Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruffin Consulting Services.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Life insurance consulting has been an integral component of my journey since early childhood. Indirectly I learned the importance of life insurance by observing meetings with the life insurance agent and my grandmother. At the time, it was not clear how being a child and observing this interaction would show up in my future as a life insurance and finance professional. Fast forward, as I prepared for my undergraduate studies at Auburn University, one step in the process was ensuring I had life insurance. Here again, life insurance is showing up in my life through teachings from my family. After graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Mercer University, I pursued a career in finance and accounting where I became a Director of Finance for a law firm. One component of my position was the renewal of the key man life insurance for key attorneys at the law firm. At this point, I knew life insurance was more than a death benefit but a wealth benefit. I wanted to learn more and share with others the importance of life insurance. I became a licensed and appointed life insurance agent and started the journey of sharing educational information on life insurance. Hard work, dedication, mentors and having a true calling for changing the narrative of life insurance from a death benefit to a wealth benefit has led Ruffin Consulting Services to being named one of the key players in life insurance consulting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle along the way was sustaining a manual process behind the scenes. While I am very organized, timely, effective and professional, the process behind the scenes was manual but without the manual process, I would not have gained a thorough understanding of my process from prospect to becoming a client, collaborator or person/business to refer business. The biggest struggle was faced when I decided to map out the entire process. Once the process was mapped out, I identified systems and workflow to automate. I use systems like Zoom, Acuity, MailerLite, Zapier and more for automation. Visit www.
The key to automation is using an if/then workflow, timing of tasks, and sounding like the tone of the business and not a robot. My workflow easily supports converting from a prospect to client or business collaboration.
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?
Ruffin Consulting Services is unique because of the woman behind the brand, me, Ebony Ruffin. I have found a unique way to make life insurance planning an attractive topic. Clients are no longer running from life insurance as a death benefit but they are attracted to incorporating life insurance into their financial plan as a wealth benefit. Ruffin Consulting Services focuses on education first. Through our educational resources, clients are more equipped and confident to discuss life insurance. We have a free interactive life insurance course that will take you from confused to confident about life insurance. The course includes short videos paired with infographics and worksheets to make it easier to learn and retain how to calculate your life insurance needs, where and how to apply for life insurance and why life insurance is an integral component to a financial plan. I am most proud of the edification from our clients and peers. Positive word of mouth has positioned Ruffin Consulting Services for winning collaborations, quality clients and trust. While this is all worth celebrating, it must be noted that consistency, hard work and relationship capital helped grow the business organically. Ruffin Consulting Services has become a sought-after subject matter expert on life insurance with features in Forbes, Money, NerdWallet, Business Insider, Insurance News Net Magazine, BuzzFeed, Clever Girl Finance, ThinkAdvisor, The CW Network, Fox Soul, Cashay and more!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The first book I recommend on leadership is “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. I was assigned to read this book by Dr. Waters at Auburn University as part of an independent study course. If you read “Good to Great” one time, your perception of leadership and business success will FOREVER be impacted by two very important concepts. The first concept is Level 5 Leadership. A Level 5 Leader encompasses: humility, asks for help, takes responsibility, has self-discipline, finds the right people and leads with passion. The second concept is the Hedgehog Concept. After reading about the Hedgehog Concept, I realized this was taught to me in childhood and reinforced throughout life in my home. The Hedgehog Concept says organizations will succeed once they identify the one thing they do best and focus on being the very best at that one thing. The Hedgehog Concept can be applied to an individual or corporation. It’s all-encompassing of three intertwined components: 1) identify your deepest passion, 2) what will your passion makes you the best at, and 3) what drives the economic engine behind your passion.
The second book is “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene. In one simple statement, this book is essential because life is not checkers; it’s chess.
The third book is “Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. This book is my personal go-to book. I read the book every few years to help me focus on my why and purpose in life. This book keeps me grounded and focused on a higher calling. I know for sure when I found that my purpose was not for self-interest, that I had reached my calling. After reading this book, I always experience an awakening and blessings flow abundantly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ruffinconsultingservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruffinconsultingservices/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruffinconsultingservices
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruffinconsultingservices?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fshoutoutatlanta.com%2F
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcs3YRKbbzA
- Other: https://ruffinconsultingservices.com/product/life-insurance-e-course/
