Hustle And Self-Belief with Lisa Lounsbury

Keep Hustling

In this episode, Aaron Gordon interviews insurance executive Lisa Lounsbury. They delve into Lisa's career journey, highlighting the impact of self-belief and mentorship.. Lisa shares her diverse experiences, from a childhood in horseback riding to becoming the CEO of a major insurance organization in Syracuse, New York. The conversation covers the importance of inclusivity, diversity, and the challenging regulatory environment for insurance agents in New York. Lisa's anecdotes about balancing work and life as a working mom and Aaron's personal stories about his mother emphasize the human side of the industry. The episode concludes with motivational advice on taking risks and overcoming the fear of failure, reminding listeners to "keep hustling" with a curious, determined mindset.

Get To Know Lisa Lounsbury

Lisa Lounsbury is the President & CEO of Big I New York & Connecticut and Co-Founder and President of the Board of Directors at Catalyit. With an impressive background in the insurance industry, she has served on various committees and obtained professional designations, including Certified Association Executive and Accredited Adviser in Insurance. Lisa's journey into business began at an early age, influenced by her father's entrepreneurial spirit, leading to a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. She is a Miami University of Ohio graduate with a bachelor's degree in finance. Currently residing in Cazenovia, New York, Lisa is also actively involved in her community, serving on the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education and the Onondaga-Madison School Boards Association. Her dedication to both her professional and personal endeavors is truly inspiring.

3 Episode Key Takeaways - The Power of Mentorship: Lisa reflects on her mentor, Dick, who treated her as a person with potential rather than just categorizing her based on gender. His belief in her made a significant impact on her career trajectory.

- Value of Diversity and Equality: Emphasizing the importance of supporting women and fostering a diverse board, Lisa advocates for inclusivity in the insurance industry to drive growth and innovation.

- Balancing Professional and Personal Life: From riding lessons orchestrated by her father's hustle to juggling career and motherhood, Lisa’s story highlights the importance of work-life balance and remaining passionate about your profession.

Show Overview: 02:23 Family history traces back to Syracuse.

05:14 Lisa’s father's agency started, memorable early experience.

07:46 Lisa grew up riding horses competitively, traveled extensively.

11:27 Entrepreneurial spirit, hustle, and scrappiness shape success.

15:47 Considering moving to Pennsylvania, chose entrepreneurship.

16:28 Left insurance industry, Lisa meets mentor.

22:00 Formal education isn't always necessary for success.

25:14 Believe in yourself; listen to encouragers.

31:05 Embrace diversity and inclusion in service industry.

33:18 Founded Catalyt, defied assumptions, embraced experimentation.