Stephen Gallagher

MedicareCompareUSA Licensed Insurance Agent

How did you begin your insurance career?

I definitely did not start my career anywhere near the insurance world, in fact I would say I was about as far from it as one could get. I graduated from Tennessee Tech University where I played football and finished with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. For 15+ years I worked for my father in our family business building high-end acoustic guitars. At some point I did every aspect in the business from building the guitars to operating the business side which taught me the many ups and downs of ownership. I learned a lot during this time but by 2018 the decision was made to close the business.

I quickly landed on my feet at a company called Wesley Financial Group in a commission-based position. It was in this position that I discovered my passion for helping people experiencing a difficult situation find a solution to their problem. In 2021, I began working from home due to the impact COVID had on society. Wesley Financial Group had tasked me with making outbound cold calls. BRUTAL is the one word that described this position. Wes Akers (my father-in-law) listened to some of the calls I made and approached me about getting my insurance license. The significance of that conversation was life changing – I realized that I could build something for my family and myself. I quickly did a self-study course to obtain my health and life license. Wes continued to pour into me as I spent my first AEP in Washington with him teaching me the art of assisting people with Medicare.

What do you do for fun?

I love following and attending sports events with my two wonderful children, Easton and Lennon, and twelve nieces and nephews. Cooking is another passion I enjoy especially when preparing food for my family and my wife’s restaurant. Another major part of my life is riding horses. I am an avid equestrian who rides trails sometimes up to twenty miles in a day.

In January, Stephen Gallagher reached Humana’s Top 20 Overall Producers!

Hobbies?

My main passion is horses. I feed my passion in several different ways. First, I breed, raise, and train Tennessee Walking/Spotted Saddle horses for the purpose of sport and trial. Over the past few years, I have sold horses that I raised to clients in Canada, Kentucky, Louisiana, and locally in Tennessee. Second, I board horses for other owners. I partner with my boarders to help me in the operation of the business, sponsor trail rides for the boarders, and lend my horsemanship knowledge to them as needed.

My passion for horses has been with me since my birth and I have always found a way to incorporate horses into my life. I have owned many horses in my life and ridden “a ton” of others for various customers. However seven years ago,  I purchased my breeding stallion and main trail horse “Around Here Buzz” known as just Buzz at the barn. He is the horse I always dreamed of having– a big black and white walking horse. Now, I have a barn full with Buzz and three of his foals which, of course, are all black and white.

My career has grown exponentially because I strive to have a growth mindset which plays into another hobby of mine. I enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks. When I open myself up to the viewpoints of other people, I learn new skills. These skills allow me to not only better my business, but to better myself.

What advice would you give to a new agent?

To a new agent, I would advise embracing continuous learning and being open to mentorship. The insurance industry is dynamic, and staying current with trends and regulatory changes is crucial. Another crucial point of advice would be to build strong relationships with clients based on trust and transparency. Clients need to know that their agent is always listening to their needs and that solutions suggested can be a genuine benefit to them. A last piece of advice would be to foster perseverance as a key virtue. Challenges will arise, but they are opportunities for growth and development when one views them thru the lens of perseverance. As Tom Hopkins stated, “I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed; and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying.”

MedicareCompareUSA has been an asset to me in this journey.  Their team is always there to assist with technology, contracting, and marketing. All components vital to success in the job. Many opportunities exist for agents to jump into meetings in order to learn how to accomplish their goals and grow their business.

Tell us about who you are!

As stated above, I am someone who believes in the power of perseverance and the value of hard work. Professionally, I am dedicated to providing exceptional service and solutions to my clients. My Grandmother, Hazel Gallagher, taught me “plan your work, and work your plan.” I believe that nothing worth having comes easy which made it easier for me to make the sacrifices necessary to grow as an agent.  At the same time I started my insurance journey, I began working for a company as a low voltage wire technician. I traveled with this company for three years working overnight for them and meeting with clients in my insurance business during the day. The job provided me with the supplemental income I needed to “get over the initial hump” as I grew my business. I cannot say that every plan has worked for me, however every plan has gotten me one step closer to living out my dreams.