AT AGE 27, after working for a telecommunications company for nine years, I was ready for a change. I had occasionally spoken with a local insurance agency and had considered a career as a producer. I was excited by the possibility of being in control of my future-having my compensation depend on how successfully I found prospects, won clients and kept them happy. I was also concerned about starting out new in an industry with so much to learn.

Once I made the decision to join ISU Curry Insurance, my concerns were eased and my enthusiasm for working in insurance only increased. In my first eight months as a licensed property & casualty producer, I won our agency's "salesperson of the year" award by bringing in more than $1.5 million in new business. In this article, I'll describe the support I received from my agency as I prepared to begin my insurance career. Focusing on our agency's specialty-workers compensation insurance-I'll also explain how I've succeeded at building a book of business with satisfied clients.

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