Start with an open mind and don't get to stuck on where you're going 5 years from now, you got a lot of work between now and then and the odds are against you that you'll be around in 5 years (not meant to discourage).  Focus on building a healthy business and then decide where you want to go.  You won't know what suits you until you have some real experience in the trenches.

What makes it harder for the young guys to succeed now is that cold calling residences is slowly yeilding less and less results......which was one of the staples that a young broker could rely on.  Calling random business owners for their personal accounts is a waste of time too unless you really know your sh*t, have a really unique offering/approach and/or are known (all are probably unlikley for a rookie).

Now you have to be much smarter than you used to.  You have to think about a more defined and consistent marketing approach.  A star salesman could succeed in the past with an iron will and persistent fingers at the phone calling out of the phonebook......today you must call on a very defined market and rely on multiple marketing approaches to that market if you want to have a chance of success.  This approach requires more time, thought and resources, all of which are usually in short supply for the young rookie (you are constantly trying to manage 'distractions'). 

I think that the business is becoming more entreprenurial than it used to be (even thought it's always been entreprenurial).

If I were you, I'd spend the time you have between now and when you go into production building strong relationships in your 'niche'.  You should make clear your intentions about building a business around serving that niche and find a way to get feedback on how you should do it, ask for lot's of advice and help and ask if they would be interested in talking when you are up and running. 

That's just a start.......there's soooooo much more that could and should be done do build and prepare a viable prospect database....which you should be doing right now if your serious about this.

Also...I'd recommend working for Smith Barney.  I'd also recommend that you intend to stick with them for your whole career..........

That being said we all know that circumstances change and as you mature in the business you'll learn what avenue is the best fit for your skills and disposition.  Cross that bridge when you reach it and until then focus on the steps right ahead of you.

This is a business. I have respect for anyone who has “made it”, does a nice job for their clients, and makes probably a fantastic living for themself. I get a kick out of the pi$$ing contests that occur when brokers claim “I had it tougher.” I’ve found the absolute best producers have all caught some breaks as well as fighting through some tough times. You leverage opportunity if you get it and never apologize for it because you must have some quality that allowed you to get that opportunity. End of story.

Dude, do you have any other prospecting ideas for someone who is not in production yet but will be doing so in the next couple months? I’m a registered associate at a big wirehouse and am actively looking for an FA position. What can I do from now until then to start building my prospect database?

i’m interested to know as well.
my guess would be to join different organizations?? anything else?