What’s your career pathway been like? How did you get to where you are now?
I have had an interesting journey in regard to my career but I do feel all paths have led me to this career in financial services and insurance. After college, I moved and worked in Japan for about three years and taught ESL to college students. That experience opened my eyes to the world around me and I had an amazing time traveling through Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. I believe every young person should go explore the world before they settle down!
After I came back, I started my own import/export company and worked with up-and-coming companies such as Too Faced Cosmetics and Hard Candy. When my daughter was born (17 years ago) I started a lifestyle website, Dandelion Women, that focused on parenting, food, pop culture, and entertainment geared towards women. Once she started junior high, I switched careers as I saw a real need to empower women with their money. I too often came across women who weren’t vested in their financials and ended up in a tough situation due to a divorce or just an overall lack of financial literacy. I started with True Path Financial Services in 2019 and have enjoyed helping put women, families and businesses in a better place! My first full year I am proud to say I hit the Million Dollar Roundtable and President’s Club.
What did you want to be when you “grew up”?
A professional soccer player.
What do you like most about working with the National Life Group?
I absolutely love working with National Life Group! From the CEO to the underwriters, everyone is so down-to-earth and helpful! Having a good work culture is really important and Mehran and Rebecca are always reminding us of what a noble profession this is. What we do really does change lives for the better and I am thankful that I am part of this great company.
Has the industry landscape changed during your career? What have you seen?
I haven’t been a part of the industry that long, but I can say that there are so many people who need our help and guidance. I have seen firsthand what it looks like when a family has life insurance and sadly, when they don’t. When I help a family protect themselves and their loved ones, I get so much satisfaction. As you can tell I just love what we do.
Is there a particular woman who has inspired you in life?
I would say my mother. In the 80’s, she and my father started a home health agency, which at the time had about a 90% failure rate, but through hard work and grit, they built a successful business that I was able to work at through my high school years. She was the instigator behind the business and overcame many obstacles along the way. Imagine, it wasn’t until the H.R. 5050 Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, that women couldn’t get a bank loan without a male blood relative to co-sign on the loan! She had some challenges along the way for sure. She had doctors and clients who wouldn’t speak to her but wanted to speak to my father because he was a man. But she never let that bother her and she and my father built a successful business.
What advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
I would advise them to try out several jobs. And to not settle! Be sure to follow their passions because it is true that if you love what you do it doesn’t feel like work. And learn about money regardless of your relationship status. Don’t put your future in someone else’s hands when it comes to finances. Be vested and make sure to keep learning.
What leadership quality do you most admire and aspire to?
Treat others, the way you want to be treated. Throughout my career, I have been given opportunities I believe because they liked me as a person. People like to do business with people they like. So, for me, a kind and supportive leader is my kind of person! Our managers here at True Path Financial embody this! I love that Jimmy Barnes and Michael Byrne hand-pick our holiday gifts personally. He and his team are here to help us be successful at what we do. Phil Jones is always our go-to person when we need help with any of our cases or have questions about the product. This type of support is awesome!
Do you have a cause or a favorite “Do Good” passion?
I support several local non-profits in our area. Miracles for Kids is a local non-profit that supports low-income families who have critically ill children. They provide housing if needed, food, and gifts during the holidays as well as counseling and support when the families are in need. It is a beautiful organization, and I am happy to be a part of it.
What attracted you to National Life and what would you tell someone who is considering doing business with us?
Since I was new to the industry, I didn’t realize at the time what a unique company National Life Group really is! From providing a measurable premium amount for new agents so they can attend the yearly President Club trips, to the resources they provide their agents, to the hands-on support at the home office, National Life Group is quite the company. I have so much respect for Mehran Assadi, Rebecca Dunne to Kristin Cook, and everyone I have met and spoken with, are all exceptional people.
Any other words of wisdom you’d like to share?
One of the best pieces of advice I received is to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. To me, this means pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and pushing past any fears of the unknown. Courage is my favorite word (besides Grit) because it means that we push past our fears and do it anyway. Whatever it is you want, it is on the other side of your fears!
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