Ten years ago today I’d been in a completely different profession for nearly 30 years, one that I no longer enjoyed, and hadn’t for a long time.
So ten years ago today I took the plunge into the investment management field by founding my own firm on a shoe-string budget and without any prior professional experience in the field. (An approach I wouldn’t recommend to most folks by the way–especially starting such a firm only several short years from the worst economic downturn to hit this country in about 80 years.)
It has been an interesting 10 years, what with the Great Recession and all, but it has been a fun and very successful run.
I’m doing what I love, helping many people to achieve their dreams, and getting paid well to do it.
Professionally, what could be better than that?
I am filled with gratitude today (and every day) for the many people who helped me to make this dream come true, sticking with me during the darkest days of the economic downturn, trusting me in many cases with their life savings, counting on me to get them through those very bleak times and to eventually emerge financially even stronger on the other side.
Thank you to all who supported me in so many ways over the past decade. I am truly blessed.
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Congratulations Russ – on the successful thirty years that pre-date your current career and the enjoyment you derive from the second career you chose!
Thank you, Mimi! It is always a pleasure hearing from you.
Russ
How very bold to step out from the safety and security of all that is familiar Russ. And how great to know that the last 10 years has been good to you. You counted the cost and I am sure your reputation served you well even during the lean years to carve out a successful living. I know yours will only be a success story because we reap what we sow. Congratulations! Sharon
SHARON! Hi! Thank you for your kind and generous compliment. I’m so glad to hear from you.
Russ
love to chat sometime about investing.
Investing is one of my passions and favorite subjects. I’m always happy to chat about investing. When blogs were fairly new many years ago I used to have a blog about investing that I really enjoyed. I stopped writing it when people began paying me to manage their money for them. It didn’t seem right to charge my Clients and then give away free investing ideas to people all over the world, so I shut it down. I still love chatting about investing one-on-one though. You can connect with me via my email address. If you’d like to talk by phone, let me know by email and I’ll give my number to you or you can gives yours to me. I look forward to our chat, Bill!
Russ
thanks I will send an email. Do you do evaluations?
Yes, but let’s just talk first. I look forward to our chat.
Russ
This is inspirational Russ. It gives people permission to pursue their dreams. When you are doing what you love and are passionate about, it’s hard not to be successful. Good for you!
Diana
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment, Diana.
Russ
My pleasure!
What nice sentiments to impart… and well done.. just like you I have taken a leap of faith with this computer software of mine… and we will see where God takes us…
Thank you, bulldog. May you find great fulfillment, satisfaction, adventure, and fun in your new venture. I believe that experiencing those is also likely to lead to financial success, and without experiencing them, financial success will be a hollow victory indeed. I’ve been self-employed for nearly my whole life in a variety of businesses and industries, and know first-hand the truth in both sides of what I just said.
Russ
Thanks Russ had my own businesses most of my life.. but this is the biggest adventure and risk I’ve ever taken.. and at 62 probably the most dangerous.. but what a rush it is giving me.. the excitement far out weighs the financial worries, if it bombs… which I’m sure it wont.. but still it is an adventure worth taking… still haven’t had to sell my house to get by.. so all is still ok .. so far…
I’m glad that you are going into it with vast business experience and open eyes. It saddens me to see people who get laid off in their 50’s or early 60’s after a career as an employee in one idustry and invest their life savings in an ill-fated venture in an industry in which they have no experience whatsoever. When they lose it all they have no time to recover.
Yes if you are not happy with what you are doing you may need to take a deep breath and venture into the unknown as scary it may be………….
Thank you for your comment, Joanne. That appraoch worked for me, but it can be dangerous if one is in their 50’s or 60’s and takes their life savngs to try something completely new. If the new venture fails (and most do) the result can be financially catastrophic with no time to re-build lfe savings. And, even if the new venture is successful, after a time one may find that they are no happier doing that than what they had stopped doing professionally. Still, it sometimes can be one of the best things one ever does. It certainly was in my case.
Russ
Congrats on your success!
Thank you, Jolyn!
Russ
What a beautiful and inspiring story. I’m so happy to hear that you took the leap of faith and it paid off for you.
Thank you, Amber! I appreciate your kind comment.
Russ
Congratulations on your accomplishments! They couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.