How did you come up with the idea of your business BeneGuides, and how did you start?
I have a lot of friends who always knew what they wanted to do, professionally. I was never that way, I just always knew that I wanted to feel like I was helping. I used to work in animal rescue, and that was really fulfilling, but when my son was born it didn’t pay enough to cover daycare. I transitioned to insurance, and then found that people had a lot of questions and stress around health insurance, so I gathered mentors and learned everything that I could. Our clients often tell us that they’re coming in stressed and confused, and leaving confident and feeling like they understand the decisions that they’re making. That is our goal!
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
Yes. Even if you think you’re making a deal or agreement with someone you trust, make sure to get it in writing. It turns out that even when you think you’re clear on something, the other person’s recollection might be different from yours. If you think you agree on terms, just take the time to write it down so you both have it!
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
Take a beat when you need to, especially when things are emotionally charged. I’ve never regretted taking a 15 minute walk before responding to a tough phone call or email.
Have you faced adversity in business due to being a woman? How did you navigate that?
I think that every woman business owner faces adversity just by being a woman. One interesting exercise is to ask a group to think of/imagine a doctor, lawyer, teacher, business owner. Even subconsciously, people will tend to imagine those roles as male, male, female, male. Even when people aren’t meaning to, they tend to have an unconscious bias against women as business owners. So we have to keep showing up, and make sure that we’re being seen in all of the same rooms that male business owners are in. We have to go for awards and talk about our successes, so that our daughters and sons don’t have the same unconscious bias.
How do you persevere in challenging times?
For me, I find it super valuable to be vulnerable with the people in my life that I can trust. I have a handful or important, safe relationships and I run back to them when I need to for safety and guidance. I’m super, super lucky that my husband and my co-workers are on that list, so wherever I go I usually have my people close. I’m very specific about the personalities that we add to BeneGuides, and to my life as a whole.
What impact do you want BeneGuides to have?
I want anyone who would like help with finding health insurance in the state of Michigan to have a trusted, safe resource to turn to. We’re always here to answer questions for people. If they sign up with us, great. Generally they choose to because they are comfortable that we’ve answered their questions well and they want us to be able to continue to support them. But I come from a non-profit background, so just being here for folks is what we do best.
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2024?
I don’t think that there has ever been a better time in history to be a woman business owner! Which is great. But I feel like we still have a long way to go with things like the gaps between male and female business funding
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
Make sure you give it at least two years. It honestly takes that long to become known in the community and find your stride. Always be willing to adapt, but make sure you can give an idea at least two years before you decide if it’s viable or not. I see people all the time who come up against some friction and decide it’s not a good business plan. Go into it knowing that it’s going to be a marathon and not a sprint!
What do you do for personal and professional development?
Ugh, I don’t know if anyone else can relate, but I’m terrible at saying no. I’m on the board of three organizations. I participate in an amazing group-business-coaching group for women. I’m currently in the middle of Goldman Sach’s 10,000 Woman program. Honestly, I love learning, so I’m usually looking for that next useful thing!
What Mantra or Quote do you live by?
What’s Your Favorite Place in Lansing or Michigan?
This is a tough one! For kid stuff, Impression 5 for sure. I think that the most beautiful indoor place in Lansing is LaFille Gallery, if you ever get a chance to attend or hold an event in their event space, definitely take it. For an afternoon, I LOVE Old Town for adventures and food. Honestly, I could go on and on.
