Shore Dog, do your research by talking to folks one on one (information interviews?) Just call advisor up at various platforms and meet them for coffee or lunch. The effort will demostrate you have what it takes.

Make your choice, and don't change for at least two or three years. Never give up. Be tenacious. Failure is not an option. Don't fill you head with negative BS or think too much, do what they say. That is how you get someone to pay for you to learn this fantastic business, a business where you can work less than thirty hours and make deep into six figures, and own a valuable business. Good luck.

I dont know anyone personally who started out indy I am pretty sure that is for the experienced.

Some say banks are easier to work compared to wirehouses.  Just give the market you are going after a full court press and plan on doing it for a long time.

What do you see as the benefits and drawbacks of both?

You have to match your personality to the task.

[quote=RULiquid]

I dont know anyone personally who started out indy I am pretty sure that is for the experienced.

Some say banks are easier to work compared to wirehouses.  Just give the market you are going after a full court press and plan on doing it for a long time.

[/quote]

Two advisors started off as indy's...but they were interns for advisors at wirehouses. After the advisors left the wirehouses, they took the interns with them not giving them any base whatsoever. After about 1-2 years, these advisors are only managing around 1.5 mill assets each, pretty sad...

I’ve also heard banks are easier, but starting out at one will make it
pretty difficult to move outside of the bank in the future (you don’t
need as many/the same licenses or registration to work in the banks
because they are already heavily regulated).  I’m at a local
branch of a wirehouse and I love it, but I expect as with any job it
depends on the people at your specific branch.

how 'bout a regional? Edward Jones will be bashed unmercifully as soon as this post appears- but 10000 of us can't be all clueless and wrong. client surveys are positive year after year, as are the broker surveys (14 years in a row #1 at Registered Rep Broker Satisfaction Survey). you get an assistant. the training is very good--it's about "contacts"- as it should be. the culture fits some, and not others-- doesn't make it right or wrong (as other firms are great also)--go stop in to a few offices.

PS--yes there are negatives too- as at ANY FIRM