There have been plenty of layoffs over the last four years, but what happens to the 401k plans when former employees do not find work immediately? Some may choose to roll it over into an IRA, leave it at their former company, or take cash out to pay off debt. However, which option would be more beneficial for you? When you don’t know what to do, it is wise to find someone who can review your options with you. I found just the person who could assist with investments and who could share how she started in this business of helping others with their finances. Meet Taura Simmons and her desire to help you “invest” in yourself.
Q: When and why did you decide to change directions by choosing a career outside of the mortgage industry?
Taura: When I was a mortgage consultant back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, I found myself giving a lot of advice and counseling to clients about how to clean their credit, save money, and pay their mortgages off sooner. I wanted to offer my clients more in the way of products and services, and to be able to provide and educate my clients on more aspects of becoming financially stable and independent. I became licensed for life and health insurance and medicare supplements in 2000. I then acquired my series 6, and 63 securities registration in 2008.
Taura Simmons - Primerica Sr. Regional Leader
Taura: There are a few products that a new representative can offer while they are becoming licensed, so that they can hit the ground running; but to really be effective you must become a licensed agent. Primerica has a dynamic program to assist you in getting your insurance license and later your securites licenses if you desire and qualify. There is a modest investment fee of $99 which allows you to get processed as a representative and to begin selling products and studying for state licensing.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your business within the next five years?
Taura: My primary goal is to bring awareness to more of our community on the necessary tools for financial stability, debt freedom, and financial independence. My secondary goal is to continue to build my business, which in turn will help others to achieve their goals and dreams.
Taura with her husband Bobby.
Q: What kind of services do you offer?
Taura: Primerica Financial Services offers a wide range of products to meet the needs of the average middle-income American family. We have recently expanded our investment strategies and portfolios to meet the changing needs of upper middle-class families as well. We offer term life insurance products, IRA’s, mutual funds, 401k’s, 529
college plans, investment portfolios, variable annuities, homeowner’s and auto insurance, debt consolidation loans and mortgages, long term care, and an exciting new Debt Watchers program which allows one to monitor their credit and credit scores and assists clients in their quest for debt freedom. We also offer financial needs analyses to help clients determine what their current asset protection needs are and also help them plan for and establish savings and retirement goals. We continually strive to offer high-quality products that families can utilize to become debt free and financially independent.
Q: If someone is interested in the business or your services, how can they contact you?
Taura: I can be reached at the office (919)266-5809, on my mobile (919)274-2384 or emailed at tsimmons@primerica.com.
Q: What advice would you give someone trying to decide what business opportunity to pursue?
Taura: My advice to those considering any business opportunity is to find one in which you can picture yourself doing 5, 10 and even 20 years into the future. Find an opportunity in which a passion to help others can fuel and motivate you. And finally, be more concerned for others than yourself, in business and outside of business; this will
keep one focused on your integrity and the integrity of the business opportunity that you choose.
And lastly, have fun! If you don’t enjoy what you do, you won’t be good at what you do. Above all: treat others like you want to be treated. Your customers or clients will appreciate it, and the rewards will come naturally.
Thank you so much for sharing with us Taura! We wish you much success with your business! For those interested in checking out the services provided, you can also visit Taura’s website. It is www.primerica.com/tsimmons.
