“Don’t Be Afraid” of Entering an Insurance Career | Insurance business America
Insurance News
By Gia Snape
Finding purpose and creating a tangible impact in your community are just two of the countless personal benefits of an insurance career.
Thanks to the industry’s efforts, more and more graduates and young professionals are discovering the wealth of opportunities in insurance and want others to know about them too.
“The funny thing about insurance is that it’s such an underrated market,” said Ireland Getty (pictured), agency owner at Goosehead Insurance. “They help people protect their greatest assets, which is valuable.”
Getty, who founded the Getty Agency in September 2023, acknowledged that insurance is not typically viewed as a desirable career.
“It doesn’t sound like the most glamorous job in the world, but there are so many opportunities,” she said. “I wanted to get into something where I wasn’t just selling an unnecessary product. Everyone needs insurance.”
Become an insurance franchise owner
Getty talked about her journey to becoming an agency owner at Insurance Business in a recent interview. A graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in human resources, Getty was initially unsure about her career path.
Her family’s sales background led her to explore business opportunities, and an encounter with Goosehead Insurance at a business career fair set her on a path she didn’t expect.
“At the time, I was getting my degree in human resources and was a little unsure about my path,” she said. “They were just all-around great people. I was very intrigued.”
Getty began her career during the turbulent times of COVID-19 and faced immediate challenges. After graduating, she started working at Goosehead’s corporate headquarters in August 2020.
“It was definitely a tough road, but I found immediate success,” she said.
Her determination and hard work paid off and about a year and a half into her career, she became a top producer in the company. This success laid the foundation for her next big decision.
Faced with two possible paths – becoming a business manager or opening a franchise – Getty decided to start her own business.
“I spoke with our general manager for the Houston market and ultimately decided the franchise route would be right for me,” she said.
Starting an insurance agency during the COVID-19 pandemic
Despite her enthusiasm, Getty is open about the challenges she faces. Current market conditions, particularly rising premiums, present major hurdles for young agency owners.
“The biggest challenge is making sure all my customers are informed about why premiums are going up,” she said.
Meeting customer expectations and maintaining their trust is a constant effort. Looking ahead, Getty anticipates new challenges, particularly around hiring and managing producers.
She is also aware of the common misconceptions about owning an insurance franchise. Many people focus on the potential for residual income and often underestimate the effort required to maintain it.
“People can focus a lot on residual income and just say, ‘Oh, next year you’ll have passive income and it will continue to grow.’ But you have to retain your customers,” Getty said.
She added that the idea of passive income is misleading without acknowledging the hard work and relationship building behind it.
“You have to work for your entire company. You have to keep getting people to trust you. There is no gap,” Getty said.
What’s next for Getty Insurance?
Looking ahead, Getty has clear ambitions for the Getty Agency. She envisions a team of 10 to 12 people and dedicates her efforts to creating a supportive and thriving work environment.
“I just want my employees to have as much success,” she told Insurance Business. “I want them to be able to create the life they want to live for themselves, and I’m ready to help them get there, no matter what.”
For aspiring insurance professionals, Getty’s advice is straightforward. She encouraged young people to overcome their fear of the unknown.
Although the complexity of the field can be daunting, Getty believes that most aspects of the profession can be taught. She emphasized that hard work, coaching ability and commitment to excellent service are the keys to success in insurance.
“If you’re passionate about sales and trying to make a difference and help people, don’t be afraid to get into the insurance market,” Getty said.
Getty’s own background in human resources, which initially gave rise to hesitation, has proven to be an advantage in her new role. The recruiting, onboarding, and business practices skills from her HR degree are highly applicable to her franchise operations. However, her transition was not without fears.
“It’s like an aha moment,” she thought. “You kind of feel like no one knows if someone is going to be good at sales until you get into it and see what you’re made of.”
Are you a young insurance professional with exciting experience in the industry? Tell us your story in the comments.
similar posts
Stay up to date with the latest news and events
Join our mailing list, it’s free!
Source link
2024-06-03 14:33:14
www.insurancebusinessmag.com
