We recently connected with Josue Deslauriers and have shared our conversation below.

Josue, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

Life insurance, especially within the typical practices of Corporate America, has a pretty bad reputation and stigma. From people who think that it is a scam, others who feel that life insurance agents perpetually harass them, and people who think that life insurance is boring and not worth their attention. All aforementioned perspectives are 100% false and unfair and stem from the same core issue – marketing. Many insurance agencies require life insurance agents to solicit business solely from their friends and family. While it is important to tell those close to you what you do, it does require tact and proper training. For instance, I had a friend who got licensed last year and she was insistent on recruiting me to join her organization. I told her I was more than content with my current organization, but she refused to relent. While her tenacity is commendable, it ended up causing a rift in our relationship. Had her training included tact, that wouldn’t have happened, and additionally, had she also been taught marketing, she would have been able to generate a list of agents looking for another organization to plug themselves into.

Josue, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Haitian American entrepreneur who was previously working at the University of Florida as a post-baccalaureate neuroscience researcher for 2 years after college. I made a career pivot and got into life insurance because I desired a career field (sales) where I could generate a substantial personal income to be able to generate a significant impact in the lives of others, specifically in the areas of mental health, and the associated stigma, through marketing and philanthropy. Within the life insurance industry, the main problem that I solve is that of client education. I love to educate my clients and empower them to make the proper financial decisions for themselves and their families, regardless of whether they partner with me or my team. Previously I did this one-on-one during consultation calls. However, I now do this one-to-many through educational content on my social media platforms and workshops I host online and in person.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

One of the greatest assets that has allowed me to stand out and build a reputation within my local market is Life in The 727. For the past three years, we have hosted events ranging from 30-200+ attendees. Initially, the sole purpose was to connect Tampa Bay locals to provide them with an easy way to meet new people and friends something that Mike (co-founder) and I wished that we had when we were new to Tampa Bay. Over time, we have added on more business-focused events to allow local businesses to be highlighted and to be able to help business owners find future partners, clients, employees, etc. The events have allowed me to serve my local community in a unique way that not many life insurance agents do (or have considered). It is a double whammy of sorts, not only do I standout, I am also able to provide a valuable service to the local community which not only is fulfilling it also provides massive reciprocity for myself and my brand.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The most important piece of content that I have consumed is Release Your Breaks by James Newman. If you look at any highly successful entrepreneur you will notice that they are all obsessed with language, mindset, and perspective. However, no one in my experience has given as easy and effective tried and true methodology to change your inner monolog and thus external behavior like James Newman does. NFL coaches, Olympians, top entrepreneurs and more, have all used this book to great effect. I have read it three times so far and each time I evolver into a more effective leader and entrepreneur and a happier and more confident person. I cannot recommend it enough.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: josuedeslauriers
• Facebook: josuedeslauriers
• Linkedin: josuedeslauriers
• Youtube: josuedeslauriers