Today we’d like to introduce you to LeCreame Jinks.
LeCreame, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I knew years ago I was destined to lead, to motivate, inspire and uplift the masses! My journey has been one of major ups and downs, major wins and daunting defeats.
From birth my mother would tell me “you’re special, you’re gifted, and you possess what others do not… use it to the best of your ability, God has got you”. As a young child, I was unsure of exactly what that meant but as I grew in age and my journey began to unfold, it was made prevalent that what my mother had poured into me would give me strength that couldn’t be contained. Big aspirations and even bigger dreams from a small child, the lines on paper were often never enough to hold my wild visions and thoughts of financial freedom, Forbes recognition, elaborate vacations and real estate investments all at a very young age. I mean really, what kid knows about a Forbes list and real estate? Me, that’s who!
Boy was I in for a surprise! It was going to require everything I had in me just to get here and wear the hat titled CEO!
As a full- time CEO reality set in, and my journey began along with my husband to own our time, help others and inspire. Our mission to share information with those seeking financial freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind became the most important thing on my daily work agenda, all the things I didn’t have yet as a young CEO but wanted so desperately. The great thing about both my husband and I, we were willing to overextend ourselves to see others achieve it. While we were navigating the strong waters of entrepreneurship, it was obvious that it would be hard and more demanding than I could have imagined. My willingness to provide these things to others and break barriers would be what began to propel our business. 1st Source Adjuster School opened its doors in 2013 and in 2014 we welcomed our very 1st Student, yes that’s right ONE student lol seems funny but I will never forget how important that one student was to me! I had never been more excited in my entire life. Though this was not my first business, I had two successful startup companies prior to 1st Source but the feeling was totally different this time around, maybe because my husband and I shared in this vision. This would later become something we would manifest, grow, and nurture together. Anyone works with their spouse… lol? Guess what we LOVE it, and would not trade this opportunity for anything in the world!
As our passion grew so did our clientele, we were in love with helping other people. How many business owners can really say that? We have literally helped thousands in some capacity or another, whether it be a 1st Source student, a stranger inquiring about our industry, or acting as a consultant, our name is well-traveled. The bumps along the way were often intolerable but the lessons that came along with that tribulation was well worth it. Running one company is difficult try directing four. There were a lot of closed doors, not today, or maybe next time, behind us and unfortunately ahead of us because we are risk-takers! I was never deterred. I was always willing to wake back up the next day and hit the pavement again forgetting yesterday’s defeats which came easy to me after a while. I notice a lot of business owners struggle with taking the No and coming back even stronger. My advice, you cannot change yesterday, focus on what’s ahead. Operating with a relentless spirit, all four of our businesses are successful and operating at a high capacity and growing. If you have had an opportunity to attend our training’s, you have had the pleasure of meeting a husband and wife team that cares about you and your future!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As we continue to reach new levels of success, you began to self-critique. You can pinpoint where you are lacking as a business owner, and as a leader and make the necessary adjustments. Each new level requires a NEW YOU! It was challenging early in our journey, us, like many new businesses suffer and often fold because of minimal support and branding. If you are not branding yourself as CEO and separating your business from its competitors how will you reach the target audience, you seek and find the success you are so diligently working towards.
Getting people to see your vision can be rough, especially in the early stages when money is low or none existent. Never give up! We suffered with gathering new clientele unsure of how to market ourselves in such a niche market. I took to social media using my page as my new platform to share our services and capabilities. It was and still is a free platform and, in my opinion, a great place to market. When we started out, I’m not sure if Facebook Ads were available lol but I would post and re-post our services until I knew my loyal followers knew the name 1st Source Adjuster School and knew our colors. Remember that thing I mentioned earlier… branding yeah that’s important because you want people to remember you.
Please tell us about 1st Source Adjuster School.
What we are known for… 1st Source Adjuster school is a veteran-owned entity known for its State accredited training focused on licensing individuals to become insurance adjusters, estimators, and appraisers. We have licensed the masses and provided a much-needed void in the industry. We have assisted so many men and women while providing limitless income for their household. We work heavily with our community during the holiday season providing Turkey’s and canned goods for Thanksgiving and Toys during Christmas. We believe that we must give back to the community that invests in us. All our companies’ services are geared toward helping our students grow which in turn will grow our community.
Our GRADE A customer service sets us apart from the rest! We pride ourselves on being a policy-based training facility with the needs of our students in mind. We provide training’s that no other facility does which allows us to stand alone!
Over the next five years our industry is shifting, more technology! In an industry striving to do things faster and more precise, it is important to grow with change! More elaborate and detailed trainings are a must. There is a massive need for adjusters as natural disasters become more apparent.
Our pricing is competitive and raved upon. When clients make it a point to inform my staff that our services are priced right and maybe a little low, it really brightens my day, lol.
I’m most proud of all the smiling faces we see monthly and the impact we have on them from a professional standpoint and sharing our love with them as a married couple. We really leave our mark.
At 1st Source, our clients become FAMILY!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory lol would surely be my first bout at entrepreneurial-ship!!!! I had to have been 8 or 9 years old and I wanted cash, I don’t really know what I wanted to buy maybe for lip gloss and candy lol who knows, but I wanted to sale, sale, sale for sure… so my mom allowed me to make cool cups and sell them down by the pool for .50 she laughs as she tells this story at events. I would be operational for 10 minutes and she says in that 11th minute lol I would be handing her the tray and jumping in the pool. She says that was the shortest business she had ever seen go under (water) literally, lol!!
I was a kid with a big DREAM… but hey GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN (FUNDS)!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2626 South Loop West #152
Houston, Texas 77054 - Website: www.1stsourceadjusterschool.com
- Phone: 713-737-5244
- Email: info@1stsourceadjusterschool.com
- Instagram: @1stsourceadjusters
- Facebook: 1st Source Adjuster School
- Other: LeCreame Simpson – Jinks on FB
Image Credit:
1st Source Adjuster School Training
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