How I Built My Agency During the Hardest Year of My Life
Starting a business is never easy. But starting an insurance agency during one of the most challenging years of my life taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything. This isn’t a story of overnight success—it’s about persistence, resilience, and finding strength when everything feels impossible. 🌟
Juggling Business and Personal Struggles
When I opened my first agency in 2016, I was also navigating a major life transition: becoming a mom. Just three months in, I found out I was expecting my first child. The excitement quickly mixed with fear—how could I grow a brand-new agency while preparing for motherhood?
As the year unfolded, challenges stacked up. From navigating postpartum depression to managing a rapidly growing team and caring for preterm babies with medical needs, life didn’t leave me much breathing room. Many people would have pressed pause on their dreams—and honestly, I thought about it too. But something inside me said: keep showing up.
Persistence Beats Perfection
There were days I felt overwhelmed and completely underqualified. I didn’t have all the answers, and mistakes were inevitable. But I learned quickly that consistency mattered more than perfection. Each small step—whether it was a sales call, a client follow-up, or a team meeting—moved the agency forward.
That year taught me the power of the “1% Rule.” Even if I couldn’t do everything, I could do something. And doing something consistently eventually compounded into real results.
The Importance of Support Systems
I also realized I didn’t have to do it all alone. Leaning on mentors, building a reliable team, and surrounding myself with a supportive community were crucial. Delegating the right tasks freed me up to focus on the areas where I added the most value.
Having a network that believed in me—both personally and professionally—gave me the courage to keep pushing forward.
How I Built My Agency During the Hardest Year of My Life
What It Really Looked Like
The truth is, building during that season wasn’t glamorous. It meant late nights after the kids went to bed, working from hospital waiting rooms, and sometimes answering calls with a baby in my arms. 💻👶
But every small victory—landing a new client, hitting a retention milestone, or watching a team member grow—made the sacrifices worth it. Those wins reminded me why I started and why quitting was not an option.
And here’s the beautiful part: the habits and resilience I built in that year became the foundation for long-term success. Once life stabilized, I wasn’t starting from scratch—I was building from strength.
Lessons for Other Agency Owners
If you’re building your agency while life feels overwhelming, here’s what I’d tell you:
Focus on small wins. Consistency matters more than massive leaps.
Give yourself grace. Progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. 💡
Invest in your team. A strong, motivated team makes the hard seasons survivable.
Find mentors. Learn from others who’ve been where you are.
Remember your why. Let your vision pull you forward when motivation is low.
Final thoughts
The hardest year of my life ended up being the foundation of everything I’ve built since. It proved that even when circumstances aren’t ideal, your vision is still possible if you commit to the journey.
If you’re in the middle of your own hard season, I want you to know this: you’re not alone. Keep showing up, keep moving forward, and trust that the seeds you’re planting today will become tomorrow’s success.
