I have found that with no prior experience that the training at AEFA is great. Also, as a new advisor all expenses are paid for. In my office which is different from many of the other AEFA offices each advisor gets to be their own business owner, get free training, and have all expenses, equipment and testing paid for. I have several fellow advisors that bounce marketing ideas around as well as management that allows us to do our own thing. Obviously, the start of this career is tough, but office help and corporate help is there.
Advisors have a huge resource in the financial planning departments in the home office.
Until you gain your marketing experience, and establish your name in your target markets and areas, let someone else pay for your expenses. After all, just being a financial guru doesn't get you clients, it is your desire to market yourself and ability to meet clients that need your help. Always remember this is your business and free capital is free capital. You don't work for them. But what you describe in your initial post that you are looking for, fits the profile of a number of independent advisors who execute orders and custody funds with Schwab.