Scott Alexander Brady
Financial Representative
Region: Southern

A Rewarding Career Shift

I worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant for a United States Senator for three-and-a-half years and then worked as a public policy executive for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.  

 

My decision to enter financial services was prompted by the birth of my first child almost four years ago. I knew that in order to have the freedom to be with my family and retire when I wanted depended on starting my own business.  

The three main criteria I was looking for in a new business were:  

* Independence -- I did not want a storefront with the associated overhead that I had to keep office hours.  I wanted the ability to work when I wanted.

* Financial -- I wanted the ability to earn an income commensurate with the effort that I applied.

* Significance -- With a background in politics/public policy, I love people and wanted a business that was significant to individuals' lives.  

Rewards Outweigh Challenges
The greatest reward of this business is the nature of this business. You work hard, you help people, you can make a great living and you are free.  

On a daily basis, I appreciate the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network system. I am comforted by knowing that all I have to do is call people, see people and ask them to buy from me. The best reward day to day is seeing a new person.
 
It is hard work, and your ego is put into check constantly. I learned the first day of training that the hallmarks of this business are rejection, delay and disappointment. You simply have to let it run down your back and say, "Next!"

I am still in the first few years of this career, but so far, my biggest challenge has been the aspects of running a business. You have to handle numerous business areas all at once, including administrative, sales, budgeting, technology, continuing education, etc.

But I've learned my personality is ideally suited for the ups and downs of this business. I do not like a static life -- I wish they were all ups and hope to be there some day, but I would rather have a lot of ups and downs than all of middles.
 
A Time I Made a Difference
I had a client in an annual review tell me that although he had told me he did not need life insurance when we first met, he knew that he did need some. 

Further, he purchased the insurance because I was persistent and pleasant and that I had challenged his original statement. He thanked me for helping him. This was a first, and it felt great!
 

Looking Forward
I had a very fast start with Pacesetter First 40, but missed Pacesetter First 60 (I was very disappointed).  In my first full year (2004), I made Million Dollar Round Table, which was my goal. My next goal is Forum by 2009.

Sound Career Advice
Examine what you are really passionate about and make sure that your values line up with the values of this business. If you do not believe what you are selling, the client will know it.

Our company is differentiated by integrity and intelligence. I have met plenty of representatives from other companies who have integrity and are intelligent, but I think these characteristics are more prevalent with Northwestern Mutual.

If you can work hard, you love people, you love independence and you love a challenge, I do not think there is a more rewarding career on earth.  

A caveat to this statement is that this career would not be rewarding at all unless you had confidence that the solutions (products) that you were providing to clients were going to be able to deliver on your promise. Northwestern Mutual provides me that confidence, and I am very proud to bring its products to the market. 

Outside of Work
I love family time. The expression in our house is, "love is spelled T I M E."  I also love my buddy trips -- time to catch up with my buddies and hang out.  

I also enjoy being involved in my community and am a former board member but am still active in my neighborhood association.  

Also, I enjoy working in my church as the Vice-Moderator and Deacon.

Scott Brady has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 2003. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Scott at 404-846-3000.