1. What was your major in school? Masters degree? What school?
Associates Degree in Business from Blanton’s Business School
B.S. in Education with a minor in History from WCU – Teaching Degree
2. How did you decide that you wanted to start your own business? Getting certified?
Became interested through previously working as a Claims Adjuster for Aetna for 8 years and then managed 5 insurance agencies throughout western North Carolina.
Received an insurance license through prior jobs and by having 60 hours of school.
3. What inspired you to open your own business?
The desire to be successful and exceed what my environment expected of me.
4. What are some of the pros and cons of owning your own business?
Pros: freedom, come and go as you please, opportunity for personal success, chance to make a good living, and the opportunity to control your own fate.
Cons: Payroll, health insurance for employees, budget, and expenses
5. What are some tips for success that you would give someone looking to start their own business?
Knowledge of product
Integrity
Outwork your competitors
6. How big of a part did location play in starting your business?
In my case – HUGE
I grew up in Jackson County so I knew a lot of people in the area and had a good reputation. This helped me because insurance is a product of trust.
7. How did you begin to get clients for your business? And keep them?
I had signed a non compete with my previous employer that lasted for two years, so I was began to make a list of 300 clients and called 10 a day and made a X-List that listed when their renewal date was. After the two years was up I was able to add the customers I had previously worked with.
8. How do you keep employees motivated? Leadership roles.
I was able to keep my employees motivated through constant praise and positivity, support, and through educating them on what do and how to do it.
9. What are some of the most important parts of your business that have helped you succeed?
I was able to succeed in my business through making sure I selected the correct coverage for each customer and through getting commissions by having clients renew their insurance.
10. What are some of the important financial issues that come with starting a business?
Rent, employee payroll, workers compensation, health insurance, automobiles, and various other utilities.
11. Any other information on running a business: tips, locations, family, clients, financial
• No short cuts
• Outwork your competition
• Be honest, integrity is everything
• Family support is imperative
• Have enough money to run the business for 6 months
• Surround yourself with good people
• Treat employees like family
• Work work work, and be home every night with your family
