of Shelly Alvarez Insurance & Financial Services PLLC

While most teens were going to partiesand proms on weekends, Shelly Alvarez waslearning the value of a hard–earned dollar.At 16, she was selling used cars on weekendsand helping repo them when owners fellbehind on payments. After 3–1/2 years atthe South Side dealership, she was hired asa legal assistant for a local law firm, settlingautomobile accident cases.

Five years later, when the attorney sheworked for decided to leave the practice,Alvarez got a sales job with a mortgage lenderand was given the task of making 200 coldcalls per day to refinance people’s mortgages.After five months on the job, she was namedthe No. 1 loan officer in Texas by AmeriquestMortgage for her ability to generate 17 loansper month and $2.2 million in revenue.

Later, Alvarez ventured into commercialreal estate as an investment broker withMarcus & Millichap. Assigned to west andsouth Texas territories, she sold retail andwithin six months received the company’sfirst Pace Setter Award for making up to 500cold calls per week, writing 30 proposalsand obtaining eight listings. She was the firstperson in Texas to earn this award in theretail category.

In February 2008, she founded hercompany, which offers financial products forindividuals and groups, such as life, health,disability, 401(k), annuities, long–term careand Medicare supplements. NSIDE talks toAlvarez about her days in the sales industry,including repossessing vehicles; insuranceoptions for individuals and business owners;and her desire to make San Antonio abrighter place to live.

NSIDE: What was it like selling andrepossessing cars when you were 16? That’sawfully young.

SHELLY ALVAREZ: In the evenings justto earn an extra $50 per vehicle, I wouldresearch the clients who were late on theirpayments, where they lived and repossesstheir car at night. I didn’t drive the truck, butwould call the wrecker service. A lot of timespeople would hear us and come out, but Iwould show the invoice and tell them theyhad to pay right then and there or we had totake the vehicle. A lot of times we had to takeit.

I also sold used cars, which sometimesinvolved working 50 plus hours a week. Iwent to the auction with the owner and hisemployees almost every Thursday evening,and we would spend half the night driving thevehicles he purchased at the auction back tothe dealership.

NSIDE: What do you enjoy about havingyour own business?

SA: I enjoy dealing with people – I alwayshave. Once you sell life insurance to someoneit’s very rewarding. Unfortunately, it’s sadto lose a loved one, but I see the family andhow grateful they are to know that under anunfortunate circumstance such as death theycan keep going financially and can afford tobury their spouse and pay the mortgage orother expenses.

NSIDE: How do you keep up with the latestchanges in the insurance industry?

SA: CN BC is my best friend, and Isubscribe to at least 10 publications relatedto insurance and seniors. Back in thecommercial real estate industry, I was grilledby investors. I learned quickly that you haveto be on top of things because if somethinghappened yesterday and you don’t knowabout it today, you’re out. I have applied thisto the insurance industry. It’s real importantto keep abreast of the issues because you canget someone in a situation where they mightregret the coverage you got them. And whodoes that fall on? Me.

NSIDE: What sets your business apart fromothers?

SA: When I sit down with a business owneror an individual, we’re going to talk aboutwhat they want. Some insurance agents mighttell them there are certain products theyneed, but it’s not necessarily the case. I’mnot going to offer you something that doesn’tmake sense for you because in the long runit might be coverage that is not right for yourspecific situation. I genuinely care aboutgetting people what they want.

NSIDE: Do employees need more insurancethan what is included in their plans throughtheir employer?

SA: Maybe. It depends on how muchcoverage they have through their work. Ithink it’s important for everyone to havedisability insurance. In Texas, we’re allowedto receive a certain percentage of our incomewith disability coverage. You’re only receivinga portion of your salary, but this can make ahuge difference if you’re not working. This isespecially important for the breadwinner ofthe household.

NSIDE: What type of insurance do yourecommend for business owners?

SA: It depends on the business and howit’s structured. For small business owners,I definitely recommend group life, grouphealth and disability. If there are partnersinvolved, a buy–sell agreement is what theymay need. Health insurance and disabilityis extremely important. Also, businessowners should check into business overheaddisability coverage, which pays a portionof your overhead expenses (payroll, rent,utilities, etc.) should they become unable towork. There are many other products that areimportant, such as key employee insuranceand executive bonus plans.

NSIDE: What is a buy–sell agreement?

SA: It’s an agreement for business partners,which can be funded with a life insurancepolicy. For instance, if we were co–ownersof a business, I would have a life insurancepolicy on you. If something happened to you,that policy would be paid to your beneficiary.That’s in consideration for your portion of thebusiness that would come back to me. If not,your spouse could have the opportunity tocome back in and take over your half of thebusiness.

NSIDE: I read an article on your Website that today many seniors are declaringbankruptcy.

SA: It’s a sad situation. I offer a coupleof products that can help. Long–term careinsurance is a godsend. It covers a dailyportion toward respite care, adult day care,home health care and assisted living. LTCis also great for anyone and is best obtainedat an early age. Once you are eligible forMedicare, you can obtain a Medicaresupplement, which is designed to cover aportion of what Medicare does not cover.

NSIDE: You recently were inducted tothe board of directors of the San AntonioHispanic Chamber of Commerce.

SA: Yes, this is such a big honor. I hopethat with my drive and determination I canhelp expand the chamber membership andeducate people about the Hispanic chamberand how it helps businesses grow.

NSIDE: You’re also involved with Habitatfor Humanity. Why is charity work soimportant to you?

SA: I am on the Habitat for Humanitycommittee through my church and try to domany things to make a difference. Habitatfor Humanity is something I am passionateabout. It has been very rewarding so far, andI look forward to continuing to volunteerwith this organization. The reward of seeingsomeone’s face light up when you’ve helpedthem is the greatest gift anyone could ask for.