My name is Andrea. I’m a 36-year-old man who dreams of changing his life, of breaking free from the routine of getting up early, working 10 hours cooped up in an office without seeing the sun outside, and coming home tired in the evening. I started studying, got my diploma, did a master’s degree in consultancy and then passed the OCF assessment to become an independent financial adviser.

Between studying as a private candidate (whilst working), the master’s degree and various training courses, I’ve spent €17,000 (almost my annual net income).

Now, to fulfil this dream, I need more money that I don’t have; I’m one step away, but I still have to cover the following costs:

- €1,200 to register for VAT

-€1,464 for a written report to be sent to the Italian OCF register

-€600 for compulsory third-party liability insurance to practise

-€500 for registration with the register

-€168 government tax

-€2,440 for operational software to manage contracts, MiFID and client portfolios.

In practice, I still have to fork out €6,372 without being able to start working (pending authorisation from the Financial Advisers’ Body, which usually takes 3–4 months).

I am asking for support, however small, so that I do not have to give up on my dream.

Thank you