Cheri Kelley with Alfa Insurance

Intro: [00:00:08] The Business RadioX studio in Woodstock, Georgia. This is Fearless Formula with Sharon Cline.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:17] And welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs in the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. I’m your host, Sharon Cline. And today on the show, we have the owner of the Kelley Agency with 11 years experience with Alpha Insurance. You’re a three time all star award winner as well. Please welcome Cheri Kelley.

Cheri Kelley: [00:00:39] Thank you so much.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:41] You’re welcome. I’m so happy to have you here. It’s funny because we’re sort of like friends from my old sort of life.

Cheri Kelley: [00:00:47] So you were my very first customer. I wrote Sharon 11 years ago.

Sharon Cline: [00:00:53] Wow. I’ve known you that long. It’s kind of cool, actually when I think about it. You know, lots happen in 11 Years, especially awards. What do these awards mean? I mean, that was pretty cool.

Cheri Kelley: [00:01:04] Those are just sales goals that Alpha each year sat out and mainly production. Oh, wow. And you get rewarded very nicely once a trip for your family. They will pay for your family to go. And one’s for a spouse.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:19] Oh, where did you go?

Cheri Kelley: [00:01:20] So usually the beach is the summer trip with the family and then different locations like Las Vegas is this year, big cruises, things of that nature. They are wonderful, wonderful company to work for.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:35] Oh, I’m happy to hear that. You deserve that.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:39] Yeah, because we.

Sharon Cline: [00:01:39] Were talking earlier about what it’s like. I mean, I was a stay at home mom for a long time, and I know you kind of did similar things. And what is it like to start your own agency? Like, how did that come about?

Cheri Kelley: [00:01:50] Well, let’s see. It was an interesting story. Yeah. I guess back in oh eight or ten when everything kind of blew up.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:00] Yes, the housing.

Cheri Kelley: [00:02:01] Market had a really, really great job. A job shared. I was able to work about ten days a month. I sold paper. People found that very interesting because the office.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:12] Yes, they’re a paper.

Cheri Kelley: [00:02:14] Company. Everybody. It’s like you’re like the office. I’m like, very much so. Honestly, I just. I had to find a job to be completely honest. But I was also rounding 40, Right. And I really wanted to do a job where I, number one, felt like I could make a difference in people’s lives. Number two, sustain it for the remainder of my career.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:42] For.

Cheri Kelley: [00:02:42] Sure. And I didn’t want to start over at 50. Right. So insurance was definitely something that came up. And I did interview with several different companies, and Alpha was just the perfect fit for me.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:55] Well, you know, it’s funny you talk about what sustaining I mean, what.

Sharon Cline: [00:02:58] Else is sustaining like, insurance? You know.

Sharon Cline: [00:03:03] So. All right. So when you start you started, how did you get you just sort of became under the umbrella of Alpha.

Cheri Kelley: [00:03:09] I did. So one of the when I interviewed, you have to get your license. So I did all those credentials and then form an LLC. So all of this was totally new to me. I thought me a business owner. No way. But it has. It has been wonderful. But so I started. Yeah, I started that. And then Alpha is like a captive insurance company, like a state farm, all state. You have other independent agents that are brokers. I do write other business, but other than Alpha. Yeah, but that is our. That’s my bread and butter. Got you.

Sharon Cline: [00:03:48] So what do you mean? When we talk about someone kind of opening the door to a.

Sharon Cline: [00:03:53] Whole new world?

Sharon Cline: [00:03:55] What were some of the surprises that you encountered?

Sharon Cline: [00:03:57] Lot. Let’s hear them. Or some of them.

Cheri Kelley: [00:04:02] It’s just business. Being a new business owner in general was. Overwhelming, to say the least. And then. Each with each insurance company. Everybody has their own like wheelhouse. So not every. Person would fit Alpha.

Sharon Cline: [00:04:22] Oh, I got you. Okay.

Cheri Kelley: [00:04:24] So there’s. There’s different things for different people, but. But I just love the people. I just love being in the community, being able I’ve been able to help lots of my customers when they have had crisis. I mean, big crisis, life changing crisis, losing a family member, losing your home, losing your job. You know, so. I’m really it fulfills my heart not only as the job, but I do honestly consider them. Part friends and part of my family.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:01] Right. Because you do auto and home and life and business. Commercial.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:07] Yes. Yeah. Which covers lots of aspects of life, I guess. Kind of all the important things.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:13] So what is that like for you to kind of be the person that they call in moments of, you know, unbelievable stress and like crises like you’re saying? What’s that.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:22] Like it?

Cheri Kelley: [00:05:24] Well, it is awesome feeling to be able to know that you can tell them with 100% confidence it’s going to be okay. We are going to take care of you, I promise.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:41] In those.

Sharon Cline: [00:05:41] Moments, that must be like a lifeline, you know, and like something that will sustain you through when you’re having stress like.

Cheri Kelley: [00:05:48] That. I mean, it’s like as recently when everyone, you know, a lot of people were having the best of pipes and things of that nature and. I mean, two stories gone for a week. You come home, your whole home is destroyed. I mean, but being able to say, get a hotel. You know, we I gotcha. And then, sadly enough, delivering a life policy. When you’ve lost a loved one, can completely change their path of life. Because they are. Devastated. And if it’s the breadwinner or it doesn’t even matter who it is, they’ve lost someone super, super close to them. And this provides them the promise to go on, and that is insurance. You’re selling a. Product that you cannot see. You’re really selling a promise, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:06:42] That’s so interesting, too. You’re right. Sort of like you’re going to be there for me, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:06:45] Yes. Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:47] Do you feel like you’re never off?

Cheri Kelley: [00:06:49] Never often. But that’s okay. But that’s okay.

Sharon Cline: [00:06:52] We talk about this on the show a lot, what it’s like to have, you know, social media, but also, you know, in your industry specifically any time of day. Weekends, holidays does not matter. What is that like to balance your life with? Do you balance how about how about that?

Sharon Cline: [00:07:08] Do you balance your life that way?

Cheri Kelley: [00:07:10] You really do. It is difficult at times because everybody needs to. Take them. Take care of their own self. But I’m never off.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:23] Do you?

Sharon Cline: [00:07:24] Can you put. Can you put boundaries down? Like, okay, we’re going to dinner and I’m not going to answer this phone or whatever.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:30] Yeah, that’s good.

Cheri Kelley: [00:07:31] Always do that, but you always check.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:35] As soon.

Cheri Kelley: [00:07:36] As you get back in the car.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:38] What’s it like to be a business owner when you kind of go all the way back to before you started this? Can you kind of compare how different your life feels?

Cheri Kelley: [00:07:47] Oh, it’s. Far more rewarding now.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:51] Oh, that’s so interesting.

Cheri Kelley: [00:07:52] Far more rewarding, Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:07:54] It must feel like you are doing something so good for people. So it’s like sustaining emotionally sustaining, I guess.

Cheri Kelley: [00:08:00] Correct. And it’s hard. I mean, you know, there’s. Let’s be honest. We’re we’re in an inflationary crisis.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:08] I can’t go to the grocery store as much as I used to.

Cheri Kelley: [00:08:10] In insurance is is the same. You know, you think people get really upset when they get their new rates or so forth. But what you have to remember is car’s a bumper for a vehicle. It’s not the same bumper. It wasn’t 85. It’s got backup cameras.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:28] Yeah, that’s.

Cheri Kelley: [00:08:28] True. So that’s already expensive. And then the auto industry repair shops, you know, they’ve. They have absorbed increases as far as paint, chemicals, material, anything. So then that is a true trickle down, trickle down bad.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:49] So it’s not it’s not like you’re saying I’m just increasing because I would like to go on vacation with my.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:54] Husband and fear. You’re saying this is.

Sharon Cline: [00:08:56] Actually across the board? Yeah.

Cheri Kelley: [00:08:58] Everything’s increasing. Absolutely.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:00] And people get upset about it.

Cheri Kelley: [00:09:02] Yeah, because it is expensive and you know everybody. Is trying to manage the best they can. Like you just mentioned, the grocery store, the everything. Vacation? Yeah, everything. So when they’re on on a set income or they’re used to paying this set amount each month and then all of a sudden 5060 is a huge impact on them.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:28] So how do you you just assure them.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:31] Then, that this is just the.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:33] Way it is? It’s like not just for me, it’s across the board.

Cheri Kelley: [00:09:35] It is, absolutely. It’s the world we live in, unfortunately.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:39] Do you feel like people are not ensuring their items or life.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:45] Like this shit? I don’t know. Did I say that correctly? You did. Okay. Yes. Succinct answer. Oh, no, that’s upsetting. You know, because think about it.

Sharon Cline: [00:09:57] You’re on the road and you just have like, okay, well, in order for you to have your tag renewed, you have to have insurance. And so our. Are people not doing what they should be doing then?

Cheri Kelley: [00:10:05] I honestly feel people are just underinsured in general with these cost of things. You know, you’ve got to make sure if you’re at an at fault accident that you maybe you hit your rear in someone that rear in someone. You’ve got two cars. If you’re driving on state minimums, you know, you have to really protect yourself if you own a home or anything, because fortunately, another world we live in or it’s really easy to dial one 800.

Sharon Cline: [00:10:41] Yeah, Really?

Sharon Cline: [00:10:43] No, I mean, that’s actually very good advice because I’m assuming that if you really can’t afford a really huge policy, you will just go with the minimum. But it may not be enough to really make an impact on what you need.

Cheri Kelley: [00:10:53] It’s in liability is is inexpensive for what could happen. It’s worth the money for the extra protection. Wow.

Sharon Cline: [00:11:04] Interesting. Okay. I should be looking at my policy shortly. So, you know, starting your own business and, you know, the show’s fearless formula. So how did you combat sort of the, I don’t know, natural sort of unsure feeling people have when they start a new adventure.

Cheri Kelley: [00:11:22] Lots of prayer sharing. Well, I’ve really believed in the company and and the opportunity and what it would could mean for me and my family, to be honest. But it was scary.

Sharon Cline: [00:11:40] I can only imagine.

Cheri Kelley: [00:11:41] It was very scary going somewhere I really had. I had zero experience.

Sharon Cline: [00:11:46] Did you learn mostly on the job or did you have to go through a lot of training?

Cheri Kelley: [00:11:50] We did have a lot of training, but there’s no training like I know, right? Diving in. Yeah. And so I’m still learning. There’s a lot. There is a lot.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:00] Well, what are the cities that you serve? I think it’s not just obviously Cherokee County.

Cheri Kelley: [00:12:04] I can tell for the whole state of Georgia. Oh, only the state of Georgia. But my main you know, I grew up in Smyrna, so I’m from Cobb County. So my main base is Cobb and Cherokee. Got you. A lot of emphasize, but mainly Cobb and Cherokee.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:20] I saw that you went to Kennesaw State. I did stalk you slightly.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:23] I did. You went to Kansas State University.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:25] So did I. So we are fighting owls together?

Sharon Cline: [00:12:27] Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:28] So I did. Earlier today, there were Fighting Owl. I’m like, Look, it’s a little family.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:31] Here it is. Radio X. Okay, So.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:36] What do you think is the biggest misconception in your industry?

Cheri Kelley: [00:12:41] I think people. Can of touch him back. I think people don’t realize the value of it. They a lot of people like you always hear, I always pay for this and I never use it. You know, I’m paying for something. I never use it. I don’t really need that until.

Sharon Cline: [00:12:59] Do you really need.

Cheri Kelley: [00:13:00] Until you.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:01] Really need it?

Sharon Cline: [00:13:03] Well, that’s important to note, because I feel the same sometimes. I’m like, you know, I’ve never made a claim on this or that, so.

Cheri Kelley: [00:13:09] Right.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:10] But yeah, you’re right. There is a good feeling and knowing it’s there and.

Cheri Kelley: [00:13:13] Just knowing what you have. I think a lot of people, when I say under-insured, you know, people update their homes, add on a garage. Finish their basements.

Sharon Cline: [00:13:25] That’s something I didn’t even think of. You’re right.

Cheri Kelley: [00:13:27] And so my job as an agent to do my job well is to make sure I touch those policyholders on their renewals, their homes, autos, go over the coverage, make sure they understand, you know, if they don’t, if they get into an accident and they don’t have a rental car. I mean, you know, you just need to go over the little things because, again, people may just a lot of people assume it’s part of it. So everybody just needs to be. Be aware, informed of what’s available. Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:02] Man. It just makes me think what I think.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:04] I’m serious. I’m thinking.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:05] Do I know all of the answers to these things that you’re saying? The answer would be no, I don’t.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:11] All right.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:11] So I also wanted to ask you, what do you think some of your sort of mistakes or things that you wish you knew sort of when you got started? What what do you wish you could have told yourself? In the beginning.

Cheri Kelley: [00:14:28] Work smarter, not harder. Better value of my time. Like. I wish I would have dove straight into community events then. But you’re scared. You’re new. You don’t have that confidence. Sure. To go in and run the.

Sharon Cline: [00:14:47] Chamber, you know, or.

Cheri Kelley: [00:14:49] Or whatever it may be. But I. I really, really regret. But now my first office was in Roswell, which was not in my community. And I feel like it is so important to be a part of your community, be seen. And I try to do a lot more of that, but I wish I would have been.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:10] A little bit more proactive. Yeah.

Cheri Kelley: [00:15:11] Just not. Just not as. Fearful.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:16] Got you. You’re on the right show. Well, if.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:20] You’re just joining us, we’re speaking with Sherry Kelley of the Kelley agency Alpha Insurance. So what do you do in the community now that you feel like you’re in the right spot?

Cheri Kelley: [00:15:30] Well, I’m involved with Cherokee Family Development Center and try to help them a lot. They do so much for these families in transition. And that’s really been where I have focused my most of my time. And I really try. To help within my book.

Sharon Cline: [00:15:53] You mean things that your wheelhouse of things that you like.

Cheri Kelley: [00:15:55] My book of customers. So, like, if. If when I feel there. When I hear their needs. Oh, so you’re looking out for. I really. I really try and help in those ways as well.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:10] Well, that must be very rewarding as well, because you do have power, you know, in your power.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:17] Your power can hardly handle it here in the studio.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:21] So what do you do for sales and marketing? Do you market yourself? How do you make it all work?

Cheri Kelley: [00:16:26] I have someone that helps me with my Facebook and we do a lot in. Within the office. And also I have a couple of billboards coming. I used to do the billboards and I kind of stepped away from it. And then there was not a lot of availability, but there’s some availability coming back up. And I just think it’s important to be seen. People know what you do, right.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:51] Your picture is on there.

Cheri Kelley: [00:16:53] That’s not really great, but it is.

Sharon Cline: [00:16:58] Oh my God.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:00] No. You’re like, so beautiful. But also I like that you are talking about how the value of investing money this way because I remember seeing your billboards like on 575. I want to say that, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:17:11] Yes, I had a flash of it.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:14] But how do people tell you I saw you on a billboard?

Sharon Cline: [00:17:17] Yes. Oh, then it’s worth it.

Cheri Kelley: [00:17:18] Yes. And they’re like, I didn’t realize that that’s what you did. Or, you know, when the kids were younger, you would see people with. You know, activities or sports or whatever, and you get to know them that way. But they’re like, I had no clue, you know?

Sharon Cline: [00:17:33] Well, it’s not like you lead with that everywhere with all of your interactions, right? Although when you do have a product like you do, pretty much anybody could be your customer, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:17:41] Yes. Yes. How do you.

Cheri Kelley: [00:17:43] Everybody needs their every everyone needs insurance time. Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:49] So how would I. I’m trying to think because the world is like how I see it.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:54] So I’m like in my mind, how would.

Sharon Cline: [00:17:56] I approach this? Because really, it must be a challenge to kind of not always be selling, I guess.

Cheri Kelley: [00:18:01] Right. And, you know, there’s a lot of agents, you know, so a lot of times people, you know, they have family, friends and all of that. And I’m not a high pressure sales. I’m not it either. I would love to help you. I work for a wonderful company. We have great rates but. It’s some people aren’t even comfortable friends doing business. You know, some people don’t like to do business with friends. Ironically, I got to think about that and that, you know, people have different feelings.

Sharon Cline: [00:18:32] You know, I go to a networking meeting here in Woodstock on Thursday mornings, and we talk a lot about that, about how everyone’s they’re representing their business. But then you get to know them almost on a friend level. And I would trust them more than I would just anyone, you know. So I would assume that you would have the same sort of, I don’t know, interactions with people. Is that especially because you’ve been in the industry so long, you’re not really a fly by night kind of agency where you’re just looking to get this policy money and then you’re close.

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:03] Well, most of my business is referrals.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:06] Oh, well, I mean, that’s cool to know. Yes.

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:09] Yes. So that’s like the biggest compliment I can have. You know, I mean, if they trust me enough to send their family and friends, that means the world to me.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:20] If you could, where do you see yourself going? If you if you could kind of craft your perfect, I don’t know, goal, what would it be?

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:29] Well, I hope to finish out and retire. You know, I’ve got a while. Let’s don’t talk about that.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:37] Like this is what you’d like to be doing.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:39] Yes, this.

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:40] Is. I will continue to do it. I really enjoy it.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:43] Oh, I think that’s awesome. And again, I think it’s just so kind how you are looking out for people, even beyond what sort of the standard agent would do. Right. So how many people work in your office?

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:54] I currently I have two.

Sharon Cline: [00:19:58] So you have two employees?

Cheri Kelley: [00:19:59] Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:00] Well, so you’re the boss.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:02] Since you.

Cheri Kelley: [00:20:03] And I’m a mean one.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:06] I don’t see that at all. We do not.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:08] Lie here on business radio. No, but seriously, it’s kind of cool. I imagine that you’re like a boss that way.

Cheri Kelley: [00:20:14] Yes. It’s. It’s weird. It’s a hard role for me because I am a doer. And so to give instruction and pass on and that’s one thing that I have learned. I’m doing a better job at it because in the beginning it’s just, Oh, I can do it. It’s just easier for me to do it. Well, it’s not, you know, it’s far more efficient when you have boundaries and things to do and you’re far more productive.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:49] So I have that problem, too.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:51] I mean, I do. It’s like.

Sharon Cline: [00:20:52] Well, I don’t know if they’re going to do it right. So I think I’ll just do it because I know it’s going to get done right, which means I have control issues.

Cheri Kelley: [00:20:59] Well, I think that’s my problem.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:02] But do you do trust these people that I work with?

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:04] Absolutely.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:05] So how did you find them?

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:07] Actually, both of them I have known for when I met through the community when my daughter was in middle school and the other I grew up with.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:16] Oh, that’s great.

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:17] I’ve known her since middle school.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:19] So it feels kind of like family anyway.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:20] Yes. Oh, I love it. No, but it’s.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:24] Nice because when you have a.

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:25] Relationship.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:26] Is it all is it all women there? Oh, geez. Good for you.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:30] No, but like, when you have relationships like that, these are people you trust and know.

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:34] Yes.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:34] So you haven’t had to go through the LinkedIn sort of route of our hiring or indeed, or whatever.

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:38] I have not. I’ve been fortunate not that I have looked because I’m looking to to build. I would love to add another employee at some point.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:49] Well, that’s.

Cheri Kelley: [00:21:50] Great. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:51] I’m not that expensive.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:52] Just kidding.

Sharon Cline: [00:21:53] What would you say is your biggest challenge then? Is it balancing your sort of work at home or is it, I don’t know, managing growth or competing with other companies? Are they all.

Cheri Kelley: [00:22:04] It’s it’s it’s all. But I think the work life balance is the hardest for sure. It’s hard. I left there at seven, you know, last night. I’ve been there after, you know, but that’s what it takes to take care of it. And it’s my business. So your baby. I feel like that’s my job.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:27] That’s your. Your what do they call it? Like your brand, I guess. Yes. And so you’re promoting the brand. I get that. But yeah, I was thinking about that. Like I’ve called you.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:37] Sorry, you don’t.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:38] Have to go too personal.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:39] But I have called you and texted.

Sharon Cline: [00:22:41] You and been like, Oh, my gosh, John. I mean, all of my kids have had some kind of accident. I’ve had an accident I backed into. So I guess I’m just saying it’s like you never know when that’s all going to come to you.

Cheri Kelley: [00:22:51] Right? So and we do have a customer service on after hours. If for some reason, you know, I didn’t get it, but to me they went, I feel like you probably wanted to hear from me. It’s going to be okay, you know?

Sharon Cline: [00:23:06] Do you.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:07] Hold hands? A lot of people.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:09] I guess, like you have for me.

Sharon Cline: [00:23:12] I mean, let’s talk about what that’s like to because considering I did a story for CNN about the police here in Canton and interviewed them for a while and I did like some ride alongs with them, and it was really interesting to hear what it’s like for them to be always interacting with people under stressful circumstances. And so they had this program called Coffee with a Cop, which was just like meet the police officers under, you know, a non stressful scenario. And it brings out a different energy with people. You know, when you’re just having coffee and speaking to a police officer, you’re not getting a ticket, you know, in that moment or whatever else happens. But yeah, I’m imagining that’s what it’s like for you. So these networking things that you do must be really important.

Cheri Kelley: [00:23:53] Yes, it’s very it is just to. Here are the needs people. People need stuff.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:04] Yeah. So and unless you’re really out there actively selling, how would you know if you’re meeting all the needs that someone has?

Cheri Kelley: [00:24:11] Right. And there’s so many questions with insurance people. People just automatically. Assume it’s a scam. I hate to say that, really, but, you know, because like I said, they’re like. I’ve never had it. Why is it so expensive? Why? It’s mine going up. I drive an older car. I mean, it’s. And I get all of it. And I always tell people I am a consumer as well and it is tough. And I will help you any way that I can, even if it’s. With someone else. Truthfully, I mean, that’s the truth.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:48] Well, I mean, that’s very kind as well that you’re not just in it for the dollars. Like, you’re my customer. You can’t.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:53] Leave. Right.

Cheri Kelley: [00:24:55] I would never.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:57] Not really.

Sharon Cline: [00:24:58] So I would question then what? Who’s your ideal customer?

Cheri Kelley: [00:25:02] Our ideal customer is someone who owns a home, has a couple of autos, has an umbrella policy.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:11] God, do I have an umbrella? I don’t know if I have an umbrella policy.

Cheri Kelley: [00:25:14] Can’t stand the umbrellas or are very, very important, especially with teenage drivers. Or if you have a pool and you have people over a lot and if someone you know, it’s just it’s just that extra layer of protection for very minimal amount.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:34] All right. I have shame asking you this question, but what exactly is an umbrella policy?

Sharon Cline: [00:25:40] I’m so sorry. I do not know the answer to this. Like I’ve heard of it, but shame on me. I haven’t told you. Oh, yeah? Yeah. It’s your.

Sharon Cline: [00:25:46] Fault. I love this moment. This is a great moment.

Cheri Kelley: [00:25:49] So an umbrella is a additional liability. It’s additional liability coverage. So say you have an auto accident and there’s a lot of injuries and you’re at fault, or whatever the case may be. If the bodily injury or whatever is tapped out on your auto policy, that’s where your umbrella would kick in.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:14] Okay.

Cheri Kelley: [00:26:15] And they start at a million $1,000,000 umbrella.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:18] They start at a.

Cheri Kelley: [00:26:19] Million like it’s $1,000,000 additional on top. Wow. And it represents. It covers your home as well as your auto whatever underlying policies.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:30] Well, dang, how often do people need these umbrella policies?

Cheri Kelley: [00:26:33] You would be surprised. Really? Yes. They’re very important.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:37] Yes. All of a sudden, I’m terrified not leaving here without an umbrella before I sign some documents.

Sharon Cline: [00:26:44] No, but that’s important. I don’t know. My average. I have no idea what people know and don’t know. Right.

Cheri Kelley: [00:26:50] I guess people. Most people don’t know. You know, that’s the truth. They they they know what they have to have. You know, you have to have insurance. You know, they’ll but they don’t really know what the coverage is necessarily stand for.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:06] What would you recommend for someone who really doesn’t have and I’m kind of speaking for myself, a really clear understanding of exactly what I should have. Do you think just giving you a call would be the best way?

Cheri Kelley: [00:27:16] That would be awesome. I would be happy to talk to anyone, regardless of their my customer or not, because I think to be informed. Is knowledge is power, right?

Sharon Cline: [00:27:29] Sure. Well, clearly.

Cheri Kelley: [00:27:32] So, I mean, you just I think people, especially young people that come off, you know, their parents and they’re going on their own, they don’t really. No. Mm hmm. Unless their parents have really sat down with them. And there are a lot of people who have really done a great job with these young adults coming, right? They really know what they need, and that’s hopeful.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:54] It is.

Cheri Kelley: [00:27:55] It really is. I’m really impressed with some of them.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:58] Wow. Well, how.

Sharon Cline: [00:27:59] Did the pandemic affect your business? Did the pandemic affect your business?

Cheri Kelley: [00:28:03] It actually did not impact my business. Well, it it did, but. I lost some because people lost their jobs and they just had no choice than to to shop, which is everyone’s right. So I did lose a lot. But in the same. Fashion. People still. You still have to have your have your autos covered and your homes covered. And the pandemic was just an awkward. It was a hard time for so many, and.

Sharon Cline: [00:28:42] I’m thinking that people worked from home a lot, too. So their houses got impacted, I’m sure, in different ways.

Cheri Kelley: [00:28:48] Yes. And we we cut a lot of mileage.

Sharon Cline: [00:28:50] Oh, gosh.

Cheri Kelley: [00:28:51] You know, like, I didn’t drive change and yeah, change in mileage, you know, that would help them save some. We would try and just reevaluate their policies and make any changes we could to help them during that time.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:04] It’s so good to know. All right. So let’s talk about what you are not afraid of anymore after having gone through starting your own business and 11 years later, an awards later and pandemic later, what are there things that you’re not afraid of anymore?

Cheri Kelley: [00:29:21] I’m not afraid of a lot. I’m really not afraid. Why be afraid? You got to try, right? If I wouldn’t have tried this. And I did kind of you know, I had to I needed a job. This is how it really got started. But. Gosh. You’re always afraid of some type of failure. You know? Yeah, of course, but. And I’m not afraid.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:54] Yeah. What advice do you.

Sharon Cline: [00:29:57] Have for some people out there who may be considering starting something like your business? What would you recommend for them to do?

Cheri Kelley: [00:30:02] Go for it. Absolutely. Go for it. I think working for yourself, having that freedom. Because even I say I’m not often there’s a lot of flexibility.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:15] You know, you’re your own boss. Yes. You don’t answer to anybody, really?

Cheri Kelley: [00:30:18] Absolutely. And it is. It’s the American dream. Right.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:25] True.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:26] And you do touch a lot of the American dreams with homes and cars and businesses. And so you do kind of have a hand in everyone’s American dream as well as your own, which is kind of cool.

Cheri Kelley: [00:30:35] Very good.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:37] Thanks, Farai. Good moment.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:42] I’m so glad it’s live.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:44] At this moment, there.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:44] Are many times where I’m like, wait, what was I.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:46] Going to ask you anyway? Well, Sherrie.

Sharon Cline: [00:30:49] Kelly, how can people get in touch with you?

Cheri Kelley: [00:30:51] Well, I am located down off old Highway five, down by the post office. If anyone is out and about. But most of the time people just go to my website and you can just do its alpha insurance forward slash Sherrie Kelly and I’m on Facebook and Instagram and all that good fun stuff. And it’s Sheri with a C. A lot of people think it’s cherry.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:14] Oh, it’s not cherry.

Cheri Kelley: [00:31:15] Kelly And it happens a lot, but I do answer to it. So yes, I’m right here in Canton, so I would love the opportunity to speak with anyone.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:24] Oh, well, thank you so much for coming on the show. I’m so grateful that you got to spend some time with me. Not in a stressful speech.

Cheri Kelley: [00:31:30] To me.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:31] Because we.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:32] Never really sit down and talk about these things. So, you know, I’m always kind of like, Oh, no, this bad thing happened. Help. So I appreciate your time and kind of giving me a little bit of more of an insight on under a very calm.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:43] Scenario, what it’s like to be you.

Cheri Kelley: [00:31:45] Oh, well, you’re so sweet. Thank you so much.

Sharon Cline: [00:31:48] You’re welcome. And thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula on business radio. And this is Sharon Cline reminding you that with knowledge and understanding, we can all have our own fearless formula. Have a great day.