Vince King was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa. Now based in Mediapolis (just north of his hometown), he’s going into his sixth year as a Farm Bureau agent. Vince started his career as a high school teacher, transitioned into a real estate appraiser and eventually operated his own Realtor business. It was actually real estate that opened the door to Farm Bureau: He sold a farm to his now-manager, who then recruited him to join the Farm Bureau agent family.
What’s a Typical Day Like for You?
“I’m usually in the office by 8 a.m. My mornings consist of checking emails, finishing quotes, staff meetings, and setting appointments for SuperChecks® and follow-ups. The afternoons are delegated to the SuperChecks and quote presentation meetings. Days typically end around 5 p.m., but they can run into the evenings to match client schedules.”
What’s the Biggest Misconception About Your Job?
“The biggest misconception is that we’re selling something people don’t need. I view it differently. Banks mandate homeowners coverage and states require auto coverage; we’re selling people these things that they have to have. As agents, it’s our job to show clients why they should have those products with us.”
What Do You Love Most About Your Job?
“My favorite part can also be the most stressful part. Our clients trust us to protect the things that they hold dear and value the most. We do this with a great attention to detail, knowledge of our products and an understanding of the risks our clients face. It’s an honor to earn that trust, yet sometimes it can cause sleepless nights.”
What’s the Most Important Lesson You’ve Learned Along the Way?
“The most important thing I’ve learned is that I am not a salesman. I’m a problem-solver. I find ways to solve problems that people encounter in their daily lives. I do this with products custom-built to give clients peace of mind that if bad things happen, all of their hard work will not be lost. First and foremost, we are educators, problems-solvers and fixers.”
Why Is Farm Bureau Unique in the Industry?
“Farm Bureau is a one-stop-shop for all of our client needs. Unlike an independent agent who can offer home and auto coverage but has to send a client down the street for life insurance or investment advice, we do it all. And we have the name recognition and great reputation that comes with offering quality products and client/member relationships that last a lifetime.”
What’s Exciting You About the Year Ahead?
“I am excited for what 2021 has in store for my agency. We’ve grown our staff to a level that allows for first-class customer service. We have sales associates focused on our products, which gives clients the best product knowledge around. The team shares a singular mission to grow our agency footprint in a way that makes the client experience easy and enjoyable.”
Do You Have Advice for New Agents?
“People can buy what we sell from so many places. They have a lot of options and they’ll find cheaper ones if they dig deep enough. So as an agent, you need to figure out why they should do business with you. What’s your value add? How is your business different? How will the client experience be better with you? Find your ‘why’ and everything else falls into place.”
Join the Family
Interested in becoming part of our Farm Bureau team as an agent? Contact us today to discuss your future.