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September 28, 2018

After 29 Years in the Industry, Charlie Strong Retires

After 29 years in the industry, Charlie shares how he entered the field, navigated the highs and lows and how he plans to spend his free time.

Why did you choose to enter this field? What about financial planning interests you?
Entering financial services was almost by accident. My brother and I were closing a business we were involved in , and a good friend, Warren Stribling, was employed with A.G. Edwards and Sons (the firm at which I first started) and asked if I would be interested in talking with them. I interviewed and was hired having very little knowledge about the investment world. The most interesting thing about financial planning is the opportunity to work with individuals and families, putting together a solid strategy, and seeing clients thrive financially.

What did you enjoy most about your job and what were some of the challenges you faced?
It may sound trite, but I think most advisors would say having clients that listen and stick to a long term plan is the rewarding part of our business. Financial success typically doesn’t happen overnight so it is satisfying working with clients that know patience and staying the course pays off over time. The biggest challenge is keeping folks invested when the market goes through tough times. Seeing investment values drop during a market correction can be unnerving, and the natural reaction for many clients is to want to go to the sidelines, so encouraging clients to stay the course can be a challenge.

What’s next for you? How will you spend your time in retirement?
I’m curious to see what is next. My wife Marti and I will do more traveling. We will certainly have more time for babysitting three grandsons (with another grandchild on the way). I’m a sports nut so there will be a lot more time to go to ballgames, and I love the beach and will be spending more time there.

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