We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ali Alawlaqi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ali below.

Ali, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

I once had a boss named George who shaped the way I work and think to this day. Sales is usually an individual sport, everyone is focused on their own numbers, their own pipeline, their own pressure. But George had a way of making you feel like you weren’t doing it alone, even though technically you were.

One moment I’ll never forget happened after I lost a huge deal I had worked on for weeks. I walked into his office expecting criticism or a breakdown of everything I should’ve done differently. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, smiled slightly, and said a line I’ll never forget:

“A loss only wins if it teaches you nothing.”

Then he asked me one question: “What did this deal show you about yourself?”
Not about the customer. Not about the objections. About me.

That conversation changed my entire approach. He didn’t care about the sale, he cared about the person doing the selling. He believed that if you grow the person, the numbers follow naturally.

The morals George taught me were simple but powerful:

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ali Alawlaqi, and I’m the founder of Ali Insurance Agency, an independent AAA-affiliated agency based in Michigan. I got into the insurance industry while I was still completing my Electrical Engineering degree. What started as a part-time opportunity quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed — helping people understand their coverage and making the process simple instead of stressful.

After graduating and briefly working as a controls engineer, I realized my real passion was entrepreneurship and community service. That’s what led me to open my own agency at 21, offering personal insurance products such as auto, home, renters, condo, umbrella, and life insurance.

The biggest problem we solve for clients is clarity. Most people are either confused by insurance or underinsured without realizing it. I focus on explaining coverage in simple terms, tailoring policies to each person’s situation, and making sure they feel confident in what they’re paying for.

What sets us apart is our approach: no pressure, no one-size-fits-all policies, and no shortcuts. Clients get honest advice, personalized plans, and the service standards of AAA paired with the care of an independent agency.

I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built and the fact that clients walk away feeling protected and understood. What I want people to know about my brand is simple: we treat insurance as more than a transaction — it’s about protecting people and giving them peace of mind.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes — my side hustle actually became my full-time career.

I started working in insurance while I was still completing my Electrical Engineering degree. At the time, it wasn’t meant to be anything more than a part-time job to gain experience and earn extra income. But the more I worked in the industry, the more I realized how much I enjoyed helping people understand their coverage and protecting families in real, practical ways.

Even after graduating and starting my job as a controls engineer, I kept building my insurance work on the side — studying, getting licensed, building a client base, and learning how agencies operate. What started as a small side pursuit slowly became something I cared about more than my actual career.

Eventually, the passion outweighed the paycheck. A few months after becoming an engineer, I decided to take the leap and open my own AAA-affiliated insurance agency. What started as a side hustle has now become my full-time business — and one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, the most effective strategy has been combining education-based service with consistent relationship building. Instead of pushing quotes, I focus on helping people actually understand their coverage, their risks, and what options fit their situation. When clients feel informed rather than sold to, they naturally trust you — and that trust leads to referrals and long-term growth.

I also stay consistent: quick responses, clear communication, and always following through. In insurance, reliability spreads by word of mouth. When people know you’ll take care of them, they send their friends and family without hesitation.

That combination — educating clients and showing up consistently — has been the foundation of how I’ve grown my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://locator.acg.aaa.com/mi/farmington-hills/aaa-insurance-ali-insurance-agency
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agency.ali/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-alawlaqi-5424682b1

Image Credits

Auto Clube Group ( AAA )