John Golden - First Investors Corporation Careers - First Investors Corporation Jobs

John Golden > Division Manager

"I strongly believe that the future still holds more successful opportunities for myself and for my team."

Advice to Others:

1) Create a great business plan.
2) Be active and consistent with your activity from your plan.
3) Have a sense of urgency with your plan.

Years With First Investors:

Prior Occupation:

Student

Nearly three years ago, I met with Stu Rudnick; he told me that we were in trouble. If we wanted to keep our independence both locally and regionally, we needed to make a change and do it very quickly. I look back to that day, not as a "doom and gloom" day, but rather as the beginning of my second career. Fear is a great motivator. I looked Stu in the eye and said, "No problem, we can and will do this."

After that meeting, one of the first things I did was call a few people to get their ideas on what steps to take next. Fortunately for me, I never heard back from some of these people, because it was at that point that I finally realized what I had not been doing. I had not been taking full responsibility for my own business. Confronted with this newfound fact, I was forced to spend the next six to eight weekends planning my next move. I had to come up with a new system to develop my office and help it become successful. Now that I had a sense of urgency (fear) and a great plan (belief), I was going to move heaven and earth to make my plan work. I was not going to allow anyone or anything to get in my way.

I believe that when dealing with adversity, there are three choices you can make:

Quit

Continue on the same course

Make a change for the better

It is obvious that I never chose option one. I will be honest and admit that unfortunately, at times I did choose option two. When Stu came to me about the troubles our region was facing, it quickly became clear to me that I needed to make a change for the better. In the end, option three has definitely generated more income, was more fun and helped me to reach my goals. It was this conscious decision to make a change that helped turn my office around.

I feel that the last three years of my career are just the beginning of what my team and I can do. I truly look forward to the challenges and successes that lie ahead. I believe that the future still holds more opportunities for us. Going forward, I want to continue to help the Westbury Office and the Rudnick Region become an example for the rest of the organization, proving that when you combine hard work and a good business plan, great success can happen.

Finally, I think that another very important element of this business is to have a great support system around you. I am very fortunate to have my wife, Kathie, who has always been extremely supportive of me, and what I do. Another positive influence in helping me reach success is, of course, Stuart Rudnick. He has always been and continues to be a great mentor, partner and friend. Other individuals who share common goals in this business and help to motivate me every day are: Anthony Angarola, Sophia Bliablias, Jennifer Carroll, Michelle Dugan, Erick De Castro, David Ely, Avi Greenberg, Bethany Mitcheltree, Katie Postle, Dan Robinson, Mike Saraullo, Sindy Staley, and Robin Tucker. My sincere thanks go out to all of these special people.

Recent times have been unnerving for individual investors. A severe recession, a steep stock market downturn, unprecedented volatility, and high-profile investment scam stories have damaged the public's confidence in our nation's financial institutions, and left people wondering what to do. This loss of trust and direction comes at a time when Americans are more responsible than ever for securing their own financial future.

First Investors can help individuals accomplish that goal. We have been in business since 1930, and have successfully navigated many difficult economic periods in our nation during that time. We understand that economic slumps and recoveries are inevitable...and we know how to help people plan for both.

Using a face-to-face approach to customer service, our registered representatives work with clients to establish a disciplined approach to achieving their long-term financial goals, whether they involve saving for a college education, purchasing a home, or building a retirement nest egg. We have more than 80 years of success stories, working with people from all walks of life.