Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Contreras.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my insurance career in Grand Junction Colorado, as a part-time agent and full-time mom of two toddler girls, I was gaining all my clients from my mom friends and people in the Hispanic community. I was very fortunate to have an agency owner, and now someone I consider my mentor, see potential in me to help guide me into the insurance industry.
Trying to work part-time from home while having two young girls to entertain and keep out of trouble was a huge challenge. I was often working from parks, library’s, gymnastics practice, Chick-fil-A, or anywhere that had entertainment for the kids so I could have some quiet time to work.
Soon enough, I found myself working more and more, and my girls were going to school which allowed me to go into an office and work.
During our time in Grand Junction was great for us and we made some incredible friends and memories, but I was ready to come home to San Diego CA. After being away for 17 years, I wanted to expand my business and raise my kids in this beautiful city surrounded by our family.
I moved to San Diego with an opportunity to open my own insurance agency – Tropical Insurance Services
I learn something every day about owning a business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I became pregnant with our third daughter, I felt like I needed to take a step back from working and focus on our family.
But it was a lot harder than I thought, it was really difficult for me going from two kids to three, and the transition took a big toll on my marriage.
My husband was working long hours and becoming more and more distant from our home as a husband and father.
I went from a working mom to taking care of three kids, cleaning the house, cooking, homework, pickup/drop off, and completely neglecting my self-care, I was on such a robotic state of mind, trying to get through the days of feeling underappreciated, overwhelmed and without a purpose.
During this time of struggle, something just clicked in me and I realized I needed to start focusing on myself again, I went back to work and started working on myself outwardly and inwardly. I was listening to an inspirational word and started to get back into my faith again.
At the same time, my husband was going through his own growth and we both realized our marriage was worth fighting for, it took a lot of support from family and friends and our faith in God, but our family of five has never been stronger.
The personal struggle I went through in my marriage forced me to pick myself up and get my goals together, and that was the drive I needed to start my own agency – Tropical Insurance Services.
Being in a challenging situation can remind us of our strengths, the saying “it can make you, or break you” is completely true.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tropical Insurance Services – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am licensed to sell, home, auto, commercial. life and health insurance, but my focus is on selling home insurance because I enjoy it the most. I love walking through a home and knowing what makes the home special.
I insure all ranges of properties whether you live in a 200 square foot studio condo or a 4500 square foot home. I provide all my clients with the same great service.
I am proud of the growth I have attained by being 100% referral based. I am so grateful for the great industry partners I have made and all my clients who are so loyal and trust my advice.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I get mixed reactions when I tell people I sell insurance, a lot of people think of insurance as an old man’s career… which at one point it definitely was.
But the industry is changing, gone are the days when people walk into their insurance agents office to sit down and chat about their coverage.
Everything is so digital now that it is easier and easier to get a quick quote online or on an app. The problem with that is, most people do not know what they need to be adequately protected.
I try to conform with the times and make the process of working with me easy, people can get a hold of me via, phone, text, email, DM, Facebook, Instagram. with no set office hours… because let’s face it, your typical 9-5 work hours are also changing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tropicalquote.com
- Phone: 619-966-7005
- Email: andrea@tropicalquote.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tropicalinsurance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreaquote/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/tropicalquote/
Image Credit:
Frankie Ortiz
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