THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008
Insurance Runs
Des Plaines Resident Carl Ostenson Securing Your Future As Well As Softball Victories
Des Plaines resident Carl Ostenson has been involved with finances his whole life, but during his time as a stockbroker, he noticed something he just didn't like.
"I was watching a lot of people lose 30 to 50% of their retirement money," he said. "It made me sick to my stomach."
That's when he decided to get into the insurance side of things; something he said is more in line of what his clients want.
"As people are getting closer and closer to retirement, they don't need their money at risk anymore," he explained. "They want safety, decent returns and income for the rest of their lives."
Ostenson has now been helping residents with their insurance needs since 2004. As an independent agent, he sells for over 20 insurance companies and helps keep clients' money in a much more secure market than Wall Street. About two years ago he also began selling life insurance, which brought his services to people of all ages.
Ostenson grew up in Des Plaines and graduated from Maine West High School in 1987 before attending DePaul University. He spent several years working in financial services before becoming a stockbroker around 1993.
But after seeing too many people lose money in a declining market, Ostenson decided to move on, which brought him right back to Des Plaines.
Insurance isn't his only passion. When not working at the business, Ostenson can be found at your local softball diamond.
"I'm obsessed with softball," he admits.
Ostenson played the sport for over 20 years and has now moved to the coaching end of it.
He said he became involved after watching his niece play in the Des Plaines Softball League.
He began coaching about four years ago and is now heading up the Des Plaines Grapes.
He seems to be doing pretty well in that as well.
The Grapes finished in first place this year and advanced to the championship game of the playoffs this weekend.
They were scheduled to play for the title yesterday (Tuesday) against a Norridge team.
Now back home in Des Plaines and back involved in his favorite sport, Ostenson is feeling pretty good about things. He is even planning on getting on DJ business started with a childhood friend.
But for now he'll concentrate on selling insurance and perhaps generating a couple insurance runs for the Grapes. "I plan on doing this a long time," he said. "It's a cool business. It's fun."
Carl Ostenson can be contacted at 847-376-8400 or visit his website at www.protectmyira.com.