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1st year knocking on doors

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Jan 6, 2010 5:17 pm

I am pumped and ready to go at it hard. My current job has a high turnover rate and I have been there for five years. I am the only person left in my class of 20.

On a second note. How do blacks fare in this industry? Some people are thinking that I should not overlook the race factor, but I don't think that that will be an issue. Despite being the only black in several of my positions throughout my career, I always achieve my goals. Can anyone chime in whether good or bad.
Jan 6, 2010 6:35 pm

After 4 years of building my business Knock, I was called into the home office.

I had a black female from Atlanta move to my market from the pass program and take over my book after many interviews. I think it depends on the market that you are going in. She has done very well with the old book and continued to build her own.  
Jan 6, 2010 6:37 pm

Also, one of my classmates was a great FA. He was black and was in kansas city.

He made it for three years then got an offer from ML he couldn't refuse. Then jumped to Morgan stanley and now I don't think he is in the business.   It all depends on you.
Jan 6, 2010 6:42 pm

You know what, I have found that it is less about race, and more about “appearance”.  This might sound “racist” (which it is not), but if you have the “hip-hop” look and attitude going, it will hurt you, just like the Italian “guido”-bling-used car salesmen thing will hurt you, just like the fat, lazy, unkempt white-guy look will hurt you.

  I have worked with many people of other races and cultures over the years (I primarily worked in major urban areas prior to coming to where I am now in the burbs).  Culture/race was never an issue unless you fell into the poor stereo-type of any of the races/cultures (every race and culture has their stereotypical losers).   I guess my point is that a well-mannered, decent looking, hard-working, fairly intelligent person of any culture or race can be successful at anything.
Jan 6, 2010 6:44 pm

[quote=B24]You know what, I have found that it is less about race, and more about “appearance”.  This might sound “racist” (which it is not), but if you have the “hip-hop” look and attitude going, it will hurt you, just like the Italian “guido”-bling-used car salesmen thing will hurt you, just like the fat, lazy, unkempt white-guy look will hurt you.

  I have worked with many people of other races and cultures over the years (I primarily worked in major urban areas prior to coming to where I am now in the burbs).  Culture/race was never an issue unless you fell into the poor stereo-type of any of the races/cultures (every race and culture has their stereotypical losers).   I guess my point is that a well-mannered, decent looking, hard-working, fairly intelligent person of any culture or race can be successful at anything.[/quote]   I agree 100%.
Jan 6, 2010 6:56 pm

[quote=B24]You know what, I have found that it is less about race, and more about “appearance”.  This might sound “racist” (which it is not), but if you have the “hip-hop” look and attitude going, it will hurt you, just like the Italian “guido”-bling-used car salesmen thing will hurt you, just like the fat, lazy, unkempt white-guy look will hurt you.

  I have worked with many people of other races and cultures over the years (I primarily worked in major urban areas prior to coming to where I am now in the burbs).  Culture/race was never an issue unless you fell into the poor stereo-type of any of the races/cultures (every race and culture has their stereotypical losers).   I guess my point is that a well-mannered, decent looking, hard-working, fairly intelligent person of any culture or race can be successful at anything.[/quote]   Well said, and very diplomatic. Hard point to make without being offensive.
Jan 6, 2010 7:20 pm

I totally agree with you all about dress and apperance. Which is why I believe that race does not matter it is the person on desire to keep calling and knocking for 3 years rain or shine.

Jan 6, 2010 9:22 pm

[quote=edjgp123]After 4 years of building my business Knock, I was called into the home office.

I had a black female from Atlanta move to my market from the pass program and take over my book after many interviews. I think it depends on the market that you are going in. She has done very well with the old book and continued to build her own.  [/quote]   Um...OK.    So, after 4 short years of building a successful EDJ business you were invited into the home office?  The only people who get "called into the home office" and give up their successful books are now GPs.  So, unless the african american woman from Atlanta moved to Mississauga, you're blowing smoke.      Are you wishful thinking with the edjgp moniker?
Jan 6, 2010 9:36 pm

[quote=Spaceman Spiff][quote=edjgp123]After 4 years of building my business Knock, I was called into the home office.

I had a black female from Atlanta move to my market from the pass program and take over my book after many interviews. I think it depends on the market that you are going in. She has done very well with the old book and continued to build her own.  [/quote]   Um...OK.    So, after 4 short years of building a successful EDJ business you were invited into the home office?  The only people who get "called into the home office" and give up their successful books are now GPs.  So, unless the african american woman from Atlanta moved to Mississauga, you're blowing smoke.      Are you wishful thinking with the edjgp moniker?[/quote]

Spiff, that's not exactly true.  I know a guy in my state that actually went to work on the Advisory Solutions program after only TWO years in the field.  He took over a $50 million office from being in the pass program. 

He was young, dumb and arrogant.  But he was not brought into the home office as a GP for sure.
Jan 7, 2010 12:54 am

[quote=I knock]

I am pumped and ready to go at it hard. My current job has a high turnover rate and I have been there for five years. I am the only person left in my class of 20.

On a second note. How do blacks fare in this industry? Some people are thinking that I should not overlook the race factor, but I don't think that that will be an issue. Despite being the only black in several of my positions throughout my career, I always achieve my goals. Can anyone chime in whether good or bad. [/quote]   When I was just out of training my manager got me in touch with a black guy that was 4 years in and kicking it big time doing seminars to HNW people. He was kind enough to share his method with me. He was the super affable type. His method works great for people that like people. As a rule I think people suck so I did my own thing.
Jan 7, 2010 3:45 am

Mind sharing for those who don’t hate people?

Jan 7, 2010 2:24 pm

[quote=Moraen] [quote=Spaceman Spiff][quote=edjgp123]After 4 years of building my business Knock, I was called into the home office.

I had a black female from Atlanta move to my market from the pass program and take over my book after many interviews. I think it depends on the market that you are going in. She has done very well with the old book and continued to build her own.  [/quote]   Um...OK.    So, after 4 short years of building a successful EDJ business you were invited into the home office?  The only people who get "called into the home office" and give up their successful books are now GPs.  So, unless the african american woman from Atlanta moved to Mississauga, you're blowing smoke.      Are you wishful thinking with the edjgp moniker?[/quote]

Spiff, that's not exactly true.  I know a guy in my state that actually went to work on the Advisory Solutions program after only TWO years in the field.  He took over a $50 million office from being in the pass program. 

He was young, dumb and arrogant.  But he was not brought into the home office as a GP for sure.
[/quote]   Not that it is really either of your business. Yes, after 4 years of doing a fast track and building a 45 million office from scratch, I was called into the home office. That was back in 2006, I am still with the firm working my way up to GP. Thank you.
Jan 7, 2010 4:40 pm

So, what’s with the edjgp thing then?  Shouldn’t it be edjgpwannabe123?  So, you voluntarity gave up a Seg 4 office, bonuses, trips, and your freedom (coming from an ex home office guy, I can say that with some credibility) for an associate position? That seems so counter intuitive from everything I’ve ever seen from Jones.  They typically don’t request that a relatively new FA leave a productive office to come to STL and become a team leader or department leader.  Especially if they’re not offering GP to sweeten the deal.  

  My question would be why?  Why would you leave behind the benefits of an office like that?  It's a shame they don't put associate bios on the system like they do the GPs.   The GP bios are what made me doubt your story in the first place.  That and the milktoast, straight out of the KYC, Eval/Grad, PDP ATL instructors business advice that you were giving.   Good luck with the GP at the home office thing.  I think you'd have had a better shot from the field at the rate you were going, but that's just my $.02.   
Jan 7, 2010 4:49 pm

My old mentor made Seg 5 in three years.  Produced $600k+ while completing his MBA over the next two and then asked to go to the home office.  He was told no, and that he needed to be a top producer before they would ask him to come into the HO.  He ended up leaving to take a VP job at Credit Suisse.

My guess is that it was a combination of personal circumstances and connections that allowed edjgp to go into the home office.


Jan 7, 2010 5:06 pm

Why the hell would someone with the ability to build from zero to 45mil in 4 years go to the Jones home office ? That sounds like the dumbest move on earth. Why wouldn’t you go independent, leave the corporate BS behind, and make an absolute killing that is ALL FOR YOU ? Someone help me understand this.

Jan 7, 2010 5:14 pm

I’m stumped too.  If he brought in 45mm in 4 years, he had to have hit seg 5 along the way.  I can say, that sometimes Jones will do things for people if personal circumstances warrant it (like someone gets a divorce, has to move, ill family member, etc.), and they want to keep the person in the firm.  Jones is actually pretty good this way.  I think this guy is blowing smoke.

Jan 7, 2010 5:20 pm

He must have meant 4.5Mil in 4 years and his Dad is a GP already.

Jan 7, 2010 5:25 pm

His story may very well be what he said it is.  Except for the "I got called into the home office" stuff.  Like I said before, that part doesn't make sense and if it actually happened would be unique.   

Jones is incredibly generous with their good producers when a personal situation comes up.  They're even pretty generous with their average producers.  Because my region is in the STL area, we have folks who have just had enough of being an FA, but like Jones, move to HQ and have great careers there.  If you're working at all with FAs, it's a benefit to actually have some experience in the field.  If course you'll always get the guys like me who wonder why you would give up the benefits of the field for the corporate crap you have to deal with.  Kissing up to department leaders and GPs was never my forte.
Jan 7, 2010 5:34 pm

I will agree that Jones is incredibly generous with their good producers when personal situations come up. I will add that they are incredibly generous with even low level producers. An older gentlemen in my region had some family issues with a sick child that went on for about 8 months. He was below expectations before the incident and they kept him on and were paying him (I dont know how much, I didnt ask) until the situation had improved for him and his family.

  Jones also extended a helping hand to my wife and I when we adopted our daughter. Giving us 5k towards the expenses.
Jan 7, 2010 5:34 pm

I agree. I talk to some guys in the field that just plain don’t like being an advisor.  Some people are just made to be desk-jockeys.  Many people can’t handle the rejection, the calls, the client interaction, etc.  Even if they are good  at it.

  Personally, I don't think I would go to STL (HDQ) for any amount of money.  I've done the corporate world thing, and I will NEVER go back.  My lifestyle is more important.