Episode 23: Beth DeLaForest on Unleashing Your Strength: How to Succeed and Thrive as a Woman in Insurance
Beth DeLaForest is President and Founder of Aspire Insurance Group Inc., a multi-location, full-service, boutique-style Independent Insurance Agency serving MN, WI, and IL. Beth started in the insurance industry in 2001 as a receptionist. In 2010 Beth made a bold move and left the agency she started with to start her own book of business from scratch ($0). In 2014, Beth took another leap of faith when she bought the book she had built and started Aspire Insurance Group, Inc., Aspire grew organically via word-of-mouth marketing until 2020 when Beth navigated her first acquisition. Currently, Aspire Insurance Group, Inc is a team of 9 and has a seven-figure valuation. Beth has a passion for company culture, modern-day leadership, innovation in the workplace, and growth and development. Throughout this journey, Beth has learned that our businesses, lives, and incomes will only grow to the edge in which we grow ourselves, and she looks forward to coming alongside others on this same growth path. → Key Takeaways: I always wanted to be in the helping profession. Being an independent brokerage allows me to be in an advisor role rather than a sales role. Purchasing leads is a hampster wheel, most people buy online for the lowest rates and aren't interested in forming a relationship. They'll continue to shop around. When networking, I've always had the mindset of what am I going to give and what will I learn, never what will i get out of this. Insurance is sales AND service. You cannot have one without the other. Our ideal client is someone who values our opinion and expertise. Someone who says, "What would you suggest?" We have a holistic approach, it's not about agency growth, but personal growth first and foremost. If I take really great care of my team, they'll take really great care of our clients. → Key Moments: [0:01] Introduction to Beth [3:42} The decision to leave State Farm and start her own company [8:53] The process of starting from scratch [14:04] How do you get leads? [19:09] Pushing for the next number vs. pushing for quality [24:48] How to make sure your culture is where you want it to be [26:00] Daily check-ins [29:27] How to help your team define success [37:57] The key missing piece for women in leadership [43:15] Personal growth equals business growth and fulfillment [50:00] How to get in touch with Beth → Follow Beth: Email: beth@aspireinsurancegroup.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspireInsuranceGrp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspireinsurancegroup Website: https://www.aspireinsurancegroup.com/ → Thank you for listening to this episode. If you liked it, share it, leave a rating or review, and subscribe! → Learn more about Success Without Sacrifice at https://linktr.ee/successwithoutsacrifice. We're on a mission to help women in insurance bridge the gap and align business, life, and leadership. → If you'd like to be a guest speaker on the Insurance Revolutionized Podcast, please email us at info@successwithoutsacrificecoaching.com
