Surrounding yourself with the right people is very, very important. In a first-hand case I have a colleague who, after one stumble after another, has had to exit the business --- temporarily, she said. The few colleagues of hers whom I met were not very sharp and one in particular has also exited the business. This particular person was very close to her, worked with her, and was a confidant to her. I believe she didn't have good people around her.

On a professional level, the "company" you keep can be key to one's success. My office is innovative, training-based, and has a strong culture of sharing and caring. I don't think I'd survive this market if I was working with my last broker.