Nurturing New Producers and Navigating New Territory With New Producer Kaleigh Kitchens

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Kaleigh Kitchens, Sales Executive at Sterling Insurance Group. Kaleigh and Teresa have a series chronicling her first year in the insurance industry. She was licensed in Feb 2022 and she is at the halfway point of her State Auto Commercial Training Program. They discuss her struggles, the challenges of working with family, and the experience of being a remote producer in a virtual agency. Episode Highlights: Kaleigh shares the highlights of her first year in the insurance industry. (2:55) Kaleigh mentions that each generation handles relationships, especially business relationships, differently, and adapting that in her role has been interesting. (5:06) Kaleigh shares her strategy for handling everything she had to accomplish for her CLCS exam, as well as how she digests all of the information, knowledge, and particularly the insurance terminology. (8:28) Kaleigh believes that the Auto State program has significantly helped her in building confidence and in her ability to communicate with a business owner. (11:54) Kaleigh explains that schedule blocking has helped her become more comfortable with her personal and professional schedules, allowing her to be more productive while working remotely for the agency. (20:14) Kaleigh discusses the most difficult aspect of her first year in the industry and how she dealt with it. (31:27) Kaleigh explains that understanding what keeps the client up at night is important because it lets you get out of your own way and have a good conversation with clients. (35:31) Kaleigh mentions that now that she's halfway through the State Auto program, she's thrilled to go more into marketing, the Chamber of Commerce, a little bit more outsourcing, and connecting with more young professionals in Denver. (40:14) Kaleigh discusses her most recent challenge and how having an icebreaker that isn't related to commercial insurance to first bring up with a business owner that adds value to them has been a game changer. (44:40) Kaleigh believes that the most significant developments in business right now are a wave of casualty, comfort, and a more natural relationship rather than the stereotypical suit and tie. (48:59) Kaleigh discusses the moment she made her first solid sale and how she felt about it. (51:18) Kaleigh discusses the importance of getting yourself ready and prepared for the day. (55:10) Key Quotes: “I'm not going to say I'm perfect. I'm not going to say I'm all-knowing by any means. I know probably 10% of each industry. But I wouldn't even know that 10% if it weren't for those steps that the state Auto Program put me through.” - Kaleigh Kitchens, CLCS “The industry itself is really robust and the fact that commercial lines specifically is working with countless other industries that you need to know the specialties of, and the ins and outs of in order to be a good agent for your client has forced me to be on top of my feet and to be aware of my surroundings and to take information in wherever I can.” - Kaleigh Kitchens, CLCS “Since I was virtual since I am also working with two different CRM systems through State Auto program and through Sterling, I feel like it just took me a while to get my butt into shape, just organize myself and figure out how to do so. And now that I figured that out, on top of the confidence of believing in myself, I feel like the possibilities are going to be limitless.” - Kaleigh Kitchens, CLCS Resources Mentioned: Kaleigh Kitchens, CLCS LinkedIn Contact Teresa Kitchens Sterling Insurance Group