Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Phillips.
Hi Katherine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My career experience and skills have grown from my lifelong passion for health and helping others.
Looking around me, I have always been curious about why health varies across the population and what we can do about it. Because of this, informing others about health as well as the access that the population has to health care were always areas of the health field that I had wanted to explore further.
Before I started my insurance business, I attended the University of Colorado Denver and received bachelor’s degrees in public health and health communication. While there, I discovered my passion for public health education and content creation.
At the time, I wanted to work in the health marketing and health education space. But in 2019, there were not many public health jobs available. I came across a job posting for becoming a health insurance broker. I only viewed it as temporary until I could find something in my chosen field. However, looking back, health insurance is public health. It is health policy and health education, which are both what I wanted to do.
I got my insurance license in October 2019, before the annual Open Enrollment season. I was thrown into the industry and had to learn by doing. I had an amazing mentor who taught me everything I know about sales, running a business, and the health insurance market.
After gaining 50 new clients with minimal sales experience, I began to consider that maybe owning my own business was my future, and working in the public health space for a company and publishing their messages wasn’t what I wanted to do.
Then, the COVID pandemic began in March of 2020, and with a background in public health, I was living what I had studied in school. Public health jobs were in demand, and for a moment, I considered going back into the public health space. I was at a crossroads.
As businesses shut down and everyone was working from home, I was not affected, and there was more opportunity than ever in insurance—all I had to do was take it.
During this time, many people lost their jobs and insurance, so we were able to enroll many people in insurance. After much reflection, I decided to go all in on my business and try and grow it as much as I could.
For the next two years, that was all I focused on. I set goals for myself and reached them, and my hard work paid off. My business grew quickly, and being a business owner was something I never imagined I would do.
I am originally from Colorado and began my insurance career serving Coloradans from across the state. As my business expanded, so did my service offerings. I now serve individuals, families and Medicare- eligible (65+) individuals in 10 states. Currently, I have moved my business to Florida, serving Floridians from across the state as well as continuing to maintain relationships with current clients from Colorado and other states.
I help people every day from all walks of life gain access to healthcare, and make connections over the phone without meeting in person. I have learned that the phone is a powerful tool and that anything can be done if you are willing to recognize the opportunity put in front of you.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first began working in the insurance industry, I struggled with the expectations of what a career in public health would look like and comparing myself to others who had more established businesses or who were better at sales. But in the last 6 years I have realized that you learn from experience.
The biggest challenges are mental. It is easy to quit when things get hard or the outcome isn’t what you expected. But you have to keep going and realize that it is consistency and hard work that will get you through when you feel like you are failing. However, you have to remember that good things take time, and that we all have our own timeline of success. As long as you gave your best effort and did your best work, that is all that matters.
Another struggle was work-life balance. There aren’t really days off when you are a business owner, and you wear many hats, which can become overwhelming, especially when you do not have any assistance. I have learned to set boundaries to help me disconnect from working time.
Also, work is not my identity. I am grateful for my business and the success it has brought me but I spend my time doing other things that bring me joy, like connecting with my Orthodox Christian faith, trying new hobbies, and fostering relationships with family and friends.
As you know, we’re big fans of Health Markets Insurance- Katherine Phillips. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Health Markets offers protection for life. When you become a client, you can be assured that all of your insurance needs will be taken care of as your life changes. We offer health insurance for individuals and families under 65, Medicare (65+), life insurance, supplemental insurance, and dental and vision insurance.
As an independent broker, I am able to review all options in your area and choose the best that suits your needs. I represent all insurance companies and create a personalized plan for you.
My services are 100% free of charge, and I help you navigate the insurance industry, which can be frustrating and confusing. What sets me apart from others is the relationships that I create with my clients. I value maintaining long-term relationships with whomever I work with. This is built through trust and taking the time to get to know every client. I work to be available to my clients and am there for them whenever they need me.
I also value education about insurance. I want to teach others about their insurance coverage so they can better understand how the insurance industry works, so they can understand the importance of protecting their health.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Here are some of my favorite business books that changed my outlook on business:
The Art of Closing the Sale by Brian Tracy
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Deeper than Money by Chloe Elise
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katherinephillipsinsurance.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthMarkets.Katherine.Phillips
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinenphillips/
- Other: https://share.google/DBwvzm1KGmAlZxkar
Image Credits
Jenny E Photography
