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Heath Beam, CLU, ChFC
Financial Advisor
843-579-0018
Click here to visit Heath's web site.
Heath grew up in Mississippi, just north of Tupelo. An ambitious businessman, he established his own property and casualty business in Gulfport, Mississippi, in the late 1990s.
Heath was recruited by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network to work in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in 2002. By the summer of 2005, he was leading the Network in Platinum, having his best year ever.
Then Hurricane Katrina hit. The storm was devastating, "We evacuated to Pensacola, Florida. We lost our home and moved three times in six months after the storm. I was driving from Pensacola back to Gulfport every week. It was very challenging. I knew I’d have some down time, so I thought if I can't be working in my business, I must be proactive about working on my business. My five year plan has always included achieving the CLU and ChFC designations and getting my investment licenses."
Heath decided after Hurricane Katrina, to accelerate his plan. "I used that time to find my clients to see how they were doing and made a goal to take an exam every 45 days." Heath knew the Gulf region will remain economically depressed in the post-Katrina period. He began looking for a new market.
"I made a list of 12 criteria for moving to a new city and came up with a list in seven cities that I thought met my lifestyle and career needs," His systematic approach paid off.
Jim Worrell, managing partner of the Network Office in Charlotte, North Carolina, met with Heath during the search. "I invited the Beams to come up and look at the region. I found them to be extremely courageous. Heath and Leah are a very strong team." In the end, Jim Worrell said, "We matched up what we offered with what they wanted."
The Beams made the move to the region, choosing Charleston as their new home in February of 2006. Never once in this process has there been a negative thought on the part of Heath about why me? He makes the best of it and responds to life challenges. In fact, he takes advantage of life's challenges and uses them as a learning experience. The amount of heart wrenching obstacles that they've been through to give up their entire past that puts the Beams in a special category as courageous people. During the post-Katrina month, Heath had made many friends where he didn't necessarily expect to find them.
"I think it allowed me to be more direct and open with my clients" Heath said, "and it has given me perspective on needing to share my experience about how important it is to save money and be prepared. The primary reason we are here is because we are prepared. We saved money, and we had a contingency plan and bought the insurance because you never know what's around the corner."
Heath pragmatic ties his personal experience to his professional goals. He continues to pursue excellence in his new position in Charleston and will strive for nothing less than the best.
Pushing forward toward their goals with their signature systematic approach, the Beams have settled nicely into Charleston. And Charleston seems to be cottoning to them too. Heath and Leah are moving forward with their lives.
Jim Worrell adds, "They don't let setbacks, no matter how punishing, hold them back. In 2007 Heath had his best production year ever with the Network."
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