When Christopher Faulk started out in the financial services industry, he could tell there was something missing. As a commercial loan officer, he was helping people, but there were other aspects of his clients’ financial pictures that weren’t being addressed. He wanted to offer a more comprehensive financial service. 

In 2019, Faulk joined New York Life, and their holistic approach to addressing clients’ needs was exactly what he was looking for. Now, he protects families as an insurance agent and helps clients with their investment needs as a registered representative.

NAIFA-CA member Rahim Solehdin uses his passion and experience to train the next generation of agents and advisors at New York Life.

Making a Difference

When Solehdin joined New York Life as an agent in 2013, he found the balance he was looking for—the opportunity to help people provide for their families while making good money. He always knew he wanted to be in management, and New York Life provided that career path for him. Driven to succeed, he became a partner with New York Life in 2016. "I knew what I had to do to get there, and I did it,” he says. “[At New York Life], I knew that I could do the hard work and get what I wanted.”

Loyal NAIFA Member Marty Peters has been a part of NAIFA (then NALU) since 1968 and is now serving the community he is a part of in Solana Beach and Del Mar, California. Peters started out his career while working on his master's degree, having a job offered to him that started him in the financial services industry, leading him to stop his Master's degree and focus on the position he was offered. He initially found a different job that had less than desirable actions against the benefits of the customers they were assisting and moved on from that position after a bit. He was then convinced by his family to investigate the life insurance business. After a bit of convincing and learning that his education was paid for by his father’s life insurance, Peters interviewed with a few companies and secured a position with one, starting his journey in the career.

What are your plans this fall? Be sure you've added attending e3 in San Diego to your calendar. We've got a fantastic event planned over 3 days for you to Engage. Empower. Explore. We're still finalizing all of the details of the program, but we can tell you that you won't want to miss what we have in store for you. Join us from September 29th through October 1st at the Westin San Diego Downtown.

I first joined NAIFA in 2008. It wasn’t until 2011 when I really figured out that NAIFA is much more than just an organization where I show up to a lunch or breakfast once a month to watch a guest speaker. At that time, I just moved back to CA from AZ and on my first day, in my new role, I went to see Van Mueller speak at the NAIFA Inland Empire monthly meeting. At the time, Mark Cupp was president and he immediately welcomed me and quickly got me involved. That year happened to be my first NAIFA National Conference in Las Vegas. One that I will never forget and no I am not talking about the craziness that comes from being in Las Vegas. Although those experiences were fun too. I am talking the start of what I call my NAIFA family.

Eva Emperador and her family migrated from the Philippines to the United States in 1981. Her family started out in Sonneville, CA, she moved to various cities over the years, and now resides in Gilroy, CA. Eva began her career as a finance controller for various companies, managing budgets, profits, and loss for organizations in the food, manufacturing, and aerospace industries. After 25 years of success as a financial controller, Eva made the pivot into financial services. After meeting with her financial advisor, she was inspired to change her career path into the financial service industry in 2017.   

Engage. Empower. Explore. NAIFA-California's signature event is back live and in-person September 29-October 1 in San Diego. This is the quality conference you've come to expect from NAIFA-California. Complete with engaging breakout sessions, ample networking opportunities, the annual business meeting, and the naming of this year's Norm Levine Distinguished Service Award. You will hear from NAIFA rock stars like Tom Michel and Delvin Joyce.

Twenty-eight years ago, I entered this business not knowing the true impact I would or could have for my clients. I joined NAIFA shortly after starting with Farmers Insurance Agency at the ripe age of 23. I had no true concept of the business, except I got to see first-hand by helping a friend run his practice for two months. In that time, I had a district manager approach me to open my own agency. At first, I was resistant, but then shortly discovered, I can do this! Thankfully, I had a district manager and friend that told me I had to join NAIFA and gave me various reasons why. They both told me I would get back so much more than I put in. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but after a year in the business I knew the value of my membership. I moved back to Fresno from Lubbock, Texas, where I attended Texas Tech. I started not really knowing too many people that would or could buy insurance, but I met people in NAIFA that believed in me and helped me in so many ways -- from practice management, hiring, relationships skills, growing and running my business, and so much more. I was getting advice and coaching from the top advisors in town and across California. This growth, knowledge and insight into the industry was tremendous and a game changer for my business. Getting involved gave me the fast track to learning the industry and exposed me to industry leaders that were willing to share their time, skills, and insight to help me grow my business and help my clients. They taught me the business and what really mattered so I could exceed. That time, training and insight was priceless.