Her Story
About Carrie
Carrie Saxon owns and operates Saxon Agency as a captive agent primarily representing Allstate in Columbia, South Carolina. She specializes in personal lines, commercial lines, and accident and health insurance, and she also brokers products through other carriers when needed. Saxon has over six years of experience in the insurance industry and holds Property and Casualty, Life Accident Health, and Surplus Lines licenses. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Finance with an accounting minor and computer science concentration from Converse College in 2010. Prior to insurance, she worked as a college recruiter and in supply chain management. Saxon launched her agency at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully sustaining operations and employment for her small team through remote adaptations and quick pivots. She is a volunteer with the Girl Get Up Society, supporting young women, and she credits her mother with teaching her the value of street smarts, book smarts, problem-solving, and making things happen without excuses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carrie
01What do you attribute your success to?
My mother taught me by example to have both street smarts and book smarts, always asking why I couldn't do something and pushing me to solve problems without excuses. She modeled how to make things happen rather than making excuses.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Everybody's a salesman whether they realize it or not - you're selling yourself every day. Ask the question. Talent or opportunity without effort leads to failure or missed chances, but applying effort even as a mediocre person gets you noticed. Turn on your light so people see you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be intimidated when you're the only person that looks like you. It's still a very male-dominated industry. Don't get scared.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI is a big factor, and in fully commissioned sales you are always selling which can lead to burnout without good work-life balance. You have to pace yourself and pour into yourself or burn out quickly.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being straightforward and transparent gets you farther. People can't claim they didn't know if you're a clear communicator. I like to under-promise and over-deliver rather than promise what I can't deliver.
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