What do you get when you put a person with tremendous drive into an industry that is ideal for their personality? Meet Linda Ramsey-Staffen, Founder and President of CORE Insurance Advisors. Like with so many successful insurance professionals, the insurance industry found Linda rather than the other way around. But with a knack for networking and a heart for people, she soon found that the fit was perfect, and the future is bright.

Unexpected Opportunities

With 20 years in the real estate business, Linda wasn’t looking for a career in insurance. That’s when a Humana sales manager, relocating from Kentucky to Tennessee, reached out to Linda for her services.

“For the next month, I worked with him and his wife to find a home in Knoxville to relocate from Lexington. Over the course of that time, we got to know each other really well.”

Well enough that the sales manager felt Linda would be a great Humana sales representative. He offered her a job and explained the benefits of joining the team. And although she was not interested at the time, a seed was sown.

After a couple months of thoughtful prayer and consideration, Linda called him back and decided to make the jump. After years of success selling real estate and subsequently transferring multiple listings to a friend who remained in the business, it was no small leap for Linda into a new career. But the gamble paid off.

“It turned out to be one of the biggest blessings in my life.”

The emotional payoff found in the insurance world is the same thing that lured Linda into real estate: helping people. She’s quick to cite the similarities between the two industries in this respect, but the payoff is even stronger for her when selling insurance.

“I feel like I’m helping people more so than I did before.”

Take Steps Towards Growth

Linda spent six years with Humana learning the industry and perfecting her craft. That’s when the urge to be independent once again took over, as she had been self-employed in the real estate business for so many years.

What Linda didn’t expect was to be anything more than an independent producer. But it wasn’t long before her role expanded into agency leader.

The first step came when she decided to relocate to Nashville. Linda soon realized that someone would be needed to maintain the 1500 person-strong book of business that remained in Knoxville while she marketed Nashville.

When discussing this over tennis, her friend Heather expressed interest and a desire for a career change of her own. Because of the blessings Linda received from the insurance business herself, she was sure this would be a win-win situation.

Another aspect of Linda’s business that she wanted to maintain was the relationship she had cultivated with six Knox County Senior Centers. She loved helping these centers with various programs, events, and educational classes and knew it would take additional help to keep the relationship healthy.

Linda met Brooke during her time as an Ambassador for the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, and Brooke had expressed interest in selling Medicare plans. With Brooke and Heather now in place managing clients and the senior centers, Linda was ready to take on Nashville.

The Sky's The Limit – Even in Challenging Times

Having established Core Insurance Advisors less than three years ago, it appears that the sky is the limit for Linda and her team. The ninth team member comes on board next month. One Core producer has already taken home Humana’s Rookie of the Year award.

Linda continues to “love, love, love” what she does, and that is not confined to just helping clients. She mentors new producers, facilitates team growth, and helps various causes in the community. Just ask her about 100 Women Who Care – Williamson County, and you’ll quickly understand her passion for helping others.

Now that we are all learning new ways to compliantly enroll beneficiaries, Linda can even help us through her experience with virtual sales appointments.

Linda suffered a sports injury many weeks ago that affected her ability to complete in-home appointments. With today’s technologically savvy seniors, she was able to complete some appointments via Facetime and Zoom. She also recommends mailing the enrollment packet to the prospect ahead of time, so that you can walk through the material with the prospect as you would during a typical in-home appointment.

Linda understands the power of the traditional face-to-face appointment. “It’s just now face-to-face looks different,” she says.

As with every topic Linda and I discussed, there seem to be no obstacles or challenges to face. Just opportunities. This perspective is refreshing.

We received a timely reminder from one of our brokers this week that seniors who are losing their jobs need help navigating Medicare enrollment when social security offices are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jason Blake serves seniors in Hawaii and he has seen an influx of seniors being laid-off and seeking to enroll in Medicare Part B.

No doubt brokers across the U.S. are seeing a similar trend in their communities. As more seniors are leaving the workforce, it's important that brokers are educated on how to serve them during these difficult times. Click the button below to see a guide to helping seniors get Medicare Part B after they've been laid-off and while social security offices are closed.