Today we’d like to introduce you to Trudi Free.
Hi Trudi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was adopted at birth and placed in the most amazing family. My parents were married for 60 years before my dad passed in 2001 an my mom passed in 2023 a few months short of her 100th birthday. I started doing sales in the early 80’s (although I always sold anything and everything door to door… pot holders, candles, cookies, candy etc… growing up), I worked for different companies all that shut down due to the economy (or bad management) and in 1994, I decided that I didn’t want to keep looking for a job, due to no fault of my own, so I self studied to get my securities license, passed the test on the first try and then decided to add an insurance license to broaden my business. I self studied for that and passed the test the first time there as well. I have just evolved into what I do now. I genuinely like people, love to talk and learn people’s stories. We all have one and a past and people enjoy telling theirs. I represent most health, dental, life and vision carriers as well as voluntary (accident, disability, cancer, heart) products. Everyone also has a different history and what is important to one, may not be important to another. I put in place and service companies with group/employer insurance and also represent Healthcare.gov on the individual side. There is no cost for what I do… I am paid/covered through the carriers. I am here to help people get through the mussy water! Although, I have been doing this since January 1995, I can still read something and think… “what does that say?”, so I can only imagine what someone who is not in this industry see when they try to find what health insurance is going to the best for them and their family. I truly love what I do and so many of my clients want me to evolve into Medicare coverage, so that I can continue to assist. I feel, as do they – they we are friends and not just their agent.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say that the hardest thing was adjusting to not getting a ‘normal paycheck’, because this industry is all 1099 – you get paid when you sell something. I learned to pay myself on a weekly basis. Writing out money for Christmas, income taxes, home improvement and so many other things. My bank account would show that it is there, but my check register did not – it was already written out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been self employed for 30 years, making me the head chef, cook and bottle washer. If it needs to be done – I am the one to do it.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I like people and don’t take the rejection personally. My thought has been – some will, some won’t, so what. Persistence prevails when all else fails, is a sign that I saw many years ago and it stuck with me.
Pricing:
- There is no cost for what I do, I am covered by the carriers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benefitsolutionsoftexas.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Benefitsolutionsoftexas/
- LinkedIn: https://www.facebook.com/Benefitsolutionsoftexas/
