Dr. Michelle Rozen is a game-changing, revenue-building, performance-boosting change expert and NAIFA is excited to bring her to the main stage for Apex 2022. Her extensive expertise on how change works in the human mind, captivating storytelling,  and actionable takeaways will leave a lasting impact. Michelle will kick off day 2 of NAIFA's Apex Sales Summit at the Arizona Biltmore on August 17-18.

If an agent working with people on Medicare is even somewhat successful at what they do, hundreds of people, if not thousands, will depend on them. The statistics are not merely numbers but hard facts that impact real people. For example, out of 100 clients, statistically, in the US, an estimated 40 out of 100 men and 39 out of 100 women will develop cancer during their lifetime. That means you are very likely to have the opportunity to help many of your clients deal with the financial impact of cancer. Knowing how Medicare will work for treatment and having a publication ready to share will show them that you are a qualified advisor. 

John (Jack) Hawk, LUTCF, FSS, LACP, learned the value of life insurance at an early age. When his mother was 3 months pregnant with him, his father was killed in a car accident. Hawk’s great-grandfather had passed three days earlier. As neither had life insurance, the family had to deal with financial uncertainty while grieving two devastating losses.

Hawk admits he got lucky—his mother remarried when he was a year old, and Jack and his siblings were raised in a middle-class household. “I was this close to that not happening,” he says. “We got this opportunity because of stepdad.”

When Bryan Nester created Nester Insurance in 2010, his mission was simple—to help people understand their insurance options and make the best choice for their unique situations. Nester Insurance started as a solo operation offering group health, life, and disability plans for businesses but expanded staff in 2016 to help shape the group benefits agency it is today.

I have been blessed to work with many personal development coaches over the years. I worked with John for the longest - about 5-6 years. John and I had bi-weekly coaching calls for 30 minutes. These calls are some of the most impactful calls I have each month. 

Early in our coaching relationship, I can vividly remember having one of those really negative days… you know those days where nothing seems to be going right?! One of those days where all you can see is the challenge… the adversity… the rejection… the negativity?!

NAIFA's Apex is for hyper growth-focused advisors who are already succeeding and already driven to be among the best. That’s why we've got Cody Askins, founder of 8% Nation, kicking off NAIFA’s Apex as the opening keynote. For Cody, it all started at the age of 20 when he made $117,000 in the insurance industry while attending school full time and playing college basketball. His mission is to help agents and advisors to build skills and learn the necessary mindset to achieve any goal they set.

What happens if you die without a will? Who needs a trust? What other important documents should you consider?

Join us on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 2 pm eastern to learn the answers to these questions and more in the special webinar "What Everyone Should Know About Estate Planning."

Baystate Financial's Jonathan Matrullo believes in the power of mentorship, community, and advocating for insurance and financial professionals and their clients. 

When Matrullo was considering career paths while in graduate school, becoming an insurance agent or financial advisor never crossed his mind. That changed when his brother was applying for life insurance. When the insurance agent asked his brother what was important to him, his brother responded, “my family.” 

From that conversation, the agent shared that their office was expanding, and suggested Matrullo apply. He agreed to learn more and soon realized that the insurance and financial services industry is more than just life insurance—it's comprehensive financial planning for the future. That’s when he decided to start his career at New York Life.

For the past few years, pundits have been predicting that bots, robo-advisors, and other technologies will lead to the demise of living, breathing financial professionals. That hasn’t happened yet, and, in my opinion, it never will. Yes, people can conduct much of their preliminary research online, and a few are willing to purchase basic coverage without ever speaking to a person. But most will want a financial professional to guide them through life’s twists and turns. Even those people who purchase coverage from a robo-advisor will seek the expertise of a financial professional as their needs become more complex. 

NAIFA-Atlanta CEO Trey Kelly has been a NAIFA member since 1999 and has seen firsthand the benefits of NAIFA membership and NAIFA’s political advocacy. 

Getting Started

When he was an economics major in college, Kelly knew he wanted to get into sales. As luck would have it, one of his college friends suggested Kelly meet with his father, who was a top producer with John Hancock at the time. When Kelly walked into the man’s office—a top-floor space with a great view of downtown Atlanta—Kelly knew he wanted to become a financial advisor too. He joined John Hancock and his friend’s father became a mentor to him.