Getting Back to Insurance Sales in Mississippi

So...... I made some nice money in Houston, TX. I did about 3 nice size jobs in 4 weeks. So now I am heading back to MS.. Got back to MS and for the next few months focused on my sales and did very well.. 

Well the end of the year rolled around and I started to think about getting into Management. I talked to my Branch Manager and he said I was probably ready.. And also he was about to Award the Agent of The Year to someone in the office. By the end of December I was a Unit Manager. I never had been a Manager in my life. But I had just got married and needed to make some nice money. Well starting out in January I received the " Agent of the Year Award" for highest sales in Mississippi.. I was really excited about that!! 

But now I am about to be a Sales Manager. First thing I heard at a sales convention was focus on your people and then your bonuses and everything will be alright. So I did and after a few months of failing I started to see my labor pay off! Within 6 months I became one of the Top 13 Unit Managers out of 400 and was the Top Unit Manager in my office. So...by the end of the year we were at a Sales Convention and the President of the company came to me...

He said over a Big Dinner in Atlanta, GA... Son how you would like to be Branch Manager...

I was so exicted and called my wife and said baby I am going to be a Branch Manager. I dont know where or when, but it is coming. My Manager in Mississippi was not crazy about this because I was making him alot of money...

So off to Be A Branch Manager!!!

Developing into a Top Producing Agent

So.. I needed to start making money quick.. I said to myself If I need to drive 60-90 miles away to make sure I make sales I will. I did not realize in the same exact office most were not willing to drive that distance to make sales.. But I needed sales quick...

The key thing at the time that I had but did not realize was that I was willing. I had a willing attitude. Some people say they want to make alot of money, but do not have a willing attitude.

So.... I drove 90 miles away to Meridian, MS. Made my first sale there, I was just honest, truthful, and patient. She bought. A $300 Health Insurance policy and I sold her life insurance.  

So... It at that point in my life I was starting to build some confidence in my ability. For the next few months I sold here and there. But I was still not making enough money. WHY? Because I was not truly bought into the insurance business and sales. So.... I decided I needed real money..

That for sure money..

I started cleaning office at night with my Buddy, it was "for sure money" getting paid $10 per hour. Later  I realized for sure money was not a lot of money...

So I did that and started doing Landscaping again, not being truly bought into the Insurance Business. Why? I did not see the Big Money! SO finally my branch manager called me and chewed me out.

he said,"Why are you playing around with dirt"? When you could be making real money in the insurance business.

That was a defining point in my business life. I started to focus and commit my time to Insurance Sales. It was difficult. I did not have anybody really helping me. I learned everything basically on my own. Trial and Error.

But also I was getting very serious with my girlfriend(she is now my wife) and I knew I needed to get good at something and show some stability. So for the next 6 months I worked hard and sold alot of insurance and developed some great relationships with people.... So i was on a roll and then guess what hit???

HURRICANE KATRINA....    I was suddenly in Mississippi with a way not being able to make money.. So my future in-laws were staying with a friend in houston.. So me and my father in law and brother in law headed from Ms to Houston... I got a few wheelbarrows and knocked on doors trying to get landscape jobs... Fortunately, i was able to get some pretty big jobs and make some good money because I was a few months away from getting married...

From Landscaping Guy to a Top Producing Sales Agent

So.... I figured out that I loved Landscaping, but long term I did not feel it was the best place for me. At that point in my life I had a mentor, his name was W.T. , he was a powerful impact in my young life. My father is a Great Guy and was and is a Great Guy, but he did not have any experience in sales. So I started to watch W.T..... turns out he was one of the Top Producers with a company that specializes in supplemental insurance for small businesses. One thing I want you to understand is that I am not going to mention the names or companies I have worked for. I do not want you to have a bad impression of them. Because the truth of the matter is that each company was a stepping stone and helped me to know what to do and what not to do...

So back to my sales mentor... W.T..... I learned alot from him... Unfortunately about 8 months after I got into the business he died with Cancer.. I look forward to seeing him again one day.

So here I am with this company selling supplemental insurance from door to door and I was going BROKE. I did this for 6 months... I said to myself there is got to be a better way.. and another problem was with this company was that the market was flooded with agents...

So... I went on the hunt to find another company... I DID! I found a company specializing in Hospital Insurance plans for Small Businesses and also sold Medicare Supplements....

My first 3 months with this company I made a few sales here and there... I actually had leads for the first time in my life.. They were old leads, but they were leads... I remember running appts and sales 60-90 miles away.. I made a few sales...

Great Legitimate Opportunites are Still Available

I want to start this blog by saying, I am glad to be in Texas. I believe Texas is one of the places that if you have a decent attitude and a strong work ethic you can make it.

When I was growing up I thought about making $30,000 or $40,000... Just doing whatever. And let me tell you right now there is nothing wrong with making that type of money. But I say If you can make more, Why not?

I never thought that I would be making over $100,000 per year and much less teaching average people like me how to make that kind of money.

But I had a PHD! What is that?
Poor, Hungry, and Driven. The Driven( Work Ethic) is what made the difference. Lots of people are poor and hungry, but they are not driven. I believe there are some good sales jobs in Houston. But the Great ones with true Long Term Potential are tough to find.

Let's go ahead and get to the meat and potatoes of this conversation. I want to share with you my recipe for success in sales.
I am not going to paint a pie in the sky. I promise to be honest and truthful, but also like most sales guys I am full of it.

To all who read this I am the worst about run on sentences. I am from Mississippi, don't hold that against me.

But first and foremost sales jobs in houston are a dime a dozen. I guess if you look around the nation, their are many sales jobs that are not legit.

Many individuals think sales are all the same and alot are. But let me ask you one question?
What is the most recession proof industry in America? Sales! and inside of Sales it is Insurance Sales. Now your probably about to leave and say, Oh here we go with Insurance Sales again.

Those guys call me all the time. Humm.... The Industry that is the number #1 Highest Paid Profession in the WORLD... You might think of talking to those guys.

The problem is finding a company that is legit and will provide you with HIGH QUALITY LEADS and KEEP THEIR PROMISES. But my readers there is Hope.

Integrity is lost in the Market Place today. Most have lost their backbone. I will be the first to tell you that I believe in what I do and I take pride in being in the Insurance Business.
Sure in some situations it is a Rip-Off, but try living without it. But to find a legit sales job in houston can be tough.

Oh and by the way I was not born into sales business, I ran a Landscape Business back in Mississippi. We installed waterfalls, ponds, and cut grass too... Did that for 10 years..
I really enjoyed working outside and I still do. The problem was I could not make the money I wanted to make.