Mitchell Craig Beer, CLU, ChFC
Managing Partner
Region: Western

Choosing the Right Career
When I was a student, I knew I wanted to be in sales. Even though I was offered jobs that were salary plus commissions, I felt that the long-term opportunities were not there.

Also, I knew that I wanted to own my own business one day (I thought a restaurant), and I felt this career would help me achieve my goal.

The greatest rewards as a Financial Representative have been what I was told when I first joined: the ability to run my business how I wanted to, with whom I wanted to, to have the income opportunity, and to make a difference in people's lives.

Over the years I have had a part in paying over 15 disability and life insurance claims to clients. If it were not for me, they may have never purchased these products. And as a result we were able to keep the families financially afloat during difficult times.

I have also helped people accumulate monies toward their children's education and retirement. That's what's been rewarding.

The Challenges
Getting through the early years was hard. In the beginning, it is tough building a business and we expect quicker results, especially as you see your friends making good incomes right out of school.

It is easier to say today, but you are really building a business and that takes time. It is true that it does get easier as time passes.

In the early days, prospecting was the biggest challenge, especially as a young man out of school because I did not even know anyone married. Therefore, I did direct mails which in turn cost money. However, if it were not for that, I may not be here today.

I understood early that I would need to invest money back into the business (borrow), in order to succeed.

As I look back and see friends and clients spend thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars buying businesses and franchises, I think I had it a lot easier.

Key Learning
I believe that I was fortunate to have found this career. I wish I could say that it was due to extensive research and homework. But in reality, hearing "income, independence and impact" appealed to me.

What Differentiates Northwestern Mutual
A client of mine is married with two kids. The client received a base salary in his job and about 40 percent of his income came from overtime.

He purchased a supplemental disability policy from me and term insurance. A couple of years later the client learned he had a rare form of Hepatitis C.

During the early part of the diagnosis the client was missing time from work. His salary was unaffected, but he lost his ability to work overtime and as a result taking a financial hit.

His company's disability plan did not kick in; Northwestern Mutual's did. We paid him a partial benefit based on his loss of time on the job.

After about a year, the client went out on full disability and we continued to pay, now a full benefit. The client still had not received any payments from the group plan, while all along Northwestern Mutual paid the claim.

Eventually his group plan began to pay, but only after struggling with them.

The last piece to this is that while the client has been disabled he has not been funding his retirement or been able to save for several years. We were able to convert his term life insurance to a permanent life insurance policy, which Northwestern Mutual now funds.

It is difficult to save on a reduced income and two kids in high school. If it were not for the analysis we did and Northwestern Mutual, this client's financial situation would be in grave shape.

While his situation is still not good and life is difficult, at least we are sending him monthly checks and contributing money to his life insurance account.

Considering the Profession
What an awesome career. And it is a career not a job. Be committed to a couple of years of building your business. If this is the right career for you it will give back everything that you could ever want.

Notable Milestones
My first milestone as a rep was joining the Million Dollar Round Table. I always felt if I could achieve this goal than I would be successful.

The next one was becoming a Managing Director. I accomplished a goal of owning my own business. This was my favorite contract with the Network.

Now I have achieved my other milestone of becoming a Managing Partner.

The milestones that come next are the impacts I can make on the reps’ lives who work and make a difference.

Northwestern Mutual is committed to the field force. Other companies are looking to other sources other than their field force. We clearly have outstanding support and products.

In addition, I believe we have one of the best compensation packages for those that want to build a career.

Outside of Work
I'm involved with my family, and sports such as golf, skiing, running and my kids' activities.

I founded the BFG Golf Invitational which raises money for autistic children. We have done this for five years and have raised over $60,000.

Mitchell Beer has been associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1989. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Mitchell at 732-729-0505.