My Life Before and Within ASM
Born in 1974, I grew up in the housing projects of Elyton Village and the youngest of 4 siblings. Growing up I had the best of both worlds with 2 grandmothers known for cooking, sewing, drawing, and leaders in the community.
On Sundays we would have dinner with my Mudear (my Uncle/dad mother) with 5 course meals and the China to serve. I share this to say, I was given a taste of the finer things in life through her and through my dad. Having a taste then has only stirred my desire to continue them.
At 14 I became a mother to my oldest son, by 19 a mother again, and then I waited 18 years later for my third son.
Being a single mother is the one thing that has always driven me to be the best I could be so, in 1997 I told Uncle Sam thank you for the support but from here we (God and me) got it and ended my section 8 and food stamps, why, because I knew that I had to get up and change if I did not want to remain a full time recipient of his support. So, my career journey began from preschool, jewelry sales, office manager, associate agent, marketing specialist, and now after 20 years as an agent limited success in my endeavors to remain independent and free.
In 2015 I am now a stay-at-home wife and mother when me, my sister, and our mom were getting off I-65 at the Greenspring’s exit and my sister sees the Hiring Agents sign; she says, “get the number you should call,” I say naw, I am tired of insurance,” so she gets the number and says, “you should call, you might like it and nobody can never tell you anything,” with an attitude. So, I call and meet my blessings, the S&A Group. Know mind you, I was burnt out on corporate America, so when I get here, my mind is already made up and then they mention the word commission. Wait, say that again. Not interested and turn down the opportunity. Ms. Ashley says, “what about Administration no selling,” I accept, and new relationships begin new attitude for me is created but I walk away in 2017 to pursue a passion that is not yet ready for me.
In 2019 Ms. Ashley reaches out to me in March to bring me back into the fold, Sept of 2019 (after my grandsons go back to NC) something on the inside is not sitting well as far as my accomplishments, what my plans are, where I am headed at 45 which was nowhere; still running into dead ends, brick walls, failure.
By October 2019, Coach is now coming to the office more than I ever seen before, so I ask to talk with him. He says, “lets meet for dinner and discuss your issues.”
Once again, I (me, no one else), almost lost it all once again by plugging into office negativity- something I have never done in the office realm or school. But I did and almost paid the ultimate price, that was my worst moment.
Coach’s words to me that night were simple, “go to your manager, communicate, complete something in your life, be here 1 year from now, listen, and follow, it’s up to you.
Becoming a six-figure ring earner is both difficult and a pleasure all in one complete package. The difficulty is staying focused, determined, and accountable and the pleasure is doing the difficult things. Each day I remind myself of my contributions to the corporate teams and how I showed up for them, worked 8:30 -5 did as I was told and followed their system and when you look at it it is the same principles to your own life (personal and business). But with ASM it is more so for you than it is for anyone else and the best of it all is FREEDOM.
My next goal is a 250k ring- I am excited to see how I will push myself, how I will continue to change, and who I can help come with me as I pursue and accomplish the new me.
I have never been a person to say much, observation is key, and I had to get back to that; observing Ms. Ashley her tenacity to be the best, Mr. Shannon his passion to pour knowledge into you, and Coach the same traits if not better to help you see how you are in your own way.
Lincoln Heritage, ASM, and the S&A Group have changed my life for the better and as they say, “We Just Getting Started!”
You vs. You- there is 2 of you- which one will you become, the Winner or the lose.
– The Wise Old Owl