1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being there for a client when they have a claim. Claims can be very stressful and tend to happen when life is dealing us difficult challenges. Being able to help my customers from start to finish is very rewarding — not only making the customer whole again but also helping them eliminate added stress. The most challenging part is, as a future owner of this agency, making a decision that will impact both the staff and myself. Family is everything to me and my co-workers are a second family to me. Doing right by them is important to me.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
In the business world, I greatly look up to my uncle, Jeff Hellenbrand. Jeff is the president of Hellenbrand Inc. They are a water softener manufacturing company located in Waunakee. As I plan to purchase the agency I work for in 2017, Jeff has been a great mentor for me to rely on. Jeff has grown his family business and his family values are something I greatly look up to.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
The high point of my career so far is right now as I make the transition, as previously mentioned, from employee to employer. Our acquisition takes place in 2017, so I have one more year of being an employee before taking ownership. I am very excited for the future and the challenges that lie ahead.
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4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Be patient, be passionate, and follow your instincts. Being a natural salesperson, I tend to get excited when things don’t go exactly as planned. Insurance sales is not a sprint — enjoy the ride and do right by both your customer and company. The rest will take care of itself.
5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
Living and working in Dane County offers great opportunity for employment and education. As business people we have the opportunity to constantly network with new professionals on a daily basis. In a sales position, what more could you ask for!
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
My secret talents are limited but I always joke around that I would love to be an auctioneer in my next life. I am sure I would have a limited amount of buyers at my auction but I would have a blast doing it!
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