Lost My Finger And Job
When I was 15 years old I began to work at a shoe store in Ontario Mills, CA. This was my first real job and I gave it my best effort. By the time I was 18 years old they made me the assistant manager. I loved to work but I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. With this promotion, I took it as a sign that retail should be my career...although I wasn't 100% convinced.
One day, years later, a well dressed man came in to buy a pair of shoes. "Hello" I said to him as he walked in "feel free to look around...if you have any question let me know" Shortly after I approached him and provided great service (as I always strive to do). I helped him find a great pair of shoes. As I was ringing him up he said to me "I was impressed by the way you helped me...I think you could do great in my line of work". He hands me his business card. "If you're interested, give me a call"...his name was Mark Elliott, he was a Health Insurance Agent. |
I took his card, said "Thank you" and put it in my wallet. 6 months went by and it is now September. I was at work and we were closing for the day. I was climbing a latter to put a pair of shoes back in the stock room and began to loose my balance. As I reached out to grab something to prevent me from falling a ring I was wearing got caught on a hook from a shelf and pulled it off. I'm rushed to Loma Linda Medical Center in an ambulance and 2 hours later Dr. Green successfully amputated what was left of my finger. Dr. Green, his nurses and the entire staff were wonderful and given the situation gave me a great experience.
I thought to myself "Isn't it great that amazing medical facilities like this exist...I was fortunate enough to be treated at one of them". At that moment I thought of Mark Elliott..."So this is what he does. He helps people get great medical care" . I recovered and two months later I went back to work. At the same time I had some medical bills the company was refusing to pay and after careful consideration I filed suit against the company. Two weeks later my manager Stacy calls me into her office and tells be "Abraham...your fired". All the work and effort I put into the company and my career were lost. I left the store and began to think "what do I do now?" After being depressed and at home for about a week and pick myself up and start to clean up a bit around the house.
At my home desk going through a pile of papers and old mail I notice a white and blue card. I pick it up and read "Health Insurance Agent...Mark Elliott". I pick up my phone and give him a call. "Hello Mark" I said over the phone "I don't know if you remember me. I'm the guys that sold you a pair of shoes a few months ago...you told me if I was ever interested in doing what you do, I could call you". luckily for me he remembered and invites me to lunch where he agrees to help me get started in becoming a Health Insurance Agent. My goalMy goal was to become a Health Insurance Agent so I could help others get the best medical care available to them. The first thing I needed to do was get my Health Insurance License so I began to study to take the test.
After two months of studying I took the California state test and failed it with a 68% score (I needed a 70% to pass). I took it a second time and failed it again with 65%. I this point I was about to quit but decided to give it one more try. On my third try I passed with 74%. I got my Health Insurance License and started training with Mark. Now Mark specialized in Medicare insurance (which is what I specialize in now), a very regulated market which meant there was a lot to learn. Thankfully Mark was a great teacher and allowed me to learn the business quickly. With his encouragement and support I have been able to make a career out of helping others with their Health Insurance (Medicare) needs. With almost a decade of being in the Insurance business I have been able to identify and resolve most of the issues that Medicare recipients encounter and through years of experience consider myself an expert in the field. So if you have any questions please call me at 951-723-7254 or email me at info@passhealthinsurance.com |