Veronica Alcantar

I attribute my success to where I came from and what I've learned along the way. I didn't have any financial background growing up, and that's exactly what drives me now. I realized how important it is to teach others how they can start differently than I did. Life taught me that we're not going to live forever, even though I used to think that way - I didn't even think I needed life insurance myself. But as we get older, we realize that accidents happen and it doesn't matter how invincible we feel. My own journey of convincing even my husband, who was one of the hardest people to convince about the importance of having a death benefit, showed me that if I can change his mind, I can help anybody. I've also had to face my own fears - I wasn't a very social person before, but now I surround myself with people every day. What keeps me going is remembering the reason why I got into this field: to break generational cycles and make sure the next generation doesn't have to start from zero like I did. I want to teach others the options I wish I had known earlier, so their families can be prepared financially.

Keep an open mind, don't be quick to judge and listen. Be consistent and remember your why.

My advice is to keep your 'why' in the forefront of everything you do. Remember the reason why you got into this field, because that's what will keep you going. You have to be disciplined and maintain consistency - I know a lot of people give up after they hear a 'no,' but you just have to keep doing daily calls and conversations. Keep up on your education as well, because when people ask you a question and you don't know the answer, you have to know it to gain their trust. Stay connected to your purpose. I also want young women to know that they can break generational cycles. Don't let the next generation have to start from zero like some of us did. Learn the options early - I wish I had known the options I had besides just saving, and how to prepare my family financially. It's about being open and building trust and strong relationships, because that's how you succeed in this industry.

The biggest challenge I face is convincing people of the importance of life insurance. Often times we feel like we're going to live forever - I felt that way myself for a long time. But as we get older, we realize that accidents happen and it doesn't matter how invincible we think we are. The challenge is helping people think differently and prepare for the future. What I'm trying to do is provide a foundation of support for the next generation and for families, but in order to do that, I need to educate people about what their options are. That's where the opportunity lies - so many people, especially in the Latino community, have never been taught financial education. They don't know where to look or where to start. I'm here to provide that type of guidance so that people can cultivate the type of future that they want for themselves and for their families. It's about showing them options beyond just leaving their money in the bank.

Family comes first in my life. I have four children, including my youngest who is now five years old, and I love spending time with them. I enjoy traveling experiences and being able to share those with my family, including taking my youngest on cruises with me. What's important to me is that I now have more time and freedom - I used to work way too much when my other three kids were growing up, but now with this career, I actually have more time to be present with them. My values are centered around providing my family a bright future and breaking generational cycles. I want to make sure that the next generation doesn't have to start from zero like I did. Preparing the next generation in regard to financial planning is incredibly important to me. Even though I went to school as a nurse and that was my career, I wasn't free - but now I can control my time being with my kids and everything, and my income. That freedom to be present for my family while also helping other families prepare financially is what drives me.