Stephanie Hunter

I attribute my success primarily to my genuine love for what I do, as it allows me to stay motivated, committed, and fulfilled in my work. A significant part of my journey has also been the unwavering support of my family, especially my mother, who was deeply proud of my achievements and whose encouragement meant everything to me when I shared milestones like writing important life policies or securing major bonds. Her belief in me continues to inspire me. Along with my family, I am also grateful for my work family, whose support and encouragement have helped me grow and continue striving for excellence in everything I do.

The one that gave me a chance, when she first met me, Renea Rowland, at Nationwide Insurance, in Belton, SC. She mentored me for over 25 years before her retirement June 3, 2025. Now, under Trucordia, they are building my confidence for what I can and have done and now helping me strive to build my own "book of business".

The best career advice I have ever received came from my late mother, who was one of the most influential figures in my life and career. Her constant support, encouragement, and unwavering belief in my abilities helped shape both my confidence and my work ethic throughout my professional journey. Her guidance continues to stay with me and influences how I approach my work every day. My mother would say, Stephanie, your clients are blessed to have such a caring agent that truly loves what they do and makes sure her clients are taken care of. Don't ever give up and continue to follow your dreams. You know you can do anything you put your mind to.

When starting out in the insurance industry, I would advise young women to expect to feel overwhelmed at first because there is a significant amount to learn, especially when it comes to licensing across multiple states and understanding different regulations. However, it is important not to let that discourage you or make you doubt your ability to succeed, as everything becomes more manageable with time, patience, and dedication. This is a field that requires a strong willingness to continuously learn and improve, and I believe that if you are not open to growth, it may not be the right fit. My personal philosophy is that the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing, so stay committed, stay persistent, and never give up on your goals.

The biggest challenge is that when it comes to underwriting and companies, things are changing a lot. The South Carolina State Director of Insurance allows companies to change rates and coverages.

When you are licensed in different states, with different companies, you have to figure out what their requirements are, what their liability is., and the underwriting guidelines. You have to go down that rabbit hole each time you quote. There's a lot, but you've got to want to learn, want to get better and strive to do your best, each time. Sometimes we find out about changes accidentally because the information is not always forthcoming, so we have to find out by going into the policies themselves, reading the policy information, or just talking to underwriting. A lot of times we do get notifications through email, but it's never-ending. One day it's this, the next day it's that, and you're like, are you kidding me? But if you don't want to learn anymore, then you don't need to be in the field.

In both my work and personal life, I value integrity, service, dedication, continuous learning, professionalism, and relationship-building. I believe trust and strong relationships are the foundation of success, whether in business or in life. I strive to carry those principles into everything I do. I also have a strong passion for helping others protect what matters most through insurance planning. I find fulfillment in networking, being involved in my community, pursuing professional growth, and building meaningful relationships with clients and fellow professionals.

Mental health is also very important to me. I am a proud member of Celebrate Recovery Honea Path. This is a group of people that come together in a nonjudgmental place to help others who deal with depression, OCD, anxiety, and addictions. This amazing group of people have helped with my journey after losing my mother, 2 years ago. If you are dealing with any of this, please seek help from a local professional or group. Remember, you always matter to someone.