Influential Woman · Insurance

Shelia Walthour

Benefits Administrator, United Educators Associates

Lithonia, GA

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Political Science Member Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society

Her Story

About Shelia

I come from a sales background and have always loved doing presentations in person. For the past 11 years, I've been working in life insurance, helping people get their financial status in order. What I do is go to organizations, do presentations, and explain the products or services I offer. I work more with individuals, helping them get their personal business in order for their families. My focus is on making sure clients get what's best for their needs. I genuinely care about the person and making sure they get what's best for them. I have a bachelor's degree in political science, which opened the gateway for me to get into sales. At first, I was looking toward government or law, but it didn't happen that way. I got into sales, and that's the journey I took in my life.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Shelia

01What do you attribute your success to?

I genuinely care about the person and making sure they get what's best for them. You have to generally care about the person, making sure they get what's best for them. I make sure that I'm getting the client what's gonna be best for their needs. That's what I attribute my success to.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice would be to have a positive mindset and have a mentor to help guide you along the way. A mentor helps you to be able to understand the industry better and causes you to not get caught up in some traps. They just make it easier for you in the process, because sometimes this is a challenging profession. You have to have a positive mindset. You have to have a why. Why are you doing this? Keep a why. Why am I in this sales? Why am I doing this? And always put your customers first. Customers come first.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

It's a challenging profession. You have to have a positive mindset and you have to have a why. Why are you doing this? Not everybody's gonna receive what you're offering, so you need to keep your why. Why am I in this sales? Why am I doing this? That's one of the main challenges, keeping the why and keeping the positive attitude.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

In my personal life, I make sure I put my family first, making sure that they're provided for, that they have what they need. Self-motivation is also very important to me. In my work life, I always put my customers first and make sure that I'm getting the client what's gonna be best for their needs.

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