We all know how it feels to be constantly bombarded with ads and sales pitches. Sandi knows this all too well, working in the insurance industry. However, she has found success by differentiating herself from other salespeople trying to make a quick sale. Instead, she builds trust and rapport with her clients, resulting in long-term relationships and repeat business.
By taking the time to get to know her clients and their needs, Sandi provides them with the best possible service. Her caring approach is a breath of fresh air in an industry where it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. It is also one of the reasons she has been so successful. Read more about Sandi and her company, The Insurance Connection, below.
Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start.
We are a small independent insurance agency. I was originally inspired by my mom, who has worked in this industry for most of her life. She focused primarily on churches and nonprofits, introducing me to niche marketing.
Our agency works a lot with churches and nonprofits. Honestly, I am not a very good salesperson. I am not going to pressure people. When I hear about classes that teach salespeople how to “overcome the objection,” I am simply turned off by that. I want to provide people with an education and be their trusted advisor. I want my clients to know I have their best interests at heart. I just don’t want to sell; we are constantly being sold from all walks of life.
What are some of the challenges you faced in your previous job?
The legal industry isn’t very family-friendly unless you are a lawyer, and the support staff doesn’t get the opportunity to have flexible schedules. After the birth of my second son, I realized that the legal industry isn’t conducive to the type of mother I want to be.
At this time, my mom had her own insurance agency. I reflected on the mother she was to me; she was able to be very present, available, nurturing, and supportive of her family. Shortly after I got my insurance license, I worked for my mom for about a year, and decided to open my own agency in 2015.
What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?
For most of my adult life, I worked primarily in the legal industry and social service. I worked as a paralegal for ten years. I worked in areas of law that helped people with personal injury, domestic law, etc. I have always had a heart for serving others. By starting my own agency, I can work with nonprofits that satisfy my desire to help others.
What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?
All of my employees were previously contractors, which was easier. However, I was working for a non-profit organization with Dave Olsen, the President of Payroll for FINSYNC. So when it was time for me to make the switch to payroll, I reached out to Dave, who referred me to FINSYNC. He mentioned it would be a great way to grow, send payroll taxes, and support along the way.
What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?
As a business owner who actually works in the business, I am not just an office administrator. To have that customer service on the phone when I have a question is a tremendous resource for me. I also love to support a local company instead of large conglomerates, and knowing Dave personally, all of these things played into my decision to choose FINSYNC.
What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?
Truist was a merger between BB&T and SunTrust, and that merger really affected our syncing issues. I was pleased with the support I got from FINSYNC. They went in and manually updated items that weren’t syncing because I was overwhelmed by it. It was really stressful, but when I reached out to you, you were phenomenal.
How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?
I have noticed how the platform has changed and evolved. I really appreciate that FINSYNC doesn’t charge extra for certain features. Again it is one of those sales things. We are charged for every little extra feature. We are constantly being sold in our society. When someone notices that people are using that feature, then all of a sudden, they want to charge more for that.
What advice do you have for those thinking about starting their own business?
You need to have a full plan in place. Starting a business is not for the weary if you depend on it as your full-time income. There are many things to figure out, and no playbook exists. It takes a lot of research, dedication, and planning.
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