Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Yoder.
Hi Jake, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
So as I was thinking about this, I found myself pondering, what do I want to share. For me, everything starts with why you do what you do. It defines you. I should probably start there. It’s really quite simple. My dad died at age 39. He didn’t have any life insurance. So, life growing up was hard. My mom is a schoolteacher, so money was always a problem. Upon graduating from the University of Toledo, I started working for Jeff Traudt State Farm in Toledo. 3 months into my tenure, the sales manager, Tom, told me Jeff wanted me to get my life insurance license. My exact words were, “like the stuff old people buy.” He laughed, but said “Dude, it’s definitely not just for old people. Wait, didn’t your dad die young?” I said “yes, he was 39. Wait do you mean he could have had life insurance?” He responded, “dude, I knew I made the right choice of asking Traudt to hire you, get that license, you’re going to kill this job.” To this day, I remember my drive home. I was pissed. Pissed no one talked to my mom and dad about life insurance. Pissed there was something that could have been done to help the burden my mom, my brother and I went through. So pissed that when I walked in the door, I told Lauren (my wife), I NEED to be a State Farm agent.
In 2018, I received my chance and was selected to open my own agency in Montpelier, Ohio. To this day, I have one goal in mind. Ask one more family. Because if I can help one more family not go through what I went through, it’s a win. The best apart of being a State Farm agent, is the numerous ways I can help people. We have such a range of possibilities, it makes my job easy. I also have been able to hire and put a team in place to help us succeed. A lot of entrepreneurs think hiring and finding employees is difficult. It really isn’t. My job as an employer is to find the right person that fits, my culture, my vision and my WHY. I truly believe this mindset, has led my office to the success it’s had.
So, I suppose, in a quick and easy review:
Mindset – why wait. If not now, when. Have a servant heart and WANT to help your community.
Actions – ask questions and shut up.
Team involvement – don’t ask your team to do anything you wouldn’t do. Lead by example. My opinion of a great leader isn’t how the office runs when you are there, it’s how it runs when you aren’t there.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road. You will always have bumps in the road. But if we don’t have bumps in the road, you will never grow. You could look at Covid. The market volatility in insurance. Personal issues. You name it, I have dealt with it. My answer is and will always be the same. Control the controllables. Plan for every contingency and be honest. Be honest with yourself and be honest with your team. But above all, be honest to your community.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jacob Yoder Insurance Agency. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a State Farm Agent. I am in independent contractor for State Farm. I run and manage my own insurance agency. I can help people fill gaps in needs they have whether its insurance or financial services and retirement planning. My biggest brand is just being a pillar in the community. I love what my office has built. We are so involved with the local schools, local events and local businesses.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I have a different view on this. I worked in a bigger city. Obviously, my agency is in a small community. I wouldn’t trade the small community for anything. The personal nature of small communities is great. You don’t just run a business, you cultivate relationships. You build trust, relationships and friendships. You go to the grocery store and run into 10 people you know and start conversations. It’s great. This definition is what I built my office on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jakewearskhakis.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakewearskhaki/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jake-yoder-state-farm-insurance-agent-montpelier
