Cheryl Krueger
Chicago, IL
Garrett Member Since 2007

“Congratulations on finding the Garrett Planning Network as you consider options for starting or evolving your financial planning business. I’d like to share a bit about my membership experience with the Garrett Planning Network with you. I spent over twenty years in a very corporate, non-entrepreneurial career. After all, what is less entrepreneurial than an actuarial career, or for that matter, an actuary? I’d been considering financial planning for over five years and in early 2007 I decided that yes, it really was time for me to make the biggest leap in my professional career. From previous investigation I was firmly sold on the hourly financial planning model and reaching out to Middle America. The next decision after what, was how? I had to make the decision about joining the Garrett Planning Network. It was clear to me that the Network was growing and evolving since I first investigated it sometime in 2001 or 2002. And although I got more excited as I looked at the Network’s expansion, I must say I did have some hesitation when sending in my initial payment. What was I really signing up for? Other than the big box, what was I going to get? I talked to a couple of Garrett advisors in the Chicago area. They were supportive and encouraging and answered my questions honestly. I took a deep breath and sent in my check. Soon after that I got a few e-mails from current Garrett members welcoming me to the Network.

I was motivated to get my ADV filed and get on the map on the Garrett public website. My ADV was approved by the end of June, less than three months after I had joined Garrett and that included time to study for, take and pass the Series 65 exam. I worked through the checklist in the Quick Start Manual. I sat in on as many of the Network’s conference calls as I could. The August Retreat was invaluable for content and networking, as expected. And in addition, there were sessions on personal growth that made me so grateful for my choice to exit the corporate world and go out on my own. Linking life’s work to life’s purpose had been a great discovery for me in the first year of my career change.

Through participating in local and remote learning opportunities with other Garrett Planning Network members I’ve learned about the business, the potential and the service that financial planners can provide. Nearly everyone I have met along the way seems to appreciate the abundance of our universe and the benefit of working together to create. I would have never imagined such a positive and supportive culture from a network such as Garrett in an industry I’d previously perceived as so cutthroat as financial planning. Many of my new clients come from the Garrett website and public relations activities. I’ve learned so much from the Marketing, Business Planning, Technology, Compliance and organizational teleconferences, that it’s been worth the entire first year fee. I go back to certain presentations over and over, from members and staff, consultants or guests, and continue to be amazed at the breadth and depth of information that people are willing to share to support other members. I can’t even estimate how much time I’ve saved developing business processes because the Network has provided me with templates and ideas. I’ve expanded my thinking about many topics because members offer varied opinions and take the time to share them with us all. My business plan has much more meat in it because of my attendance at Mary Gibson’s business planning workshop after the Retreat last year. My workouts even go faster now that I can download and listen to the MP3 files from some of the conference calls to my iPod. I could go on, but you get the idea.

I hope this brief introduction tells you that the Garrett Planning Network goes way beyond the big box. It’s about building your business with the support of a generous, understanding Network of planners, staff and consultants who believe in a vision and a mission similar to yours. I can’t imagine starting my business without the Garrett Planning Network anymore than I can imagine continuing without their support. I don’t believe I could have found a more effective way to make my career change since so much of the value of the Garrett Planning Network is contained outside the box. I wish you the very best in your career choice.”

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