 
When Lisa Laliberte, CLU, ChFC, made a change
in careers--at age 26, from high-school math teacher to multiline
agent, she was still able to put her teaching skills to good use
educating her clients about the importance of life insurance.
"A lot of people don't understand insurance,"
she says. "They know they need it because they heard they need
it, but they don't understand why they need it."
Now the president-elect of NAIFA-Maine and the
awards chair for her local, NAIFA-Androscoggin Valley, Laliberte
is also on the national Leadership In Life Institute (LILI) committee.
Just 37, Laliberte is beginning to see the possibilities of becoming
involved in NAIFA at a national leadership level.
Laliberte recently spent time with Advisor Today
talking about what it means to be young in this business and a member
of NAIFA.
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| “For
someone new in the industry, NAIFA provides the foundation
that you need to have a long, successful career." |
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AT YAT Chat: Tell
us how you got into the insurance business.
Laliberte: I graduated from college with a degree
in mathematics and was pursuing a high-school teaching career. My
husband's uncle was a 30-year agent with State Farm. He was preparing
to retire. He has a couple of children of his own, but none were
in a position to come into the business and take over his agency.
So he asked if I'd be interested in changing careers. I was 24.
I thought at the time that I had nothing to lose
by looking at this and seeing what it would involve. He asked me
two years prior to his retirement, so I had two years to consider
it. Ultimately, I came in with the attitude that if the worst thing
that happens to me is I go back to teaching, life's not going to
be so bad. Am I glad I made the change? Yes. What an opportunity
this career has presented me with!
AT YAT Chat: Can
you describe your practice for us?
Laliberte: We have a heavy P/C base, but with a
focus on life insurance and financial services. I think that we're
very fortunate to be involved with a multiline company. The P/C
brings customers to the door, and my office can then target them
with our new financial services and life insurance products.
AT YAT Chat: How
has your NAIFA membership contributed to your growth and success
in the business as a young advisor?
Laliberte: One of the top benefits of membership
is the networking--meeting people from different companies, being
able to talk with them. We may be competitive by nature, but we're
not competitive in practice. We all want each other to succeed.
So we share stories and tips on how to get the job done.
The second benefit is the elevation to a professional
status. I am a member of my 'professional association.' That distinguishes
me from the guy who opened his shop on the corner.
AT YAT Chat: Why
is it important for young advisors to become members and stay members?
Laliberte: With the way our industry is transitioning,
it's becoming more difficult than ever to have a career in it. For
someone new to the industry, NAIFA provides the foundation they
need to have a long and successful career.
It gives you a pool of mentors who can help you
along in your career, who can encourage you when you're feeling
down, because they've all been through it. People do get through
it, but I remember those early years. The first two years were really
tough.
AT YAT Chat: What
obstacles did you face in those early years?
Laliberte: Remember, I had a book of business from
my husband's uncle, so prospecting wasn't an issue. Marketing wasn't
difficult because people knew my company's name brand. One obstacle
was closing—for me it was finding the confidence to do it.
The difference came when I started taking my professional designation
classes. I saw that the more classes I took, the better I was doing.
There was a direct correlation there.
AT YAT Chat: What
have been some of your greatest experiences as a young NAIFA member?
Laliberte: A few years back our state president
made a couple of announcements about the LILI program. I had just
finished my CLU and ChFC designations. I really enjoy reading, opportunities
for growth, so this seemed like another opportunity. I looked into
it, went through the program, and I was really affected personally
and professionally. It has made me a better employer, wife, sister
and friend.
I've also had the opportunity to have personal
conversations with David Woods, Larry Lambert and Tom Curry. They
really take the time to encourage you. Larry Lambert once took the
time to send me a book of quotes, telling me to 'keep up the good
work.'
It's really a great thrill to be a young person
in the industry and have the chance to sit down and talk with these
industry icons.
January 2005
YAT
Spotlight: Lisa Laliberte, CLU, ChFC
What is
Your “A” Game?
How to Hold
a Successful YAT Meet & Greet
Mentoring
for Success
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