Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Torres.
Hi Lisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Many would believe I’m incredibly lucky. The truth is. Everything I have, I have worked ferociously for. I use my mind, my heart, my spirit and all who I am to accomplish everything I desire. I believe in manifestation, I believe in creating your own destiny, on creating your own future and making your own dreams come true. The trick is never ever giving up, no matter how difficult it gets. It is my belief dreams are a pending reality for those who really wish to make it happen themselves. I’ve been told “no” many times before and every time I am… I step back, recharge and do it 100 times better and bigger. I pray I one day inspire little girls from everywhere to believe they can be & they will be if they believe in themselves.
I am 33, my parents were born in Mexico and I was born and raised in a small sun city called El Paso, Texas. Both of my parents only graduated high school and moved to the USA in order to give my two older brothers and I a better life. I’m the youngest of three and the only girl. I contribute a lot of who I am to the wonderful childhood my family allowed me to have. My parents always supported every crazy idea & adventure I had. My brothers, my amazing brothers have always been my biggest cheerleaders. I love how we always worked together, everything we desired we accomplished as one… it was beautiful. Growing up, my philosophy became to take care of my “name”, myself and become somebody. My first butterfly accomplishments were becoming captain of my volleyball varsity team along with succeeding as the winner for a beauty pageant in my school and being crowned homecoming queen for my senior class. It wasn’t about the tiaras or titles… it was the sense of victory that came with each one. I like feeling capable and I have never changed my mind since.
I fell in love at the tender age of 14 and as I did, I saw my future. I had a vision of what I wanted my own family to be and I knew the boy, I had fallen for could help me accomplish that. This year marks 20 years together, 11 of those as man and wife. We have two perfect, small sons, who teach us every day how to be gracious and tolerant while living to the fullest & loving dinosaurs. Although my life has been unimaginably blessed, we’ve had our struggles and we are no strangers to rock bottom. In 2009 just a month after saying our “I do’s” my husband was let go of his “stable” managerial job. We were only 22 & 24, we had “borrowed” a place to live and had only one car to our name. I remember running out of water and having to wear multiple layers of clothes inside our own home as propane was expensive and the heater was for emergency use only. I recall holding on to my overly optimistic spirit & believing love, faith and perseverance would take care of it all. It did. I knew, one day everything would fall into place. Every experience lived was to build me, to build us and so they have.
I have been in the insurance industry 15 years, I started working my senior year in high school and never stopped since. I have always been aware that whatever I want , is up to me. I started my journey in a small family own & operated company founded in my home city and state. I enjoyed everything about it. The challenge of learning complex licensing, the terminology, the opportunity to learn and grow but most importantly the discipline and structure. I wanted to be a veterinarian growing up and my love for animals wouldn’t allow me to believe I could be anything else. Until I found my calling. My calling to serve and care for others selflessly.
I went from an entry level customer service representative to a key holder, a second in command then a multiple store-office manager. Right when I though that position was “my top” my heart reminded me I could do more. The wings that hugged me were wider and ready to fly higher… so I did. I applied for an out of state position that would require me to relocate and leave behind everything I knew. As a small town girl, I was nervous, scared but eager and brave. I was ready to leave my small hometown, my friends, my family, my comfort. I was blessed with the opportunity to run a state with 30+ offices under my leadership. Offices that I developed and grew from the ground up. Not once did I blink to take charge & learn the ropes, I was terrified but I never flinched. I began to deal & work with people of all ages , all backgrounds all ethnicities . I remember being fascinated by the stories, the upbringings and cultures. I think I forgot how much work was ahead of me when I realized how incredible humanity is. It was this moment I knew , the secret to dealing with people … is to treat them the way you’d like your most fragile loved ones to be treated. Customers / People can be allies in accomplishing success. Surround yourself by people that lift you and allow you to do the same. Be nice, be generous and watch magical things happen at home , school , work & life. We are all one color, we are red at the heart.
I’ll share, much of my knowledge I gained on my own. Listening to speakers & journalists. Talking to people of all ages and experiences, reading , reading books on leadership and healthy mindsets. I’ve always been one to admit when I don’t know something. I consider myself coachable & willing to learn and grow regardless of my experience.
I arrived to Atlanta at the young age of 24. I carried a single bag. A bag full of dreams, hopes and aspirations. I couldn’t wait to experience the people, the culture, the city, the entire state. I had no clue what would come from this adventure I just knew I was ready. After a week of meeting and greeting what would be my city & my new team. I was offered to go “home” for a week and come back to “work.” Turns out, I was already home. I didn’t need to go anywhere.
Since that April day of 2012. Atlanta, the whole state of Georgia to be more precise, is home. Home to me and my boys. After 12 years of devotion and loyalty to a company that saw and helped me grow, I decided to take my biggest leap of faith. Everyone predicted I’d get home sick & go back to my safe zone. Not only was I not home sick, I was determined to build my dreams here. New dreams , big dreams, from scratch, from my heart. I had become a mom and that woke up the best version of me. I wanted to be present, I wanted to give my family their time and the generous love they deserved. After 12 years working 60+ hours a week. I was hungry for a work life balance. We didn’t have much, but we had everything to win. We prayed and decided it was time to hustle for us. Only for us. Even if we failed, we’d get back up. We knew success was the only option and we were ready to fight for it together (the three of us). I did my research and found the opportunity to open up my own business. It was either win or win. This is not just any business, we saw it as a legacy for all of us. I opened up my own agency , an insurance agency that would have my name next to one of the biggest brands in the world. The selection process was extensive and thorough. State Farm celebrated my tenacity . I am forever grateful for those who believed and continue to root for me. I have the best tribe in Texas & Georgia .I thank heaven every night for my team, the ones that help be launch this journey and the ones that still sit by me today. The wind we share is the journey to our continued prosperity and joy.
Today, I am an agency owner an independent contractor for State Farm and humbly happy & successful. I own and run Lisa Torres Insurance Agency. In 2018 we opened our doors and started living the American dream. We’ve earned multiple awards and recognitions not only within our own company but also within the entire state. Out of 19,000 agents we have been top 3%, part of the Honor Club & Ambassadors club as well. For the state, we were Best of Georgia 2020. As a women, daughter of immigrants and a minority, this by far is my biggest crown. There’s four life events in my life that define who I am. The first is the day I married the love of my life. The second is the day our sons were born, the third is the day our agency opened. The last is every day, I realize I am all I need to make my own reality surpass my dreams. The girl in the mirror is my best friend. I am the one person I know will never let me down nor never let me second guess myself. I am proud of Lisa Torres not only for who she is personally & professionally but for the incredible uphill journey that she took & conquered to be so. My best advice is , in the good days , in the bad days , in the lost days YOU have YOU and that’s all you need. Chase your dreams , catch them , celebrate them and while you do … enjoy the heck out of that journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The smoother the road the lesser the reward. The truth is where the struggle is so is the gold. I have been through many struggles, none that have kept me from getting to where I want to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We offer auto insurance, home Insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, business insurance and more. Although we understand there are options out there for everyone, we trust you’ll find the value in our grounded feet. We understand everyone works hard to earn every penny. We want to you to feel you have invested not only I’m proper protection but in service that will support you when you need it most. What makes us different is our old-school kindness. We love to get to know you not only to define your needs but to support who you and your family are. We want to know you by name and be there when you need us most. I have the same energy to serve as I did when I was 18. I’m not retiring anytime soon and I am known for being In the trenches along with my team. We are community-driven and also reach out to under-served pockets within the Atlanta metro area. As we continue to grow we have turned to more charity work, donations and contributions for our health workers and teachers. 2020 was a big year for us. We were recognized as one of Georgia’s Best Insurance agencies in the State. Ironically. We weren’t focused on our goals that year. We were focused on people, on giving, helping and nourishing… who knew we’d be noticed and celebrated.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
My biggest lesson has been before you look around you to see who’s going to support you. Look to you and make sure you are ready. Make sure you for your own back. Waiting on others is not having control of your own destiny. Take risks. Believe and pray while you do so.
Contact Info:
- Email: Lisa@lisatorres.org
- Website: www.lisatorres.org
- Instagram: @lisa_torres_state_farm
- Facebook: @lisatorresagency
- Other: Google: @lisatorresagency
