Melinda Aven
Financial Representative
Region: Central

A Rewarding Choice
I was an Assistant/Associate Financial Representative for approximately 20 years before switching gears and becoming a full-time Financial Representative and Director of Training for the Mellinger local network office.

The greatest reward of being a Financial Representative is the ability to control my own destiny. I know that the harder I work the greater my rewards will be. It's my choice and my choice alone.

The career has its challenges, too. For me, the greatest is time management because I have to balance my time between my responsibilities as Director of Training and my client.

Career Advice
This is not a job, it's a business. It is no different than opening a sporting goods store. If you opened a new store, you would be there first thing in the morning and you'd be the last one out at night. You'd be the owner/manager/cashier/stock boy and everything in between.

That's how it is at the Network. You have to spend a ton of time in the beginning getting your "store" off to a good start. If you're not willing to put in the time and effort, don't start.

Our company is distinguished from the others because we look at the big picture. We are not about the sale, but about the client. We want to help them recognize their goals and help them realize those goals.

This is an awesome career, especially for women.

Melinda "Myndi" Aven has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 2004. Visit her website to learn more about her, or call Myndi at 219-233-1242.