is like a rollercoaster.  Up....yay... made a good sale.  Down.....people hate me, I can't sell jack.    You will be working long hours in the beginning and you will be frustrated.  You need to have a sounding board to practice your sales pitches on and who will be able to assure you that you really can make it.  My long suffering husband deserves a medal for listening to me go on an on about investments and using him as a practice dummy.   You need to realistic about both the ups and downs of this industry both financially and emotionally.  I love what I do, making a difference in people's lives when things are good.  I hate what I do, when I'm making a difference in people's lives when things are bad.   IMHO....being a financial advisor is more about caring about and liking to interact with people than it is a numbers game.   Ahem.....of course....the numbers ain't bad either.   After you've been in the business awhile and built a good clientelle, you might not need to work as much.  The rule of thumb is that doesn't usually happen for 3 to 5 years.  

I posted early in this thread, then was away for a few days. Now that I;ve read thru the thread thus far, particualrly Ice’s and Bond Guys posts, I have to reconsider what I think was my somewhat negative, discouraging post.

The reality is that for some people, not for everyone but for a lot of people, 55 is the new 45 (or something like that). Two examples. Guy in my office started at age 58. He is now 66. He came over from another wirehouse doing about 350k after 5 years. He spends half the year in Florida on the golf course. FORMER attorney, CPA. Knows a lot of people and knows how to leverage it. This year he will do $650k. At least. And that is spending half his time on the golf course, not only in Florida, but here in the summer. Of course, on the golf course, he is working it. Second example. Me. Havent been quite as succesful. Started at age 50, got to about $350k then two years ago went to management. Not sure if its the right move, but i never will be, but i didnt give up my book, still doing $350k (pretty maintenance free book, fee based, managed, scalable.) But the point is, now I am 57, and I put more hours in than just about anyone in the office, have as much energy as anyone, and am driven like hell. So Mickey, if you have all those things, and you know people, then go for it.  Just keep all the caveats on this board in your mind.\   By the way, if you want an intro to the SB BM in Springfield, PM me. He;s a great guy. (i dont get paid on referrals, in case you're wondering.) Good luck whatever you do.

[quote=iceco1d]

 I don't know how well you could prospect while on chemo, or from a Jazzy, or with a Miracle Ear! 

[/quote]   Those visuals totally crack me up!  Thinking of someone driving a jazzy around prospecting......