What’s the Good News, Ladies? June Edition
June 9, 2017, 8:29 am
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Combs & Company Blog,
Feature Friday,
Innovation Broker Lab,
Insurance Women,
Motivational,
Successful Women,
Susan L Combs,
What's the Good News, Ladies?,
WIFS,
Women in Insurance | Tags:
BenefitsPro,
Combs & Co Blog,
Inspiring Women,
WIFS
The year is flying by! I can’t believe it’s already June, and I’m super excited because my brother and sister-in-law are going to be welcoming my new niece into the world in a few short weeks. Maybe I can get her into the industry early! This project has been hugely rewarding for me as a way to spread the good news about women in our industry and the incredible things they are doing! This month, you’ll get to meet some great women who were introduced to me by other great women. I’m sure you’ll have fun getting to know Sheryl, Ande and Stacey a little better. I know I did!
Click Here to read all about these fantastic women!
Feature Friday: Susan L. Combs wins Broker of the Year
April 28, 2017, 8:18 am
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Susan L Combs,
WIFS,
Women in Insurance | Tags:
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Broker of the Year,
FeatureFriday,
Susan L Combs,
Women in Insurance & Financial Services
NEW YORK, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Missouri-Columbia graduate Susan L. Combs is the latest winner — and the first female honoree — of the BenefitsPRO Broker of the Year award. Combs received the honor over hundreds of other nominees and four other finalists at an April 2017 awards ceremony in Indianapolis.
With its Broker of the Year award, leading industry publication BenefitsPRO honors one outstanding professional annually, for success in business-building, developing healthy corporate cultures, and growing the perception of the industry. Combs was selected for her forward-thinking work to bring women into the industry, her firm’s inventive support of small- and mid-sized businesses, and her expansive expertise with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Combs, a native of King City, Mo., opened a full-service insurance brokerage firm, Combs & Company, in New York City in 2005. The company grew from a one-woman operation to a team of eight, with a reputation for handling tricky coverage requests for entertainment businesses, food brands and international companies looking to enter the U.S. market.
“I love our industry, both because of the opportunities it offers and for how fast it changes,” Combs says. “After 12 years, we still work hard every day to innovate and stay relevant to our clients. That’s what makes this award so special, because it’s recognition from an industry authority that we respect so much. It’s still a bit overwhelming.”
Besides founding Combs & Company, Combs previously served as national president of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS), the only national group dedicated to women’s success in those fields. She is the recipient of the University of Missouri Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award, Advisor Today’s 4 Under Forty, and Corporate LiveWire’s Most Innovative Insurance Broker.
Combs regularly travels around the country for speaking engagements to champion gender balance in the workforce. In 2015, she launched an expert-witness consulting practice and is now one of the nation’s go-to consultants for ACA litigation, medical malpractice, workers’ comp, and personal injury cases.
About Combs & Company, LLC: Combs & Company is a full-service insurance brokerage and consulting firm in New York City. Founded in 2005, Combs & Co serves as an invaluable resource for small- and mid-sized businesses looking for health and business coverages in an increasingly complex marketplace. The firm specializes in industries that don’t fit an insurance carriers’ typical profile, such as entertainment, food, and international companies opening U.S. operations. Combs & Co also offers Affordable Care Act expert witness consulting services to defense firms handling medical malpractice, workers’ comp, and personal injury cases.
Click Here for the bio of Susan L. Combs.
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Media Contact: Jennifer Pisani, Combs & Company, LLC, 646-736-3737, jpisani@combsandco.com
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
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Thank You…
April 14, 2017, 7:47 am
Filed under:
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What's the Good News, Ladies?,
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Women in Insurance | Tags:
BenefitsPro,
Broker of the Year,
Capacity Coverage,
Combs & Company,
EPIC,
King City,
Mizzou,
NAHU,
Savoy Associates,
Susan L Combs,
WIFSWhat a whirlwind the past few days have been! I traveled to Indianapolis to attend the BrokerExpo put on by BenefitsPro Magazine. In true traveling fashion, I hit a Diner’s Drive-Ins & Dives place for dinner called Tamale Place that was awesome! The next morning I hit Orangetheory with my good friend David Contorno and then headed to the session where I was a part of the panel of the 5 finalist for the Broker of the Year! At the end of the session they announced the winner and I was excited, shocked, humbled and in awe that I was selected as the 2017 Broker of the Year.
The outpouring of love I’ve received has been overwhelming, to say the least, I truly appreciate all that have reached out. There is no possible way for me to thank everyone personally for the texts, calls, emails, comments on social media, re-posts, shout outs and shares that have been given on my behalf but I will always be eternally grateful. To my family, my friends, my work family (Combs & Co, Capacity / EPIC and Savoy), my association family (WIFS, NAHU, NAIFA and Mizzou), my clients, my mentees, my mentors, my King City Crew, my industry peers and most of all my incredible husband – you have helped me to become the person I am today, thank you for believing in me more than I believe in myself sometimes.
Over the past couple of days, a JFK quote kept popping into my head, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” I hope I continue to live my life so that you all know how truly grateful I am for the love and support that you all have shown me and continue to pay it forward for others.
— Susan
What’s the good news, ladies? Mentorship!
March 16, 2017, 10:40 am
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Feature Friday,
Innovation Broker Lab,
Insurance Women,
Motivational,
Successful Women,
Susan L Combs | Tags:
BenefitsPro,
Combs & Company,
Giving Back,
Innovation Broker Lab,
Women in Insurance
Very excited to share this month’s installment of “What’s the Good News, Ladies?” This month you get to meet three women who are very near and dear to my heart. These are three women that I have had the pleasure of mentoring in my career, and I would have never met them if it wasn’t through the opportunities I received in volunteer leadership in serving on the National Board of Directors for Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS).
I have always felt passionately about mentorship — no one in this industry got to where they are today without the assistance of someone looking behind and helping to pull them up. I continue to have amazing mentors and advocates in my career, and I have chosen to pay it forward by mentoring others.
Click here to let me introduce you to Mary, Krystyl and Ashleigh, three bright stars that I am happy to call mentees, colleagues and most of all friends!
What’s the good news, ladies? February edition.
February 10, 2017, 2:33 pm
Filed under:
Feature Friday,
Insurance Women,
Motivational,
NAHU,
Successful Women,
What's the Good News, Ladies?,
WIFS,
Women in Insurance | Tags:
Innovation Broker Lab,
Inspiring Women,
NAHU,
WIFS,
Women in Insurance
Who’s feelin’ the love? With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I am excited to share one of my “loves” with you. Incredible women in our industry getting it done and paying it forward! This installment is extra special to me because it includes Karen Roberts, a woman who has mentored me for a number of years. In addition to Karen, you are going to hear about Cheryl Hughes, who has over 30 years in our industry and Patricia Griffey who has been giving back to our industry by being involved in the National Association of Health Underwriters. Get ready to feel the love and inspiration that these three women bring to our industry!
Click Here to read about these incredible women!
What’s the good news, ladies? Even more women changing the industry.
October 10, 2016, 2:00 pm
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Combs & Company,
Combs & Company Blog,
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Innovative Broker Lab,
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Cheryl Canzanella,
Combs & Company,
Evelyn Gellar,
Guardian,
Innovative Broker Lab,
Inspiring Women,
MassMutual,
PennMutual,
Samantha Clark,
Successful Women
For our third installment highlighting women who are changing our industry, I’m going to introduce three more three amazing ladies. These three are rock star recruiters from Guardian, MassMutual and Penn Mutual.
(Be sure to read our first and second installment of the series.)
I met each of these women by being part of organizations like WIFS, NAIFA and GAMA. I’ve found that when you connect with women who are involved with industry organizations, they mean business and are always looking to develop themselves and the people around them.
Click Here to see what Samantha, Cheryl and Evelyn are up to this year!
More women who are changing the insurance industry.
September 2, 2016, 9:34 am
Filed under:
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Combs & Company,
Combs & Company Blog,
Innovative Broker Lab,
Insurance Women,
Marketing,
Motivational,
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Susan L Combs,
What's the Good News, Ladies?,
WIFS,
Women in Insurance | Tags:
Broker Motivation,
Combs & Company,
Innovative Broker Lab,
Susan L Combs,
WIFS
I’ve enjoyed all the positive feedback on this new series, “What’s the good news, ladies? Women who are changing the industry.” It really has been fun! For our second installment, I wanted you to hear from four women who come to the industry from entirely different backgrounds.
Juli McNeely, who took over her father’s practice and helped bring it to the next level; Kristin Alfheim, an award-winning financial advisor who runs a successful practice in Green Bay; Meghan Wilke, who took her production experience to the home office level for Mutual of Omaha; and Julie Yunker, who is thriving under a big transition that happened earlier this year with MetLife.
Now sit back, relax and get ready to be inspired by some astounding and accomplished women as they share some of their high points from this year.
Click Here to read all about these amazing women!
The Best Way to Prospect
June 28, 2016, 3:12 pm
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Get Creative,
Innovative Broker Lab,
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Susan L Combs | Tags:
Combs & Company,
Innovative Broker Lab,
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Succession Initiative,
Susan L Combs
So I have the pleasure of writing for the Succession Initiative for LifeHealthPro and they come to me with questions from their readers and I get to respond to them! Here is the latest one:
Meeting The Challenge…
Hi Terry,
First off, I basically equate that to a mother not teaching her son how to cook and do laundry because she knows he’ll find a wife to do it for him! Learning how to prospect is a life skill in sales. You have to get it down pat in order to be successful in this career. Being handed leads are the reward after you have proven yourself, you know?
OK … now to get off of my soapbox and offer a solution.
Network.
Network with everyone and anyone if you are starting out. Book lunches, coffees and drinks with other salespeople and business professionals in different fields. Get your elevator pitch down and be specific about who you want to be introduced to that are good lead sources for you (CPAs, attorneys, etc.) Be specific about your ideal client, too; if you say “business owners,” they are going to hear Charlie Brown’s parents talking and you’ll go nowhere. Click here to read more!
My Advice to Women Looking for a Career in Financial Services
November 25, 2015, 6:05 pm
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Motivational,
Penn Mutual,
Susan L Combs,
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Susan L Combs,
WIFS
No doubt about it, financial services is a great career for women. As the current president of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS), I ought to know. Founded in 1936, WIFS is the only organization for women, by women, in the insurance and financial services industry. Our core mission is about attracting, developing and advancing women in this career.
My work with WIFS has connected me with women from all across the country. Some of them are veterans who have become extremely successful, while others are just getting started. I often get asked for advice on how women can be successful in this industry. Click here for my top tips to women considering a career in financial services.
Susan Combs Receives SmartCEO Brava! Award
New York SmartCEO Announces the 2014 Brava! Awards Winners
40 powerhouse female business leaders to be recognized in
SmartCEO’s Brava! Awards program
New York, NY (June 10, 2014) — New York SmartCEO and Title Sponsor WeiserMazars LLP are pleased to announce the 2014 Brava! Award winners. The Brava! Awards celebrate the distinguished achievements of 40 of Greater New York’s top women business leaders. This year’s class collectively generates more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue and employ over 49,000 individuals. This year’s winners will be profiled in the September/October issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at an awards ceremony on September 23, 2014 at Capitale.
Please see below for a complete list of winners and for program details. To share in the excitement leading up to the event, follow us @SmartCEO #BravaAwards.
“Brava winners possess the utmost qualities in a leader — vision, passion, compassion, dedication, perseverance. Every one of this year’s winners exhibits these qualities in running their business, their families and their philanthropic activities. They give 110 percent of themselves,” says Rick Crane, regional president of SmartCEO Media. “We are honored and humbled to recognize a group of women who are truly making a difference in the world.”
The winners will be celebrated at the New York Brava! Awards ceremony on September 23, 2014 at Capitale. An expected sell-out event, over 300 local C-level executives and guests will attend to celebrate their achievements. Past Brava! winners will also be in attendance to welcome the new class of winners and grow the community. The event will kick off with a cocktail reception followed by the awards ceremony and a final toast to the women leaders of Greater New York.
About SmartCEO
SmartCEO’s mission is to educate and inspire the business community through its award-winning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources. SmartCEO’s integrated media platforms reach decision makers in the Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, metropolitan areas.
About the Brava! Awards
The Brava! Awards program celebrates female CEOs who combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community. Brava! Award winners are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects winners based on the quality of applications submitted. SmartCEO shares their inspiring stories in the September/October issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrates their success at an awards reception in September.
Complete Program Information:
2014 Brava! Awards
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Capitale
130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013
Attire: Business Cocktail
2014 New York Brava! Winners:
Wen Zhou, 3.1 Phillip Lim
Ann Gottlieb, Ann Gottlieb Associates
Dominique Debroux, Big Belli, LLC
Claudia Baricevic, Capitale
Susan L. Combs, PPACA, Combs & Co.
Elisabete Miranda, CQ fluency
Samantha DiGennaro, DiGennaro Communications
Cheryl Ann Lawrence McDaniel, Direct Success Inc.
Jennifer N. Nevins, DW Smith Associates, LLC
Susan Lindner, Emerging Media
Erika Weinstein, eTeam Executive Search LLC
Amanda Judge, Faire Collection
Hilda Polanco, Fiscal Management Associates
Stacy Francis, Francis Financial, Inc.
Maureen Henegan, Henegan Construction Co., Inc.
Marilyn Kane, Iridium Capital LLC
Julie B. Kampf, JBK Associates
Lynne S. Katzmann, Juniper Communities
Karen Gurl-Martell, KGM Consulting, Inc.
Gwen Whiting and Lindsey J. Boyd, The Laundress New York
Jil Larsen, Magic Mix Juicery
Robyn Streisand, The Mixx
Dr. Robin Smith, Neostem
Cheryl Biron, One Horn Transportation
Denise Mari, Organic Avenue and Mari Lifestyle
Joanna Phillips, Phillips Brokerage
Jill Scalisi, Scalisi Skincare
Jennifer Blumin, Skylight Group
Lori Leitgeb, Stack Builders
Mary Nittolo, The STUDIO
Sarah Endline, Sweet Riot
Leslie A. Firtell, Tower Legal Solutions
Liz Elting, TransPerfect
Nadine Cino, Tyga Box
Susan White Morrissey, White and Warren
Nonprofit Winners
Saranne Rothberg, ComedyCures Foundation
Gail A. Magaliff, FEGS Health & Human Services
Ruth Rathblott, Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF)
Carol Robles-Román, Legal Momentum
Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., Women Presidents’ Organization
To find out more about the 2015 Brava! Awards nomination process, email us at NYprograms@smartceo.com. For information about sponsorship opportunities, email us at NewYork@smartceo.com.
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combsandco 