Vol. 8 Iss. 5 - iarfc

Providing Guidance to Would-be Millionaires
Ruben Ruiz — Advisor, Manager, Author
We recently interviewed IARFC Director,
Ruben Ruiz — author of a unique new
book — The One Hour Hispanic
Millionaire. Ruben is a financial advisor,
manager, recruiter and now an author.
While he serves a very diverse market, his
niche of serving fellow Hispanics is
proving quite transferable.
How, when and where did you first enter
financial services?
Ruben: My first opportunity to enter
financial services came while I was
waiting to become a permanent
Federal IRS Employee in Tax Examination.
I had already passed the Civil Service
Exam and had been working as a
seasonal IRS employee. In that one
month period, before being accepted as a
permanent IRS employee, I answered an
ad about marketing products to college
seniors and graduate students. Since I
just graduated from Southwest Texas
State University in my hometown of
San Marcos, I answered the ad and went
in for the interview.
I was sold almost immediately on
the opportunity. It’s a little funny in
that the company I started with,
Fidelity Union Life of Dallas (and several
other successor companies) had been
trying to see me, as a college senior, to
offer me the same products for sale. I
probably set up three or four
appointments to meet with a sales rep,
but like many other college seniors, did
not keep the appointment.
What was your educational background,
before and subsequent to entering
the profession?
I grew up in San Marcos, Texas (between
Austin and San Antonio) and we were
accustomed to having a college,
Southwest Texas State University (now
Texas State University) in our backyard.
Every week my father stressed that I was
going to attend the local university. My
father was in business and ever since
junior high, my goal was to be a business
major, and naturally I received my
bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
I became a member of the then Austin
Life Underwriters Association immediately
and started the process of becoming a
CLU. I passed about half the courses,
before I was sidetracked into other
business ventures.
After a few years I decided that the
financial services industry was for me, and
dove back in with a much deeper positive
attitude. I completed my CLU designation
and then the ChFC designation with the
American College. It was about this time
that I saw the coming financial planning
movement, and I started to research the
industry. After about two years, I found
Money Concepts International, and
invested in a franchise in financial services,
and started to build a business. After a few
years in the financial services industry, I
went after the RFC designation and the
CSA designation. Then, it was back to the
American College to receive the Masters of
Science in Financial Services (MSFS)
diploma. I am currently researching
several other special designations. You
never stop learning this business.
What jobs did you hold prior to this?
Prior to entering the financial services
industry I had worked in construction, as a
busboy and waiter, picking cotton, at a
pool hall, and multi-level sales. There was
a period in which I left the industry and
worked in a convenience store, liquor
store, funeral home, and selling Accounts
Receivable systems. I also sold Property
& Casualty Insurance for many years.
What were your early job duties and how
did you like or dislike them?
When I was selling life insurance to
college seniors & graduate students, what
I disliked the most was the cold calling on
Monday nights. Years later I realized that
it was really a great system, because we
had a list of seniors and graduate
students (a good niche), and all we had to
do was follow the phone script to answer
objections and it really worked. Since the
majority of students were from out of
town, I felt that I wanted more clients from
my hometown of San Marcos, plus I liked
the idea of selling P&C insurance,
because it was required.
Were you successful at first?
What influenced you the most?
I don’t think my early years were very
successful. I usually ended up making
just enough money to pay my bills and
loans, and never would save any money.
As I look back on what I did, I probably
should not have stayed in the industry, but
there was always the challenge and goal
of unlimited income, so I stayed.
Ruben Ruiz, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, RFC ®
at his Alma Mater, Texas State University
What were your major obstacles?
Major obstacles, there were many. Some
of which I did not even think that I could
get over or find a solution, because I did
not know enough. I know I had low selfesteem
for a long time, and didn’t even
know what it was. Call reluctance was the
number one obstacle because of my low
self-esteem. I did know how to set goals,
but I was to scared and reluctant to set
them. I never did a business plan, until I
joined Money Concepts and they said it
was required, which today I am so very
thankful for. Now I stress this with all my
associates and it continues to be very
effective.
Tell us about your current practice
or position:
Today I have a financial planning practice
with Money Concepts Wealth Management
and Financial Planning and The Ruiz
Financial Group, LLC, and have been
practicing for over 22 years. My business
consists of Baby Boomers, Business
Owners and Seniors. We continue to build
our practice primarily in San Marcos,
Austin, San Antonio, and South Texas. As I
developed my business plan throughout
the years the financial planning industry
started to expand and mature. When I
continued on page 4
The Register • May 2007 Page 3