Page 4 - Shaw Wall of Honor

It quickly became evident to my boss and our competitors that I excelled at sales, and personally, I loved the chase and challenge of winning clients. I went from receptionist to customer service, and then to sales all within just three years. In sales, I was paid commission only (insert gasp here). I know, right!? No salary, no benefits, just making a very small portion of what I brought in. Did I mention that it was small? You just did not make much writing home and auto policies, so in order to pay bills, I began to teach myself commercial insurance. No mentor, no guide, no such thing as online classes or articles. I figured it out by reading manuals and calling underwriters often, very often, for help.
Becoming a top-producing sales agent brought a whole new challenge directly to my feet, one that no-one warned me about or prepared me for. Learning exclusions, policy forms and endorsements soon became the simple stuff. Navigating what was a heavily male dominated sales industry, however, became stressful, disheartening and, at times, immensely infuriating.
I won’t go into details, but many females who worked in industries dominated by men 20+ years ago, have relatable stories of hearing rude and even harmful comments, as well as enduring demeaning jokes and innuendos. It wasn’t easy being a young female who was aggressive when it came to sales and who was showing up her male competitors and coworkers alike by taking their clients away
from them. Just like the sandbox days, the boys simply didn’t like to share and most definitely didn’t like it when the girls would take their toys.
I can look back now and laugh at much of it. Not all, but much of it. In fact, I vividly recall being in my late 20s, showing up as the only female in a dress to a dinner of over 100 construction workers, none of whom I knew or had ever met. My employer at the time insisted that I represent the agency at a builders association dinner. The next morning, he asked me how the dinner and night went. My reply to him was, “Well, just imagine yourself walking into a Mary Kay convention; that’s how it was.” He was totally confused. Probably still is.
Looking back over those years, I now know that my experiences provided me with the grit, tenacity, and perseverance that was necessary to start my own agency. I can now help others who might need advice, knowledge, empathy, or just someone to hear them out without judgment—all the things I wish I had access to as I grew in my career.
It was this desire to help that had me start two insurance masterminds. The first, begun six years ago, is made up of eight agency owners in seven states; the other was begun just over a year and a half ago with the intention to help ‘a few’ female agency owners, which somehow turned into a group of 35. You think you’re stressed? Try coordinating a meeting date and time for 35 busy moms and female bosses!
Come a Long Way
Becoming a top-producing sales agent brought a whole new challenge directly to my feet, one that no-one warned me about or prepared me for.
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