Torsten Saile, MBA, CLU, CLTC, ChFC
Financial Representative
Region: Central

A Rewarding Career Shift
I have owned and operated several different businesses throughout my career, most recently an information technology company.  

I was spending way too much time on the business, not enough with my young children, and wanted to do something that gave me greater control over my time and hours.  

After selling my company, I researched what my options were in the financial services industry and was recruited by my friend, Scott Carr, who is our Managing Director. I just felt the opportunity was right for me and what my goals were.

The greatest reward in this career is the freedom and flexibility to coach my kids and generally spend as much time with them and my wife that I choose.
 
The career has its challenges, too. Certainly, the flexibility and freedom of this business forces you to be disciplined and focused when we are working and making the most of that time can, at times, be challenging.  
 
Early in my career, I found that learning to be a "marketing" company was my biggest challenge. I still struggle with having to promote myself to my clients in order to receive introductions to others.

But I've learned that I'm tougher than I first thought. It takes a thick skin and I've learned to not take things so seriously or personally.
 
A Time I Made a Difference
Two years ago I received a phone call from the accountant of a client. He told me that my client was killed the night before in a traffic accident. My client had $1.3 million of coverage.  

That same morning, I received a call from a friend who told me a mutual friend and former assistant coach to me died the night before. I never talked to him about what I do and I found out from his wife at the wake that he had no life insurance and that she would need to sell their home. What a wakeup call.

Career Goals and Advice
My goal is to reach $1 million of revenues within the next few years and maintain that level while enjoying more time with my wife and kids.  

If you're considering this career, be prepared and know what you're good at and what you'll need to "outsource." Understand that we are marketing companies and need to be experts at promoting ourselves.  

We also need to be dedicated to lifelong learning. I thought I was done going to school when I got my M.B.A.  Far from it. I've learned more and spent more time learning these past several years than ever before.

It's an unbelievable career if you take advantage of the opportunities that are presented. It requires focus, discipline and a true caring for your clients and doing what's right for them. 

There are only a handful of professions where we can have such an impact on the lives of our clients and this is one I'm proud to be a part of and, particularly, with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

The Northwestern Mutual Difference
Our company is differentiated from the others in the financial services business by its unwavering character and integrity. There's never a concern over short term profits versus doing the right thing.

Outside of Work
I love fishing, golf and sports. I spend a lot of time with kids in the outdoors and taking them to these relaxed environments.  

I also spend a good deal of time with school and community activities, but I'm most proud of the work I've done helping raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.  

My nephew was diagnosed with this disease several years ago and, collectively, we have helped raise almost a $1 million for the foundation and various hospitals where CF children are treated.


Tor Saile has been a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network since 1998. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call Tor at 847-969-2509.