HOLDIN’ IT DOWN: Longtime Memphis philanthropist and businessman Charles Sims, Jr. has made remarkable strides in ever-evolving financial services industry — for 50 years and counting
Andre Johnson 
By their fruit you, will recognize them…. (Matthew 7:16 NKJV)
MAJOR MEMPHIS MILESTONE
MEMPHIS — Charles Sims, Jr. was just a 20-year-old college undergrad when he deemed it necessary to delve into the financial services industry.
He’s been nothing short of remarkable ever since.
“Memphis has been very good for business,” Sims, Jr. told Making Headline News this week. “The business community is very supportive. We have been able to secure contracts with FedEx, The City of Memphis, MLG &W, and Shelby County Government. We built this company working closely with the medical, dental, and religious community.”
The company to which Sims, Jr. is alluding is The Sims Financial Group, Inc., his Memphis-based featured business endeavor he founded in 1988.
MORE ON SIMS, JR.’S COMPANY: https://www.simsfinancialgroup.com/
In the coming weeks, Sims, Jr.’s family, acquaintances, a number of dignitaries, and a host of well-wishers will celebrate the longtime Mid-South businessman during a private gala for 50 years of dedicatory services in the ever-evolving financial services industry.
Located at 855 Ridge Lake Blvd., Suite 303, in East Memphis, The Sims Financial Group is an independent risk management firm comprised of experienced insurance professionals dedicated to helping consumers achieve their goals. Generally, this company has become a fixture for serving our community by assisting individuals, families, professionals, and businesses in risk management, including:
- College and Education Funding
- Retirement Planning
- Risk Management and Insurance
- Tax Management
- Estate Conservation and,
- Employee and Executive Benefits.
For Sims, Jr., his rise to entrepreneurial success comes amid humble beginnings.
“I entered the financial services industry as a college student, selling life insurance door-to-door in the inner city,” Sims, Jr., a graduate of Memphis State University, recalls. “There was not much money to be made.”
Still, Sims, Jr.’s resourcefulness in his selected line of work has been anything but unnoticed, given the thriving, progressive young businessman had ultimately led to him to assuming roles a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Certified Mutual Funds Consultant, and Certified Financial Planner.
A graduate of Memphis Douglas High School, the opening decade of Sims, Jr’s tenure in the financial services industry was massive signs of things to come.
That’s because during that timeframe, he worked as an insurance agent for Universal Life Insurance Company from 1972 to 1976, during which he was named “Rookie of the Year” and the nation’s Top Agent in 1973.
After being promoted to staff manager in 1974, during which he managed nine insurance agents, Sims, Jr. left Universal Life in 1976 and joined John Hancock Financial Services, where he continued to thrive in his chosen profession.
FAMILY FOCUS
“At John Hancock, we were required to obtain securities licenses, which allowed us the sell variable products, mutual funds, stocks and bonds,” said Sims, Jr. recalling the first 10 years in the financial services arena. “I also added property and casualty insurance licenses. I went on to become a Life Underwriter Training Council graduate. Later I earned the Life Underwriter Fellow.” (LUTCF)
After acquiring the Certified Financial Planner Designation (CFP) in 1988, Sims, Jr. would ultimately qualify for The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), Court of The Table (COT) and Top of The Table (TOT) “30-plus times,” he said.
After an impressive 12-year stint for John Hancock, Sims, Jr. in 1988 started The Sims Financial Group, Inc.
“We have a proud history of serving our community by assisting individuals, families, professionals, and businesses in risk and financial management,” Sims, Jr. told MHN.
While he admittedly often contemplated moving his company out of the Memphis metropolitan area, Sims, Jr. said he elected to remain in the Bluff City for a number of reasons.
“Memphis where my parents moved to when they left Tallulah, Louisiana two years before I was born,” Sims, Jr. said. “The cost of living is relatively low compared to like-sized cities, the affordable housing, and it’s a great music scene. I enjoy the four distinct seasons, huge job opportunities, it’s foodie’s paradise, and has a great sports scene.
“Memphis is my home. I love my city. I still see it as the city of good abode. I see Memphis as the light on the Bluff, which allows those who put forth the effort can succeed. It is a place where they can raise their families.”
Interestingly enough, family support has proven to be monumental for The Sims Financial Group, which is a member of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
Four of Sims, Jr.’s children hold significant roles in various notable capacities in the firm, something by which their father doesn’t take lightly.
“My children have always been a source of inspiration and motivation for me,” Sims, Jr. said.
Lakina Sidney, Sims, Jr.’s daughter who is a progressive Texas businesswoman in her own right, said her father has become a well-respected ambassador for the Bluff City.
“Growing up poor in North Memphis, our dad knew that he wanted more out of life,” Sidney said. “He knew that barely making ends meet and living check-to-check was not the life for him. Financial freedom is a must. As a generous philanthropist, his desire is to be a vessel to better life experiences for those with similar a background and upbringing.
“Through mentoring and financial literacy training, he fulfills his mission on bringing information, resources and access to everyone,” Sidney continued. “Benefactors of his gracious in kind and monetary support include new financial service agents and at-risk youths, donations to multiple nonprofit organizations such as PURE Youth Athletic Alliance, The Arc Mid-South, The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee, and so many more. Our dad is truly a gift to all who come into his orbit.”
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Added James Hawkins, Sims, Jr.’s longtime colleague who serves as Vice-President of Agency Director for Universal Life Insurance Company:
“Charles Simms believed a salesman was an advancing agent in civilization. Everybody sales: doctors sale to their patients, preachers sale to their congregation, lovers sale to their sweetheart, and agents sale life insurance. Mr. Simms believed that leading is a personal choice. The bottom is crowded, but there is always room at the top. He thought that life insurance was the greatest product in the world. Universal Life Insurance Company was the greatest company in the world. And he believed that he was the greatest salesman in the world. That is why he was the company Salesman of The Year in 1973.
Having built a solid working rapport and friendship with Sims, Jr. that span some five decades, Hawkins recalls what he describes as “Charles Simms message to others” he customarily passes along to those who aspire to delve off into the ever-evolving financial services industry.
MORE ON SIMS, JR.’S COMPANY: https://www.simsfinancialgroup.com/
“You are the person who has to decide whether you will do it or put it aside,” said Hawkins, quoting Sims, Jr. verbatim. “Whether you will strive for the goal that is afar, or just be content to stay where you are.”
Fortunately for Sims, Jr., he didn’t stay where he was.
When asked what has motivated him to be in business for so many years, Sims, Jr., who’s often known for quoting his favorite catchphrase, said once again: “Adversity only visits the strong, but remains permanently with the weak.”
Given his notable entrepreneurial track record, it’s safe to assume he’s overcome his share of adversity, all the while making some remarkably impressive strides in his chosen profession — 50 years and counting.
For more information about Memphis Businessman Charles Sims, Jr. of The Sims Financial Group, Inc., to inquire about his services, a public appearance or speaking engagement, call 901-680-7500 (local) or 866.687-0790 (toll-free) or connect with him via social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimsFinancialGroup/; Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlesSimsJr; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-sims-jr-/. Also, send email to: Email: [email protected].
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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