Tricia Quade worked in industrial sales for 26 years, and when her two daughters were in college, she decided it was time for her to make a professional change. She pivoted to insurance, but her first position wasn’t a good fit. In May 2023, she started with Farm Bureau. Here’s how her passion for connecting with people is fueling her success as an agent.
I was ready to believe in myself and do something on my own, and I decided to get into insurance. I worked with one company, but I didn’t love it. I’m more of a people person. I love to build relationships. I want to know people, what they do for a living, their family and what they like. With my previous company I only had five to 10 minutes with each client. It was too transactional for me.
I had a friend who worked with Farm Bureau, so I talked to him about what he thought, and then I talked with a district manager. I thought Farm Bureau as a whole — their values, their support and how they do things — was amazing. After talking to different companies, I decided that this was the route I wanted to take.
What Was the Testing and Training Like to Become an Agent?
At first, I thought, “What am I doing?” I hadn’t taken a test in almost 30 years. It took a bit of time to get back into studying, but once I started reading the books and doing some of the practice, it was easy. I’ve completed my licenses in life, health, property and casualty, and now I’m studying for my securities test.
The Developing Agent Program is amazing because it gives you the opportunity to continue working, get your feet wet and see if this is really for you. It helps you see if becoming an agent is really what you want to do.
My district manager was very helpful. I worked with him a couple of times a week to learn the processes and systems. We also have a Field Training Consultant I would work with. Even today, if I have a question about something, help is just an email or phone call away.
How Has Your Experience With Farm Bureau Been So Far?
The opportunities have been great. It’s been very rewarding. It has been so fulfilling to have this opportunity and to keep growing, moving forward and learning. It's been life-changing.
And the flexibility has been amazing. My parents are elderly and have been sick, and I work my schedule so I can be there when they need me. I work a lot — I’m building a business, and I think you get out of things what you put into them. So, I might take an afternoon off and then work in the evening. But the flexibility is there.
How Do You Find Clients?
A lot of my clients are people I know and referrals from their families and friends. I’ve also had good luck going door to door. I’ll just pick a neighborhood and go out with a bag of materials and a flyer. I also do cold calling on the phone. It’s trial and error, seeing what works and pushing in that direction.
What’s a Typical Day Like for You?
I get to the office around 7 or 7:15 and work on things from the previous day or things I had on the back burner. Then I’ll do some cold calling, talking to people to see if we can provide quotes or work with them. After that I’m working with clients.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays my office is by appointment only, and that's when I go out and stop by businesses or pick a neighborhood and knock on doors. I also touch base with my clients every three to four months to see if there’s anything I can help them with.
What Do You Like Most About Being an Agent?
Helping people. Building relationships with clients has been amazing. I get to sit down and have conversations with them and help them figure out what they need and how to protect their families. We're here for some of the worst times of their lives and for some of the best times of their lives. It’s very fulfilling for me.
What Advice Would You Give to Somebody Who Is Thinking About Making This Switch?
You have to just keep pushing forward or thinking outside the box if things aren’t going well. It’s important to come up with other ways of trying to get clients. But you also have an amazing support system. The support is always there with Farm Bureau, and everyone is on board trying to help you figure it out.
What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?
I've been married to my husband for 28 years, and we travel quite a bit. We visit our oldest daughter in Chicago, and on the weekends, we go to the lake and the hills near here. We hang out with family a lot.
Take the Next Step
If, like Tricia, you’re ready to make a change, consider the agent opportunity with Farm Bureau. Reach out to learn more today.