Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Guzman
Hi Olivia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2020, when COVID was on a rise, I started my insurance career. My aunt has been an insurance agent for over 20 years, and she opened her very own agency and hired me as a CSR. Shortly after, I became licensed and started to sell homeowners, auto, commercial and recreational policies. My aunt took me under her wing and passed all her knowledge onto me! Fast forward two years later, I decided it was time for a change! At the age of 22, I took the leap of faith and opened Casmar Insurance Agency with my cousin. We were hitting records, winning promotions and were one of the top agencies at the captive agency my aunt owned. So we figured, imagine if we had multiple carriers? We then went independent, working with Progressive, Nationwide, The Hartford and several other carriers! And we haven’t looked back since!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but has been worthwhile. In 2022, the first year we opened, the insurance market was hit pretty bad. The carriers were pulling out of new business in Texas, raising rates, changing guidelines and completely threw us for a loop! We started our business with zero clients, instead of buying a book of business like most agents do. We thought our monthly sales would be the same as if we were working for the captive agency, but didn’t realize the way we would operate would be completely different. We literally started from scratch. Furthermore, as young, Latina women, sometimes the industry can not take you seriously and we definitely felt that from our higher ups and felt the pressure even more.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As second-generation insurance agents and Fort Worth natives, raised and mentored by a family of insurance professionals with nearly 40 years of combined insurance experience, we have the profound knowledge and expertise to meet all your insurance needs. We provide homeowners, auto, life, recreational and commercial products. We partnered with the most trusted, nationally recognized and top-rated insurance companies in the industry to fit our insureds needs!
At the Casmar Insurance Agency, you’re more than just a policy number. Unlike “1-800” and online insurance companies, where you’ll likely never speak to the same person twice, our agency provides personalized service to every client.
We are most proud of being able to establish professional relationships, educate and protect our clients most valuable assets.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking takes a lot of guts! I consider myself a risk-taker because I had to start from zero and build my book of business. I went from a guaranteed paycheck to a not-so-guaranteed paycheck when I first started my agency. My biggest advice, is making plan A the best plan so you wont need a plan B! You have to tell yourself it will work out, so it will. It’s all about your mindset.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://casmaragency.com/
Image Credits:
Darius Spain (@shotsbyspain)
