Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Sanford.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been in the insurance industry for about six years, and loved it! I started as a captive agent, and after several years in the industry, realized I can do more for my clients by going independent. I am blessed to have my husband, Matthew, as my best friend, and business partner. He was the brains behind opening our own insurance company and building a business and legacy to help people with their insurance, and to be able to leave an opportunity for our children. During this whole process, I have realized and overcome many obstacles to being a woman in business. That prompted starting the Women’s Diamond League. It is an elite women’s networking group dedicated to building up women in business. We have been around about a year and a half, and grown tremendously! We have been blessed with so many incredible guest speakers, ranging from TV stars, news anchors, best selling authors, and CEO’s. We have been able to make some incredible connections while focusing on personal and professional development.
I have been blessed by God to be able to run a successful insurance company with the help of my incredible husband and family, as well as grow the Diamond League and help other women in their development.
My faith is the fundamentals of our businesses, and the driver behind everything we do. I say we because I have also realized that you can never be successful by yourself. It takes a tribe to build and grow your visions, and God puts those people in your life if you rely on Him.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If I look back on getting to where I am today, I would have to say it was never as bad as it seemed in the moment. When you are building a business and a brand, you will have those days where you want to throw in the towel and go work at Hobby Lobby where everything is pretty and 40% off. DON’T QUIT! If I look back on the times I felt like that, I realize that my faith was being tested, and I wasn’t relying on God and my team. Whoever your team may be, let them in, let them help build you back up when you are being tested. You are not going through it alone. God is always there you just have to let him in.
My advice would be to get out of your own head. To reset and remember why you are doing it, and what it will be like when you get there. Then, when you get there and reach those goals, set new ones. Always compete with yourself, and only yourself. Enjoy the ride and do not force things that are not supposed to happen. I have found that when things are too hard, and I am forcing ways to make it work, that looking back, it wasn’t supposed to work. If I reflect on the things I have gone through in building the insurance company and the Diamond League, the things that have been the biggest blessings were the easiest to achieve. It sounds weird, doesn’t it?? Don’t get me wrong, I put in the work and effort for all of it, but it was not forced. Pray about it, reflect on it, and have a plan before jumping in, then be willing to go with the flow once you start.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an independent insurance agent. That means we do auto, home, life and business insurance for many different carriers. I work with over 15 A-rated insurance carriers, so I can shop the market for you which makes it easy for you.
What sets us apart, is the fact that we don’t give you a bunch of stuff you don’t need. We are proud to be family owned and operated, and we don’t charge fees. We pride ourselves on providing quality insurance, education on what your buying and we do it with a smile. I have seen insurance work for people, and be there in their most devastating times. It is one of those things you don’t think about and probably doesn’t like paying for… until you need it. Then it is worth every penny. My job is making sure you have what you need.
The Diamond League is my other passion. That is a group focused on building other professional women up and supporting them and their dreams. I love creating an environment that allows women to share and fellowship with each other and learn from each other. My goal at each event or lunch is for everyone to leave having made a friend, learned something, or feels uplifted. To date, I believe at each event I have achieved all three. I love seeing the smiles and the hugs and the laughs at every meeting. I have so many big plans for this group, and the growth is amazing!
I also feel like you should never stop challenging yourself. I have always loved working out, and though it was out of my comfort zone, I got my group fitness certification, and I just got signed on with the fitness center I have had my eye on to teach one of their premier fitness classes! It is so important to take care of yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup! Taking time for physical fitness is a must around here, and should be everywhere. I am super excited to begin teaching fitness classes along with the insurance company and the women’s group. I think there is no cap on what all you can do!
My husband also owns a cattle ranch. That is something he is also building to leave as a legacy. We love going out to the ranch and feeding the cows and watching them grow. It is very different from the business world, and such a joyful experience, even when it does get hard. I am proud of him for wanting to start and grow this business and I love being a part of it.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I am a firm believer that my Dad instilled the hard work gene in me. Growing up, he worked a full-time job as a manager in retail (which means crazy hours), and he also was in the National Guard, all while he made time for us to teach us things and take care of our house. Looking back as an adult with my own children, I so appreciate how hard he worked, while providing for us and making sure he taught us things along the way. It is very hard to balance your ambition with family time, friend time, and self-care. Neither of my parents finished college, so early on, I wanted to be the first one in the family to graduate. To date, I am the first and only to graduate. No one can ever take your education away from you and I encourage anyone that has a desire to go to college to do it for yourself. I love the saying that “hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work” because it is so true. I wasn’t blessed with a specific “talent” I don’t feel like. I can’t sing or dance and I am not necessarily crafty, but I always wanted to be better. I was never afraid to work. I actually really like to work. Those qualities I can say I learned from my Dad. He always worked hard at whatever he did and I hope to pass that on to my children as well.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9500 Ray White Rd St 200
Keller, TX 76244 - Website: www.corininsurance.com and www.womensdiamondleague.com
- Phone: 817-688-4108
- Email: katie@corininsurance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_sanford817/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondLeagueSL/ and https://www.facebook.com/corininsurancegroup/ and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009799328090
Image Credit:
Katie Sanford
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