7 Questions with Jeffrey Carey
We sat down with Jeff Carey, the director of our Business Planning division, to discuss how he came into the business, what he finds most rewarding in his career, and more. Check out the interview below.
Where are you from?
I’m from Rochester, MA. A lot of people try and correct me and ask if I meant to say Rochester, NY. No, not New York. Massachusetts. To this day, the town doesn’t have a single stoplight. It was an awesome place to grow up. I loved every minute.
Where did you work prior to joining CFG?
I worked for 10 years for the Coca-Cola Company in various sales & operations roles.
How did you end up at CFG?
Starting at an early age, I was always interested in investing. I remember watching my father following intricate charts, reading extensively about securities and analyzing market behavior. As I grew older, I spent more and more time studying the financial markets. I began giving a lot of free advice. I loved being able to help my friends, family, and colleagues with things they didn’t understand, and they were always very appreciative of my helpbut it took me close to eight years to convince my wife that it was a good idea to start my own business. Turns out it was a pretty good idea.
In 2009 I chose to join Commonwealth Financial Group. I’ve been here ever since. My family and I could not be happier with how things worked out.
What do you like most about your career?
I’m a lucky guy. The harder I work, the luckier I get. I took a life-long passion of mine and made it into a career. I turned avocation into a vocation. I love coming to work. My profession is so rewarding and I get to work alongside some truly world-class people.
What do you mean by that?
I make a difference in peoples’ lives. Every day. The sincere gratitude that comes from my clients is truly satisfying. It never gets old. I also love making an impact on young advisors who are just starting out in the businessto be able to aid them in their training and development is truly rewarding. I remember the early days, when I relied on many senior advisors to help show me the ropes. They were remarkably helpful and supportive of me. The collaborative culture was the perfect environment for me to begin my career in financial services, so it’s great to be in a position to give back.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career?
When you truly love what you do, the lines between work and play are perpetually blurred.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
DREAM BIG! Don’t let other people or worse, your own self-limiting beliefs, get in the way of what is truly possible.
At CFG, Jeff and his growing team assist companies, institutions, families, business owners, and professionals. Together Jeff and his team help their valued clients achieve the full integration of personal, business, tax, and estate planning.
“I’m extraordinarily fortunate,” Jeff admits, smiling. “I have the ability to positively impact the lives of others, and to truly live out my dream.”