Forty Under 40: Robert Baker

Robert Baker, 30, remembers vividly his first Edward Jones experience.

A student at Oklahoma State University, Baker had visited about a dozen banks and other businesses in hopes of landing an internship when he walked into the office of Steve Norman.

“He made me follow up with him probably 10 to 15 times before he gave me the internship,” Baker said. “He was trying to test my persistence, and now I know it’s because he wanted to see if I had what it takes to be successful in this business.”

Any initial doubts have long been eliminated. Baker started his practice from scratch in 2001, and currently services more than 800 accounts spread over 10 states. He also was one of 50 — from a field of about 12,000 — to participate in Edward Jones’ managed account solutions pilot program.

Baker’s first trip to Arkansas came during his college years, when he tackled Sam’s Throne as a rock-climbing instructor. He visited Fayetteville around the same time, leading to a move he hasn’t regretted.

“I came here, fell in love with the place and decided to stay forever,” Baker said.
Baker frequents Devil’s Den and the Ozark Highlands Trail among other spots these days, and believes he’s picked a good final destination, too.

“I see myself in exactly the same spot, just with a broader client base,” he said.