Growing Up in a Small Town
I grew up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, a place where everyone knows your name, where sports bring the town together, and where hard work is simply expected. Life was simple, but it taught me lessons that stayed with me long after high school. I spent my days playing football, baseball, and hockey, and when I was not on a field or a rink, I was usually in the woods deer hunting or on the water fishing. Those early years built the foundation of who I am today.
My brother Riley and I grew up competing, working, and learning together. Looking back, I realize that sibling rivalry teaches you more about grit and determination than any classroom ever could. My parents showed us what responsibility looked like, and my mom, Laurie, was the person who taught me what it meant to care for others. She was the one I leaned on when I needed guidance. Many of her lessons became principles I still use in my career.
Learning the Value of Hard Work
I was never someone who expected anything to be handed to me. That is not how things work in a small town. If you want something, you put in the time. You show up. You keep going even when it is tough. These values stuck with me as I entered the financial services world. Anyone who has started in this business knows it is not easy. The early years test you in ways you do not expect. There are long days, difficult conversations, and times when you question if you are cut out for it.
I had plenty of those moments myself. But I also had something stronger. I had belief. I believed that if I kept pushing forward, I would be able to overcome any obstacles that came my way. That belief is what carried me through the challenges and eventually helped me build a career I am truly proud of.
Building a Career One Client at a Time
When I started at Bankers Life in 2014, I walked in with a clean slate and a willingness to learn. I did not know everything, but I knew how to work. Over the years, the effort added up. I became a Top 25 Producer from 2017 through 2023, earned President and Honors Elite awards, and received recognition like the Jackson National Stars Award from 2021 through 2024. These milestones reflect more than hard work. They reflect trust. They show that people believed in me and allowed me to play a role in their financial lives.
What I learned quickly is that this job is not about selling. It is about showing up. It is about listening. It is about being there when someone calls and needs your help. I have always made it a point to answer my phone because my clients deserve to know I am here when they need me. That simple act builds real relationships, and those relationships are the reason I love what I do.
In 2018, I became a Financial Advisor, and in 2024 I joined Calton as my broker dealer. It was a big step, but it came at the right time. By then, I had not only built experience but also confidence in how I wanted to serve my clients. Every year, I continue to learn more, attend wealth conferences, and push myself to improve. You can never stop learning in this business. People rely on me, and I owe them my best.
Growing Through Setbacks
It is important to be honest about something that gets overlooked. This career has setbacks. Plans fall through, cases fall apart, and sometimes life simply gets in the way. But setbacks do not define you. What you do next does.
I learned early on that mistakes can either discourage you or teach you. I chose to let them teach me. Every challenge made me better, sharper, and more focused. I set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals to keep myself on track. Goals help me stay grounded, especially on the hard days. They remind me where I am going and why I started.
Staying Connected to the Community
Even as my career grew, I never forgot where I came from. Giving back to Sleepy Eye has always mattered to me. I have supported the United Football Program, the Legion and VFW baseball teams, and the Stark Longhorns amateur baseball team. Sports shaped me, so supporting young athletes feels natural. It is my way of saying thank you to the town that raised me.
What Keeps Me Motivated
People often ask what motivates me after eleven years in the business. The answer is simple. I have clients, family, and friends who rely on me. Knowing they trust me with their future means everything. It pushes me to keep growing and to keep showing up every day.
At the same time, I know I need balance. Spending time with family, golfing, watching sports, and enjoying the outdoors gives me the recharge I need. When I am out on the course or watching the Minnesota Vikings or Golden Gophers play, I am reminded of the things that ground me. Those moments help me return to work with fresh energy.
Creating My Own Path Forward
When I look back at my journey from a small-town kid in Sleepy Eye to where I am today, I realize something important. Success is not about what other people say or think. Success is what you make for yourself. It is built through consistency, effort, and the desire to help others.
I still carry those small-town values with me every day. Work hard. Treat people right. Keep learning. Show up when you are needed. These are the things that helped me build a meaningful career and a life I am proud of.
And the best part is that my story is still being written.