Q: Why did you join Edward Jones?
A: Right out of college, I went to work at a small local bank and eventually became the branch manager. The regional Edward Jones leader was a customer of the bank. I remember he came in to get travelers checks every six months to travel all over the world with Edward Jones. Well, I wanted to see the world, too, but I just wasn’t making the kind of money I wanted to make in banking. So one day, this regional leader took me to lunch and explained to me what it was like to work for Edward Jones. When I learned that Edward Jones pays you based on how hard you work, it was a no-brainer. Q: What was your training experience like at Edward Jones?
A: There was a real sense of encouragement. As part of my training, I went into different offices. I was able to see three different businesses of people in different stages of their careers. This was very beneficial to me. That’s the way it works in this system. We are all here to help one another. I can still call the veteran Financial Advisor who’s been with Edward Jones for 25 years. The fact that he will still spend some time with me is amazing. And I just love what I call the “just-in-time” training. I can request training at any time, and it will be delivered. For example, when I wanted to concentrate on insurance, all I had to do was sign up. Everybody here is thinking, “How can we help everybody else be successful in this business?” That’s an amazing feeling when a firm thinks that way. Q: Have you been successful with the Edward Jones face-to-face, first-contact policy?
A: I couldn’t think of a better way to do it. It actually builds a sense of confidence in you to approach people you don’t know. One homeowner told me he had a million-dollar account with another brokerage firm, but he’d like to talk to me when I opened my office. A month after I opened, he transferred a million dollars to my office. That blew me away. Another motivating thing about making first contacts is that it truly helps you build your business. I’ve been working at Edward Jones a decade now, and people will come in to my office and say, “You knocked on my door years ago when I didn’t have any money, but I do now.” I can’t believe they remember me. Q: How do you balance family with your career at Edward Jones?
A: I joined Edward Jones for the quality of life I could have for my family. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, as was my wife’s mother, and we wanted the same for our children. At Edward Jones, I make enough money so that my wife is able to stay home with our kids. Q: Have you gone on any incentive trips?
A: Our first trip was to Lucerne, Switzerland. My wife and I pinched ourselves because it seemed too good to be true to have the firm paying for a fantastic trip with fantastic accommodations. Another time we took our girls to an all-inclusive resort in Turks and Caicos. I was lying on the beach, playing with the kids and thinking, “This can’t be true. How great is it that I’m actually vacationing in the Caribbean because of my hard work?”
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