Today we’d like to introduce you to Viviana Ayala
Hi Viviana, 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 never saw myself working in the insurance industry. I was actually working at a law firm in Atlanta doing marketing/ public relations. I was there about 4 years. My husband opened an insurance agency and asked me to help him start up his new office from scratch. It took a few months, but eventually we were able to set a plan in place, hire a great team and get his business growing. Even though his business was doing really well, there were a lot of restrictions on who we could cater our services too. About 4 years later, I decided to branch out and open an independent insurance agency. Beginning of December 2022 I put the plan in motion and registered the company, had some help from our team choosing a new name for our new agency. Buena Vida was suggested and we went with it! From there we did some renovations at our office, painting and furniture purchasing. I hired a social media strategist, she came up with our logo and brand colors and many of our social media ideas. From there we just put in the work and have really grown our business relationships. We work really well with our Spanish community. From customers to realtors and local business. I go the extra way to make sure my customers know what they are purchasing and what it covers. Insurance can be a bit confusing, but we try to make it a easy process for everyone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been some struggles. It’s not common to see a woman, especially a Latina, as a boss in the insurance industry. Opening an independent agency also comes with its own set of challenges, like people not really knowing your brand and who you are. It’s a lot easier when you represent a very well know company, like State Farm or Allstate, rather than representing smaller insurance companies. That’s why I’ve made an effort to put myself out there and connect with people on social media. It’s important to see someone like me be successful in this industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Buena Vida Insurance?
Buena Vida is an independent insurance agency that specializes in auto, home, and business insurance. Our agency is different from other agencies because we are able to shop around for our customers to get the best price. A big part of our brand is to simplify the insurance process and to educate our customers. We know insurance is super confusing and overwhelming, so we always take the time to make sure our customers know exactly what coverage they are getting and what is not covered. If there’s one thing we want others to know is that we’re not in this business for the insurance companies. We’re here for people who want to protect their home that they’ve worked so hard for and the car that they had to save up for. We’re here for business owners, whether they’ve just opened a brand new business and don’t know where to start to bigger businesses.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My biggest motivation is my family. In 2022, I became a mom and it’s been such an incredible journey. I’ve learn how to be more patient and what unconditional love is. My husband, Esteban, has been there every step of the way. We’ve been together 10 years and have built this amazing life. I only hope I can be an example for my son to show him that you have to work hard to be successful and being kind and compassionate towards others will never go un-noticed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buenavidaagency.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buenavida.insurance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buenavidaagency
