Today we’d like to introduce you to Imelda Estrada.
Imelda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been driven and from a young age I was determined to do something meaningful with my life. I didn’t have a very conventional childhood, for the first few years of my life I was raised by a single immigrant parent. I refused to be a statistic and I knew I would have to work really hard to be successful, especially once I realized that college wasn’t going to be an option for me. There was no way my dad was able to afford the hefty tuition and I didn’t qualify for any financial aid, so I knew I had no other option but to work hard.
Throughout high school I juggled my school schedule with my work schedule. By the time I graduated high school I was managing a restaurant of about 30 employees. It’s crazy to think that I was managing people twice, even triple my age but I was instilled with a great work ethic from a young age and I have always tried to lead by example. It’s never mattered what job I have had, I have always taken it very seriously and given it my best. I first started doing insurance about 8 years ago, working for other successful agents. I dove into it and learned as much as I could. I was constantly at the top of the sales board, my boss at the time noticed and suggested I should operate my own agency. Through much support from the company, friends and family, I opened the doors of Imelda Estrada Agency in 2015. I hit the ground running and I am so proud to be top in my district. A couple weeks ago we opened the doors to our very own office in Fort Worth 5326 Birchman Ave. It’s incredible how much we’ve grown in such a short amount of time, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing clients that continue to support and trust us!
I would say my passion for helping people really came from helping my dad. Like many immigrant children, I often found myself helping with everyday matters like reading mail, filling out paperwork and constantly translating. The older I got, the more I realized how often my dad was taken advantage of because of the language barrier or lack of education. Seeing how hard he worked to provide for our family really sparked my passion for helping people insure their MOST expensive purchases while educating them on their choices. When I help a client insure their car or home, it’s more than just a policy to me. It’s insuring the vehicle that takes their kids to school everyday in which they have great conversations in, or the home in which the family spends quality time making lifetime memories. I make sure my clients know that no matter what happens, I have their back. I am truly honored to be the person they trust with their most valuable possessions!
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?
When I first started my business I really struggled with my confidence as a business owner. I knew very little about what it takes to own and operate a business. Many times I felt under-qualified, especially being surrounded by great agents and business owners, some who had gone to business school and had many years of experience under their belt. Through experience and hard work I have been able to overcome that struggle. I’m happy to say that I have made some great relationships and I’m so honored when my colleagues come to me for advice. I really feel like I am proof of the fact that you really can do or be anything you want, as long as you’re willing to work hard for it. It’s something I try to show my son everyday.
Another struggle that I think many insurance agents deal with, including myself is not getting emotionally involved in client’s unfortunate situations. My clients are like family and it’s very difficult for me to listen to some of the stories about loss of homes, autos, businesses and sometimes even lives. As their insurance agent, I am the one they come to when things go wrong, but sometimes at the end of the day it’s difficult to detach from the stories and pain I see my clients go through. Which is why I constantly stress to them the importance of life insurance. I have witnessed horrible situations in which a spouse has no way to pay for burial services, and children left in the dark. I really try to explain to all my clients that a few extra dollars a month could really make all the difference if tragedy strikes. At the end of the day it’s a client’s choice if they want life insurance, but I often find myself feeling like I could’ve done more to express the importance of it. This is still a very active struggle in my business, I’m constantly trying to learn new ways to bring awareness to all my customers.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My agency represents Farmers Insurance, a National A Rated company that has been around since the 1920s. We provide protection for Auto, Homes, Life and Business along with many other products. We take great pride in always putting our client’s needs first and always doing it with a smile.
These days, you can find and buy anything online including insurance. Here at Imelda Estrada Agency, we really try to educate the community on how important it is that you have a local agent that can really sit down with you and create the best insurance plan for your needs. Additionally that can have your back when you need it most, having an agent that can go to bat for you can make a huge difference. Everyone’s needs are so different and there really isn’t a one size fits all plan. I think what our clients really love is that when they call our office a familiar face is always on the other side, they’re not having to deal with 5 different customer service reps every time they have a question or need advice.
We give each client fast, friendly and honest service. We stride to not only educate our clients but also make sure they have the best experience with us. I’m very proud of how fast my agency has grown, the best part is that we mostly get referral business, it’s truly a testament to how hard we work to treat each client like family.
What were you like growing up?
One of my favorite movies as a child was Matilda, because I related to her independence and determination. Since I was a little girl I have always been fearless in a way, going after the things that I want. I was often labeled “bossy” but I was always the one everyone came to when things needed to get done! I was also very competitive and tried to excel in my studies. I have always found great pleasure helping people, which is why I’m so passionate about my industry!
Contact Info:
- Address: 5326 Birchman Ave
Fort Worth, Tx 76107 - Website: https://agents.farmers.com/tx/fort-worth/imelda-estrada
- Phone: 8175917818
- Email: iestrada@farmersagent.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estradainsuranceagency/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/farmers-insurance-imelda-estrada-north-richland-hills?utm_content=btn&utm_medium=imessage_btn&utm_source=m_ishare
Image Credit:
Kristin Gaca, Bri Deleon
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