Agent Monica Hoskins: Staying Strong by Elevating Others

Monica Hoskins, an insurance agent with American Family Insurance, is coming back strong, along with her son, Bryan. You can read more about Monica’s agency at its website.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has affected your organization, and how is it rebounding?

I consider myself an insurance “advisor,” always stressing to educate the public regarding how insurance works, the benefits of having insurance and constant pitfalls associated with insurance. I attend several speaking engagements each month, and I participate in workshops to help the public better understand how insurance can work for them. With the outbreak of COVID-19, that face-to-face, in-person contact is now gone for the most part, with the majority of my interactions with my clients — new and existing — now taking place over the phone. 

To rebound, my staff and I had to operate out of our comfort zone and utilize social media to stay in touch with the community, taping educational videos, running weekly contests and highlighting community leaders within our city. We want to remain active in our community and that means doing things for others. COVID-19 has made us think outside the box for creative ways to show our appreciation to the community we serve.

How has the outbreak affected your personal life?

I consider myself an introvert by nature, although people who know me say the opposite. I am perfectly content in isolation working long hours. There never seems to be enough time in the day to complete every task that needs to be completed, or to help every person that has reached out and asked for help. I work long hours Monday through Friday, up by 7:30 a.m. and I’ll usually call it a day around 2 a.m. the next day. I usually visit my grandchildren on the weekends … although I will admit, when I don’t visit the grands, I will sleep my weekends away.

What steps are you taking to come back strong?

There is one constant ingredient to a successful business that our agencies have operated by since the doors opened:  “If you take care of people, people will ALWAYS take care of you.” The steps that we took, the efforts that we made were to help neighboring businesses stay open, by highlighting small business restaurants in our area, and reminding the public to eat at their establishments. We purchased gift cards from businesses and gave them away during online contests. We recognized local community leaders and “Unsung Heroes” — individuals making a difference in the lives of others. Helping other small businesses keep their doors open, recognizing their work done and the time sacrificed by others for our community keeps their businesses open. When they stay open, our economy keeps going, and we all come back strong! The name of this game is WE are Valley Tough!!

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

Focus on what’s important in life. The time to make a difference in the lives of others has always been NOW. Be appreciative and grateful for the blessings bestowed upon you from the Good Lord. Strive to earn the confidence of your clients and the respect of your peers, the love from your spouse and the adoration of your children. When you are gone, life will continue. The sun will rise and set. People will come and go. Make sure that the lives you made a difference in will leave a lasting legacy long after you have left this earth.

This community rescued me when my daughter passed away in 2004. This community was there for my son and me in our greatest hour of need, and for that I will forever be grateful. THIS community taught me how to be Valley Strong before I even knew I was part of this valley.  Every day that I rise I will strive to give back and make a difference in the lives of those around me, until I can rise no more.