Thomas G Mc Breen, CLU
Financial Advisor
Region: Central

Deciding on Northwestern Mutual
Before becoming a Financial Representative, I was a college student at Miami of Ohio.
      
My greatest reward of being a Financial Representative is being able to choose my clients and help them get organized financially for their future. I appreciate most the ability to control my own schedule, work when and where I want and with those people who I want as clients.

The career has its challenges, too, such as knowing that not everybody I meet will become a client. For many different reasons, some people don't want to get help with their finances.  

And early in the career, it was challenging to meet with the right people. I was meeting with everyone and anyone. Now I am able to pick and choose the type of client I am looking to add to my practice.

What I've Learned
Along the way, I've learned that I am a very disciplined person. If I set a goal, I strive to achieve it. I also learned I have the ability to ask the right questions and listen to people's goals and objectives in order to help them reach their financial goals.

Making a Difference
In my early years with younger clients, most of my clients' goals were to buy a house. I have helped many clients save and invest which enabled them to buy their first house earlier than they thought. I continue to help many of these clients with additional investments  

Another situation was when a client had a brain aneurysm two weeks after we applied for life insurance. Northwestern Mutual issued the policy because we had all the paperwork completed before the incident. That client would now be considered uninsurable. I was very excited my client and I made it a priority to get the application process started and not wait to think about it.   

Milestones and Looking Forward
I want to achieve Forum and MVP in the same year; Forum is the top Financial Representatives for premium production in the company, and MVP is the top Representatives for investment commissions in the company. I have made both but not in the same year. I think that will happen in 2006.

Career Advice
This is a very rewarding career. Personally, professionally and financially, it has been better than I could have imagined.  

I worked hard in the beginning years of my career, and it has paid off. I now have a great staff and great clients, and I look forward to going to work every day. 

My ability to spend time with my family, play golf and enjoy other activities is up to me. I don't have to check with anybody, because I am running my own practice. That is very important to me.

I was very lucky to find this career and this company. It has afforded me many things early in my life. The training and guidance of our managers has led me to great successes, and I will continue that into the years ahead.

The Northwestern Mutual Difference
Ethics, camaraderie and values differentiate Northwestern Mutual from the others in the financial services industry. I have never met such a dedicated, intelligent and successful group of people at any other company. I couldn't imagine working anyplace else. 

Outside of Work
I am very active in sports. I am an avid golfer, tennis player and enjoy many vacations every year. With our first child fast approaching, I am sure I will be very dedicated to the activities of our children.

Thomas McBreen has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1996. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Thomas at 847-663-7059.