Tim O'Toole

I’m a firm believer that life experience, more than anything, makes us who we are. My dad was an educator, which meant I moved around a lot as a kid and learned how to meet new people from all walks of life. My lifelong interest in sports instilled in me a burning desire to work hard and excel in every aspect of my life. For these reasons my initial education pursued teaching and coaching. The desire to blaze my own path led me to an early career in retail management where I discovered that I enjoyed helping people and leading a team, but also struggled navigating finances as a young man.

Much later, after my father’s passing, I saw firsthand how his financial planning blessed our family and made things so much easier for my mom, me, and my siblings. All of these experiences make my current career seem obvious in hindsight.

When my wife and I met with our Northwestern Mutual advisor to discuss our own financial plans, we started a conversation about my career goals. Opportunities for growth in my retail position were limited and I wanted more for my family, so when he asked if there was a possible job change in my future, I told him I was considering one. As it turns out, that one simple question changed the trajectory of my entire life because a recruiter from Northwestern Mutual called me the following day to discuss a career in financial services.

Today, I use my life experiences to build a deep connection with clients who want a financial advisor they can relate to, and who need the confidence that the right things are being done to protect their families and assets. I often share my personal stories—and the lessons learned—with my clients. It’s always gratifying to see them use those lessons to avoid making mistakes and succeed in their own lives.