Stephen R Shanley, CLU, ChFC
Financial Representative
Region: Western

Before joining Northwestern Mutual, Steve Shanley spent ten years as Director of Sales and Marketing for Vail Associates, Inc., operators of the Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts. For generations his family has made saving and building for the future a priority. Because of his enjoyment and experience meeting personal investment and insurance needs, Steve decided to build a business of his own in the financial services field.  Steve has coupled his professional background with this personal experience, to bring great value to his clients.

 

As an important resource and trusted advisor for his clients, Steve Shanley finds one of the greatest rewards of this career to be the confidence and trust his clients place in him. Steve feels this career provides an opportunity for a financial representative to take their business in many different directions.  Whether it is retirement, estate, business, investment or personal needs analysis, the career can be very diverse.  Steve appreciates the individuality the career provides.

 

The biggest challenges faced by Steve during the early years were building his practice, keeping a full calendar and seeing quality prospects every day. From there it was managing the business activity and case load he created before hiring his first staff person.  Having a good business plan and sticking to it made the process easier and is paying dividends today, 12 years later.

 

Steve sometimes struggles with maintaining consistency and balance every year between business and family.  "The business is challenging and exciting every day!" Steve finds these challenges very motivating.  The ability to be in charge of decision making and priority setting is a great reward to the challenges Steve faces.

 

Steve Shanley learned that by listening and communicating effectively with his clients and prospects, he is able to help them take action.  He believes in his process and has conviction for what he is doing and in Northwestern Mutual. Steve finds he has the ability to bring tremendous value and service to his clients.

 

Many of Steve's clients thank him for helping them build savings and protection for themselves and their families.  In 1996, he started working with a doctor, a single mother of two boys.  She had high goals of basically starting with nothing, saving to send both boys to private college and building a retirement strategy at the same time.  Both boys' college funds are complete and she is well on her way to the retirement goals they set for her.  Recently, she told Steve she couldn't have done it without his help and ongoing guidance.  She thanked him for helping her get there!  That was a great reward moment for Steve.

 

Steve Shanley looks forward to becoming a Northwestern Mutual Forum representative. Over the years he's built a very good business and the types and sizes of cases continue to get bigger and more interesting every year.

 

Steve has the following advice to offer:

 

"For the right person, willing to work very hard in the beginning and throughout their career, this is a very rewarding profession.  In the beginning, activity is king!  The more people you see, the more people you can tell your story to and the more you learn about people will create a path of success.  Attend as many educational meetings and seminars as you can.  Pursue professional designations and become the most knowledgeable person you know in the field of personal needs analysis.  Become an expert in the area of life insurance needs.  I find few professionals who truly are experts in this area.  Remember always to listen intently and not to recite your knowledge excessively.  Most importantly, have sincerity for your clients' goals and keep their goals your top priority."

 

Over the years, Steve has come into contact with many other financial services companies. He feels Northwestern Mutual's healthy culture, financial strength, and top quality products set it apart from other financial services companies. Northwestern Mutual's culture is all about policyholders and putting them first.  "The tools, resources and people available to representatives of Northwestern Mutual are some of the best in the industry.  Northwestern Mutual is a premier life insurance company." Steve values high quality, responsibility and integrity, qualities he feels Northwestern Mutual shares. Steve adds, "It is a pleasure to represent this company!"

 

Steve Shanley is very involved in raising money for and supporting his children's school. Active as a board member for his local chamber of commerce, he also founded a local business association. He volunteers for his community soccer club as a board member and also donates his time to his son's youth hockey program. Steve enjoys cycling and riding with his oldest boy, a competitive mountain biker. Along with his family, he enjoys the mountain lifestyle, skiing, fishing, golf and many other outdoor activities.