International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Brightway Insurance is extremely proud of the hundreds of diverse women who continue to have a deep impact at Brightway and within their communities.
Several Brightway agency owners and agency principles shared inspiring thoughts about their successful careers and advice for other women seeking similar journeys.
Janie Alonzo–Brightway Agency Owner since 2019
What do you value/enjoy most about your career in insurance?
One of the most enjoyable and fulfilling aspects of my career is the ability to educate the community on specific coverages required to properly protect their biggest asset(s). The community includes the buyers, loan officers and realtors to name a few. Insurance is a necessity, and having the right coverages is instrumental in sustaining the relationships and protecting our communities.
What inspires you on a day-to-day basis?
I am inspired knowing that everyone I interact with will make knowledge decisions based on the options I provide them. As a small business owner, I can set objectives and goals I need to grow my business. Providing my community with options as well as detailed service allows my business to grow organically.
What advice do you have for other women wanting to open their own business or franchise?
As a woman and a business owner, it is important to find a few mentors in the industry that will support and assist when you need it. These mentors have already been through everything you will go through. Learn from their challenges and implement and improve their successes. Set your short term and long-term goals and stay focused on the activities to get you there—everything else is just noise. Stay the course! This is a marathon, not a race!
Michelle Jeralds–Brightway Agency Owner since 2006
What do you value/enjoy most about your career in insurance?
I am able to use my expertise to help people protect what they spend their lives working so hard for. I enjoy educating consumers, realtors, and mortgage professionals about how insurance works.
What inspires you on a day-to-day basis?
My Team inspires me every day. We all have the same level of integrity and honor our fiduciary responsibility to the insured as well as the carriers we represent. Seeing my team succeed in their lives strives me to keep going.
What advice do you have for other women wanting to open their own business or franchise?
Don’t fear the unknown because we will all experience it at some point in our lives. Remain positive and motivate your staff. As long as you keep pushing forward you will succeed. Don’t ever give up.
Michele Robicheaux – Brightway Agency Owner since 2017
What do you value/enjoy most about your career in insurance?
The thing I value most about my career in insurance is the relationships I’ve built along this journey. Being a very small part of life’s special events, such as opening a new business, buying a home, getting married or starting a family, by providing insurance education and guidance is so rewarding for me. Making a difference in people’s lives gives me the most value. Our motto in my office is: Always do right by clients, and the rest will come.
What inspires you on a day-to-day basis?
Making my family proud inspires me. I was reared by wonderful parents! My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She showed me at an early age how working outside the home and being a mother could successfully work together. My husband and I have 5 children: 1 son, 4 daughters. It is my heart’s desire to show our girls, particularly, how women CAN and DO succeed in the workplace and being a successful woman owned/operated business while keeping a healthy balance of work and family. There is nothing more I want than to see ALL of our children thrive! I have a particularly special desire to see my girls thrive in what is typically considered a mostly man world!
What advice do you have for other women wanting to open their own business or franchise?
DO IT! Take a chance! It is scary sometimes and certainly not easy, but if it was easy EVERYONE would do it! It is totally worth the risk to achieve the goal(s). It is a great feeling to drive home each day and think, “THAT was a GREAT day!” But, when you do, give yourself permission to NOT be perfect, learn from the defeats and most of all let yourself pause long enough to recognize your victories.
Rachel Farmer–Brightway Agency Principal since 2014
What do you value/enjoy most about your career in insurance?
I love getting to know a client and building a relationship to help them find the right coverage that fits their needs.
What advice do you have for other women seeking a fulfilling career?
You can achieve anything you put your mind to and always push yourself to meet new and higher goals.
Margie Reyes–Brightway Agency Owner since 2019
What do you value/enjoy most about your career in insurance?
Building relationships. Being a trusted resource for my community, friends and family, and being able to make people’s lives better by protecting them from the financial repercussions of the unforeseen.
What inspires you on a day-to-day basis?
Helping people feels good! Providing families with peace of mind knowing they will be protected from unexpected events—it’s a win-win for all of us.
What advice do you have for other women wanting to open their own business or franchise?
Do it! If you enjoy helping people and are looking for a rewarding career with unlimited earning potential in a stable industry that is here to stay, then the time is now for you to join in this rewarding experience.
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