Hartford Business Journal

March 4, 2019 — Best Places to Work in CT

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30 Hartford Business Journal • March 4, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 30 Hartford Business Journal • March 4, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com BEST PLACES TO WORK IN CONNECTICUT Large Cos. Support from Edward Jones takes many forms By John Stearns Special to the Hartford Business Journal K evin Young left a good job as a wholesaler in the insurance in- dustry to become a financial adviser with Edward Jones — a positively life-altering move. "It's been a difference maker in my life, my family's life, and it's given me the opportunities to … positively affect other people's lives," Young said. "I can't ever see me changing careers." He praised being able to open his Edward Jones office close to home (he chose Manchester), ample training and mentorship, immense support from corporate, scheduling flexibility, pride of ownership, meaningful and impactful connections with clients, work trips that include his wife and children, and more. "I think one of the biggest fears I had when making a career change and going to something completely new and different was: Am I going to feel all alone or am I going to feel supported?" Young said. "And the amount of ef- fort and resources put in to my career in the very beginning from Edward Jones was amazing." That included three weeklong trips to St. Louis headquarters, support while studying for his licenses, connec- tions to mentors and other train- ing. He enjoys ongoing support from about 6,000 staff in Arizona and St. Louis who vet re- search and offer resources for advisers to be confident they're providing the best information to clients. Young also enjoys fellow advisers' support. "Nowhere has there been such a team atmosphere, my local colleagues in South Windsor and Vernon, elsewhere throughout Connecticut, they're not competitors, they're actually colleagues — everybody wants to see everybody succeed here," Young said. Seven years after joining Edward Jones, Young is a part owner through the company's limited partnership pro- gram and walking testimonial for why the company is a great place to work. His branch office administrator, Lucy Harrison, also earned a limited partnership. The company noted in its Best Places to Work survey that it offers 401(k) plans and profit sharing. It shares 24 percent of net profits annually (which boosted pay 4.6 percent in 2018), with staff employed six months or more who work at least 20 hours weekly. The money is deposited into retirement accounts. Re- maining firm profits are distributed an- nually to principals and limited partners. Young, whose office is one of about 70 Edward Jones offices in Connecti- cut and 13,000-plus nationwide, enjoys the company's family atmosphere. That's demonstrated, in part, by an- nual New England regional meetings to which spouses and children are in- vited and connect with other families. "You almost build an extended fam- ily on top of everything else," he said. There also are regional holiday par- ties and Young has a holiday extrava- ganza for clients, with whom he builds relationships. "That, to me, is as rewarding as any financial benefit that's out there," he said. Edward Jones CT headquarters: Thomaston Industry: Financial services Website: www.edwardjones.com Twitter: @edwardjones Top CT executive: James Zeller, Regional Leader RANKED 2 ND Edward Jones is the national presenting sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer's, and associates nationwide participate. The Connecticut Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and UConn. "It's invaluable the amount of gratitude I have for CTSBDC. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to take my passion and turn it into a business venture. My Business Advisor diligently worked with me to create a business plan, reviewed my budget and finances and acted as a mentor, coach and guide." Anuradha Kothandaraman, Owner of Code Ninjas, secured financing Professional Business Advisors are ready to help you start your business, grow your existing business, access capital, research market trends, increase profitability and so much more! Request professional, confidential, no-cost business advising today at the Connecticut Small Business Development Center. www.CTSBDC.com Connecticut Small Businesses are Thriving!

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