Boomer of the Week: Joe Sturniolo of Denver

The stories of personal transformation that we are sharing with you each week have been written by members of our Boomers TV community. They are generously sharing their journey with us to offer hope and inspiration.

by Joe Sturniolo

Dreams of Performing

I grew up innumerous cities throughout the U.S., in a second-generation Italian family. Our comfortable circumstances were owing to my father’s unrelenting drive and acumen as a successful salesman. He was a hardworking, no-nonsense businessman. I couldn’t relate.

Instead, I had harbored a dream of somehow making a career in the theater or in some aspect of the performing arts. My father, not surprisingly, thought the idea was nonsense. But both he and mother acceded to my plans to major in theater. I’m sure their expectation was that I would grow out of such romantic notions once I entered the real world. And they were right. Eventually.

Living up to ordinary expectations

After finishing my masters, I spent six years in my chosen field, first as a college instructor, then for five years as a designer and director. Favored careers don’t always exist in a perfect climate, however, and after a series of frustrations, I bailed out. My theatrical aspirations were going nowhere, while the cost of living was going straight up.

So I took an ordinary job in the ordinary world - the financial services industry. And I showed an aptitude for it. Everyone was pleased – my parents, my siblings, even me. A year and half later I jumped wholeheartedly into marriage with a girl I met at work, someone of whom my parents heartily approved. Very shortly thereafter came the birth of our first child.

Fast Forward

Fast forward nearly two decades: I had become my father! I had inherited his business savvy and knack for sales – as a stock broker. I had made a lot of money as one of my company’s top producers. Tired of the corporate life, I had made the break to start my own financial planning firm – specializing in high net worth entrepreneurs – most of whom –like me – were baby boomers.

Starting my own business was stressful, for me and my wife. It did not so much cause a fissure in our marriage as it did widen it. The marriage was in trouble.

As a good Christian, and one who embraced the sanctity of marriage and who had the interests of two kids to consider, I was a willing participant in numerous sessions with a marriage counselor. Divorce was not an option. Or so it seemed.

Another two years passed and the marriage, such as it was, wobbled along. My other marriage – to my business – was beginning to lose its luster, as well. I enjoyed the first-hand relationships I had with my clients, and the money was fantastic. But with all the operational headaches and the ever-increasing regulatory requirements of being a stock broker, as well as a planner, I was running out of gas.

The thrill was gone from both my marriage and my job. I thought, Peggy Lee had it right: Is that all there is?

Editor's Note: This is Part One of Joe's story. Watch here for Part Two, coming soon!