We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Susan Pack a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Susan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

Being a single mother of 2 since my daughter was 4 months old and my son was 2 years old and juggling life’s journey when being pulled in so many directions while trying to sustain a business involves tons of “crazy stuff” in and of itself. My daughter is now 18 years old and my son is now 20 years old. Although they are older now the title of Mom never goes away (thankfully)! The concerns and issues just change as children go through many seasons in their life. What has helped me and guided me when life comes at me fast is simply putting the following hierarchy in place. It never fails me and brings me peace that all will be okay when I set my priorities straight:

1. God
2. Spouse (although I have not had one since divorcing the children’s father when they were both babies)
3. Children
4. Work
5. Everyone else (including my siblings, friends, philanthropic endeavors etc.)

I’ve been in business for over 25 years and I have sustained my commitment of adhering to the aforementioned hierarchy every step of the way. It has worked for me.
Lots of back stories; Recently my son was accidently shot with a 9mm bullet by someone else and called me saying “mom I’ve been shot and I’m going in to surgery…then his phone died.” Nothing else in the world mattered at that point.

First, I immediately pray to my God and then tend to my children’s needs…work is secondary to anything having to do with my children. Have I lost clients because of it. Perhaps. But overall, 99% of my clients know I am here and will get the job done whether it means burning the midnight oil or working on the weekends when I know my children are in safe-keeping and busy doing their thing. I’ve got lots of back stories…oh so many. I am a warrior and I persevere. This was a recent one that happened just a few weeks ago. There are certainly many more.

Susan, 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 an insurance broker. I represent most “A” and “A+” rated companies. I am a one-stop shop for people that are looking for individual and/or group health insurance, life insurance, disability income protection or long-term care protection. There is no charge to utilize my services. I am a savvy shopper and can do all the comparison shopping for my clients so that they do not have to call each provider themselves and try to figure out the differences between plans and coverage. I present the coverage in easy-to-understand language.

How did I get in to the business?

Truth be told I had to file bankruptcy at a very young age because of the misgivings of someone I was dating at the time and through no fault of my own. Ultimately, I ended up putting him in jail, however I paid a very high price by having my credit severely tarnished because of his unethical behavior. Nonetheless at age 25, I made the difficult decision to file BK so that I could have a fresh start and put this horrific chapter behind me. My initial desired career path was to be a pharmaceutical representative. After 3 very large pharmaceutical companies seemed to pick the “other” candidate (when the selection process was narrowed down to myself and another applicant), I was eventually informed that the reason I was not selected was because I had filed bankruptcy. They did not care that it was not my fault. A very painful lesson learned at a very young age: do all you can to build up, protect and sustain your credit as it impacts so many things in life. At this point, with very little money to my name, I was desperate to find a job so I responded to an ad from the newspaper (there was no internet at the time) and went on an interview through a head hunter. I did not know it was to sell insurance. As soon as I found out during the interviewing process that the position entailed selling insurance all I wanted to do was eloquently bow out gracefully. It turned out that the headhunter was so impressed with me he called in the General Manager of the company that was hiring and it was this man, Paul Garrahan, that changed my way of thinking and believed in me from the moment I met him. I told him about my Bankruptcy upfront and he stood true to his word, remained faithful to his commitment that he would do all he could to ensure that the BK would not stand in the way of me getting hired. He worked with corporate in Massachusetts (although I lived in AZ) and I eventually was hired. Over 90% of insurance agents do not succeed in the 1st year and sadly are forced to find a different career path. I was the National Rookie of the Year my first year of being employed as an insurance professional with this company and won a trip to the Bahamas. Within 2 years of being hired as a “captive agent” our company Paul Revere, merged with its 2 largest competitors, Provident and UNUM and did away with “career captive agents.” With knees knocking, I was forced to go into business for myself as an independent insurance agent…although I was told by some that I would “never succeed on my own” it’s now been over 25 years that I’ve been in business and I’ve never looked back. Do not let your past define your greatness.

Personally, and professionally my goal is to always offer help where it is needed. Every day I strive to do all I can to make a difference in people’s lives whether it’s big or small. Sometimes it simply means holding the door open for someone that has their hands full or interacting with a complete stranger that wants to engage in conversation…which typically ends in a hug. It truly is the little things in life that matter the most. Meeting people wherever they are at is my motto. I am not led by the all mighty dollar, I am led by doing what is right. I try my very best to offer kindness always through acts of service and help people in any way I can. In my business I help educate people and empower them so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their family through the protection of insurance products and the peace of mind it brings. My tag line for my business is: “Insuring what matters most.”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

If you read the previous 2 answers, I am certain you will get a glimpse of my resiliency. Besides being a single mom and business owner, it was like a full-time job protecting my children from those that did not have their best interests at heart. Dealing with a difficult former husband provided for very trying times during the journey. In my opinion the Court system is broker here in Arizona. I was ultimately awarded sole legal custody of both of my children from when they were both very young. However, unless the other person plays by the rules, having that award from the court did not really matter all that much unfortunately. Eventually, I was also awarded sole physical custody of my daughter. She has not seen her father in over 7 years…so literally on her 11th birthday she stood up for herself and said “no more.” Thankfully the healing could finally begin for her from all of her trauma… and she too has never looked back. Together, we’ve been trying to put all the pieces back together ever since then. She has come a very long way and I am so very proud of her. There are a lot of back stories regarding this part of my journey, most are not so pretty however through it all I sustained and maintained my business amongst the peaks and valleys of life. I stand up for what is right…even if it means standing alone.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

All insurance agents are not created equally. I pride myself in setting myself apart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://susanandcompanyinsurance.com
• Facebook: Susan and Co Insurance Services
• Linkedin: Susan Pack
• Other: Preferred email: susanpack@susanandcompanyinsurance.com

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