Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Wilson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kristen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a born and raised San Diegan. I was blessed to grow up on the beautiful island of Coronado but I have spent time all over the county. For middle school, I was in La Jolla at The Bishop’s School, then for high school in Linda Vista at Francis Parker and for college, I attended the University of San Diego (Go Toreros!). After all of this education I graduated unsure of what I wanted to do for a career. I tried different avenues everything from Acupuncture to Event Planning. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss and build something for myself. I just was unsure which path to follow in doing so.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had previously worked for my father and grandfather in their insurance business as a receptionist during my college days. Back then I truly didn’t understand much about the family business that started in San Diego in the 1940s. I remember hearing discussions about insurance or clients over dinner as a child but honestly didn’t pay much attention. It wasn’t until after I had fully explored all my other career interests in 2013 that I decided to pursue the family business for myself.
My great grandfather Samuel Loftin was the first Farmers Insurance agent in Southern California. The first three generations of men in my family were all Farmers Insurance agents until six years ago when my father and I decided to become independent insurance brokers. We established an agency in San Diego and about a year ago the business opened a second location in Washington. I never saw myself in the insurance industry but there is something very special about carrying on the family legacy. Although we are now independent brokers, meaning we have access to more companies and options the fact that I am the first female and the fourth generation in the business is truly special. I think it says a lot about the world we are living in today and the ability for women to have a place in occupations that were previously dominated by men.
Please tell us about Wilson Insurance Brokers.
The culture of our company is inviting, relaxed and transparent as you would expect with family. We are a full-service agency meaning we speak with our clients directly on a day to day basis. We are the point of contact for any concerns our clients may have not a large call center. We know who you are, your family and your insurance history. We also pride ourselves on attention to detail, quality of service and building a solid repour with our client base. This allows us to have very honest conversations with our clients about their coverage. The pillars of our agency revolve around knowing your needs, placing the insurance correctly and being diligent in servicing the issues.
Ultimately, I did find a way to create something that is mine but with incorporating my family legacy. While it is not the path I originally saw for myself it has been incredibly rewarding. I love what I do and the ability to help others protect the things they value most. I believe the key to success is to truly believe in what you are doing and find a way to help others in the process. That is not to say it happened all at once. It has been a consistent and sometimes exhausting process of building a name, reputation, and clientele. With the benefits of being your own boss also comes the responsibilities but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Recently, I was nominated by a client for the Five Star Professional Home and Auto Insurance Award. I ended up being one of fourteen agents to win the award in my category for 2019. The reason this was such an achievement for me was that it came from the people I work with every day. It is truly humbling to have someone see the effort and heart I put into my work.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
My advice to anyone looking to create a path for themselves in business is to stay strong, consistent and dedicated to your “why”. There will be failures, lots of them and disappointments but pushing through those you will find success. My grandfather would tell me “some will, some won’t, so what”. Surround yourself with people who are striving for the same goals, positive mindset, and drive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wilsoninsurancebrokers.com
- Phone: 6193066253
- Email: kristen@wilsoninsurancebrokers.com
- Instagram: @insuredwithkristen
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilsoninsurancebrokersusa
Image Credit:
Ashley Duchene Photography for the photo of my father and myself
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