Category Archives: Rookie Agent

Atlanta.

I did it. I paid to attend my first insurance conference. I have waited and waited. It has been on my list of things I need to start doing regularly. What has kept me from attending any? Anxiety.

Being around groups of people, makes me anxious. It is crazy because I love meeting and talking to new people. I like making new friends, but there is just something about a cluster of people that makes me turn inward and get quiet.

I am someone who is always on the move. whether it is long drives to New Jersey, Chicago, or short trips Ohio, Virginia-
I have never stood still. Being in a group of people, makes me have to stand still.

I wake up every morning sometimes at 4:30 or other times by 6:00. From the early hours in the morning to late (I’m talking 11:30pm) in the evening, I stay busy.

It is going to be a new experience for me. Going to this conference is going to test me. I am counting down my days-

I am ready to get uncomfortable. Anything is possible. My bag is already packed; twelve more days to go. Atlanta here I come.

SAY WHAT?!

Buy leads. Buy leads. BUY LEADS!!!
If had the right guidance and mentor sheesh I would be on a different track right now.

I took a gamble and spent a commission check on fresh,exclusive, never resold leads.

Let me tell you what, I am never going back to relying on “warm market or aged leads”. Literally it’s a relief to finally be booking appointments back to back. Worth every dollar I spent. I am going to do it again next month. Island Girl is on the rise baby! I feel amazing!

It is so comforting that I was able to talk to clients for long periods of time, and just banter back and forth. One week down. Thousands more to go.

With that being said if you need life insurance or you are looking into having a nice retirement plan. You can book an appointment on my website:

http://www.thecashagencyllc.com

If you are reading this, I wish you the best in your success.

Signing out.

I Begin Again.

I read someone’s Facebook post a couple days ago, and it said something along the lines of, “Don’t be afraid to begin again”.

Today, I erased old goals on my white board and made new ones. I flipped through old insurance notes I had made through the year, and had a couple of laughs. I compiled old leads and scrubbed through social media and made a new call list. I opened up a book, “Millionaire Women Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. (highly recommend);I read half way through the book, and so far it has given me a new perspective. Today, I made phone calls that I usually would never make. I took the initiative to study for my SIE exam. Today, I began again.

As an Insurance Agent trying to build an agency, I had to ask myself several important questions today. The biggest one I had to ask is do I want a house that is already built, but has a foundation that is cracking? OR. Do I want to start from scratch with no foundation or brick?

Guess what? I am choosing no foundation or brick. I am going to give this industry all I have. When I come out on top, I will have two running Agencies. I am focusing on what I set out to do from day one, and ignoring all of the noise.

I am unapologetically different. See you on the otherside.

Slide The Pride To The Side.

I am so focused on winning and succeeding that I have learned to “let go and let God” so to speak. Sometimes you have to slide your pride to the side and sit back for the ride.

I can only control myself when it comes to business or personal life. I am sitting in my melanin queen energy; no one can take that from me.

I am toasting to you dear reader: the only way is up.

Too Many Lies & Only One Truth

“I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God”.

You ever look at someone, and think: “If you’re going to lie, make it sound good.” I have on several occasions. The biggest lies I have heard so far while being in the insurance industry are surrounding high compensation, mentorship, and “getting rich overnight”.

Agents who nonstop recruit are like drug dealers. They bait, line, and sink you. I said what I said. These are the same agents who wake up and thank God for their success. They should be thanking their downline for working and putting in overtime so they can line their pockets.

Disclaimer: this is not directed towards anyone but if the shoe fits, baby, you know what to do!

The truth: Not every Agent or Agency is in this industry for their own gain. Some are really out there helping new agents climb the ladder, helping them to build, and teaching them to put clients needs first.

I might not have it all figured it out, but I know who to count on. I know when I lay my head on my pillow at night, I have a clear conscience. I know when I go into the field I will always do right by my clients.


My Reason Why

I have been asked, “Why Life Insurance”?

I have typed out different versions of why over the last few months. I have deleted every version because I am not one to lie. Have you ever had an epiphany and thought wow—I have nothing lose. Life possibly can’t get any worse (haha).

When I first started almost a year ago now, I had one foot in the door and one foot out. Just in case I didn’t make it. I had a bunch of good ideas, but a bad mindset from the jump. I thought it was going to be easy, and I would be able to skate by with no problems.(lol). The joke was on me. I had no idea what I was setting myself up for—

I woke up at 6:30 this morning. Listened to my regular podcasts per usual. I always like to stay up to date with the Insurance Industry. I practiced my presentation in the shower (I know, it’s very bizarre—). Had my morning tea. Did my normal routine. I was ready to rock in roll by 9 o’clock and started door knocking by 10 o’clock. First stop: nice elderly man, but he already had a policy. Wasn’t a big deal, I was just happy that he was kind. Second stop no answer. Third stop not a known address—it went down hill from there. I also was doing dials in between stops and after my scheduled stops. I did not sell a single policy. By 4:00, I felt defeated. how do I go from scheduling appointments in a different state to nothing in my home state. (Country roads, you’re supposed to be taking me home—)

So, I pick my son up from summer camp. Mind you my day has been awful, and I’m sure he seen the look of disappointment on my face. Do you know what this kids says to me?

“Mommy, I passed out some of your business cards.”

Let me tell you the tears started pouring out of my eyes and my heart dropped—

My son is 8 years old, and has supported me and my business since day one. He ask people if they have life insurance, and even helped me put together my website (picked out the colors, helped with logo ideas). I have not had any support, other than him. I am very thankful. He keeps me going.

My son is my reason why. I am not here just to make a quick buck. I am trying to build a legacy. Something I can pass on to my son and so on. I also want to educate and help people, as I build that foundation.

I know there is a reason for everything, and I am still standing. I am not the religious type, but I have been finding myself praying often. I will succeed in this Industry. I might take a beating before I get there, but that is okay. I am a Life Insurance Agent with integrity who is still learning—I’m not a quitter.

Self Talk

Refocusing on what I am after, means saying no to commitments that are not bringing me the bacon. I am trying to be intentional with my business and personal life. No more “half assing” or doing the bare minimum. To build the wealth I want, I am going to have to jump through hoops and think outside the box. I am going to have to trade bad addictions for good intentions.

Note to self: cold calling and door knocking is your friend.

#HighClassBrokeLifeAgent

“What do we do with our feelings? We hide them in our muscles!” Yes. Everyone has heard that saying circulating on social media. How does that pertain to my current situation? I am currently dealing with depression, anxiety, spouts of anger, and a sprinkle of over thinking. So what do I do? At home workouts! Hahaha. Where do I begin?

I feel like I haven’t spent my money wisely, and I am not putting enough energy into closing sells.

Every time I crunch numbers, I cringe at the fact that things are not adding up—I am spending more than I am making. My bills are paid, but money is not rolling in the way I want it to.

Sometimes, I get myself so worked up over the “what ifs”, that I start to drag my feet and back pedal. I know what I need to do. However, I am finding it hard to do the important tasks to be successful in this industry. I see everyone around me making it, but then there’s little old me on an island by myself. It is always in the back of my mind that I do not want to be apart of the 92% of agents who fail in the industry. I want to ask for help, but trusting people especially in this industry is not my forte. People will use you, abuse you, and throw you out if you become no use to them—

What is my next step? I am not sure, but I need a sign.

I am not giving up!

Money Can’t Buy You Happiness. Says Who?

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, “money can’t buy you happiness”, I would be filthy rich. My response is always, “who hurt you?”

Growing up in a town that wasn’t really about building financial wealth or seeing the world, has had its set backs. I have always seen myself as different—I stuck out like a sore thumb. Going from college, to getting married, settling, having multiple kids, and a white picket fence, has never been on my agenda. Making money, being independent, and traveling has and still is.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, I remember feeling stuck. I said yes to a low paying 9-5 job, knowing full well there was zero opportunity for advancement in the company, but I had bills to pay and needed to put food on the table. I remember sitting in my therapist office balling and crying because I was so miserable! To top it off, my now 8 year old was struggling socially in school—I felt like I had finally made it to hell, and I couldn’t see a single light at the end of the tunnel. By the time 2021 hit, I was done living in hell. I was plotting my exit at my job and my entrance into my career.

By May of 2021,I was the epitome of “the angry black woman”. I was unfazed by the bullshit. I took a weekend trip to Chicago (which really opened my eyes—I regret not staying longer), and came back to West Virginia a new person. I put my two weeks notice in at the beginning of the work week. Ended up over staying my two weeks notice, which by the way 10/10 do not recommend. Let me just tell you, not having to wake up and go into a place that made me feel like shit was a blessing—

I didn’t have a game plan. I just knew I wanted to sell insurance. I had turned down an offer in the passed, and have regretted it everyday. Now was my time to shine. I studied for my state exam every day. I attempted to attend college classes in the mix of my struggle, but I’m going to be real with you, college work wasn’t my focus; financial freedom was. I took my health insurance license exam and failed two times. Third time was a charm. I accepted a job working as a captive agent with Horace Mann (story for another day), and began my journey—