Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert King Levy III.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Robert. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story in this business began as a young 21-year-old. I remember leaving a reward trip that my father earned as a top sales representative for the insurance agency he worked with. We were on an airplane back to Houston after spending 8 days in Southern California experiencing the luxe life. At the time it wasn’t anything I’ve ever seen. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was surrounded by successful insurance professionals, good vibes, the beach, comradery, love and inspiration. Everyone was happy and carefree and boasted about some of the things I wanted to experience in my life- Helping others become successful and an extravagant lifestyle.
I grew up in a low middle-class family and then I watched my lifestyle change when I was in high school from my father’s previous career to when he stepped into the insurance business. I watched him work tirelessly to educate prospects and small business owners about the opportunities they had to protect the things that mattered most to them – their family and their paycheck. Once I arrived back to Houston I would be stepping back into my current life as competitive Swim Coach and Personal Trainer. I loved the aspect of coaching and helping people succeed, I loved interacting with others and I loved having a team of coaches and athletes to inspire.
I thought maybe the insurance business would be a route for me to take. It seems like the industry had it all. The ability to reach tremendous levels of income as well as helping others change their lives through coaching and motivation. When we arrived back in Houston, I asked my father for an opportunity. He told me I would need to speak to the territory manager. We connected and I was brought on board 100% commission. At this point, I wasn’t afraid of commission as I’ve seemed both my parents raise our family in sales roles. My mother as a Realtor and my Father as an insurance agent. I kept coaching swimming as it was truly my passion.
I retired from coaching swimming in 2009. I kept building my insurance business and was tasked to build a sales team. This promotion was super exciting for me because I was still able to bring my coaching aspect into the business. Teach, motivate and inspire others to be successful. I excelled in this business for a few more years. Then the industry experienced Healthcare reform. Although this new Affordable Care Act helped many people that were uninsurable or others that could not afford coverage obtain coverage it was not helpful to those in the healthcare insurance business.
More regulations were placed on products and carriers cut commissions significantly. It made me realize that I need to expand my horizons and portfolio of offerings. During this time I opened my eyes to different opportunities. I was met with an opportunity with a local benefits broker to come on board as an agent to market their products. This would be the very first time I would ever have a legitimate salary! I was so excited! I learned as much as I could about corporate benefits. I worked with this organization for a year until we cut ties. When we cut ties I felt helpless, I was in a place of what am I going to do now?? Do I go back to the agency I was working with before, sell individual health insurance?? What would I do??
The idea popped into my mind… ELITE BENEFITS GROUP! By this time I knew insurance, I was almost 31 was hungry and craved success, my dreams were huge. There was one problem. During my previous years in the business, I was making a great income and living a ‘luxe’ life. I didn’t save, I didn’t respect money or know how to use it to my advantage. I was broke, Dead broke in fact, was in debt further than I thought. In 2014 was scraping by. The most challenging year to date. My family came to the rescue and stood by me, motivated me and helped me financially. My mother was always a huge support, my sister my biggest fan, my father, my grandmother and My aunt all helped me financially to allow me to see my dream through. I couldn’t be more Grateful!
During this financial challenge of mine, I continued to follow some of my passions in the music industry, talent management and charity event production. This was fun but wasn’t paying the bills. I had to stay streamline and focused on my goal.
Elite benefits Group – Teaching business owners how to build out and save money on their benefits programs and motivate, inspire other agents to be successful in this business. Well, 2014 wiped me out. In 2015 I took an extended get away to come back more renewed than ever. But I needed help! I grew my business large enough to provide my self with income but wasn’t able to scale. I need someone to help at the agency office in an (a 9×9) office space leased for free by a gentleman has become a great friend of mine. Who could help me, I thought? My Mother!!! I asked if she would come on board and I could teach her things that I needed help with so I could grow the business. She agreed and I paid her little to nothing.
I’m not sure her income covered the gas she paid to drive her car from Cypress to the galleria daily. She worked selflessly and did everything she could to help her son build his dream. She still is an integral part of the organization. She’s loved by our clients and the insurance carriers that we represent. We moved into a bigger space re- branded and met other successful people that would further help the growth of the organization. My sister Sara Levy now works with us as Director of Benefits. She has learned the industry and has become the absolute best at what she does. One of my best friends Nate Rivas joined our team in the process as Director of Marketing and is continuing to accel in his role.
We are blessed with a knowledgeable benefits sales and education team who are continuously out in the field helping business owners grow their business and protect their employees. We have expanded our client base throughout Texas into California, Florida as well as a few states between. Our mission is to help employers grow their organization through benefit education, tax savings and attracting and retaining employees. We love helping employees protect the things that matter most -their family and their paycheck.
It’s impossible to succeed with out the proper support system, I am so grateful for My family including Tiffany Johnson and great friends Andrea James and Eric Scher and my boyfriend Nico Grana who have and continue to play an integral role in the organization’s success. The thing that keeps me going the most is the opportunity through my success be able to give back to our community, children and those that need support to live their dreams. Just as I needed support to live mine.
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?
It has been a bumpy road. The struggles of wanting to quit or try something else. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and there are many things that interest me. I love charity and music. I keep reminding my self about the two men that were mining diamonds. One kept digging the other gave up and had he continued he too would have been successful. Struggles were income, on the way, scaling slowly and growing the business. Staying positive and keep pushing.
Please tell us about Elite Benefits Group.
Elite Benefits Groups Teaches Employers how to save money and build out benefits programs that help them grow their business and attract and retain quality talent. Our Motto is Enhance, Educate, engage, enroll, empower. Our benefit enrollment and education services really sets us apart from other agencies. We take benefit education one step further than most. Our enrolment solutions are personalized and the technology we use is extremely helpful and time savings for CFO’s, CEO’s, HR and benefit administrators. I’m most proud that the company allows us to give back through a non-profit we created called the Holiday Soiree which brings the arts, music and children’s charities together.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Summertime was my favorite childhood memory. I loved spending time with friends playing outside, swimming and coming together in the evening with my parents and sister for dinner. My mother always made sure we had a proper dinner together.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4615 Southwest Fwy Ste 435 Houston, TX 77027
- Website: www.elitebenefitsgroup.com
- Phone: 713-575-3722
- Email: robert@elitebenefitsgroup.com
- Instagram: Elite Benefits Group
- Facebook: Elite Benfits Group
Image Credit:
Emily Jaschke
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