Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanelle Horton.
Hi Shanelle, 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 started the insurance industry eight years ago as an insurance producer working for a Nationwide agent – during that time, it was a new transition in my life as I was looking for a new career path not quite sure what my talents were to be honest or what I wanted to do. I attended college right after high school for nursing but never graduated. I felt that school was very challenging for me no matter how hard I continued to study and genuinely dedicated my time and attention into the program I still could not maintain over a C average. While working just about any job I could at the time between gyms, cocktail bars, and promotional marketing events all while being a single mother to my daughter. I became discouraged at times being in my mid-20s just not quite sure how my life would pan out without having a degree or any trade to one day have a solid career in my future.
The changing point in my life occurred one day when a friend asked me to come to a network marketing meeting, I had never been to one of those things before and had no idea what it was- I was immediately blown away. It was a room full of people that were a lot like me. There were a lot of young people that didn’t have a degree, were not quite sure what they wanted to do but had a strong desire and hunger for MORE in life. It was like a church for personal growth – something I wanted at that time more than ever. I later joined the company and although I made much to nothing compensation wise – I gained everything! I spent the following two years of my life learning, reading, constantly talking to mentors- I stopped watching TV and changed the friendships and influences in my life that weren’t leading me to growth. During those years of growth, I learned two very powerful things which led me into the career that I am in today
1.) Your Network is your net worth! Meaning you can make a fortune just by genuinely making meaningful connections with people which is something I have always been good at. – You can literally put me in a random line at Walmart and by the time I’m at the checkout counter, I would have made a new best friend.
2.) The Power of Residual income – The ability to do something once and it to continue to pay off where you are no longer having to exchange your time for money
Insurance growing up sounded like a boring job – right? LOL However, after time with the key things I learned above I realized in life that I was tailor made for this. I love meeting new people, having conversations with them, getting to know them and helping them now I was able to take those connections that I would make and offer them my product and service backing it.
Fast-forwarding over the years, it’s certainly been a long journey but one that I’m beyond grateful for and wouldn’t change a thing about. From the experience at my first insurance job where I was on commission only – I remember a humbling moment where I took a lunch break at that job and walked across the street to get a sub and didn’t even have $5 to purchase one. I opened the doors to my own insurance agency within less than three years of that experience in Chastain Park where my business generated seven figures within 24 months and helped three other single moms that worked in my office open the doors to their own agency as well. I since sold my office and stayed home enjoying motherhood the following two years.
In January 2021, I made my what I consider to be my best move yet to open up my own State Farm agency in Clarkston, GA. Prior to opening my office in Clarkston quite frankly, I knew just about nothing of the community. Over the last year that I have spent here, I have completely fallen in love with this town as it is a hidden gym of Atlanta for sure. Clarkston has the 2nd largest refugee center in the nation therefore, our clients come into our office daily and prefer in person interactions. My staff of 7 and myself have gotten to really get to know our clients and their stories – many of which would have you in tears. Our clients consist of nationalities from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Burma, Congo and many other parts of the world coming in search for opportunities and/or freedom for themselves and their families. My desire to help and serve while making connections has certainly been most impactful here in comparison to any of my past experiences. Being a State Farm agent in the Clarkston community is being a friend, family member, and counselor in time of need. Due to most of our clients being from a foreign origin and many completely new to the United States we provide not only assistance in just setting up their policies but we provide direction and resources too many of our client’s day to day needs.
I certainly look forward to a bright career ahead with State Farm continuously growing in the Clarkston community and beyond. In our first year of business, we ranked in the top 5 of our territory and qualified for our company’s Ambassador Club recognition which is the top percentage of the company also maintaining being in the top 100 of agents in our South Eastern market. Although I have grown so much from that girl I was eight years ago, there is still much more work to do and more growth, experiences and wisdom to gain over the next eight years ahead and beyond. As the great John C Maxwell says, people don’t care how much you know; they want to know how much you care and I just want to be a staple in my community and amongst my staff members that they can look back at their experience with me and say ‘Wow, she really cared about us” and this is the legacy that I look forward to leaving
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?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road but it’s been a great one. I would say that just like in any business, there are a lot of expenses involved. There were a few times I bit off more than I can chew but thankfully, it always worked out – I don’t have any loan sharks out there cutting off my fingers as of yet LOL I will say the most challenging part is starting up and what it takes emotionally, physically and financially during the start-up phase. In those beginning months without building a solid book of business, there could be months where commission checks can be like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
State Farm Insurance Agency specializing in auto, home, life, health and business insurance. The thing that sets us apart is being playing a big part in our community- truly taking the time to get to know our clients on a first-name basis – really understanding their needs, children, etc.
I’m most proud of brand-wise is that State Farm is the #1 most recognizable insurance company in the entire nation – that speaks volumes alone being backed by a company that is celebrating 100 years this year! Being a franchise owner for a company that brings our clients a peace of mind is a huge reward.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to collaborate with real estate professionals, loan officers, and just about anyone in the mortgage industry as we are able to collaborate quite often and sponsor events and different networking opportunities together on behalf of State Farm. Also, tax professionals and financial advisors have been very well partners of ours when assisting their clients with their basic home and auto needs.
Contact Info:
- Email: shanelle@sfclarkston.com
- Website: www.sfclarkston.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shanellehortonagency
- Facebook: facebook.com/SFclarkston
Image Credits
Simone Renee Photography
