Today we’d like to introduce you to JJ Lara.
JJ, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I have always been a Texan at heart and a Houstonian through and through. Other than Houston, I lived in San Antonio, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. I lived in San Antonio for about seven years, moving back to Houston approximately four years ago. I have only lived in Texas and plan on living in Texas & Houston for the rest of my life – the city and the community have created the man I am today and my goal is to give back a bit of what the city has given me.
Throughout my professional career, I have had several great mentors that have not only allowed me the opportunity to bend their ears but also given me the opportunity to learn and succeed in the specific industries. Starting back in San Antonio, I was given the opportunity to by an individual who simply took a chance on a young college kid with no office experience. I am forever grateful because that opportunity molded and set some of the work principals I still use today. Fast forward eight years later and the initial opportunity in the industry came in a similar fashion – from a personal relationship who took a chance and believed in me.
All in all, I had others believe in me along the way, which has opened up doors and opportunities that may not have be available without that Faith. From that belief and faith, my mindset has always been to repay in gratitude by success, respect and to share the same faith/belief in anyone that crossed my professional path. My way of simply paying it forward.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Heartache, disappointed and failure has always preceded triumph, victory and success throughout my personal and professional life. Struggles throughout has always been balancing the concept of risk with the confidence in success – I have always believed that no matter the situation, I would find the ability and the response to succeed. However, with that belief sometimes came more risk in my decision making, which ultimately led to some of my failures.
As I have gotten older, I realize more and more the “big picture” – what’s truly important. What truly is worth risking and that at times it is OK to play it safe and be content with certain aspects of life instead of always trying to push boundaries. My struggles have never come from goals or adversity – in reality, my greatest triumphs have been from steep goals and difficult adversities. My struggles have come from understanding when to celebrate victory and truly differentiating the moments from achievement and complacency.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Rusty Brents Insurance Agency story. Tell us more about your work.
The agency I work for is here local in the Houston area and has been a staple in the city for over 20 years. We are an independent agency that specializes in Home, Auto, Flood, Umbrella and Commercial Insurance. We act as a broker of insurance in that we have the ability to market insurance needs to various companies in an attempt to find the most competitive rate and coverage for our clients.
If you were to ask our clients, referral partners, or employees for that matter, I feel what sets us apart is our response time and our genuine desire to advise! Our to goal is to give clients the ability to make an educated and qualified decision in an industry where knowledge is not always shared freely. We distinguish our selves by being there not only from the onset/onboarding process but, more importantly, when questions and concerns arise during claim time. Our agents and customer service team set industry standard for how clients should be treated on a day – every call, every email, every interaction we treat you the same way we would want to be treated with compassion, with concern and with respect.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
Luck is apparent and I believe it does exist but for me, I believe luck is at time evident in my golf game but has not necessarily played a role my personal and professional life. I am not a true believer in luck playing a vital role in my life because any result that I have had (both good and bad) has been from preparation, desire and ultimately decision making. If I make bad decisions, I get bad results – now have a had good fortune? ABSOLUTELY. But good fortune comes from a pattern of previous decision making. In my past, for example, the opportunities allotted to me from personal relationships were created from my work ethic, my respect and my decision to treat others with respect.
Have I been lucky to hit a Drive off one tee box into the trees and it kickback to the fairway? NO DOUBT. Have I been unlucky to hit an eight iron flush and it be short of the green? ABSOLUTELY. But Has luck played a factor into the good and bad in my life? Never has. Never will.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7904 N Sam Houston Parkway Suite 305 Houston, Texas 77064
- Website: https://insurancewithjj.com/
- Phone: 2818941240
- Email: jlara@rbins.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insurancewithjj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insurancewithjj/
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