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Turn the Paige
293 Plays3 years ago
The Uncommon Path is rarely a straight one. It's full of twists, turns, difficult decisions and occasionally a few mufflers dragging behind your car. No one knows this more than Paige Witte, Owner of Emerald Benefits and traverser of her own uncommon path.
In this episode, we talk with Paige about her journey from radiation therapist to employee benefits broker and business owner, and all the mufflers in between. We touch on overcoming anxiety before the big leap, how success can bring golden-handcuff offering suitors, planning beyond partnerships and what it's like to have to fire your first employee. Plus, how sometimes the easiest way to sort through a difficult problem is to just ask your 8 year old.
For more information on Emerald Benefits go to emerald-benefits.com.
Also, if you've ever been faced with a complicated decision and found simple wisdom in a surprising place, we'd love to hear it! Shoot us an email at podcast@uncommonwealth.com with your story.
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Transcript
Introduction: Living an Uncommon Life
00:00:00
Speaker
Everyone dreams of living an uncommon life and the best asset you have to achieve your dreams is you. Welcome to the Uncommon Wealth Podcast.
Unique Guests and Wealth Strategies
00:00:12
Speaker
We're going to introduce you to people who are living uncommonly. We're also going to give you some tools and strategies for building wealth and for pursuing an uncommon path that is uniquely right for you.
00:00:25
Speaker
You're tuning in to your favorite show of all time, the Un-Commonwealth Podcast.
Meet Paige Whitty
00:00:30
Speaker
I have the most amazing guest, but first let me introduce you to the co-host. His name is Aaron Kramer. What up? What's up? Do you not love our intro song? I love it. Get you pumped up. I know. It makes me want to dance. Go to a club.
00:00:43
Speaker
It's the perfect segue to Paige Whitty.
Entrepreneurial Leap: Overcoming Doubt
00:00:47
Speaker
This is who we have. I can't wait to unpack it because her bio is one that is awesome, super long. But let me just say she's married to her love of her life, my man Crush Logan. She has three kids. She's a business owner, proud business owner. And the reason why I wanted her on the show, we've wanted her on the show for quite some time.
00:01:05
Speaker
But the reason why I wanted her on the show is because we had the unique opportunity of watching her jump off the proverbial bridge to this uncommon world. And I feel like she was her biggest doubter.
00:01:22
Speaker
She had the, like she was nervous and there is not many times that I sell in my life. I just don't like to sell. I don't like to sell, but there was one time I did and it was in front of poor page and Logan and I was like, you do this because like I'm investing in you and I don't care anything, but just do what we say you're going to do. You're going to make it.
Support and Belief in Paige's Journey
00:01:40
Speaker
Yeah, you were intimidating that day. Oh my gosh. Even Aaron was nervous. Yeah. I was a little protective. Like there's a more, where are you going with this? Like I love these people. Right. And then you did, it came out really well, but I was nervous too. I got clammy. I don't
00:01:55
Speaker
Okay, here's my first question to introduce you.
Thriving Business and Partner Support
00:01:58
Speaker
One, I love that you have your own company and it's thriving. Thank you. I just want to just mention that. So one, listen to what Paige is saying. And then also I want to kind of unpack your journey and how you got to where you're at, your emotions, you were going through the support of your husband. And then, but my first question for you is give me three decision points that have got you to the place you are today. And then we're going to talk about your company. Go.
00:02:10
Speaker
have
00:02:25
Speaker
Okay.
Major Career Shift: 2016 Sales Move
00:02:26
Speaker
Uh, the first one was probably when I decided to leave my W two corporate job for a, um, sales position, a hundred percent commission. Okay. What was that? Give me the date.
00:02:44
Speaker
That was October of 2016. It was just after I got back from maternity leave with my second child and she was three months old and then I had a two year old. That's a scary deal. Let's just talk about Logan here because Logan did have a consistent paying job. He did. Okay. So did that have any factor in your head of like, okay, I'm going to try this.
00:03:09
Speaker
Um, no, because we were, um, we were not good with our money. We did not manage it well. Uh, we were definitely living paycheck to paycheck and it was scary. We, we just decided.
00:03:27
Speaker
All right, we're going to we're going to invest in this and I have the opportunity to make more income than what I'm capped at at my W-2 job and we were just we were trying to pay off debt and make
Going Solo: 2022 Business Independence
00:03:40
Speaker
it work.
00:03:40
Speaker
Yeah. Okay. That was the first decision. Second decision. Second decision. She found out this question maybe three minutes ago. So give her a little grace. Maybe a minute ago. Uh, the third would, we're going second. Oh, second. Sorry. Don't cheat. Don't jump. Second one would probably have to be
00:04:07
Speaker
For my career. Life. I don't care. Life. That one's the third. Probably. Well, not necessarily.
00:04:24
Speaker
You don't have to go in order either. I do think Second was leaving my business partner.
00:04:40
Speaker
I was tempted to get another corp job, a real job, right? What are those? I think that was really hard. I mean, I was contemplating on do I start up a new company? Do I do something completely different? Do I become a hippie and just live off the land? Yeah. Do I? There's a lot of pull there, okay?
00:05:09
Speaker
I think it would have helped me mentally. Um, but I decided to go ahead with my company and grow that. Okay. What date was that? Hmm. July. Wasn't long ago. July of 2022. Yep.
Community Leadership Goals
00:05:30
Speaker
I think that was right. Okay. So I'm doing that and then, um,
00:05:37
Speaker
I mean, I would say, I think the third biggest thing for me right now is that I have made an attempt or making attempts to be more of a leader or asset to my community. So just trying to engross myself in a bunch of different committees, different, um,
00:06:07
Speaker
different groups to help better my,
Life Milestones and Growth
00:06:10
Speaker
my community. It's good. Okay. So the reason why I would just say this is because I have three for you. I don't really know you that well, but I have three things that I think changed, like a decision points that brought you to where you're at today. Okay. Okay. High level. And I don't know you as long as Aaron. So Aaron, get your wheels turned in. I want to know what you said. There's a lot for your whole life.
00:06:32
Speaker
Well, we don't know you as well as you do, so it's probably harder for you. I'm kind of doing one. You can only look back at the last five years. Okay, the first one is we just got to throw it out. We've already talked about it. Logan. Getting ready to marry Logan. Man, Chris. Yes, of course. Love that guy. Yeah, so that's first.
00:06:47
Speaker
That's helped you shape you, right? You're making me look really bad right now that I didn't mention it. No, I'm not. No, no, no. I had a second, I got a second kids having kids. That's kind of a big deal. Oh my gosh. Like now I feel really bad. But this is like high level. You were talking about like your career, which I think that's how I would have answered it if I was where you're at. Okay. But let's just go even further.
00:07:07
Speaker
Cause it's kind of your bio too, right? Yeah. So instead of reading your bio, which was amazing, it was just longer than I wanted to read and we all know I'm not a great reader. So this is how we're going to do it. And then the third thing for you is just owning your own business. Yeah. Taking the leap of faith, investing in yourself has given you confidence to your third one, which is like now investing in others and pouring yourself into others, which is so cool. So cool.
00:07:31
Speaker
Okay. So those are my three. You got three. Yeah. Okay. So, um, first one, I think it was when I first met you, like you were willing to like tackle hard things. Like you weren't scared to tackle hard things. Then third, you didn't give up on yourself. Yeah.
00:07:52
Speaker
And there's so many that's really hard to like put these in there because you're awesome. Um, you already said Logan. Yeah, you can. I mean, we can always talk about Logan. Okay. Uh, I think you're, you're bold. Yeah. Good. Bold. Cause like, I, there's situations where I was making examples and you're like, no, these are good. Yeah. These are good. Cause you kind of did the career. I did the more like high level and you did the personality traits. Love it.
00:08:22
Speaker
Okay, so Paige, what is it that you feel is the most important thing that you wanted to tell the people that are listening today just from your experience?
Inspiration: Betting on Yourself
00:08:32
Speaker
And then I want to get into your company specifically, but quickly I just high level. What is it that we want to take out of this?
00:08:41
Speaker
in what regards, just to? I think one, believing in yourself or seeing where your life is now, how it's shaped, how it molded. And then I'm not the guy who plugs on Commonwealth partners, but it's fun because for you, we were right there with you and almost.
00:08:58
Speaker
we'll never push anybody off the bridge and so for people who are like what is happening the way that i acknowledge is like people have a parachute they're always on this bridge it's safe but there's an opportunity that i think we all have to stand up on the railing and jump and see if the parachute that we have called experiences and personality traits and community are going to open up for you
00:09:20
Speaker
Paige, you did that. We saw you do that. We saw you walking out on the bridge, your knees getting shaky, saying like, I think I might do this, getting up on the bridge and then jumping and then watching your parachute like completely open up in an amazing way. But.
00:09:36
Speaker
That's what I would say for, cause this is really the podcast is all about is trying to encourage people to bet on themselves. Be your best asset and do it. You did it. Well, I mean, I think that the one thing that I try to remind myself of is there's, I mean, life is going to come at you in multiple directions, but I try to,
00:10:05
Speaker
I try to take it as not necessarily a sign, but kind of like it's okay. I'm going down this path. Something happens.
Mindset: Adapting and Moving Forward
00:10:16
Speaker
It's a sign. Let's take a different direction, but always going and moving somewhere.
00:10:24
Speaker
and not holding the past as a reason to stop or a reason to not continue growing. So, I mean, a lot of stuff has come at me in the last year, year and a half, even life. But that's life. That's what happens. Yeah, and I think it's just important to not look at those
00:10:52
Speaker
obstacles as a failure or that it's a roadblock, it's just, okay, I gotta look at this a little bit differently. What else, what am I not looking at and what direction do I need to go now? Good. Alright, let's talk about your business. What is your business?
00:11:10
Speaker
My business is Emerald Benefits.
Emerald Benefits: Focus and Vision
00:11:14
Speaker
I specialize in company or employee benefits, but I look at it a little bit more holistically and comprehensive. And so I do health insurance, voluntary benefits, and any non-traditional options.
00:11:36
Speaker
Our niche is small business because that's the uncommon thing. Yeah. No broker wants to really work with small business because they think they're not worth the ROI or they're a lot more work or handholding than what they will receive out of it. And so that's, that's who we go after. Yeah. Um, and we like it.
00:12:02
Speaker
So I want to back it up a little bit here because I want to get to the point of us starting this because I think this is an amazing story. Okay. So first start, what made it to be insurance for
Unexpected Insurance Path
00:12:14
Speaker
you? Yeah. What got you into this industry? Great question. I was thinking the same thing. Crazy how we were on the same page. Doesn't everybody want to go in insurance? Yeah.
00:12:22
Speaker
Yeah, no, nobody wakes up and says, I love insurance. I still don't love insurance, but that's what makes you different. Yeah. Oh, you love insurance. No, you don't love, you love people and you want to help them. It makes you different so that you don't love insurance, but you're helping very confusing industry. Um, no, it's not about insurance for me, but how I originally got into it was, um,
00:12:51
Speaker
Honestly, I was working as a radiation therapist and I wanted to start a family. I was capped at what I could make and my mom had actually just gotten diagnosed with breast cancer. And so obviously I knew the whole background of therapy and cancer treatments, what doctors to go to.
00:13:20
Speaker
But then I transitioned into, um, being an insurance agent for more the voluntary options and, um, was still going through her treatments with her, but learning a lot more about.
00:13:37
Speaker
what I had to offer the products wise and um, she was home from surgery. Um, and I was practicing my sales pitches and my product pitches while she was on the bed. Um, you know, overdosed, I'm sure.
00:13:56
Speaker
They, um, I got to the cancer plan and I always started, you know, just explaining what this does for people. And, um, obviously it hit a, hit a nerve and she immediately started crying and, um,
00:14:11
Speaker
I was like, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. And she goes, no, no, this is good. She's like, I just wish that I would have known that this existed. And so my why out there was constantly like, I just need to go out there and educate my mom. Like that's all that I care about. That's my clientele. That's my like person I'm going after. Yes. Yep. My why. Yep.
00:14:35
Speaker
So, um, it just developed into, into more though. It was, um, you know, some people don't really like to handle the servicing and claims aspect of it, but that's where I keep getting my cup filled because I mean, people are coming to me and asking, Hey, I need, this happened and I need money. And so we'd help them file and, um,
00:15:03
Speaker
Makes it worth it. It does make it worth it. So I don't know. I don't see myself as a salesman. I really do see myself as an educator. Educator, yeah. That's uncommon. Yeah.
00:15:16
Speaker
Because I honestly, I don't pressure sale, I don't want you to pick up things that you're not truly going to be utilizing or see value in. But when stuff hits the fan, it's really humbling to be a part of that for them. Right,
Challenges of Partnerships
00:15:34
Speaker
it's awesome. So now we can move forward on the when I first met you, when you were at your first portion of this career. Yes. And you were a rock star.
00:15:42
Speaker
Yes. Yes, I was. Yes, I was. She was. Even everybody was like, we can't do this without Paige. Paige is the driving line of our team. But then we kind of had a falling out, right? I didn't say we, but you had a falling out where you're at. We didn't fall out. No, sorry. I was saying this as we were a team, and I was on your team. Got it. Yeah. Yeah, you. But you had a falling out, so we had to like,
00:16:11
Speaker
Change so tell us a little bit about that Struggle of the falling out because we're talking business part of you. Yeah business owner and fall out. Yep business owner fall out. Yeah. Well, that was another life punch Partnerships are hard. Yeah
00:16:29
Speaker
Yeah. Um, do you want to elaborate? I'll let you. Yeah. Partnership. So I, you know, I, I got into being a business owner because I wanted, I liked the challenge of it. I felt like it was the next step for me. Um, and I wanted, I wanted to have more control over.
00:16:55
Speaker
how the process was. I knew I wanted to see clients a certain way, I wanted to be able to provide service a certain way, and so the only way to really do that is to be...
00:17:07
Speaker
in charge. So, um, but I didn't know hardly anything about business stuff, you know, just people. And so I joined, um, a partnership because I felt comfortable with, you know, how I'd be helped with, um, the business side of things, but overall ended up not going well and
00:17:33
Speaker
with different personalities, there's always different philosophies. And at first, like it's easy to think like, Hey, I'm deficient in this. It would be better for me to partner with somebody else. And honestly, that's probably true because this whole uncommon path, sometimes it helps to get up on the bridge with somebody and be like, kind of look over like we ready? Like, so there is some value to having a partnership. I would say that for sure. In my experience.
00:17:57
Speaker
But at the end of the day, the hard part is knowing that there's always two personalities and two philosophies that are too wise, two
Exit Strategies in Business Partnerships
00:18:06
Speaker
different things. And if you're not fully unified in many, many areas, there comes a time where it just starts like not eroding, but like you start thinking about, wow, is this really, are we going the same direction, right? Yeah.
00:18:20
Speaker
I mean, and for advice for partnerships, I would definitely advise you to think about what it looks like getting into the partnership, but at the same table, think about how you would get out of the partnership. No matter how hard that, or no matter how strong that relationship is. Yeah. Brilliant advice.
00:18:39
Speaker
Yeah. You need to know as much as what you're getting into as to how you're going to get out of it. On the personality side, like making sure someone brings you up makes you a better you because watching you go through yours is, I mean, I'm not going to get it too much because I get angry, but like it's, it's one of those things like, cause we saw you and you being crushed to the point where you were blind to how like bright you can shine. Yeah. It was really heartbreaking to see like,
00:19:09
Speaker
Why don't you see this? Like you can shine so bright. You are shining so bright. Right. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. So I met with you guys and, um, I was just, I was basically just trying to make it out and.
Emotional Support in Business Decisions
00:19:27
Speaker
understand your options. Yeah. Yeah. It was you, Logan, Aaron, and myself. Yeah. That meeting. So it wasn't just you and I, and it was like, Logan was right there. Here's another thing that I would say a lot of our guests have kind of realized. It's like if the, if my spouse was not supportive, there's no way I would have done it. And he was super supportive. So keep going on that meeting. He jumped like a long time ago before you guys. I had a phone conversation with him when you weren't involved. Yeah. Yeah.
00:19:57
Speaker
You guys. Um, so yeah, I, I was, I didn't know what to do. I was going to do something completely different. Yeah. And, um, Phillip was like, no, we, you're not doing like, if you don't do this, like basically you said you wouldn't be my friend anymore. Yeah. We got a problem. Yeah.
00:20:17
Speaker
Well, you want me to elaborate on that or you want to keep going? This was like a really big deal for me. The room was really tense. Yeah. We keep interrupting you. Do you want to keep talking? Sure.
00:20:29
Speaker
So, um, you know, we, we crunched the numbers, Logan and I, and, um, you know, I, I got assurance from Philip and Aaron page, you're, you're financially going to be okay to take this leap and then invest
Financial Sacrifices for Business
00:20:45
Speaker
in yourself. And I'm like, okay. So we, we figured it out and, um, Logan and I started selling our stuff.
00:20:55
Speaker
our materialistic stuff. So I said goodbye to my beautiful new suburban. Um, he said goodbye to his brand new Chevy truck that he had just gotten probably four months prior. Um, and we, you know, we took money out of my, my, uh, retirement. Um, and then I started.
00:21:23
Speaker
Yeah. You know, first off we're financial advisors. And so for somebody to say like, I took money on my retirement, like, and Aaron and I were like, Oh, this is the best thing ever. Like we'll show you how to take this out. Like, yeah, you'll have taxes, you'll penalties, but like the growth and the trajectory is going to be way better. Uh, so that's something different and uncommon, but here's what I love about it is like, not only did you sacrifice making a change, selling a suburban,
00:21:49
Speaker
But Logan was too. Like he was sold out. Like that was the reason why I was so adamant of like, we can't do something that you don't have experience in. I don't have anything to base this off of. And if we're going to take a risk or a chance, we have to do it on something that you know. And here's kind of in the back of my mind, I was like, if we don't
00:22:13
Speaker
address this thing now, it'll change, we'll have to address it later in a different career, right? There was something we had to face down and look at and we're gonna go tackle it. And you did. That's why I got kind of excited. I called it excited. Real quick, I wanna fast forward here, because you did all that, you went through all that grit, you made up those sacrifices. And I'm not a car person, but
00:22:37
Speaker
There's a funny story that happened today that we can get into. But what did you drive up in today? So we did all those things, we sold all those things. Lamborghini. No. Okay, just do it. What are you driving now, though? I got an Audi. Oh, you did? Yeah. Yeah. Hey, it's witty. The poor man's porch. Yeah. But that was the bet. That's cool. Everyone around you saw what potential you had. Right. And you guys did the hard work.
00:23:05
Speaker
Yeah. And I was not driving in that previously. I mean, I was driving in a, I mean, I was at a stop sign in the four way stop in our small town and I go over the railroad tracks and my muffler falls off. Yes. And I am in the middle of this four way stop, which is the busy four way stop. And I am,
00:23:28
Speaker
picking up my muffler and then dragging it to the mechanic down the road. And everyone's just staring at me and I just keep waving like, yeah. Everything's good here. Very humbling moment for me. Yeah. And so I'm driving, so I hand the muffler away and I'm like, all right, so can you order me a new one? He's like, yeah. I mean, I'm not, this thing was like seven feet long. It was the entire muffler. For our listeners, Paige is tiny. Yeah.
00:23:59
Speaker
And so I, um, if I want to know about this, this would be one of the defining moments, by the way, we didn't talk about this. Yeah, it was. So I drove around in this crappy car, um, for weeks without this muffler and you know how loud that thing is. And, um, I was just like, I don't care. And my kids were like, they have outside outdoor recess. Obviously my six year old daughter was like mom.
00:24:29
Speaker
were you driving around town because i could hear it that's awesome and i'm like it's fine and then we got a different car because logan sold his truck and um this thing like you the seat doesn't go all the way down so your head's kind of like
00:24:49
Speaker
into the roof, and when it rains, it rains right in from the door, so you're a little misted. And it was- Just thinking of Logan glistening, I just, I can picture it myself. Yeah, it's great.
00:25:07
Speaker
He was like, Paige, we cannot continue this. I'm like, it's fine. I'm, we have no car payments. Um, you know, it's, it's fine. So, but he had had enough. So we upgraded and he's still driving the, the car with a new muffler. That's the thing that you get went through all that. Yeah. I think for our listeners to hear,
00:25:33
Speaker
There are hard times, but when you bet on yourself. That's good. I do think there isn't, this isn't always rosy, the little uncommon path. Yeah. Sometimes you hit a bird on the way down. Yeah, or a few. Yeah, but it's okay. You're still under your canopy. You still have control of your parachute. And then I want to talk about, because you started talking about the grit that you went through, and then you had an opportunity.
00:25:59
Speaker
to partner with somebody, right? Like you jumped off the proverbial bridge and I felt like there was a bridge that you were almost ready to land on. Remember this? Okay. So talk to that, to our listeners. So they're up to speed and how you process through that, but let's just talk through the opportunity.
Rejecting Corporate Offers for Growth
00:26:15
Speaker
So I was starting to make more traction in my business and then I got noticed by quite a few bigger insurance corporations and they were, I call it courting me and trying to get me to come work for them and were, you know, sending me all this, these big dollar salaries. Yep. Emerald would go away though. Yeah, they said. Emerald benefits would go away.
00:26:44
Speaker
Oh, but you'd be an entrepreneur, they said. They already would. Right. They'll say whatever you want. Um, but they, but Emerald would have to close, um, or shut their doors and I would have their company name on my building and, um, I had to report to the office and so it was, you know, it was hard because, you know, financially we were,
00:27:12
Speaker
struggling a little bit. That's where they were. Yeah. Yeah. And, um, I wasn't making as many sales cause I enrolled myself in a business program that took a lot of time. Um, and that was during fourth quarter, which is the busiest time for any insurance agent.
00:27:33
Speaker
not a good time to do a business class, but I started my company. I started the business class and, um, was courting with these big corporations and the initial like salary or, you know, the comfort of having a consistent paycheck was what I learned. Yeah. You said like, I would do this and I would do that and I wouldn't stress or,
00:28:01
Speaker
But it's, um, yeah, I, I talked to you guys and
00:28:07
Speaker
which is always good to have a soundboard. You need people to talk to through that. But again, Philip was very adamant. Like, no. No. No. Like, I think he said no. I don't know how many times. Aaron, you were just very supportive on whatever I wanted. I could tell in your voice what you wanted me to do.
00:28:31
Speaker
But I like that because you guys, you balance each other out because it was like, you know, I have, I have best of both worlds on that. And it's, it's something like you were, you guys were both allowing me to make the decision, but knew I was supported and knew, you know, Phillip would
00:28:52
Speaker
I would be disappointed. And our friendship. I just never felt like you really gave yourself a real shot. Like you were doing it and started to see traction. And in that traction, people wanted to get a hold of the potential that you had. That make sense? Like they were buying low and you like, you had all the keys and the tools ready and they were starting to kind of like gain traction. And in that to edify you, people were coming after you. Yeah.
00:29:21
Speaker
And that's what I was like, don't you do this. Don't go to that side. Don't put the golden handcuffs on, sister. Don't do it. That's the hardest. I mean, you've gone through so many of those life punches, and you're trying to grow it. You're trying to get through. It's the grind. And when you're there, but you're not quite there, it's like you're just tired. And you're just like, all right.
00:29:48
Speaker
When is this ship finally gonna turn or where I can see it turning? And that's where they get ya. They do. They put you, this is not against them and they probably didn't know this, but they almost got you at your weakest point. Like you're most vulnerable. And that's when I was like, I need to be the sounding board. Even if you would have taken it for the record, we would have been friends, but like don't,
00:30:13
Speaker
fall victim to this in your state you are in. Like, you're not thinking about this in a rational way when the potential is so great. And I just wanted you to taste the potential and then look back at that, which we have the, I guess the...
00:30:29
Speaker
glorious opportunity to hear what happened. But okay. So you ended up saying, just been tasting, we've been eaten. You've been all up in it. So tell us you said no to that opportunity finally. And was that tough? And tell me where Logan was with all this. Cause I just like to talk about him.
00:30:45
Speaker
Yeah, Logan was just as indecisive as I was. He could see, he saw the side of, okay, my wife is
00:31:02
Speaker
very stressed, she's concerned, she's not making the income that she's used to making and she, you know, he was more so just go to corporate to, he wanted to see his more relaxed, fun wife again. But he also saw, he's like, I just, he saw the potential in me too.
00:31:28
Speaker
He always has and he just didn't want to give up on that. And what made me actually say no and changed my mind was I had an interview with one of the corporate offices again and the kids were home and I was like, hey guys, I gotta go up and do a Zoom interview and I need you guys to be really quiet. And my eight year old son goes, an interview?
00:31:54
Speaker
And I go, love that kid. Yes. And he's like, aren't you like your own boss? And I'm like, well, I am right now, but somebody's offering me a position and I might take it. And he's like, didn't you just start Emerald?
00:32:11
Speaker
And he's like, why would you say? He's like my spirit animal. He is my spirit animal. Oh, he's like a mini Logan. And he's like, why would you start? Like, why would you give that up after you just started? I was like, that was right before my interview. Preach it. Preach it.
00:32:29
Speaker
So, um, the interview was awful. Oh, awful. Like they spoke over me. They like, I would answer, um, you know, a question and the, everything that I answered, they answered back. Well, I disagree with that. Well, I disagree with it. So grateful. And I was like, okay, this, this gives me a good idea of.
00:32:55
Speaker
what we're stepping into here. And you came back downstairs and you told your son, I'm going to keep it going. Yeah. So they don't understand what I do, but they understand that.
00:33:11
Speaker
You're a boss woman. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So now let's fast forward to where you're at today. You said no and there was like no looking back. Like it was just like almost to me. No, I'm not living the day to day. So please forgive me. But it was like, you know, like level up.
00:33:28
Speaker
Yeah, it was since I finally made the decision, by the way, anybody going through that decision, it is extremely anxiety filled. Just you feel really unsettled. Like that's, I just wanted a decision so that I could again, go forward or.
00:33:45
Speaker
Pick a path. Um, but when you're at the four way stop or, you know, intersection, it's like, which direction should I go? And so finally, when I made that decision, um, yeah, I just, you just laser focus then, you know, you're just, you're.
00:34:03
Speaker
your focus on what you'd like to do, what you need to accomplish next. And, um, I hired my first employee.
First Employee and Major Achievements
00:34:11
Speaker
Amazing her. She's awesome. Yeah, she is. Um, but I, yeah, just everything seems to be kind of,
00:34:22
Speaker
going and puzzle piecing together. Yeah. There's been a lot of different incidents. I can't even remember all of them, but I know that I've texted you guys like, Hey, big news. Yeah. Well, I think one of the big ones is like, we talked about you hiring your first employee, but really it's your second. Yes. I did fire. Oh, there you go.
00:34:44
Speaker
We don't need to go into that, but like that is a good learning moment. Right. Yeah. It wasn't learning. It also adds to the stress. Yes. And the grit. Yeah. Yeah. So I started that business program. It was fourth quarter. And at the same time I fired my employee. So I was, oh, bye.
00:35:05
Speaker
goldfish and I know goldfish. Yeah, it was it was scary, but no, it's it's been it's been great and I you know I've had a lot of I call them wins big wins and so I have been sharing those with you guys. Yeah, that's been encouraging. It's been big things like big appointments set
00:35:34
Speaker
Oh gosh, what did I send you guys? I bought a building. Yeah. So there's that. I don't know. Has a cool vault in it. Kind of cool. Kind of cool. Amazing. So my office is going to go in there, but we're also doing an event center for Stuart. Yeah, so she lives in a smaller town in Iowa. But the thing that I think is neat is not only has your business given you wings, but you've also been an encouragement and a voice to other people in the community. And you're starting to impact other people.
00:36:01
Speaker
Whether it is with your business and more benefits or if it's just like you can do this So you've had a mouthpiece and encouragement to a lot of other people and so we're kind of like full circle It's fun to see like not only are you thriving, but you're helping other people go down this uncommon path, too So huge excitement and I would say like I want to
00:36:23
Speaker
i wanted to at least edifier clients because one of the biggest things that i told you and logan and i think help to make a decision is you went to one of our client appreciation events.
00:36:37
Speaker
which I was grateful you went, but there's a different feel with the clients that we have. There's like a different level of awareness or excitement or awesomeness is what I like to call it. But I remember saying like, hey, do you remember the feeling that you had and the thing that you expressed to me of like something just feels different with these people?
00:36:57
Speaker
the differences they've invested and they've bet on themselves a little bit, many of them. And there's a feel that there's a confidence but there's also humility a part of that that's attractive. And so I remember edifying the clients that have gone before you and just saying that's the reason is because they've all had this decision point that you've had and they've all had to take a step.
00:37:19
Speaker
and they've done that and that's given them confidence but also humility to know that there's one thing around the corner will rock their world and then they have to then focus on your community. So full circle, I love that you talked about you gotta just keep moving forward.
Maintaining Momentum and Adaptation
00:37:34
Speaker
In my analogy, we all know I love analogies. It's like bicycling. Like you can turn that wheel all you want, but if you're not pedaling, you're not going anywhere. You're just turning the wheel like standing still, probably falling over. But the momentum that you have of continuing to pedal is when you can turn the wheel and it will turn, right? But you have to be pedaling. So for you,
00:37:55
Speaker
You've done that and you've had potholes along the way, but you've peddled and some of them you've hit and you just kind of like readjust and you move on and, but it's a great story. It's an amazing story. I'm just thinking like for people that if you were thinking about this, like, I know if you see page, you're like, Oh, it's, it worked. It worked out, but we got to see her go through this and it really, I'm a Rocky fan. So if you, was it number five or four when the big Russian? Oh yeah.
00:38:25
Speaker
Griddle, or no. Yeah, but when you see that last fight, he keeps knocking Rocky down, and he just keeps getting right back up. It is like that. This is what you see, but you have to get back up. And if you've ever been punched in the face, it doesn't feel good, and you don't want to get back up. But you got to. So it's not easy. The grit is real. But the reward is worth it. And you've proven it to so many people. Yeah.
00:38:52
Speaker
Okay, so tell last thoughts. How do our listeners, if they have maybe a business they run, a lot of business owners listen to this podcast. How do they get ahold of you? Which is like your client, like favorite client type, but first how do they get ahold of you?
Importance of Genuine Employee Benefits
00:39:08
Speaker
that you can call, or you can go to our website, which is www.emerald-benefits.com. And on there, you'll see where you can schedule a BS-free discovery meeting. Yeah, it is. Ooh, that's uncommon.
00:39:30
Speaker
Or just give us a call. Email is something you can do too. So there's lots of ways to reach out to us. You just have to start. But I would say our favorite client. This is hard for me because it's not necessarily
00:39:52
Speaker
industry. That's my favorite. It's business owner, um, business owners that are truly invested in their employees who truly care about the wellbeing of their employees and are not just picking up benefits to benefit their business. Right. Just to say they have benefits because they say, but they actually want them to
00:40:18
Speaker
Yeah, but also my favorite business owner is somebody that's willing to trust me to be a little bit outside the box with thinking what their benefits as a small business. You can't just do the same thing that everybody else is doing or that big corporations are doing. You won't.
00:40:38
Speaker
succeed. And so it's, it takes a little bit of convincing for me, like this is what we need to do and how you need to do it. Um, but if you're willing to take that leap and trust me, um, I haven't had anybody leave me because of what I did. Right. Yeah. Right. So that's you business owner that truly cares and want their benefits to actually impact for the better of your employees.
00:41:08
Speaker
Call page even if you have somebody call page. I'm just saying you're like what why not right? Just see like hey this what we have I don't think would be bad decision No, it's like so many meetings with people that are like I just I don't know what it all entails Yeah, that's what our discovery our BS discovery meeting is is right. I learn about you your business your employees What is it that you're wanting to accomplish? Is it even a possibility and I'll I'll be straight up with you and right I'll say no
00:41:36
Speaker
This isn't going to work right now, but here's what you could work towards. And that's how we do it. I mean, we want it to work for you, not for us.
00:41:49
Speaker
And so you're an encouragement to me. Thank you for taking our advice and believing in me that you are your best friend. Thank you for the advice. Yeah, sorry I had to be like, out of all the people, like I always like, was I too hard? Like you're the people that I'm like. Logan and I did talk about that in the car. We were like, is he serious? Right. Yeah, he was.
00:42:07
Speaker
And I think it paid off. So I feel like I'm okay. I feel that's what I keep like landing on. We're like, what? It worked out. That was a big deal. I saw that. Like I was like, yeah, but you, you cheered up a little bit. So then I was like, Oh, he's serious. Oh yeah. Like don't do this. Don't go back into the shell. Anywhere. So can I do one more shout out though? Yeah. Shout it out. Please say Logan. No.
00:42:33
Speaker
It's actually my girl crush. Oh, yes. Please say it. So this is where it becomes full circle for me. So I am
00:42:47
Speaker
I don't even have a company name yet. And Phillip introduces me to Eden and Gray, Hannah Shiplet. And I'm completely honest with her on this. I'm like, I'm leaving my business partner. I want your business. I don't even have a business name. She's like, well, can you still make it happen? And I'm like,
00:43:07
Speaker
Yes, I will make it happen.
First Client and Full-Circle Achievement
00:43:10
Speaker
And so Hannah was my first client in Emerald Benefits and I bought this building and I hired her to design the building for me. And it is like, I'm on cloud nine. I don't know if she is or not, but I am. I'm just like, this is, this is full circle right here. It looks great too.
00:43:36
Speaker
I love that I get to have this opportunity to hire her, because I feel like she was there for me when I didn't believe that I could do this. Yeah, you can always shout out Hannah Shiplet. That's awesome. She is my girl crush. She's my girl crush. Logan's your guy crush. Before we end this, I forgot a big question that we forgot to ask.
Significance of 'Emerald Benefits' Name
00:44:03
Speaker
There's a big story to it.
00:44:05
Speaker
How did you come up with the name? Oh, that's actually a really good question. Yeah. So in my past personal, um, partnership history, you know, there was a lot of, um, mental difficulties. Um, I felt kind of,
00:44:30
Speaker
kind of worn down and like, like you were saying, I wasn't shining as bright anymore. I was pretty dull. Um, didn't really believe in myself. And so I was trying to come up with a new name and, um, I was, didn't want it to be like,
00:44:50
Speaker
And I started looking at the wall that's in my, um, one of my rooms and it's like an emerald green color. I'm like, I wonder what that color means. And I started researching it and, um,
00:45:05
Speaker
In the Bible, it means that you are growing or there's growth. Um, there's repurpose or something like that. And then, and there was history that people would wear emeralds to better their mental health and state of mind. And the, the, the other thing is, um,
00:45:34
Speaker
Emerald in the color green it just means like transformation and and rebirth So couldn't have been better. I found it fitting as it is. I remember the text
00:45:47
Speaker
Oh yeah, I did text you guys. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Glad you mentioned that. You've done all of that. You've completely like grown and it's been fun to just watch your wings spread. So thank you. And then also thank you for not bottling that up and just being selfish with it. Thank you for like pouring that out with other people.
00:46:06
Speaker
because there's a lot more people that need more emerald in their life. And you, Paige Whitty, are the perfect person to do that. So thank you for being on the show. You've been listening to the Uncommon Wealth Podcast. I've been your host, Phillip Ramsey. And Aaron Kramer. Thanks for tuning in. Until next time, go jump off your own bridge, or maybe don't do that. Maybe we should change that. But go believe in yourself, invest in yourself, just like Paige did. And Aaron are right here to encourage you. Thanks for listening. Until next time, go be in common.
00:46:35
Speaker
That's all for this episode, brought to you by Uncommon Wealth Partners. Be sure to visit uncommonwealth.com to learn more about our services. Don't miss an episode as we introduce you to inspiring people who are actively pursuing an uncommon life.