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

Hi Alysia, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

I have been in the insurance industry most of my adult life. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2008. I majored in business, but double minored in communications and hospitality. I did a few HARD years at a very popular rental car company and then jumped into Insurance. The insurance company that I worked for was INTENSE. I worked 60+ hours per week, had no work life balance, and I bled those company colors. Everything had to be perfect, and I’m a perfectionist! I spent 10+ years chasing a carrot (a lovely new job title and raise) that was promised, that I would never actually receive. JUST as that dangling carrot was cut away as an option for me, COVID hit. I didn’t agree with a single code they were enforcing for my staff during the pandemic, and then one day it hit me. If I don’t show up tomorrow, my job will be posted tomorrow by end of day. Why am I giving 200% to another company when I can give the same percentage of myself to MYSELF. I learned that I am worth taking the risk on, and the biggest risk of my life, opening my own insurance agency, has brought and is continuing to bring me the greatest reward. So, working a million hours, being held to an extremely high standard and learning that I am my biggest fan has led me to success in my current position.

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?

Insurance fell into my lap thanks to a friend who told me that I would excel in the industry. I am a people person, organized, and go above and beyond for every person in my life, including my customers. I take pride in changing people’s perceptions about insurance agents. We aren’t all out there, just looking for a big paycheck. I also don’t immediately just try to save someone money. I don’t care WHAT you are currently paying. I have a conversation with each of my potential customers about what their auto and home insurance coverages actually do for them, and how much they need based on their individual situations. I believe that my vibe attracts my tribe. I am a very outgoing person, but I’m also very real. If I’m not the right fit for you, there are many other licensed insurance agents that may be! I was voted the Best of the 603 Insurance Agent for 2022 and I am just SO proud of everything we’ve accomplished here in my office for our customers in just under two years of having our doors open. My Insta stories aren’t all about insurance, it’s truly a picture of my life at home and work. I’m just a girl, with a business in a male dominated industry, trying to make it in the world. I am also a wedding officiant, which seems out of left field, but I was a hospitality major turned minor in college. I love the wedding industry, and the best way for me to stay involved was to use my love of public speaking and having fun with a crowd to officiate weddings. I’m not a boring officiant, I attempt to make everyone laugh and cry in less than 20 minutes. Finally, I am also on the Board of Directors for the Miss Londonderry Scholarship Program – this is an official preliminary to the Miss New Hampshire and Miss America program. I competed in college, earned scholarship dollars and now I mentor, donate and work with the women to achieve their educational goals as well as their personal life goals.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Spoiler alert – my husband is my business partner and we met at our previous insurance company! As I was training in 2010, he was working in the training center and we stayed in touch for many years. We were both married, had kids, and had never even considered being together until both of our marriages fell apart at roughly the same time. We made a great team at work, why wouldn’t we make a great team at home, too? We’ve been together since January of 2020, married since May of 2022 and Steve is opening his own insurance office in 2023 as well. So, they say don’t date coworkers, but I’m so glad that one time in my life that I “rebelled” was to be with this amazing man who is so supportive of me, our kids and our dreams.

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

Taking amazing care of customers is the only thing that will build your reputation in your market! Having a referral program in place so that your customers are rewarded for mentioning your name has helped me as well. Asking for referrals and Google reviews is essential to your business success. You are WORTH asking your customers for referrals. You are WORTH asking for reviews to help grow your business. If you take amazing care of people, they will want you to take care of their people. You need to go above and beyond. Customer service has declined so much over the years, I fear it’s a dying art. Following up with customers to make sure that every I was dotted and T was crossed. Having a system to keep in touch with your customers. Be yourself. Treat others how you’d like to be treated.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alysiasf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alysia_hare/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alysiastatefarm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysia-hare-286a399a/