Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart! (Confucius)

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No Longer Lost In Transition

By John Zezini (AAMS,CRPC, investment representative with Edward Jones Investments)

From my first economics class in high school I knew I wanted to help people manage their investments and finances.  Once out of college, my dream career as a Financial Advisor began in 1995 with a small privately held stock brokerage firm that had very little name recognition.  I eventually left for the largest, most widely recognized financial services company in the industry.  It was 1998 and the stock market was booming!

Each quarter brought rising expectations and more talk about corporate profits.  I continued to do well but did not like how the company seemed to be more concerned about profits than the welfare of its clients.  I began to think that a life-long career under the “corporate gun”, selling products I did not believe in, was simply not for me.

After two years with this large corporation I received a management offer from the small private company I started with.  They promised to integrate services much like the large firm I was with but keep the clients' interests first.  I accepted the offer and moved my clients to the new firm to begin my new management career.

The first year was difficult due to the merger but I was not pressured to sell and was able to focus on my clients’ needs.  The following two years were just like being at the large corporation in regards to sales and product pushing pressures.  The difference this time was I had to give the pressure to the people I was managing.

I was making more money than ever but, I wasn’t happy or comfortable as the company’s focus was on profits and once again I felt the company should be focused on the client.  I voiced this opinion on many occasions for the last two years of my employment then quit.  I found myself lost in transition.

While searching for a new career path a family member mentioned I should look into another firm in the financial services industry.  This firm is owned privately by the employees, allows the advisors to operate independently, and does not have sales quotas, product pressure or any conflict of interest with its clients.  The advisors are responsible for their own profit or loss and have no managers.  My dream comes true!  I am with this firm for life.  Without transition I would have never found Edward Jones.

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Last modified: 08/18/08