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

I have also been introduced so some really fascinating women in our industry and that has been one of the highlights of my summer!  I'm excited to continue our second year with stories from Brandy and Marcy. Both share how they have embraced their uniqueness and set the bar high to deliver value to their clients.

Brandy Hartin, Voluntary Disruption 

“2018 has been a remarkable year of major milestones for this Kentucky girl.  My number one philanthropic passion, Children's Dream Racer, which I introduced at the 2014 National Association of Health Underwriters Conference, received over $220,000 in charitable contributions, placed 12 racecar entertainment devices in hospitals nationwide, and has 10 more race cars in the works, which will be placed in hospitals over the next 12 months.  I grew up knowing that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.  Through perseverance, hard work and dedication, I have achieved the unthinkable.  After leaving a 22-year career as a broker sales rep, I recently joined forces as the National Sales Director with Eric Silverman, founder and CEO of Voluntary Disruption. Breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling has been and will be one of my greatest accomplishments to date.  I am confident in the paths that I have taken and sure-footed in the paths I am about to take.  Make no mistake, it will be as Robert Frost would say, on the “road less traveled.”  Being unique sets me apart from the status quo — and I love it!”

Marcy S. Heath, InoVentive Solutions

“This has been an amazing year of growth, both professionally and personally.  After 20 years in the industry, I took my agency in a different direction this year. I've transitioned to a benefits advisor, selling outcomes instead of activity.  This has been a tremendous advantage for our clients.  I implement innovative tools, solutions and strategies to contain cost, focus on employees needs and build the plan backwards.  I've been pushed to challenge the status quo and have quality conversations with the C-Suite.  It is a wonderful time to be in our industry, we thrive from educating employees on how to be virtuous consumers within their health care plans.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.  I've applied this motto to my agency; I feel it is important to never be afraid 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 benefit advisors around the country within my Mastermind Partnership.  I am featured on our local radio station twice a year to update the community on what is happening in our industry and I have spoken to local groups on different topics related to our industry.  I am a Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist and just completed my Certification for Healthcare Reform Professional.”

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