Pros
Independence, unlimited earning potential, running your own office, Incentive trips A+. All the CONS are explained to you before you start, nobody goes into this blind. It shocks me to see people complaining about things that they signed on for to begin with. Ideal candidate will be A type with 10 + years in business, preferably financial services, and someone with lots of connections and organizational involvement. Usually this candidate will have a parachute or buyout from previous employer and most don't realize they can ask their current employer to voluntarily cut the position and pay severance (after they accept the EJ job). This income difference will provide the differential in income to survive financially the first year. You must be a good manager and able to manage the unique type of management relationship created with one employee in an isolated office. Previous management experience goes a long way. Hire the BOA wisely - ideal candidate would be a lifetime local with secretarial experience and many local connections. The office administrator will make your career if treated right and sink you if you abuse or misuse them. They are not your personal assistants but rather partners in administrative duties and client support. Manage correctly, find the right mix between friendship and subtle but firm guidance, mentor-ship and clear direction. Don't forget to compliment their work.
Cons
Knocking on doors, IN WINTER!!!! working 70 hour weeks the first year, isolation, fear of not making it, potential for bad local support and not making it, lower than low first year income. Advice - Your success is in your hands, make sure you get what you need from your local support team and if you are not getting the local training you are responsible for fixing the situation, don't sit back. Force yourself to knock on one more door, and keep going. The success is in the numbers, keep your eye on the future. It's only a few years of hard work but if you do it you will ultimately be in a place where you can earn 100k plus and not have to door knock any more. You will ultimately make money just by waking up in the morning, but you have to put in the work, do what is right for the clients and they will refer business to you and you will not need to seek it any more.