YAC Spotlight: Ali Marino Fletcher

• I always joke around and say I started at Family Insurance Services daycare at three months, and the rest is history. I am the third generation in the agency, so I always hung around the office growing up and did small tasks like scanning documents or taking pictures of cars. But it wasn't until Hurricane Wilma that I truly understood what my family did. I was able to see first-hand how big of an impact the insurance agency has at the time of a disaster and how much we could really help people. After that, I knew that insurance was going to be my path. 

Who has made the biggest impact on your career up to this point? 

• My dad. My grandmother started the agency in 1981 and brought my dad in around 1983 when he was graduating college. He got heavily involved in another insurance organization and served on various board positions, so a lot of our family trips were going to conventions and different conferences. Seeing him genuinely enjoy his career and his passion for the industry is what made me want to follow in his footsteps. 

Why did you choose to join the Young Agents Council? 

• It’s easy to get stuck in the four walls of your office, so I really wanted to surround myself with like-minded people and seek both mentorship and friendship outside of my office. Our industry is unlike anything else, and sometimes other people just don't really understand it. I think that’s what originally drew me to YAC, but now my favorite part of it is community involvement because that’s important to me, and when we all join together, we make an even bigger impact. 

What advice would you offer college students unsure of majoring in Risk Management?  

• I would just say do it. Risk Management can look however you want it to look. So, if you’re passionate about construction or restaurants or just helping people, there is a section in the industry for you. If you feel lost or don’t know what route to go, you can always find a way to figure it out and find yourself. You’re not forced into a box—whatever you’re into, there is a place for you in our industry. 

What is your favorite aspect of the job? 

• Helping people is my favorite part. Whether it's explaining what the coverages are and they have that “Aha!” moment, or if it's at the worst time of their life and you’re walking them through the claims process, or making sure that everything's going smoothly to take away the stress—no matter what it is, helping people is my favorite part of the job. 

How would you help the next generation become interested in a career in insurance? 

• The younger generation thinks they have to go to college to make money. But that’s not the case. There are certain careers that require a degree but being an agent isn’t one of them. The only thing you need is hard work, and I don’t think a lot of young people realize that. One thing I recommend is finding mentorship opportunities and joining an association where you can connect with lifers who genuinely want to see the younger generation succeed.  

In your opinion, what is the most valuable skill that a young agent can have? 

• I would say empathy. I think anyone can be a salesperson, but when you're coming into our industry, the one thing that you have to understand is that our busy season is pretty much caused by a tragedy. When disaster strikes, you have to be ready to go, and I think having the patience to educate your clients, developing a risk management plan, and having the compassion to help them through it makes an agent more successful than just chasing a commission check. 

What is your favorite food/restaurant? 

• My favorite restaurant is Trattoria Romana in Boca Raton. They have the best Italian food in South Florida.  

What do you do for fun? 

• Travel. I like to go to different places and experience different cultures. Recently I’ve been making a lot of group international trips. I did Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, Czech Republic, and Germany. I also once did a surprise trip where I paid a company to set up my trip, and they told me what time to be at the airport and booked everything, like the flight, the hotel, and dinner reservations, for me. The place I’ve enjoyed the most so far has been Galloway, Ireland. 

Are cats or dogs better and why? 

• It’s dogs—100 percent dogs, no questions asked. There’s nothing better than unconditional love from my pupper. Dogs are great, and sweet old dogs are the best thing ever.