suhdude

Sales Rep

Valued Contributor

Lifestyle biz/travel vs. Career growth/low quality of life

26, evaluating whether or not I want to take a salaried 'sales role' at a registered investment advisory firm selling securities/annuities or just sticking with my current biz (some sales on my own but mostly generating leads/marketing for other financial advisors to go sell).

Decision making framework is essentially career growth/skill development vs. quality of life. This firm is in my childhood hometown so I'd be back home with the parents for the foreseeable future (been back here with them for 2-3 months now saving money to move to Scottsdale in January - or travel to South America). Have zero desire whatsoever to be stuck here any longer but I do think I'd learn a lot about how to sell investments/annuities rather than just doing the digital marketing/lead gen as I have been.

Question to you all, at 26 would you try to optimize for career growth/income at the expense of quality of life, or would you prioritize quality of life in a business that provides you location freedom?

💆‍♂ Mindset

🏄 Personal Life

10

15 comments

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ChickenWings

Opinionated

5

Tom Callahan's Son

Key Takeaways

1. There is a firm you are relevant to at some point in your hometown waiting for you
2. You're 26, with seemingly a good head start
3. You don't want to be there now...maybe later

"Quality of life" is subjective.

My wife and I grew up quick. Married, hustled, bought a house, had kids earlier than our friends.

Main goal - have the energy to shred with kids/grandkids. That's our definition of quality, but there is selfless sacrifice.

That isn't shared (and without judgement...maybe sometimes jealousy) with many of our friends. They're out there van lifin'.

I wouldn't center this around career, but moreso around where you want to be personally in a few years. Settled down?..or enriching foreign cultures by blasting White Snake on a motorcycle as you fly by?

Neither sucks...but don't hinge it on a job.

punishedlad

Tycoon

2

Business Development Team Lead

Same thing with my wife, @ChickenWings

Married at 25, first kid at 26, second one on the way and we're 28.

I have "young" grandparents and it's been great, want to be able to provide the same for my progeny.

suhdude

Opinionated

1

Sales Rep

Definitely want kids and to settle down, but not for at least 5-10 years. Ideally will be traveling the next few years (both domestically and internationally) and not being tied to any singular location. If I was tied to this location for more than a year I'd probably shoot myself.

I just don't know how 'rare' an opportunity like this is in this industry (aka actually having a base salary and not having to pay for leads myself) as pretty much everything is 100% commission based.

ChickenWings

Opinionated

0

Tom Callahan's Son

You could probably pull off both.

Do a year with this gig, then travel.

What is the likelihood this opportunity would be out of play if you chose to travel first?

suhdude

Opinionated

0

Sales Rep

I could probably work with this firm in the future if I chose to travel now. I have no problem with being 100% commission based long term, just getting it off the ground is the challenge and having the right mentorship. Been on an island for a while now and I'd like the mentorship (which I can get elsewhere, I'd just be 1099 rather than W2 most likely).

Honestly I was just planning to move in early January out of state so this has thrown a wrench in that.

ChickenWings

Opinionated

0

Tom Callahan's Son

It sounds like you want a change.

You can always find opportunity for yourself later.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

Do what's best for you. I don't live in your shoes so that's the most honest guidance I can offer.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

What makes quality of life better with your current biz? Working minimal hours? Short term higher pay? Or is it solely being able to move to Scottsdale or move to South America?

If it’s solely able to move down to South America whenever, would you want to find a firm who can let you work 100% remote including South America?

Would it be possible to work remote for that firm remotely? Have you asked? Would you being willing to work 2 years at the firm then find one where you can work wherever?

suhdude

Opinionated

1

Sales Rep

Quality of life is just locationally of home with parents vs. anywhere elsewhere. The work is honestly the same domain/industry, just the lead gen stuff I'm doing can be anywhere. Once I'm up and running closing business here, then yeah this firm is open to me being wherever as long as I continue producing and remaining profitable.

TennisandSales

Politicker

2

Head Of Sales

me? i would chose the move that accelerates your career. i sold investments and annuities for 5 years. getting in to the closing side of things is SO key for any sales experience.

suhdude

Opinionated

1

Sales Rep

Were you independent or with a BD, wire house or carrier?

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

I was a captive agent for one insurance company and then was an independent investment rep for a few main carriers. It was kind weird

suhdude

Opinionated

0

Sales Rep

Why'd you chose to leave the industry?

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

0

Account Executive

Tough call!

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

0

Senior Account Executive

At 26 until 36 id look to make the most money possible to be sure to give the good life to my future wife and kids.

This would mean building a career doing things on the side etc...

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