Thomas Joseph Williams, CLU, ChFC, CASL
Financial Representative
Region: Eastern

Thomas Williams spent the early years of his career working both as a school teacher and a restaurant owner. Making the move to a financial representative career allowed Thomas the opportunity to run his own practice using his teaching skills as well as applying the discipline he learned as a business owner.

The greatest reward Thomas Williams finds in the financial representative career is the ability to help individuals clarify and act upon their personal financial goals. He gains satisfaction from helping these people understand and manage the risk inherent in achieving their goals.

 

A big challenge Thomas faces is maintaining a high level of activity with ideal prospects and clients. He also finds it difficult to maintain a healthy balance between his personal and professional lives.

 

During the first few years of his financial representative career, Thomas was challenged to accept rejection while building a client base and providing for the economic and practical needs of his growing family.

 

Through the years with Northwestern Mutual, Thomas Williams learned to develop and expand his unique ability to create value in his client relationships while at the same time broadening his talents as a unique individual.

Thomas shares a story about a time when his work as a financial representative made a difference:

 

"I settled a death claim on the mother of four young children that provided the resources to allow Dad to continue his career path while replacing lost services in their home. Some years later I substantially increased his coverage when he married someone much younger than he was."

 

Thomas Williams looks forward to achieving 24 consecutive years of Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualification this year. MDRT is a premier association of financial professionals.

 

Two of Thomas' sons have followed him into the business. He relishes the opportunity they have to grow their practices together around their unique abilities.

 

Thomas offers this advice to someone considering a financial representative career, "They must be entrepreneurial with tremendous self discipline. They must be life-long learners willing to operate outside their comfort zones."

 

According to Thomas, Northwestern Mutual distinguishes itself from others in the financial services industry by the high quality of the products and services offered, especially at claims time. "As someone who has been on claim (15 months on disability), I truly understand the importance of planning and follow through."

 

Beyond work, Thomas Williams has studied classical piano for nine years. He also teaches religion classes at his local church. He tries to serve as a role model to his children inside and outside this business.

 

It has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally, for Thomas to constantly improve his knowledge and skills while facing the financial challenges of his clients due to aging, technology and culture. He looks forward to many more years of additional opportunities to create value one client at a time.