Hello -

I started in the financial services industry last August after I decided my career wasn't where I wanted it to be. I cold e-mailed and networked my butt off until I basically created an internship for myself at a local boutique broker dealer who agreed to take me on even with no financial services background. "You've got balls."

I successfully passed my Series 7 and Series 66, but I am not an advisor there; I decided to start myself as a Sales Associate voluntarily. I want to learn the business from the ground up and not just jump right into an advisor role.

This is an independent firm, and I have no means for comparison between the indy side and the bank side other than my bosses telling me life on the bank side is awful.

I am in a unique position to learn as my expenses are very low (live at home still) and they have not placed any sales goals on me as I am not paid a salary.

I came to this forum in hopes that I can find a mentor; someone experienced who is willing to point me in the right direction on hitting the ground at least walking. I am making Wealth Management my career from this point forward and am willing to put in all of the grunt work necessary to succeed. I don't want to just make the average 5-figure income; I want to push myself to my professional limits and become extremely successful. I say this only to reassure that your mentorship or advice won't be wasted on me.

Any advice or help anyone can offer would be invaluable and greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.