Happy Holidays!  Is itme or did this year just seem insanely fast?  I know theysay that the older you get, the faster it goes and, as some of youknow, I hit 40 this year and it seems to hold true!  I'mexcited to get to spend Christmas in Missouri. My niece is 2½, soit's going to be really fun to see things through her eyes thisyear.   She's starting to "get it." Still notgoing to sit on Santa's lap, but she's all about thedecorations!

How many of you have your business planning done for2020?  It's been so exciting to hear about such greatideas from women across the country.  This month, I'd liketo introduce you to Laurie and Meg.  These two dynamicwomen are looking toward 2020 with some fantastic opportunities inplace!

LaurieMontalto McGonigle, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group(KELLY)

"Let me start off by saying, I ama "one woman" show.  In 2018, I was tapped by Frank KellyIII, the CEO of KELLY, to develop a new strategic initiative,Enhanced Benefit Sales.  This was an emerging business forus and gave me the ability to be an entrepreneur.  I setforth to learn new products and to understand a business that ourorganization had never truly administered before.

I basically started at ground zero and learned about productsand services about which I had very little knowledge.  I am responsible for the administration, marketing, salesand the technology that drives this segment of ourbusiness.  I handle all tasks, small and large, fromadministration aspects to hosting lunch and learns and weeklyeducational webinars.

The business has grown significantly.  Through myefforts, we added nine new lines of business to our core employeebenefit lines and over 30 new carrier & vendor partners thatcan be administered on KTBSonline, our proprietary billing andeligibility platform.

In the last year alone, I increased the overall revenue for theenhanced benefits lines by over 50 percent.  Last week, wewere able to announce a new carrier partnership that we have beentrying to secure on our platform for over a decade.  I wastold it was my perseverance and tenacity that finally made ithappen.

One of the things I'm most excited about is helping brokersround out their books.  Many who have never soldsupplemental accident, critical illness, pet coverage or legalplans are starting to ask for quotes and incorporating theseproducts into their renewal strategies.  Gaining momentumand looking forward to 2020!"

MegMcComb, McComb Insurance Services

"I founded McComb Insurance Services in 1984. I'm thankful forevery agent, business owner, and family member or friend whoencouraged me along the way. My 2019 New Year's goal was "giveback," and here's what I did:

I completed my term as Chair of the Media Relations Committeefor the National Association of Health Underwriters in June. Mydynamic committee really stepped up the impact of social media bytraining hundreds of NAHU agents nationwide to participate in threesuccessful media campaigns.  I'm honored to now serve onNAHU's National Education Foundation, and look forward to impactingAmerican health awareness.

Since 2017, I've served on the Public Affairs Committee for theVietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, because I live near LittleSaigon in Orange County, California.  Working alongside agroup of smart, hardworking individuals who are proud Americans istruly inspiring!

This fall, I was appointed to the Board of Directors for the CalState Fullerton Center for Leadership, and am honored to serve theuniversity with an amazing group of business leaders. Their TVshow, "Leadership Voice", featured me this month. I shared how Ibuilt McComb Insurance Services through networking, integrity, andDale Carnegie's motto: "You can get anything in this world if youhelp other people get what they want."  I'm excited to bea mentor for a CSUF honor student in 2020!"

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