Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Wallace.
Hi Erika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am the daughter of two immigrant parents who came from Mexico to the US with big dreams. Hoping their daughters would have a better future than them. Growing up, I knew I wanted to make a difference but I did not know what that would look like. During my childhood, I always wished I had more than my parents could afford. A better place to live, prettier closeth, a more reliable car so my dad could drive us to school and the list can go on and on. Little did I know that my childhood would prepare me for my future. I started my State Farm journey in the Customer Response Center (CRC) in El Paso, TX, 22 years ago as a Customer Service Representative. I thought I was going to be a short-timer at State Farm® until I became a flight attendant and then 9/11 happened which changed my personal goals. State Farm was my first real job after working as a security guard, at the movie theater, at a factory and even at Western Playland Amusement Park. State Farm was the best company to work for in El Paso, TX since, for the most part, El Paso is a military town. After overcoming my struggles with dependability, I worked very hard to turn my behavior around. That helped me finish my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and right after that, I started getting promoted at such a young age. I take pride in the work I do and I love to mentor employees and share my story which often has motivated people to accomplish their own personal goals and overcome their challenges. With the right attitude and strong work ethic anything is possible. Time flies when you are having fun. I am very proud to be a Hispanic State Farm Agent in the North Atlanta area.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up very poor and having to learn English in school were the first challenges I had to overcome. Those were things in life that would help me build character. Then came the rebellious years in my late teens. Trying to fit in and feeling embarrassed of my upbringing was another hurdle I felt I had to overcome not knowing that would help me be where I am now. Mentoring was something my parents did not believe in. I learned in my early 20s that mentoring relationships are very powerful and can help develop people in different areas. When I started my State Farm career I was absent a lot and I was on the verge of getting fired until a manager gave me a reality check. From then on I was never late or absent to my job which became my career.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Erika Wallace State Farm Agency?
The mission of Erika Wallace State Farm is to bring multiple communities together by fostering an environment of inclusivity, celebrating diversity, building trust and bonding as a big Familia. We will strive and make it our commitment and priority to treat clients and employees like family. We will focus on customers’ individual needs and educating them on preparing for the future. I will be known as the go-to person and the agency customers love and trust. We are known for marketing and selling State Farm products to customers on their preferred language. We are very proud that we have over 200 Google Reviews and we are rated 5 stars. We do our best to assist our customers in any way possible when it comes to auto, home, renters, business, boat and life insurance. They know they can count on us and they refer people to us.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Workplace Atmosphere by Dana Vogelmeier
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erikawallace.net
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/erika_wallace_statefarm_agent/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/100602831863568
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/ErikaStateFarm
- Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/35QOh_jlYDHqh8cKOpJR6g
- Other: http://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJ9U9b2BOP9YgRyA45k5KnpOE
