To actual financial advisors / planners...?

YES. When I started out I took the "build your own clients" gig. I was good at it however I didnt have any money saved up so with gas and bills it didn't work for me. Those types are hard to get going but once they are going well you have high earning potential, so if you ask an established advisor he would tell you he would not work for anyone but himself again. Again I needed some income so I was forced to quit. What a blessing. I now work for a huge financial company and handle people retirements accounts and make 60k a year plus outstanding benefits. I feel this a good salary cause I am only 26.(and live in Kentucky) Also I already have 104K in retirement accounts. So yes you can find those companys just look for bigger corporations that dont have door to door people. Bottomline is when starting out you are satarting your own business if you choose the advisor role. Working for a corporation is great because you have heath benefits, etc which is huge. Keep looking you will love it.

Good luck, it is a hard job but if you stick with it, you will find the spot you are happy with. My husband has been in this business for several years, and it was hard at the beginning. He was at a company that did not provide any customers, complete cold calling. Try applying at banks, you might have to start out in a smaller position, but you can move up quickly and the training is great. Also, try insurance companies like State Farm or Allstate Insurance. They let you partner with insurance agents and use their books of business.