Vianey Butterfield

Owner

Butterfield Insurance Agency

Lakeland, Florida

Age: 31

Currently Streaming: “Sex and the City"

In Your Earbuds: “On Purpose with Jay Shetty"

Preferred social media: Instagram

How did you get started in insurance?

I started at a State Farm agency right out of high school and really enjoyed it. My plan was to start a State Farm agency, but then they started to implement some changes, so I decided to give the independent agency a try. I started working at an independent agency, which was a great company. I was there for five and a half years and went from doing nothing but personal lines at State Farm to doing commercial lines.

What attracted you to commercial lines?

Personal lines is very black and white. Commercial is where all the gray lives and I was having fun with it, so I just dove in. I wanted to master both sides because I wanted my agency to offer both. I've had a really good time on the independent side. I'm not a fan of being in a box or being constricted and the word captive is synonymous with that. It feels like you're stuck.

Why did you start your own agency?

I've always had an ownership mentality. Even when I've worked for other agencies, I've always seen it as my business and my space, so I've always taken care of it, tried to make as much money as possible and make sure that people around me are happy. Everybody always asks you when you're interviewing for a job about your five-year goal. Eight years ago, mine was to have my own agency. At the end of 2019, I was set to open in March 2020—and then everything blew up, so I hit pause on it. I started the agency in September 2021.

Have you had any role models or mentors?

The CEO of the independent agency I was with is a huge mentor for me. He guided me on how to get appointed with agencies. Even before I left that agency, he was very helpful. Even though I was going to be a competitor, he still wanted to assist me.

And then the first State Farm agency I worked for showed me that yes, I can do it. Yes, you can be a woman in this industry and make it. And yes, you can be a strong independent woman and create a wonderful environment for other women to succeed.

What's your vision for your agency?

I want to write quality business, have quality clients and be the go-to agency here in town. I've been here my entire life, so it does help that I know everybody in the community and I like to be part of it.

I also want Butterfield Insurance Agency to be a place that attracts other younger people to the insurance industry. Or just be a place where they are allowed to have dreams and grow. I know there's a lot of other places to work where they don't care about your dreams, they just want you to be a worker and do what you're told. I don't want to be that type of space. I want to be space where people can learn, where women of color have a place, and where dreamers have a safe space.

How can insurance attract more young people?

Make it more welcoming to other people, their ideas and their lifestyles. I'm not judging them if they come in and they have a tattoo on their neck. Can this person provide you with what you need? Do they have a 2-20 insurance license? Why do we care that their hair is blue or a man's married to a man? Be more open and people my age and younger will be more open to becoming an insurance agent. Culture attracts people.

What is the best thing about being an independent agency owner?

The freedom to create a space that you've always wanted to create and attract the clients you want. It's awesome to talk to someone and if they start treating you badly, you can say, “Okay, I don't want to write your business." You can say no! Also, I like the job security. We're going to need insurance forever.

How has the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) supported you?

It's taught me so much. I did the FAIA program, my continuing education (CE) classes, conversion from the 2-20 to the 4-40 license, and CISR designation with them. I also met Taylor Hendrickson, the director of the FAIA Young Agents Council, which is another phenomenal group.

Goals for the future?

For the rest of 2022, I want to meet my new business and retention goals. But also, to continue to give myself grace. I'm very tough on myself, so continuing to allow my business to grow organically, water it every day, tend to it and be patient with myself—just slow and steady growth.

Are millennials entitled?

I've never felt entitled. I'm 100% Mexican. My mom and dad came here when they were 17, picked strawberries and oranges, and didn't speak English. I didn't learn English until I started elementary school. I grew up really poor. My house had a hitch on it. I've never felt entitled because growing up with nothing, what are you entitled to?

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.