John J. Jacobs, CLU
At Jacobs Financial Partners, we are proud to honor the legacy of our esteemed founder, John Jacobs. A graduate of Stamford Catholic High School and Central Connecticut University, John had deep roots in Connecticut. He went on to build a successful and accomplished career as a financial advisor for over 30 years. In 1994, he founded Jacobs Financial Services in Glastonbury, CT, where his dedication to his clients and community laid the foundation for our firm today. John’s career was marked by numerous accolades, including being named a Top Financial Advisor by the Financial Times, earning the Five Star Wealth Manager award, and receiving recognition from Voya, Connecticut Law Tribune, and the Million Dollar Round Table.
John’s passion for music and helping others was central to both his personal and professional life. His big, generous, and strong heart found immense joy in serving his community. He was a past Trustee of the Julius Hartt Music Foundation at the University of Hartford, Chairman of the Glastonbury Music Festival, a past board member of the Glastonbury YMCA, and President of Glastonbury Friends for Music.
John's love of music also extended to his massive collection of rock ‘n roll memorabilia, and if you visit our office, you’ll be greeted by guitars from famous artists, the iconic dress Whitney Houston wore to the Grammys, and a famous outfit worn by Aretha Franklin. These treasured items are just a few of the many pieces from John’s collection, and we proudly display them so that his legacy continues to inspire us every day.
John’s life and passions continue to inspire and guide the mission of Jacobs Financial Partners as we carry on his work of helping others and giving back to the community. We are deeply indebted to John, and our commitment to serving our clients and local community with the same dedication he showed remains at the heart of everything we do.
Rock and Roll Retirement Planner
-article from The Wealth Channel Magazine, Fall 2014
Author: Erin Gazica
John L. Jacobs, CLU©, is passionate about two things- business and music. As his wife Lorraine joked with him once about his busy schedule: “You’re either in your car or at a concert.”
Jacobs owns Jacobs Financial Partners in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and is a registered representative with ING Financial Partners. After starting his career in 1978 selling life insurance for John Hancock, Jacobs successfully moved his way up through several companies before launching his own in January 2004. He started with zero dollars and has amassed a book of $130 million in 10 years. The company focuses a majority of its business on managing retirement and investment accounts, with additional expertise in executive benefits, group products, life insurance, long-term care and annuities.
His story sounds like many others, but his office paints a unique picture, showing the convergence of his two passions. Clients who walk through the doors will feel as if they have stepped into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Displays of autographed musical instruments and original stage costumes cover the walls. Other music memorabilia, like collector’s concert posters, add to the décor.
Jacobs’ collection extends far beyond his museum-like office. His home and several secured storage facilities house hundreds of autographed guitars, other musical instruments, stage costumes and pieces of original artwork. Ask Jacobs if he has a favorite piece and you won’t get very far.
“It’s like picking a favorite kid,” he says with a laugh. “I can’t do it. They all have stories. Of all the instruments I’ve had, I’ve met most of the artists and spent time with them backstage. It’s the story that goes along with every piece that makes it valuable to me.”
Jacobs’ love of music began when he was a child, watching his parents dance around the living room with the radio blasting. His Uncle Larry played the drums in his basement and taught his nephew how to play when he was in sixth grade. By seventh grade, Jacobs had started a band and was playing high school dances, battles of the bands and other gigs. Despite not being able to take his drum set to college, Jacobs still got together with other guys who had guitars and their group played all over campus at Central Connecticut State University. As an adult, he continued his passion on the side, singing in church for his friends’ weddings. He even passed on the tradition to his family, teaching his son John to play drums at age 5, getting his daughter Shannon to play flute and piccolo, and his wife Lorraine to play piano.
The desire to collect memorabilia grew naturally from his passion for music, with a little inspiration for his “artsy” daughter. It started with concert posters from the ‘60s that were in perfect condition. Shannon, now a graphic designer, appreciated the pieces as fine art. Jacobs developed a similar appreciation for the beauty and artistry of guitars. He purchased guitars belonging to a wide range of artists from Steve Miller and Joel Walsh to Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. He attends concerts and uses his backstage pass to get the guitars autographed. Meeting the artists makes the memorabilia that much more special.
Bo Diddley, an accomplished R&B guitarist who passed away in 2008, provided one such memorable meeting. Jacobs purchased a red, rectangular-shaped Gretch signature Bo Diddley model guitar. He brought the instrument to a show Bo Diddley was playing at a Connecticut casino. Prior to Bo’s arrival, his manager approached Jacobs, introduced herself and asked to see what he’d brought. When Jacobs unwrapped the artist’s signature guitar, she began laughing. She told Jacobs that Bo lost all his luggage while flying up to the show and was without his guitar. She asked if Jacobs would let Bo play his guitar. The musician was so appreciative he gave Jacobs a shout-out from the stage, took photos with Jacobs, signed the guitar and invited Jacobs to attend his next show in New York so they could spend time chatting about music and his history in the industry.
With a massive collection of valuable items, Jacobs and his family have been extremely charitable, donating pieces to auctions and loaning items for non-profits’ fundraiser events. The Hartford Jewish Community Center, University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Riverfront Recapture and Newhaven Recovery Shelter for abused women are among the beneficiaries of Jacobs’ generosity.
Finally, Jacobs’ two passions have come closer together with the opening of Infinity Hall in Hartford, a new, 600-seat performance venue, restaurant and bar. As an investor, Jacobs is thrilled to have a new avenue for displaying his collection and feeding his interests in music, entertainment and business. He says he looks forward to meeting the bands and musical artists who walk through the doors, but there is a limit to how much crossover there is with his two passions.
“Not one of these artists is a client,” Jacobs says. “The relationship is completely different, and I like it that way.”