Alexis Cierra Holt
Financial Representative
Metro-Atlanta west Agency
COUNTRY® Financial
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
I have an opportunity to meet amazing people and I am able to provide them with knowledge they wouldn’t normally receive from their insurance agent or financial advisor; it’s a privilege for me. I wanted a career where not only would I make great money but I would really be able to help people. I also have the opportunity to share my story with young women who I come in contact with on a daily basis and through mentoring. I look at it like this, every person I meet either at the gas station or grocery store is a potential client and not necessarily my client. I am all about helping and connecting people who wouldn’t normally make contact so they can help them achieve their dreams and goals.
How did you determine your career path?
When the economy crashed, I was faced with being laid off twice. After the second layoff, I decided I would no longer allow anyone else to control my destiny and I would make my own way. I knew one thing for sure, I finally wanted a career not a job. Prior to my second layoff, I was the top sales lead for a popular cellular company for two years. I sold cellular service to the business next door which happened to be an insurance company. The agent told me she thought I would excel in this business. I was told the same thing before and have turned down job offers due to fear of failure in a commission-only environment. I eventually applied for the insurance agency opportunity and then passed a rigorous process that I was told by naysayers that I probably wouldn’t pass because I did not hold a degree. I attended college for two years, but I never graduated. The path I set up for myself did not require a bachelor’s degree, only licensing for numerous lines of business in insurance and investments. I heard “no” a lot but I never let that waiver my faith; I trusted that God would allow me to provide a life for my son that was beyond what I could have ever imagined. I started investing in my own career by paying for the pre-licensing courses, prior to interviewing with other insurance companies, to make sure I was prepared when a position with a company I liked was offered. I set myself up for success and was able to choose which company I would open an agency with since I held following licenses: Property and Casualty, Life and Health, and Securities license Series 6 and 63.
COUNTRY Financial was a great fit for me and my son, it is a family-friendly company, and they also offered a great support system for the first 5 years of the start of my new Agency which is what every Agent needs. They really took the opinions and needs of the Agents and Financial Representatives into consideration before making major decisions that would affect our lively hood, which was a big plus for me, if something isn’t working they find a solution that works for everyone they truly value their Agents. I chose the right company for me and I have been enjoying every moment being part of the COUNTRY Financial family.
Define innovation methods you apply to your business and life.
I have never purchased a single lead which is a big deal in this industry. I learned early on in my career that relationships are very important. I have become a networking guru and 85 percent of my business is referrals built from sponsoring and attending different events, as well as giving back in the community. I also firmly believe in a strong work-and-family balance, especially, since I am a single mom of a handsome little boy. I actually choose a lot of different events to sponsor where my son can be involved, so that he learns and understands what I do and why I do it. It may not be that innovative to everyone but daily prayer is everything for me. I do this before I go into a meeting or networking event. I always pray that God will give me wisdom and favor in making business decisions as well as only meeting positive people. God is the head of my personal board of directors.
Describe goal setting methods you use and how you evaluate your success.
I have a five-year-plan for my life; I now have four years left to make the Forbes list before age 32.
I set yearly short-term goals, for instance my short-term goal is to make the top 200 Agents in my company which I am on-pace to accomplish right now; I am in the top 150 financial representatives out of a few thousand reps, which is a big deal for me personally because this is my second year with the company. I make sure my goals are attainable and I approach each of them differently.
What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?
- Believing in yourself
- Continuously motivating yourself
- Never accepting NO as your end all
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
Facebook and Instagram have really given me a platform internationally to promote positivity as a business woman. I am able to share my journey with the world which is a great privilege for me.
If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
If I had it my way there would be more positive people in the world and no negative energy allowed this would motivate people to do better and want more out of life in general. I always wished that more people saw life through the eyes of positive people, oh the possibilities life brings.
Who or what motivates you and why?
I am a single mother of a four-year-old son named Masadah, who is the reason for everything that I do. Even though he’s young, he totally understands what I do for a living. I work hard to give to be able to give him the world. He’s actually the reason why I decided to work for myself because as a single mother, there must be an even stronger work-and-family balance because it’s just me carrying the load. I thank God that I have a very strong support system from my family who moved here from Alabama as well. I want to show my son early in life that if you work hard you can do anything your heart desires.
A funny thing happened. My son was in trouble in pre-school for passing my business cards out to his class. He told his classmates their parents should buy insurance from his mommy. I couldn’t be upset with him about it. He is only doing what he sees me do, networking every chance I get. I love his motivation and entrepreneurial spirit at such a young age. It truly motivates me.
What are the dos and don’ts for young women in business?
- Always keep your word because the follow-up is what matters most.
- Always, always be professional in every setting, not being professional is not an option in business period.
- Dress professionally and appropriately.
- Always do right by people whether your client or center of influence, because you never know who they are connected too and it’s really just the right thing to do. This will determine how well your career goes.
- Never lose yourself. Always remember who you are.
- Always be ethical, because if you have to think twice about it, it’s probably not the right thing to do.
Name three of your most successful female role models and why.
My mother Lavania White, she is a mother of five, grandmother of seven, a business woman and always looking fabulous while doing it. My mom always had the work and family balance to a science in my eyes, because she was a hard worker and great mother who always pushed my siblings and me to live our dreams with her great support system pushing us forward. She overcame every obstacle that life threw her way and she always came out on top in the end. She is an excellent business woman and taught me everything I know which has contributed to my success in more ways than one.
My mentor and organization leader Jamese Beauford is the president of National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter. No matter how big her career or role her main goal is to help people and I truly admire that about her. She is a genuine person and a highly motivated business woman, which is why she serves on my personal board of directors. She truly encourages me and gives me great advice as a professional woman and career mom.
Oprah Winfrey she is truly every woman a business mogul. she is the business woman I aspire to be. She came from nothing to being a billionaire and spends her days changing the lives of people across the world through everything that she does. She genuinely loves the people. She is a true woman of power who inspires me to be a great business woman and to go above and beyond in business.
