We recently connected with Kadiatu Bangura and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kadiatu thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
Growing up, I often watched Chinese films that were truly epic. The hero would embark on a journey to a remote island or deserted town, seeking the discipline and skills necessary to defeat the villain who had wronged him—usually by killing his family, wife, or girlfriend. It was always up to him to save the town or seek revenge. Along the way, he would encounter a wise but seemingly flawed teacher who, despite initial appearances, possessed a near-perfect mastery of their craft. This mentor would train the hero with unmatched dedication, preparing him to restore honor, avenge his family, and gain the trust of the community or organization he belonged to. I admired these stories because I was captivated by the patience and resilience of the teacher.
Many years later, I met a remarkable woman, my very own mentor—a Chinese lady who taught me everything she knew. From practical tips like conserving water and sewing a beautifully imperfect dress to offering companionship and friendship, she shared her wisdom generously. Most importantly, Dr. Lipping taught me discipline, love, patience, grace, and how to be truly independent. While I had a foundation in many of these qualities, I struggled to put them into action. Watching her navigate her daily life and challenges with ease and grace made me realize that she had mastered these values effortlessly.
Through observing her and learning from her guidance, I gained a deeper understanding of forgiveness, hard work, and how to give and receive love.
I originally met Dr. Lipping while trying to purchase one of her homes, and she introduced me to an opportunity that would change my path. At the time, I was studying networking and security in information technology at Towson, and she believed it would be a good idea for me to explore new possibilities alongside my studies- Dr. lipping owns 18 houses, and She also taught me the art of making money
Kadiatu, 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 was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and came to America through my mother, who filed for me many years ago. Since then, I’ve become a proud citizen. My driving force has always been financial freedom—not just for myself but to support my family and give back to communities both here in America and in Sierra Leone. I am the eldest of two daughters and my father’s only child. My father tragically passed away in a car accident about eight years ago. When my mother moved to the U.S., it was my father and grandmother who raised me. Losing him left a deep void in my life, and I miss him every day.
Now, I’m blessed with a wonderful son who will turn seven this November. I was pregnant with him two years after my father’s passing, so I named him with my father’s initials—A.T.B. He has been a constant source of love and companionship, grounding me in ways no one else can.
When my son was two years old, I was studying network administration at Towson University. It was during that time that I crossed paths with a retired doctor while looking into an investment property. She introduced me to the concept of the living benefits crusade, but at the time, I didn’t fully grasp its importance. That changed when my grandfather suffered a stroke. My mother’s father had medical insurance and life insurance, but none of it could prepare us for the immense financial burden we faced. We were already stretched emotionally and physically, and the financial strain made things unbearable. His life insurance policy, which he had faithfully paid into since his early 30s, could only serve us until after death. That realization shook me.
When I returned home after caring for my grandfather, everything in my life shifted. I remembered the doctor’s words and called her to learn more about the living benefits crusade, eager to help other families avoid what we went through.
At first, I worked part-time, balancing the crusade with my full-time job in tech. I worked for a company that contracted with Baltimore city schools and government buildings, ensuring secure connections and running cybersecurity checks. And sometimes, I tracked to Washington DC to help with their schools. I enjoyed it, but I realized my purpose was bigger than just earning a paycheck. I wanted to make a lasting difference. Once I earned enough through the crusade, I left my tech role and devoted myself fully to this mission. One of the added blessings of this work is the flexibility it gives me to spend time with my son, especially with the high cost of child care.
Now, I’m on a mission to help families protect their legacies and preserve the wealth they’ve worked so hard to build—completely tax-free. Our living benefits crusade ensures protection for you and your family with five built-in living benefits upon approval. Even our term policies include these benefits for free, and in some states, six benefits are available to support families seeking non-traditional ways of conceiving a child. The client can now use this while they are alive, and not just after death. I can be part of their stories where finances would be their last worry because they can now file from the death benefits. That is very exciting news!
We are an independent marketing agency, partnered with trusted names like National Life Group, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Foresters, F&G Life, EquiTrust, and the list goes on. We offer customized solutions designed to give you peace of mind, so you can live your life by design.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my son, gardening, reading, and dancing. My go-to drinks are water and white wine, though I occasionally enjoy a cold beer. My favorite color is white, and while I don’t wear it often, I believe pink is the most beautiful color on me. I also love volunteering and giving back to the communities in Maryland and Washington DC.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I faced two major challenges in my journey. First, transitioning from a full-time position to becoming a business owner. Second, the internal conflict that arose when friends and family, those closest to me, questioned my decision to leave “a perfectly good job and career” to venture into what they called “sales.” It was hard—very hard. Learning the industry was also a challenge. I had to grasp the product, find ways to be more efficient, and, inevitably, fail and start over. But I didn’t give up.
Being a business owner involves two crucial roles: the administrative side and the operational side. If either is out of balance, it can negatively impact the business and take a toll on my mental health. Add being a mother into the mix, and it wasn’t easy. What kept me going was constantly reminding myself of my “why.” I wanted to be part of something bigger, to find financial freedom, and to be there for my son. So, I pressed on. Another key to my perseverance was the support I received from my team. I was in business for myself, but not by myself. My willingness to learn, to feel uncomfortable, to look silly, and to ask for help was essential to my growth.
Now, after being part of this crusade, I can confidently say I’ve grown more than any job could have helped me grow. My character has evolved, I’ve grown spiritually, and I’ve met fascinating and inspiring people along the way. I’ve been part of incredible stories that made me cry, laugh, and reflect. I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and read more books on self-development than I ever did when I had a job. This journey has expanded and stretched me, turning me into a stronger woman and a better mother. I’ve met people I never would have encountered if not for this opportunity.
Resilience has been key because, at the end of the day, when people trust you and believe in your service or product, it’s not about sales—it’s about a cause. And people stand behind good causes. That’s what has fueled my fire as I continue on this journey to ensure everyone hears about the living benefits crusade.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My industry is service-oriented, and trust is its foundation. Integrity is crucial. The best salespeople are those who can be honest and put the client’s needs first, rather than focusing solely on hitting quotas. This can be challenging, especially in the beginning, when you’re thinking, “I need to pay my bills, but I can’t push this product on Bill without him fully understanding its value and how it will benefit his life.” I don’t tell people what they should buy; it’s a process. For many, it takes time to grasp the product or even find the time to discuss it. Patience and persistence have been key to my success.
I continually educate myself on my products, refine my processes, and learn new techniques to connect with prospects. Staying relevant and adding value—sometimes by simply asking, “How can I help?”—has made a big difference. It could be something entirely unrelated to my business, but when I go out of my way to be of service, it builds trust. Eventually, that trust leads to them reaching out when they’re ready to take the next step. Some people are ready right away, but most need time to go through their decision-making process.
I’ve also become very involved in my community through volunteering, meeting new people, making countless calls, and personalizing each experience. For example, if someone mentions a favorite book, I might gift them a copy or simply take note. Listening is essential. Often, people just want someone to hear their story. Taking the time to listen and showing kindness fosters trust.
If I don’t hear from someone for a while, I check in to let them know I care. Even a small gesture, like wishing someone a happy birthday, can leave a lasting impact. All these small efforts build trust. While I’m still fine-tuning some aspects and there’s always room for improvement, I believe I’m on the right path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pfasuccess.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benefitwithkadiebangura/profilecard/?igsh=NGVpOW96ZGpkcG8=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090067956085&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadiebangura?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: @kadiebangura13
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@benefitwithkadiebangura?si=TV8GNKmyzdAWFJ2F
- Other: TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@benefitwithkadiebangura?_t=8qMFxoR8csF&_r=1
Image Credits
Amidu Bayoh