Stick with it

Many of us, including myself, started our firms out of our homes. The one thing I didn't anticipate when I started out on my own was the loneliness factor. I came from a company with hundreds of employees and thrived off of the hustle and bustle. That buzz was noticeably missing—it was a factor that hadn't even occurred to me.

After months of wracking my brain and adopting a cat (he became the VP of the company and still is today) I created structure. I started every day by attending a morning coffee group and connecting with other people for an hour. I made sure I had two meetings each day that were outside of my home office, whether it was a prospect, a client, a networking coffee or stopping by my general agent's office to drop off cases or brainstorm with other brokers. By year two, I had an office and started adding employees and the rest is history. Looking back, I don't really think I would have changed a thing. Struggling is what builds your character, though I do wish there had been someone to give me the heads up. Drive, determination, and tenacity will get you 75 percent through this career; the other 25 percent is just being at the right place at the right time and listening to peers and mentors who can give you sage advice.