Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Sawyer.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was a corporate trainer for a relatively small voice recording software company. I loved what I was doing but saw no real room for growth. And it did not fulfill my passion of being a business owner. I knew eventually, I would need to move on.
Someone up there must have known that it was time to go because next thing I knew, that company was bought out by an enormous international conglomerate, and that tiny little company dissolved. Under the new management and structure, it became clear to me that a change was needed for me professionally. My dad’s girlfriend was an Insurance agent with State Farm and we spoke often about how much she loved what she did and how she was able to help so many people and build relationships with her customers. I was sold, helping people, and building long-lasting relationships with people! Right up my ally. That was the part of being a corporate trainer that I loved, and it would be my own business, it was perfect! I moved full steam ahead. It took a lot of hard work; Aptitude testing, business planning meetings, interviews, etc. then it was a waiting game.
While I waited to hear an answer from State Farm, I decided that I needed a backup plan just in case State Farm fell apart. So I went to an insurance brokerage and said “give me an entry-level position.” I did this do that I could learn the business from the ground up in hopes of one day opening my own brokerage. About eight months into that journey, State Farm called and said that they were ready to roll with me. So, I left my position with a very heavy heart. In that short time, I built so many wonderful relationships with the people I worked with. But I had to move on to the next journey. I accepted the offer with State Farm and found out two weeks later that I was pregnant with my second baby. Panic set in, but I knew I had to move forward. So, I began my six months internship with StateFarm in 2018. Flying back and forth to Phoenix every month to learn the ropes. I opened my doors with State Farm on January 1, 2019, and had my daughter Peyton on March 22, 2019. Everyone thought that I was completely out of my mind for having a baby and opening a business, but I was determined to make it work, and we did. However, If it weren’t for the support of wonderful husband, family, and my team of three amazing and hardworking women, I would never be able to make it through.
As tough as those first few months were it was nothing compared to what was to come. On September 9th, 2019 my husband called me at my office, he said, “are you sitting down.” I said, “yeah why?” he said, “your dad died.” I thought he was kidding, but why would he play such a cruel joke?! I was in complete shock and completely blindsided. I had talked to him maybe three days before! How could he be gone!?! This news knocked all the wind out of my sails. I didn’t know how I would go on. He was my go to for all things business-related, family related, he played a huge role in my world and now he was no longer with me. He was my safety net in so many ways. I was definitely lost and heartbroken, but I knew that he would want me to keep going and to persevere even though he wasn’t there to help guide me. And so that is what I have done. I know that he would be so proud of where I am today. I use my story as a way to tell my customers that I am a real person who has experienced the ultimate extremes, from life to lose. I use this as my why. Why I do what I do, why I feel that it is my job to help protect families from the expected to the unexpected. I will always be here to go through the inevitable ups and downs of life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride for me. It has actually felt more like off-roading. I think the biggest struggle for me was losing my dad. It has actually made some of the other challenging things seem relatively small in comparison. Of course, having my second baby while opening my business was a challenge, but only the first few months were hard. The pandemic has definitely been a gigantic obstacle, and my heart breaks for those that have been severely affected.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about State Farm?
We are one of the largest insurance companies out there. A Fortune 50 company that is owned by our customers, not stockholders. We specialize in life, home, auto, and business insurance. I’m particularly known for my knowledge of life insurance and the importance of what it can provide your family and loved ones if there is an unexpected loss. I think what sets me apart from others is the way that my team and I provide superior customer service. There is nothing that I won’t do for my customers. Whether you have one policy with me, or 20, I will treat you the same. I am always here, through the good times and the bad. All of my customers are so incredibly important to me. I am so proud to be a part of this company that has been around for nearly 100 years. I love that our CEO does not make 100 million dollars a year. We are a very humble company for being as large as we are. This company has withstood the test of time and has overcome many challenges. With covid being one of them, we were able to give over 2 billion dollars back to our customers. I would love readers to know that if you have ever considered life insurance for any reason, don’t think about it for too long. Get it while you are young and healthy. It is such an important, if not the most important policy to have in place for your loved ones.
How do you think about happiness?
My family makes me happy. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. I literally live for them and do everything I do for them. They are my why. When my kids wake up every morning, I think wow, I created these little people. And they rely on me completely. I better do good for them.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jessica@youragentsf.com
- Website: Youragentsf.com
- Instagram: Jessicasawyer_insurance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicasawyerinsurance/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/S4PIZUqe7bb
