How's your summer going? Ican't believe that we are coming close to the “unofficial end” in acouple of weeks. To be honest, this has probably been my mostdifficult summer to date. Business has been great, but myfather is currently in hospice so “Juggle” has been my middle nameover the past few months. I know that I don't share a lot ofmy personal side here, but just want to give a shout out to ourindustry, as I cannot think of another career where I could havethe flexibility to be able to run my NYC-based company fromMissouri and help care for my father. Truly incredible.

I have also been introduced so some really fascinating women inour industry and that has been one of the highlights of mysummer! I'm excited to continue our second year with storiesfrom Brandy and Marcy. Both share how they have embraced theiruniqueness and set the bar high to deliver value to theirclients.

Brandy Hartin, VoluntaryDisruption

“2018 has been a remarkable year of major milestones for thisKentucky girl. My number one philanthropic passion, Children's Dream Racer, which I introduced at the 2014National Association ofHealth Underwriters Conference, received over $220,000 incharitable contributions, placed 12 racecar entertainment devicesin hospitals nationwide, and has 10 more race cars in the works,which will be placed in hospitals over the next 12 months. Igrew up knowing that I could accomplish anything I put my mindto. Through perseverance, hard work and dedication, I haveachieved the unthinkable. After leaving a 22-year career as abroker sales rep, I recently joined forces as the National SalesDirector with Eric Silverman, founder and CEO of VoluntaryDisruption. Breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling has beenand will be one of my greatest accomplishments to date. I amconfident in the paths that I have taken and sure-footed in thepaths I am about to take. Make no mistake, it will be asRobert Frost would say, on the “road less traveled.” Beingunique sets me apart from the status quo — and I love it!”

Marcy S. Heath, InoVentive Solutions

“This has been an amazing year ofgrowth, both professionally and personally. After 20 years inthe industry, I took my agency in a different direction this year.I've transitioned to a benefits advisor, selling outcomes insteadof activity. This has been a tremendous advantage for ourclients. I implement innovative tools, solutions andstrategies to contain cost, focus on employees needs and build theplan backwards. I've been pushed to challenge the status quoand have quality conversations with the C-Suite. It is awonderful time to be in our industry, we thrive from educatingemployees on how to be virtuous consumers within their health careplans. The definition of insanity is doing the same thingover and over again, but expecting different results. I'veapplied this motto to my agency; I feel it is important to never beafraid to take risk and grow. Being average is not an option,we are different because we deliver value.

I have an amazing opportunity to collaborate with benefitadvisors around the country within my Mastermind Partnership. I am featured on our local radio station twice a year to update thecommunity on what is happening in our industry and I have spoken tolocal groups on different topics related to our industry. Iam a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist and just completed myCertification for Healthcare Reform Professional.”

As always, if you know of great women in the field who areworking hard to make this this industry event better, send me anemail introduction at [email protected]. I'd loveto connect!