Paul Keebler
Long Term Care Specialist
Region: Western

A Worthwhile Career Shift
I was a journalist and graphic designer. I was looking for a change, was studying for the real estate exam, got a call from my Financial Representative wanting to schedule an annual review, told him I was about to change careers, he had the recruiter call me, and I ditched real estate for Northwestern Mutual.

The greatest reward is knowing that the work I do is always helpful to people. No one is worse off after I meet them. I appreciate the ability to work independently, and not be limited in my career or income by someone else.

The greatest challenge has been staying focused on my goals while juggling the demands of running a business. And initially, the biggest challenge was going from being an expert in my previous career to being a rookie in my new career. It took a while to gain confidence in my abilities in my new work.

But I have learned that I can accomplish nearly anything I set my mind to.

A Time I Made a Difference
I have a client whose 14-year-old son was hit by a car, spent two months at Children's Hospital, and three more months at a rehab hospital.

He survived, but suffered permanent brain damage. During that hospitalization, my client took unpaid leave from her job, nearly lost her job, her house and everything she had while she was at her son's bedside.

Working with our home office, I was able to restructure some things in her life policies to keep her life insurance in force during a time when she couldn't pay attention to those things.

Four years later, I had the pleasure of helping them invest the money they are receiving as a settlement to provide him a lifetime of income.

Looking Forward
I look forward to becoming a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, and hope someday to achieve Forum.

Career Advice
I tell people that this is perhaps the most rewarding career for the right person, but that it isn't for everyone.

There is a lot of freedom in this career, but it is a double-edged sword. If you abuse that freedom early on, you are likely to fail. If you work hard to establish yourself over a period of many years, you can enjoy that freedom forever.

Northwestern Mutual is differentiated by the fact that we establish long-term relationships with our clients. They aren't just numbers on the way to a goal.

Outside of Work
I am on the board of directors of Volunteers of America - Colorado Branch, the advisory council of Retired Senior & Volunteer Program, and the board of directors of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra.

Paul Keebler has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1999. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Paul at 303-390-5750.