Hesh: Please explain all of those initials after your name.

Mark: Let's start with RFC--it's an abbreviation for Registered Financial Consultant, and...

No Mark, I don't want you to give me the formal definitions. I'm asking the bigger question. Why so many?

They represent my efforts to learn as much as possible from different professional groups. Each one offered me another skill. This way I can give my clients a comprehensive approach.

I'm no shrink, but you have so many designations, I wonder if you're trying to compensate for something. Maybe compared to your initial training as an engineer, you felt that the financial designations weren't concrete enough. So you compensated by adding one designation after the other.

Interesting insight. An investment plan can never be like the blueprints for a bridge, there are just too many unknowns. I guess my way of dealing with financial risk is by studying and learning more

By the way, ever had any regrets about not being an engineer?

Never, but my mom did. When I was first married and struggling to start my business, she'd cut out engineering job ads and give them to me.
Even after my financial planning business became successful, she'd mail me the ads. She sent them anonymously, thinking I wouldn't know who it was coming from.

Are you any different with your own children? I'm sure you want them to be successful and now that you have a thriving business, they could join you.

I would be lying if I didn't say that I wished my children would train to become financial advisors. (And for the record my son does currently work part-time in our office.) But, they need to love what they do. I know how that feels, and it can't be faked or manufactured.

So you have it in your DNA. Who else has the same genetic makeup?

Interestingly enough, my employees. (It's an additive I put in the water cooler.)

I can confirm that. I spoke to one of your clients. He ran a successful high-end remodeling business. As soon as he walked into your office he saw immediately that your employees were similar to his employees. They acted like they were part of something important; it was more then a job. They care about the people they serve.

As I said, it's in the water cooler.

That sign on you office wall: No B.S .and No Pressure. Is it one of those trite business sayings that really don't mean anything?

On the contrary. The sign on the wall is there to tell people who meet me that I'm not selling anything. I actually don't want a new client to sign on the so-called dotted line the first time we meet. I tell them go home, think about what we've talked about. If you're interested, then come back, sign the documents and we'll start working together.

Mark, that sounds great when you have been in business for 37 years and have a successful company. But does it work for a new advisor, just starting out, who is hungry for new business?

I know what it feels like to hunger for new business. I'm not naïve. For my first ten years in business, I was an insurance agent. There wasn't any such thing as a financial advisor back then.

Were you a success from the beginning of your career?

Definitely not. Ironically my wife, Gloria, had started her own business and she was doing very well, I considered closing my insurance business and becoming her partner

So why didn't you?

I think I was stubborn; maybe it was my male ego. I couldn't accept the fact that I wasn't successful.

So what changed?

Hesh, take a look at the saying on the wall behind you: "Luck is where hard work meets opportunity." That has always been my approach. Yes, I was fortunate to get into the financial planning profession in its infancy. I realized that I could offer a comprehensive means of helping clients. I could do more then protect their assets (i.e., insurance). I could help their assets grow by offering investment advice.

You've accomplished much. So how do you reward yourself?

I bought myself a toy. It's the …

The convertible outside? I saw the car (and now I understand the vanity license plate). That's an expensive toy!

Yes, but I worked hard for it. And it actually represents my approach to my clients. They've worked hard their entire lives to build the wealth they've attained. Yes, they need to be prudent with their investments but they also should enjoy the things wealth can buy.

Can we go for a spin; I've always wanted to drive a BMW convertible.

Sorry Hesh, that would definitely not be prudent.

Contact Mark Snyder
800 -543 5283
mark@markjsnyder.com