James Chessor’s Post

I am a TERRIBLE backseat driver, and not particularly patient. I have often struggled with the motto "find joy in the journey." I want to get there as quickly as possible so I can do what I need to and then get back, which often results in frustration, anxiety and resentment. This is even more difficult as I travel the road of life. I want to know where I'm going, how I'm getting there and especially how long it will take. When that gets disrupted, I say things like, "Why did you turn here?" "NO! I want to go that way!" "Why is this taking so long?" While I believe there is a lot we can do to help determine our outcomes, I have been repeatedly, painfully reminded that I am not in control of everything. Call it God, Life, Fate, The Universe, Karma, Higher Power, whatever you believe in, I believe there are powers at work that impacts our journey through life. Just over a year ago my life took a detour when I was impacted by some layoffs at Liberty Mutual Insurance. I was doing work I loved, and my wife and I made long-term life plans that included moving to a new state and building a house. We set the course and timeline and were ready to go. Two weeks after the move I was notified of the layoff. I won't go into the details of my emotions during that time (I did that in an earlier post), but it included a lot of rejection, fear, uncertainty and thankfully, generous in-laws who let us live with them. One year (almost to the day) after my last day at Liberty, I was offered another position back at Liberty Mutual. I am THRILLED to be back at Liberty and working as a program manager on the Agency Distribution Solutions team. I am not living where I thought I would be, but a few months ago we were able to buy a house, which we love, and are thriving in our work, school and community. This last year was not the route I would have planned, and not the one I wanted, but I believe it was the one I needed. It has led to a lot of growth and taught me humility, patience, empathy, gratitude and contentment. There is always joy to be found in the journey, but like any difficult climb, we may not see the beauty until the summit and reflect on the path we traversed. I am trying to surrender my will more and embrace whatever detours life has in store for me.

Would I want my daughter to follow me into the insurance industry? Honestly, I'm not sure. When a colleague asked me this, it made me reflect on my journey. The insurance industry isn't exactly the most popular career choice—it’s often misunderstood. But for me, it’s been more than just a job. It’s given me the financial freedom and flexibility to spend precious time with my family. The question, though, isn’t whether I’d want her to join my business. It’s whether I’ve given her the clarity and confidence to choose her own path—whatever that may be. I’ve realised that my career isn’t the legacy I leave behind; it’s a tool to build the life I want for my family. My legacy is my family. And I want my daughter to have the same freedom to design her life, with or without the insurance industry. How about you—have you thought about what legacy you’re building? Is it tied to your career, or is it something more? #CareerReflection #LegacyBuilding #InsuranceIndustry #FamilyFirst

New Beginnings with The Bedle Agency After much contemplation and 3.5 years, I’ve decided to embark on a new chapter in my career journey. This decision wasn’t easy, but it feels incredibly right at this moment. After taking off my blinders, I realized that staying put wasn’t aligned with my core values, integrity, or professional aspirations. I’m thrilled to announce that The Bedle Agency has joined a new IMO where transparency, honesty, and integrity are paramount. We’ve found a place where we truly own our book of business, receive fair compensation for our hard work, and where our voices are heard and valued. This transition is not solely about myself; it’s about safeguarding our clients. With efficient processes and a strong emphasis on client relationships, I am committed to managing your policies with the highest level of care and attention, as I always have. I will be reaching out to my clients to reassure them that their existing policies are secure and will initiate any necessary due diligence reviews without delay. The decision to leave my previous IMO was fueled by a multitude of factors: lack of transparency in compensation, unrealistic expectations for lead costs, and ultimately a disconnect in values and integrity following an incident where I could no longer trust . It’s time for a fresh start where we can provide our clients with the service they deserve, free from unnecessary constraints and uncertainties. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement from those who’ve stood by me during this transition. Here’s to new beginnings, learning opportunities, and building something truly remarkable together! I am thrilled to join the Cintron Insurance Agency as a Vice President and to collaborate closely with Misty , my direct upline Kim Nixon and the entire team. The support and feedback have been amazing, and our team is overflowing with excitement. At our agency, we prioritize relationships and our people above all else. If my story resonates with you, and you too are staying where you are because of the same fears, please feel free to reach out. You don’t have to feel or be stuck! Put YOU first! #NewChapter #TheBedleAgency #LifeInsurance #NewBeginnings #CareerChange #ExcitingTimes #GrowthMindset

<<Joel’s Journey: An Inspiring Cross-Agency Insight>> In a cross-agency sharing session at Victoire Financial, our team member Joel shared his inspiring journey of transitioning to the insurance industry. His mid-career switch was not easy, especially as he faced the unique challenges of adapting to a business-oriented environment while balancing young parenthood. One of the biggest supports along his journey was the camaraderie he found within the Victoire Financial team. Joel highlighted how the team’s solidarity and structured training empowered him to thrive, helping him to overcome self-doubt and learn the skills necessary for success. His advice to others focused on three key areas: staying connected to one’s purpose, embracing change as a catalyst for growth, and relying on team support. Joel’s story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and purpose. His experiences underscore that the journey in insurance is not merely about business; it is about impacting lives. This core value unites the team at Victoire Financial, Co Wealth and continues to inspire others. Thinking of following his footsteps? Drop me a message and let’s embark on new journey today! #weareexpanding #cowealth #insurance #investment #financialadvisory #fa #hustlelife #Empoweringlives #recruitment #newlife #topagency #TeamBonding #EmployeeWellbeing #FinancialConsulting #WorkLifeHarmony #SingaporeJobs

For every 10 women I speak to… 9 want to leave their insurance roles because: Burnout is hitting hard. Imagine, you’re: • Battling stress on a daily basis. • Stretching yourself thin to deliver. • Wearing multiple hats to a detriment. • Carrying the weight of others after layoffs. • Sacrificing your well-being just to “keep up.” When instead, you can: • Reclaim your personal life. • Have a role that serves you fully. • Focus on your growth and purpose. • Thrive in your role – and not just survive. • Protect and maximize your time and energy. It’s no surprise so many WOC want to leave their roles. (Hard markets are tough...) The reality of the situation is: • You are deserving of so much better. • You don’t have to bear the weight of it all. • You shouldn’t sacrifice yourself for a paycheck. But: • You must prioritize balance. • You have to take a chance on you. • You need to stop settling in your career. Remember: • Your career should support the life you want. • You are capable of thriving outside chaos. • You have the power to make it happen. But no one is going to give you peace. You have to pursue it – and I’m here to guide you. Starting on Tuesday Oct. 1st, for 1 hour each day, I’m hosting a FREE 3-day Masterclass called “Find, Position, and Network Your Way to Your Next Insurance Role.” Over the 3 days, you’ll learn: → How to find your next role – intentionally. → How to stand out in a competitive market. → How to tap into your network for real success. This is your chance to stop the cycle of burnout – And find a role that fits the life you want to live. Save your seat here: https://lnkd.in/gkMdd9WC   P.S. Know another WOC in insurance who could benefit from attending this event?   Share this post with her ♻   #WOC #insurance #careers #development #pursuewhatmatters

In August 2024, a staggering 75,891 people were laid off—a 193% jump from July’s 25,885. On August 14th, I became one of them. Hearing the news was gut-wrenching, and for a moment, it felt like my world had been turned upside down. But as I reflected, I realized my world wasn’t upside down—it was being turned right side up. The outpouring of support I received was humbling and overwhelming. Friends, colleagues, and mentors reached out with kind words, introductions, and even job opportunities. It would’ve been easy to jump into a new sales role quickly, but something inside me told me to pause. This wasn’t just a layoff; it was an invitation—a chance to realign my life with my passions and purpose. A few days after my layoff former colleague said something that stuck with me: "Your passion and joy for life—people like you take circumstances like this and launch to bigger and better opportunities. I’m not sorry this happened. I’m excited for what you get to do next." Those words flipped my mindset entirely. After six transformative years in the insurance industry, I’ve decided to close that chapter. I learned invaluable lessons in those years, but I realized the high-paced, cutthroat corporate environment isn’t where my heart thrives. My next move needed to align with what makes me feel truly alive—what gives me purpose. Now, I’m thrilled to share my next big move: I’m becoming a model on a mission! This dream has been on my heart for years, and the timing is finally right. Modeling, for me, isn’t just about beauty or art. It’s about creating a platform to champion causes I deeply care about: DEI, animal rescue, mental health, and human rights. But that’s not all. Reflecting on the past six years also led me to another realization: my time as a Californian had reached the end of its chapter. So, I made a bold (and unexpected!) decision to move to Houston. This city has quickly earned a special place in my heart. Leaving LA after nearly a decade is bittersweet, but I feel confident it’s the right move. My time in LA gave me exactly what I needed: - A village of mentors and cheerleaders, - Challenges that pushed me to grow, - And the life experience to know I’m more than capable of achieving my dreams. To everyone who has supported me along the way—thank you. Your encouragement has fueled this next chapter, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Here’s to bold moves, new beginnings, and brighter horizons!

Musings from a new CEO... It's been over two months since I became CEO of YWCA Alaska and I'm still in a mode of: wait, we need to do that too? Why don't tHE NUMBERS MATCH?! How much more do I need to raise? We have a insurance broker? WE HAVE AN INSURANCE BROKER! The learning curve remains steep but I'm so grateful of the network I can access any time to get the answers to the questions above and have a moment of harmless panic amongst a peer. Building those genuine relationships early on is super important but it still stuns me how important now that I need to lean on them. THANK YOU MY #NETWORK! Things continue to get more complex as I dive deeper into this organization and hiring new staff (plus promoting my one part timer) has been so very rewarding. I love to build teams, set them up, and watch them excel. I finally get to do that in a meaningful way and I'm so pumped to see what they do for #YouthEmpowerment (spoiler alert: IT'S GONNA BE AMAZING). Boundaries are extremely important as is ensuring your staff gets all that they need to excel and that might mean pulling a long evening to make sure that happens. I'm still learning the balance but could not be more invested in our team and organization. Here's to another two months! PS - GO VOTE! If you can vote early, DON'T WAIT! It's your civic duty and your voice MATTERS!

Allow me to introduce myself as your local Aflac Benefits Advisor as well as business consultant. I have been an owner of my own business for the past 7 years prior to starting my career with Aflac. In October of 2023 I found myself in a tough situation. I had gotten in an accident that jeopardized my business and my livelihood. As a sole proprietor, I did not have the luxury of income protection (otherwise known as disability coverage). I needed another job to supplement my income to ensure I could keep my doors open. Searching Indeed.com, I found a listing that had “part-time” and “flexible” in the description. Welcome to the stage, Aflac! Ironically enough, if I had Aflac at the time of the accident, I would have made enough money to allow me to take the time I needed to heal. Instead, I was finding employment with this incredible company. My priority with Aflac is to help others with the voluntary coverage to ensure they don’t have to realize the financial discomforts in their time of need. Whether they are temporarily out of work, have a minor to major accident, are diagnosed with cancer, have a heart attack or stroke, whatever it may be! Business owners have the capacity to offer Aflac benefits to their employees at no cost to themselves. However, individuals can not participate without their employer’s extending this courtesy. In other words, my mission is to connect with entrepreneurs that have 3 or more staff (including themselves) that may be willing to extend this olive branch within your company! I have had some wonderful successes this year already and work with many local businesses. In just a few weeks I am excited to be receiving the commendation of #1 New Agent in the nation for Aflac! I do not take this award for granted. I realize that without meeting and exceeding my business owners’ and policy holders’ expectations, this title would not have my name on it. I am looking forward to expanding my circle and serving our local, and surrounding, communities for years to come! #Aflac #EmployeeBenefits #Insurance

Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate Keenan’s 5-year anniversary at Simply Benefits! 🥂 Since joining us five years ago, Keenan has brought not only sharp insights and strategic expertise but also a genuine care for our clients and team. His patience and dedication to taking the time to listen have made a lasting difference, helping us grow in ways that put people first. Keenan’s thoughtful approach, tireless work ethic, and deep commitment have truly shaped Simply Benefits, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without his impact. We are incredibly grateful for everything he brings to our team each day. Thank you, Keenan, for five years of passion, patience, and purpose. Here’s to many more years of success and partnership ahead! 💫 #WorkAnniversary #AnniversaryCelebration #SimplyBenefits #EmployeeWellness #EmployeeAppreciation #CelebratingSuccess #CareerMilestone #MakingADifference #Insurance #EmployeeBenefits #fiveyears #Workiversary #Celebration #Milestone #Tech #Leadership #Growth