kblair@henriott.com | 812.547.79014 x1014
What is your role at Henriott?
I am a Personal Insurance Specialist in the Troy office, servicing policies and advise and assist clients in protecting their assets.
Why did you choose to work in the insurance industry?
I didn’t so much choose it as rolled into it, then chose to stay. When I moved here I decided to get just any old job while looking for something better. I started as a receptionist at Harpenau Insurance, now a division of Henriott and I really enjoyed working with the customers and my coworkers. I started learning more about insurance and got my insurance license that same year. Five years on and I am a Personal Lines Manager with a wonderful list of clients that I adore and I couldn’t think of doing anything else.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like building relationships with my clients and working with them to create a tailored insurance package that fits their needs and budget. I like to de-mystify insurance and explain exactly what they are paying for and why so they can decide for themselves what they feel is worth paying for and what not.
What is a professional accomplishment you’re proud of?
The amount of referrals we get. We always tell our clients, a referral is the best compliment we can get, and many send friends and family to get a quote through us. It makes me really proud of our team when I see how many of our clients are related through family or friendships. We have their business because someone trusted us enough to not only take care of their insurance needs, but their loved ones as well.
What advice would you give someone starting out in this industry?
Find a company where your coworkers are your friends. You will spend 40+ hours a week at the office, might as well have fun while there. And take care of the clients that make you laugh, they are the ones that remind us why we do what we do.
What’s a hobby or interest you’re passionate about?
I am a history nut and will read everything and anything I can get my hands on. Pre-Christian Western Europe has my particular interest; the resistance of the Gauls and Germans against Rome, the Great Migrations during and afterwards, the Merovingian dynasties uniting the tribes, the Viking invasions, it is fascinating!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
The Netherlands, I still have many family and friends there that I miss dearly. I try to visit at least once every other year.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I moved to the United states in 2018 to be with the love of my life, and I am now the proud mom of 4 bonus-kids, and Oma to one grandbaby.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Ambiorix, leader of the Eburones (57-50 BC) a tribe in modern day Belgium, most known for leading a revolt against Julius Ceasar. There is very little known about the tribes living in Western Europe during this time. The things we do know are from the writings of Julius Ceasar and others who had a, let we say, biased view of these people.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
I crochet. The more intricate and elaborate, the more I love it. It’s a great way to shut off the monkey mind, very Zen. Several girls in the office own a hand-made blanket they received as a Christmas gift.