Author Spotlight: Robert Collins

This week, Bethesda Patch is launching our “Author Spotlight” series. Each Thursday, we’ll chat with a local author about their latest work. Check back with author spotlight each week, and you can be on the lookout for your neighbor's published work the next time you hit the bookstore.

This week, Patch caught up with Darnestown resident Robert Collins. Collins, a financial services industry veteran, wrote the book: “Principle Matters: 11 Strategies for Harnessing Your Passion and Becoming An Authentic Financial Advisor.”

Collins is the managing director of the Collins Investment Group in Bethesda and wrote the book based on his career as a stock broker, financial advisor and wealth manager. In it, he uses his personal experiences to outline strategies for success.

Patch: What inspired you to write the book?

RC: I’ve been in the business for 29 years and I wanted to give something back. When I was young and getting started, I never had a book to learn from. One of the goals of writing the book was to put my expertise and knowledge about building a successful practice into my own words. The intent of the book is not for financial planning or wealth management, it’s more about my personal journey, and I hope others are inspired by what I’ve gone through.

Patch: Who is your audience and what are you hoping they’ll take away from the book?

RC: It’s really for anybody. It’s for anyone young and getting into the business, and also people outside of the business who are entering the workforce and trying to figure out their place. It’s not just tied to investing.

Patch: Why are you the best person to write on this subject?

RC: I’ve been doing this since I was right out of college. I have a very big practice, a lot larger than the average practice out there...it’s the size of the practice and the reputation and all the experience I have.

Once a reader picks up the book, a lot of people say they can’t put it down. They really enjoy the inspirational stories and the real life situations. There’s no BS in this book. It’s real, accurate stories.

To learn more about “Principle Matters: 11 Strategies for Harnessing Your Passion and Becoming An Authentic Financial Advisor," visit the book's website.

Do you know a local author you would like to see featured in "Author Spotlight?" Tell us in the comments.