Q: What attracted you to Edward Jones?
A: Prior to joining Edward Jones, I was an accountant with my own practice. I had also worked for the city of Excelsior Springs, Mo., as a finance director and as a CFO for a manufacturing corporation. What I found was that Edward Jones offered the very best piece of each type of business — corporate, government and self-employment — all rolled into one with a huge safety net underneath. And the income potential is tremendous, too. Q: What are some of the traits that have made you successful at Edward Jones?
A: You have to be competitive with yourself. You have to have the ability to get out of bed every morning without someone telling you that you have to do it. It’s not something that someone can teach you. I think you either have it or you don’t. You have to have a desire to work. Q: How does being with Edward Jones compare to owning your own business?
A: It’s wonderful, especially in the beginning when you are just starting out. When I was self-employed and needed to hire staff, I had to make more money before I could hire an employee. But in order to make more money, I had to have an employee. Which do you do first? At Edward Jones, I feel like a business owner without any of the headaches that go with it. I don’t know anywhere besides Edward Jones where you can start a business without any cash outlay and not have to worry about the capital needed to hire staff and acquire resources. Q: And how does it compare to your experience in corporate America?
A: Well, I can remember making my first major decision as a corporate manager and almost immediately someone asked me, “Did you get permission to do that?” I said, “No, I didn’t; was it wrong?” They said, “No, it wasn’t wrong, but you have to get permission to do it.” Why do I need permission to do something that’s right? I can’t work like that. I like freedom. I like independence. I like accountability. I have all that and more with Edward Jones. Q: Does working at Edward Jones leave time for family?
A: Definitely. We’ve been able to do things as a family that wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t with Edward Jones. Last year, my family and I were at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris watching fireworks on an Edward Jones trip. It was phenomenal. I’ve taken my two sons skiing in Switzerland. We’ve been to Turks and Caicos, where my sons dove to get shells off the ocean floor. My husband and I have been to Maui, and we are going on a Greek Island cruise next. In fact, my sons ask me daily if I’ve qualified for the next trip.
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