August 2020 Newsletter: Watt’s What

​In the past, my newsletter articles have been geared towards explaining the LLQP process. But life changes for all of us with me being no exception. After 38 years in this business, I will be retiring at the end of this year. I started in the industry as a life insurance agent for Mutual Life of Canada in Humboldt, Sask. I, like most people who enter this business, had no desire to be a life insurance agent. But a very honourable gentleman from Saskatoon, Rolly Oakenfold, painted a very positive picture of what being a life insurance agent would be like and my wife and I realized that it would not be so bad to make a living selling life insurance. I knew lots of people, was community-minded and was not afraid to talk to people.

The community involvement included the Chamber of Commerce, Church and School boards and an executive position with the Humboldt Bronco’s Junior Hockey team. I was 31 years of age, married with two kids and needed to get some traction in my work-life. I was an ideal candidate. I worked in the field as an agent for 5 years after which I spent 10 years as a manager hiring and training agents, a short stint as a manager of admin functions, then owning an insurance agency. Finally, in 1997 I created, strictly by accident because of some life issues the insurance licensing and financial education training business that has become Business Career College. I learned a few things along the way that causes me to have great respect for those who participate in the insurance wars. If you do a good job, you truly get to make a difference in the lives of the people you encounter along the way. I would never consider selling insurance to be hard work. As my wife would say, all you do is drive around all day, visiting people, talking and drinking coffee.

But it can be very tough work. What might make it tough is on those lonely half hours or hour-long drives home late at night after a long day of rejection. We have all had those days. Those demons that sit on your shoulder telling you to get a “real” job are tough to fight off on some of those days. But we persevere, we slay the demons, and we succeed. The insurance industry has treated our family well over the years, allowing us to make a decent living along the way and to meet some incredibly fine people. Every once in a while you get to hear about the rewards like today when my friend and long term client, Gerry Hefflick, from the Calgary area said that dealing with Business Career College over the years contributed to the fact that he loves this business and has inspired him to stay in the trenches. Over the coming months, until I am finally put out to pasture, I will share through this forum some of the lessons I have learned along the way. Keep tuned, and stay safe!