Fatemeh Ari Mirabedi
I spent almost 20 years working in the corporate world within the food and beverage manufacturing industry. I started as an entry-level employee and worked my way up to positions where I collaborated closely with executives, including CEOs and CFOs, as well as HR departments. Throughout those years, I consistently observed a gap in how insurance and benefits information was communicated and understood - whether by business owners, HR professionals, or employees themselves. Many people simply didn't have access to clear, comprehensive education about their options and what different insurance products actually meant for them. I've always had a dream of owning my own business, and when I started thinking about switching careers, I knew I wanted to do something where I could continue helping people, educating them, and staying connected with business owners and employees. The insurance industry appealed to me because it allowed me to combine all of these passions. I entered the insurance field a little over two years ago, and last year I launched my own agency. Today, my main specialty and focus is business insurance, particularly working with small business owners, though I offer a full range of insurance products. What sets me apart is that I don't approach this as just selling insurance - the educational component is absolutely central to everything I do. I wear multiple hats in my business, handling sales, marketing, networking, and connecting with people. I'm on the front line, talking to clients, gathering information about their needs, and then putting together the right package of products for them. But more importantly, I make sure they fully understand what they're getting. When someone contacts me for insurance, it's not just about making a sale - I want them to get the full picture of what's included in their policy. I try to walk my customers through everything because insurance is very intimidating and complex, and I believe people deserve to truly understand what they're purchasing. Some might say I give too much information, but for me, that educational piece is what builds trust and ensures my clients are properly protected.
• Property and Casulty License
• BS in Biology
• MBA
• Woman of Impact Award from Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce (2025)
• Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce volunteer
• Hospital volunteer
• Library volunteer
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being genuine and just being myself. If you ask every single person that I've helped, I think they can tell you the first thing is being genuine - I'm honest, I'm straightforward, and I'm not a salesy person at all. I go with first building the trust, building the relationship and friendship, and then business comes second. So it's not about the transaction for me, it's about really building a meaningful relationship with my customers and with whoever I interact with. That foundation of authenticity and trust is what has allowed me to succeed in this industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was to be genuine and be yourself. I was told to try to help others without any expectations, and once you do that, then the business comes after. This advice has really shaped how I approach my work - I focus on building authentic relationships and truly helping people first, rather than chasing transactions. When you lead with genuine care and service, the business naturally follows.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think young women entering the insurance industry have to be sure they have a certain personality to work in this field. It's very important to be caring and genuine, and to have a genuine desire to help others. This is a very sensitive industry where building trust is absolutely critical, and it can be a good industry as long as you enjoy helping people. If you enjoy helping people, interacting with people, and serving others, then I think this is a good industry for you. But that foundation of wanting to help and serve has to be there.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I wouldn't necessarily call it a challenge, but since I launched my own agency last year - so it's getting close to a year now - the biggest focus for me is growing and expanding my business. I started in insurance as a second career a little over two years ago, and before launching my own agency I worked for someone else. Since my business is still fairly new, I know I shouldn't be rushing things, but expanding my business is definitely the main opportunity I'm focused on right now. It's about building that foundation and growing sustainably.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are authenticity and trust. These are very, very important to me. I believe in being genuine and just being yourself in everything you do. Whether I'm working with clients or in my personal relationships, I lead with honesty and authenticity, and I work to build trust in every interaction. These values are the foundation of how I approach both my professional and personal life.
