Amy Bryan
Agency owner
Bryan Insurance Agency
Experience: 6 years at agency
College: SUNY Oswego, '03
Read Amy's blog on social media marketing
How did you determine that insurance was a viable career choice?
I knew I wanted to run my own business, and growing up in insurance I was able to see how this business is more than just sales. Being a local insurance agent is about being part of a community and interacting with people and taking care of them and their families.
Do your top carriers recruit young workers?
While the economy is slow with hiring and recruiting right now, insurance is an industry that doesn't shut the door to young people. Many of my companies are always looking for good talent. Some have internship programs which work closely with colleges with business or insurance programs. Many companies realize that with an average age of 55, in a few years the industry is going to have a strong need for new young people. I have seen this with many carriers looking to get more involved in the YIPs and the initiatives for talking to high school and college students about insurance as a career.
What's toughest about being young in a field where the average age is 55?
I was 22 when I opened my office, so in the beginning I was concerned with being taken seriously in this industry. I've worked hard to grow my agency and have always tried to do what I felt was best for my agency, staff and customers. I don't really look at my peers as struggling between old and new. I know that I can learn a lot from the agents who have been in business 20+ years, just as I hope they can learn something from me, maybe with social media marketing or other technology.
How does your office reflect how you work?
I am a big believer in learning new things and make sure that my staff follows this as well. We are constantly learning new things and exploring ways to make things more efficient. I encourage my staffers to share their ideas because I know they sometimes see things from a different point of view than I do. We are a fast-paced agency and always strive to do the best for our clients. We utilize technology, but only as a tool. Our staffers recognize that even in this fast paced, technologically advanced era, there is still a need for the personal relationships that we build with our clients.
How do you balance work and personal life?
Balancing work and personal life was probably the hardest thing for me and is something I still struggle with. Especially now with BlackBerries, Twitter and Facebook, you are hooked in 24 hours a day. I'm better at balancing the two now than when I started. I make it a point to set aside time for myself and family and to make time for vacations. I also make sure that I enjoy the time with my family or friends and am not always on my BlackBerry.
What are your goals in this industry?
I know the industry is changing. It looks different from when many of my peers started, and I am sure it will be different 10 years from now. My goal for the future is to stay ahead of the curve. I think that despite the direction that the industry has gone, with direct carriers and people purchasing online, there is still a need for the agent. People still need people when there is a claim or they need to talk about coverages. I plan to be here for them when they need that.
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