Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrick Wilkins.
Darrick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 1998, I had just graduated from UGA and after paying my way through waiting tables and bartending, I knew I was done with food service. I had $50 bucks to my name and an empty gas tank in my baby blue 1982 Ford Escort. I was able to live with my parents for a few months and got a shot at John Hancock. I worked there for two years until I decided to break to break out on my own and start LTC Tree. I realized that the industry was stuck in the old-school of sales and knew the budding web was were the industry was headed.
This early move online gave our company a huge competitive advantage over our peers.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Sure, the lack of money early on, late nights on the phone, driving three hours to see a potential client and then have them stand me up. Yeah, like anything it’s had its ups and downs early on but the key was to never give up. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s so true. I’d think of one of my favorite quotes when times were tough:
“Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find some amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through obstruction.” – William James
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LTC Tree – what should we know?
We help consumers in all 50 states plan for their retirement and the high cost of needed long term care services at home or in a nursing home. Most folks forget to plan and have to spend down their life’s savings in the last few years of life. We are independent agents and work with all the major companies and have no preference to any one company.
This objectivity allows us to call the balls and strikes as pitched and simply match the customer up with the best product. Our motto is LTC Tree, “We work for you, not the insurance company.”
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Drew Nichols, my cousin and other owner in the company.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ltctree.com
- Phone: 800-800-6139
- Email: dw@ltctree.com
- Facebook: LTC Tree
- Twitter: @ltctree
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