NAIFA-CA member Rahim Solehdin uses his passion and experience to train the next generation of agents and advisors at New York Life.

Making a Difference

When Solehdin joined New York Life as an agent in 2013, he found the balance he was looking for—the opportunity to help people provide for their families while making good money. He always knew he wanted to be in management, and New York Life provided that career path for him. Driven to succeed, he became a partner with New York Life in 2016. "I knew what I had to do to get there, and I did it,” he says. “[At New York Life], I knew that I could do the hard work and get what I wanted.”

For nearly a decade, Solehdin has embraced the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of Main Street Americans. He recalls one particularly memorable experience, delivering his first life insurance check to a widow and her three children. “In that moment, you realize the importance of what we do as well as the importance of not doing the type of work that we do,” he says.

As a partner, Solehdin trains agents and helps them find the right solutions for their clients. He believes a good agent should be driven and compassionate, always putting their customers’ needs first. They should also be coachable, able to listen to feedback and implement it in their work. Learning from successful people is key, he says, and NAIFA provides that opportunity. Speaking with other NAIFA members, he’s able to see similarities between their shared successes and challenges. “I think that's one thing that NAIFA helps a lot with—” he begins. “Hearing from other successful advisors throughout the industry, not just in your company.”

The Value of NAIFA

NAIFA is the professional organization with the biggest personal benefit, Solehdin says. He attends NAIFA webinars and appreciates the networking opportunities NAIFA provides. “It's a good way to be informed on what's happening and how we can help advocate for our clients,” he says.

Solehdin joined NAIFA for several reasons. Some of his mentors are NAIFA past presidents, and he's seen the impact of NAIFA’s political advocacy. “There are things that we don't necessarily control that really do control us.” He continues, “We can voice what we see happening in the community, and what the clients are looking for.” He also notes that much of what NAIFA works to accomplish is what New York Life works to accomplish.

Solehdin is an advocate for NAIFA membership, and all of his agents who are Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) members are also NAIFA members. “If you're in this industry, you need to have a channel of being informed,” he says. “It's one thing to hear from your company all the time, but it's another hearing from others within the industry. All of our goals are the same; anyone in this industry has a goal of helping another individual and hearing from like-minded people will only help to practice.”

Outside of the Office

Solehdin and his wife recently bought a house and are enjoying renovating it together. He and his team give back to their community, volunteering with organizations that aid Los Angeles’s unhoused population.

For his service to his community and our industry and association, we’re #NAIFAproud to have Rahim Solehdin as a part of our NAIFA family.