Our latest agent spotlight is on Lisa Harkey, Owner/Agent of Alacoast Insurance with 2 Alabama locations in Mobile and Saraland.  We visited Lisa and asked her to share why she enjoys being an insurance agent, provide advice to future insurance agents and tell us a little about herself.  

How many years have you been an insurance agent?

I started working in insurance when I was 18 years old.  After leaving the business for about 10 years to raise my family, I re-entered the field about 11 years ago.  I now have close to 25 years of total insurance experience.
  
What is your favorite thing about being an insurance agent?  

I genuinely LOVE to help people.  I take a lot of pride in helping my clients get the best coverage that they can afford.  Not everyone has the same sized wallet, but everyone deserves good coverage and that’s what I enjoy helping them find.  It always makes my day when I’m able to save someone money and still achieve their needs.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be an independent insurance agent?  

Don’t spread yourself too thin or you’ll run around trying to be the best at everything, but you can’t.  Accept that! Find a niche and become laser focused on it. Be prepared to spend day and night in your agency to make sure it’s run properly.  Never trust anyone else to take care of your business; you need to be in it everyday to be successful. I’ve spoken with a lot of younger agents that want to step into an agency and start reaping the rewards, be the “manager” and sit back while everyone else does the work, but it doesn’t work that way.  You have to put in a lot of sweat equity if you want to be successful.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?  

Traveling.  But I never feel guilty about it!

What is something about you that would surprise people?   

Well now, that’s my secret.

Where’s your favorite place in the world?  

That’s a tough question.  My absolute favorite place in the world is between Ireland and anywhere in the Rockies.  Ireland is such a magical place, almost mystical. You get caught up in the history, legends and lore, it’s like stepping back in time and your imagination can run wild.  However, the mountains have always called my name. I feel completely at peace when I’m there. How can Man argue that there is no God when you stand and behold such beauty and majesty?

If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?  

The top of my bucket list is New Zealand.  I’ll get there one day!

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?  
My Mama’s chicken and dumplings with baked sweet potatoes on the side.  It’s carb overload! Oh well, I guess that is one more of my guilty pleasures!

Thanks, Lisa for sharing with us.  To learn more about AlaCoast, visit their website www.alacoastinsurance.com.

Pedro and Aymee Curbelo are the owners of Insurance Writers of America, a multi-lines insurance agency based in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Initially focused on life and health insurance, they moved their agency into the P&C market in 2017 and have realized astounding growth, quickly expanding to 7 employees and over 20 direct carrier appointments in less than two years. Pedro credits his networking efforts through agent associations and his non-stop promotion via social media (including LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram) for much of the agency's success.

Pedro and Aymee are also committed to helping others and together they formed the Curbelo Family Initiative, a public platform where people can volunteer their time to help the local community.

How many years have you been an insurance agent?
I started as a risk manager for Tyco Fire & Security in 2004 and created my own risk management/business consulting firm in 2006. With my wife's encouragement and persistence we transitioned the firm into P&C in 2017

What is your favorite thing about being an insurance agent?

Providing risk analysis to my wealthiest clients, because when I uncover their extravagant lifestyle and exotic toys my goal goes up a notch!

What advice would you give someone who wants to be an independent insurance agent?

Grow in knowledge, and let everyone else do whatever they want while you do whatever it takes. Remember - there is no competition but your own limitations!!!

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

I don't have any - my life's purpose is to give and receive pleasure and that attitude keeps me from feeling guilty!

What is something about you that would surprise people?

That I grew up in extreme poverty and migrated to the US alone as a teen.

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Riding my Harley Davidson through the Blue Ridge Mountains, no GPS, 80's rock playing with my soulmate riding right behind me. 

If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?

I'd ride a Harley from the coast of Malaga, Spain to the coast of Naples, Italy.
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What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

I'm a foodie, I like it all...but I have a weakness for Cuban Croquetas.

Today we're spotlighting one of our Mississippi agents, Ray Hart, owner and agent at A-Plus Insurance in Picayune, Mississippi.  We asked Ray a few questions about himself.

How many years have you been an insurance agent?

18 years.


What is your favorite thing about being an insurance agent?

My favorite thing about being an insurance agent is being an independent insurance agent, allowing me the freedom to choose the best coverage with the most competitive premium.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be an independent insurance agent?

Be consistent and don't shortcut on coverages, in the end your customers will be grateful.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Eating badly at night while watching TV.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I teach Sunday School.

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

The Smoky Mountains.

If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?

Greece.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

My grandmothers BBQ Gizzards.

Thanks Ray!


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Agent Spotlight - Deenah Torres, Insurance World of SWFL

In our latest agent spotlight we’re featuring Deenah Torres, owner of Insurance World of SWFL in Fort Myers, Florida.

Here’s what she shared about her agency, herself and a nice, unsolicited compliment about AccuAgency. (Thanks, Deenah!)

Before opening my own independent agency, I managed a company owned agency for almost 10 years.  During that time, I built that agency from a newly acquired acquisition, to a multi-million dollar book of business.  But in the end, I wanted more than just a typical 9-5. As a mom of 4, I felt like my kids were growing up in the blink of an eye and I was missing it.  

Now owning an agency gives me the flexibility to work a schedule that allows me to be there for my kids more, and that’s what I love most about AccuAgency.  Because it is web-based, I can access it from anywhere, and still be there to help my clients. Just last week, I quoted two policies while sitting on the bleachers watching my son’s first high-school baseball game.  I may have had to apologize to the client for the cheering (lol) but in the end, my son took the W, and my clients were able to get the coverage that fitted their needs, and their budget!
 
How many years have you been an insurance agent?  

11 years and counting!

What is your favorite thing about being an insurance agent?

I love that I can help people get something they have to have at a price that is affordable for them, without sacrificing the level of customer service they receive.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be an independent insurance agent?

It isn’t easy, but it is what you make it.  There are still days that I wonder if I made the right decision, but with perseverance I have built an agency that I am proud of.

What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Wine.  Oh, and WINE! lol

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am the third generation of siblings born on the same day, but in different years. So I have a “twin” brother that is exactly 2 years older than me.  He said I was the worst birthday present he ever received! haha

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Italy! I love the culture there, the food, the history, and the sheer beauty of it!

If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been, where would you go?

Hmmm, that is a tough one!  On my bucket list is Alaska – to see the northern lights and go whale watching,

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?  

That would definitely be my husband’s steak and lobster!  Always marry a man who can cook! ;)​