BB: Our insurance company has teamed up with a not for profit organization to offer the most powerful insurance and benefits package available to individuals, families, self employed and small business owners. People dont realize what is really out there, partly because health insurance can be very confusing, and honestly discouraging at times.

Our concept is the basis for us having the larges lobbying group on the capital hill today working towards healthcare reform, along with tex reform, etc. Its an organization that is truly working for us the people.

Every day I hear from people, sit across from the table from people, and receive emails from people that have had terrible experiences with insurance companies. When I can take someone with a medical condition or a very healthy person and give them a solid healthcare plan with benefits that they won't get anywhere else I feel like I have done my job properly. Its not about the largest premiums we can get, its about giving somoene coverage that 3 months down the road they can still afford.

Yikes, was that 30 seconds? I hope there are some speed readers out there :-)

KB: It was perfect Brande! What a great gift you are offering so many people who may otherwise go either without insurance OR decide it's not worth it to have it. How long have you been in business for yourself?

BB: I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Everyone has always had their own business of some sort. I have always been involved in something for the last 12 years or so, but it has only been full time really since 1998.

I have been in the insurance business for about a year and half.

You will find that many of the things discussed come from many years of successful network marketing. Its funny how the same methods work in so many different businesses.

KB: Oh exactly, and as an advocate of network marketing myself, I think it's a highly misunderstood way to do business. It's a very SMART way to do business I believe.
Why or what was the determining factor for you in starting your own business?

BB: I was tired of punching a time clock. I didn't want someone else to make decisions for me. If I want to go to a tea party at daycare, I wanted to go. If I want to take a 3 day weekend, I wanted to do it. It really all comes from being in control of my time.

I think the other major thing was that as an employee you keep the bosses checks coming in. The employee really controls it all. However, you don't see many employees getting the recognition that they deserve. Working for yourself is rewarding every single day, and the rewards don't ever stop coming.

KB: Thank you for sharing your wisdom here Brande. You have not only the passion it takes to make a business successful but very much the WHY. I couldn't agree with you more!
What, in your experience, has been the greatest benefit in running and owning your own business? What do you like best about your business?

BB: The greatest benefit is that I am able to put my family first. At the drop of a hat I can be anywhere, doing whatever it is that needs to be done. My girls don't like to admit it, but they think it's pretty cool when mom can be at all their events. Markus often enjoys lunch with mom at daycare. I think that these are the things that will mean the most as they grow up and look back. WOW! We were lucky mom never had to miss anything we did.

What I like best about my business is helping others. Many of you know my story about losing both my parents, grandparents and aunt all to cancer within a 5 year period. I take the experience of this, and try to help others understand the importance of health insurance. Once they understand the importance, we can then set them up a plan that is affordable and built around their needs. So many agents only care about the sale, and by making my client understand I am here to help them, we build a business relationship that is rock solid.

KB: That's the key isn't it Brande - helping and caring. NOT the sale alone. I in fact, have lost some in my family to the same diseases and while I didn't react the same way as you (I beat a path to natural alternatives), I admire you turning such tragedy into a positive and for all the right reasons!

Running a business takes a certain "mindset" so tell us what is the most difficult or challenging part of having and running your own business:

BB: LOL..Mindset huh? Goodness, besides being an agent, I am building a position in the management levels of our company. Because of this I am training agents as well. I think that the most challenging part for me right now is getting people to see past the money. Dont get me wrong, the income is important, but the clients have to be the first priority.

You treat your clients right, offer good customer service, and always keep in contact in one form or another, and the money comes.

Its easy to get wrapped up in the residual income, bonuses, etc. But without a great client/agent relationship your business isnt going anywhere. Your clients will give you referrals which is about 60% of your business. Your clients have to be your priority ALWAYS!!

KB: Amen Brande! Who is your primary target audience? How do you attract them?

BB: Everyone is my target market. However, we do specialize in self- employed business owners. Most of my contacts come from referrals. I do use several methods of advertising, which include internet leads, pole signs, classified ads, trade shows car signs, and the best of the best..word of mouth. I use the 3 foot rule..If you're within 3 feet of me, you're going to know what it is that I do.

I am in the process of developing a new lead generating website for the states that I am licensed in. Once that is complete, I will receive a large number of my propsects from that. The number of requests for health insurance online is simply unbelievable.

KB: Oh I LOVE your 3 foot rule. Hmmm, now you've got me thinking, LOL! Can you share with our readers what you are currently doing to promote your business? How do you integrate your online promotions with your offline promotions?

BB: Everything I do to promote my business is integrating online with offline. All of my online information is on every marketing tool I use. All of my offline contact information is online. Wherever I am or whatever I am doing, I always have business cards, flyers, etc. If you're not giving or telling someone something about your business, your missing a terrific opportunity.

KB: I agree and you are so dynamic Brande, how can anyone resist? Is your business primarily online or offline or both?

BB: Primarily, I am really for all purposes offline. If I am not out meeting people, I am not making money. I refuse to write a policy for anyone that I can't sit down and walk through exactly what they are getting.

I do have two company websites....These are both for the promotion of the insurance and then separate benefits package. I am currently working on a lead generation website and a personal website as well.

I don't have any marketing materials that don't include my websites. They go on everything!

KB: You are a wise and brilliant business woman Brande! What is your best source of customers, prospects and/or clients?

BB: My best source really comes from word of mouth and the referrals from my clients. If you're working with people that are happy they are going to tell others. When I leave an appointment I always ask for the referral.

I also do a mailing every quarter or so asking for new referrals. If you have been good to your clients, they will typically send you some.

KB: I think that for so many women, including me, the ASKING for the referral is the hardest. It's getting easier though!

Since we’re are having this interview on the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce channel, we know you are a member of this organization but are you a member of any other professional organizations? If so, would you please tell us a little bit about them and why you chose these particular organizations to affiliate yourself and your business?

BB: You're right, I am a Lifetime Member of the IVWCC. I am getting ready to join the ABWA in the near future. I believe that you need to surround yourself with successful people if you want to be successful. While the IVWCC is basically virtual businesses, and I am not, the knowledge and environment is fantastic!! I have made a lot of terrific contacts and friends there.

The ABWA is more on a local level for me. It gives me the opportunity to meet other successful women locally. I am a better face to face person, and with this organization I have the opportunity to book speaking engagements which is right up my alley.

KB: Oh I agree, the IVWCC has been a major difference in my business. Online networking groups are rising in number so are you a member of any online networking groups?

BB: I belong to Ryze, Spoke, Ecademy, and I think a couple of others. Again, I have made some great contacts with these as well. In fact I run two networking groups on Ryze. My problem is that I need to get better about taking time out of my schedule to network more in these groups.

I have dropped a few of the groups that haven't worked well for me in the past. So, I intend to get really invloved in these with the new year here.

KB: I'm going to have to start asking, is anyone NOT a member of Ryze, LOL! On average, how often do you visit those networks? Do you post messages there regularly, or are you more of an information seeker and lurker?

BB: A couple of them I am really good at visiting, others not so great. I do tend to be more of a reader than anything, but every now and then I will post. This is another goal of mine to get more posting done.

KB: I'm a bit like you Brande, I do mostly read in some places and in others I actively particpate. There is so much information out there to learn, we could spend all doing that instead of working. Selectiveness is important too!
Moving onto a very vital subject in online business, on average, how many email messages do you receive every day?

BB: Total emails....about 300 daily

KB: Yikes, that is a lot. About how many of those emails are actually email you either requested, from clients, or pertinent information?

BB: LOL...mot many! I would say probably 50-60 or so. These numbers will change drastically once my lead generating webpage is up and running. Of course this number jumps during the IVWCC Meet and Greets :-)

KB: Do they ever! What is your number one complaint, if any, about email? ...and how do you think it could be resolved?

BB: My biggest problem is that there are so many spam filters etc., out there that the GOOD mail can't get through. I send out a lot of quotes via email, and there are certain online services that I just can't reach my clients on. The worst being AOL.

I can understand security, but I feel that this is a real issue especially for those that build their business legally and primarily using email.

KB: You've just hit the nerve of so many legitimate online marketers Brande. That's exactly the consensus.
Do you publish a newsletter / ezine?

BB: My newsletter is set for the first issue to go out on January 30. The content will be information about changes within the healthcare industry. It will have articles for healthy living, recipes, etc. I will also have a resource page to my favorite online website and business partners.

It will be delivered by email using html. Currently I have been producing a newsletter offline, but I need to simplify this, and I think that email is the way to do it.

KB: How about generating new subscribers? How do you do that or is that even a consideration in your type of newsletter?

BB: On my websites there will be a place to subscribe. However anyone that requests information is automatically added to the list with the option to opt out at any time. I will be doing a sweepstakes to increase my subscriber database. In the past, this has worked wonderfully.

KB: Oh that sounds fun! Do you subscribe to any newsletters? If so, what is the delivery format?

BB: Most newsletters that I receive are through email. Many are business building related and of course I have many from the insurance field.

KB: So, then are you familiar with RSS?

BB: I am not really familiar with RSS, however I am very willing to learn about it and try to implement it.

Do you read or subscribe to any RSS feeds/blogs?

BB: No, but again, I am willing to try anything.

BB: I have written many business articles. They are mostly about motivation, building a team, recruitting, etc. This is one of my 2005 goals, I want to get back into writing and educating people about the health insurance industry, and more business articles.

I will be providing this articles to public lists. Before I had many picked up by various newsletters and online magazines, so I am sure that I will repeat this again.

My real wish for my writing is to become an editor for a couple of online or print magazines. Sort of a Dear Abby of business...LOL You know, people send in their questions and I respond. Whether I know the answer or have to go and find it, doesnt matter, they get their answer in the next edition. Should I be fortunate enough to land this position, I hope that the questions will grow so that only a portion can published and the rest will be personally responded to.

KB: That sounds like a plan and one I'd love to do too! Have you ever submitted a press release?

BB: I have submitted press releases in the past and will be doing so again soon with the help of Kim Beasley. Press releases are a great tool, IF you can get them printed. I have had good and bad experiences with them. My understanding is that Kim is a pro in this department, so I am anxious to see how it goes. Ask me in about a month and I will share the results with you.

KB: LOL, Kim is a pro at a lot of things! What is the most creative thing you have done to attract customers?

BB: LOL...oh my. I am not sure how creative it is, but here are a couple of my favorite things.

On Halloween, I do little bags of treats, of course my business card is in each one. This actualy works pretty well!

I have these paper $1000 bills that I have printed up. It really looks like real money, but on the back it says, " Let Me Save You Thousands On Your Health Insurance" then all my contact info. If you fold them just right, and just drop them around, its hilarious to see people scramble for them...LOL

Every bill that I pay includes a business card. Ok, this one is a little off the wall, but you know how you get all those offers in the mail with self addressed envelopes? Well, sometimes I will return it with only my business card. Believe it or not, I do get GOOD responses sometimes.

And yes, all my children have tshirts and sweatshirts that say on the back, "Ask me what my mom does". I don't torture them and make them wear them all the time, but when I do trade shows, and booths at festivals they do. It brings some good laughs and a lot of interest. And yes, the kids like the attention it gets them.

KB: Hey Brande, those are some VERY good and creative ways to promote your business. I think I might latch onto a couple of those myself! I like the one about returning your business card in the offers you get in the mail!

If there was one thing you wish you had (other than time!) to help you grow
your business, what would it be?

BB: Since I spend a lot of time in my car, I want to get mobile internet service. My husband thinks I am crazy, that I need some "my" time from appointment to appointment. However, when on the road, I talk to a lot of people and if I had this, I could easliy set appoints and such. Of course I would only do this while parked :-)

KB: But of course! If you could offer a word of advice to someone wishing to start a business in
your field, what would you tell them?

BB: It doesnt really matter what business, the word is the same... FAITH!

Have faith and believe in yourself first, once you do this be sure that what your doing your 100% passionate about. If you do both of these, success is yours. Stay true to yourself and NEVER let anyone or anything take your dream away.