Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Herrera.
Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all began with a course at Santa Monica College in 1993. I took a semester of yoga, having never tried it and knowing very little about it. I fell in love.
Many years later, when I started practicing yoga more regularly, I decided I wanted to be a Yoga Instructor and take the teacher training that was often offered.
In 2014 I finally did that and was fortunate enough to be given an internship and grew as an instructor from there. I only ever taught part time and always had a full-time job. But when I moved to San Antonio in 2018 and started working at the YMCA of greater San Antonio, it was recommended that I get my Silver Sneakers certification. Once completed, I began teaching Senior Fitness around town at the various senior centers and Ymca’s and really became a full-time instructor and then quarantine hit!
During Covid, I began offering virtual classes and wound up having a pretty good following and I was lucky enough to get a small business grant from the Lift Fund that helped get me through but as the city opened back up and the cost of living skyrocketed, it was very challenging to try to teach and make ends meet.
A friend I knew recommended becoming a health insurance agent and I finally decided to get my license and give it a shot.
It was basically sink or swim so I was pretty all in from the beginning but kept most of my classes mostly for my students, my sanity, keeping up my fitness and to keep a an income stream.
I came up with the name Zen Senior Services because of how Yoga connected me and because of how special Yoga is to me. My Yoga company is Zen, Sweat and Cheers and I wanted them to play off of each other..
I’m entering my third year and 3rd enrollment season for Medicare. After a not so great start I was very fortunate to land with an incredible Brokerage by the name of Empower Brokerage and a wonderful Regional Sales Director by the name of Kenna Rickett. She has taught me so much and really helped me grow my business, relationships, and so much more. Kenna is now a very good friend!
The last month I have been extremely busy preparing for October 15! Medicare’s Annual Enrollment season.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. It’s very much a roller coaster. But I do love what I do, and even though the healthcare industry is broken in many ways, I always make sure that I do right by my clients and help them see all of their options so they can make an informed decision. The biggest hiccup I had was the first company I started with was not a match for me and they don’t always wanna let you go.
Once I was able to get past that things have been much better.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Zen senior services assist folks of all ages with their health and life insurance needs, including Medicare, marketplace, individual dental plans, hospital, indemnities, final expenses, and more. I sit down with my clients one on one and learn their needs. If we’re talking about health insurance, I make sure to cover all of their doctors and prescriptions so that we can keep everything as is. I spend my time throughout the year meeting different doctors and Medical Group so that I can make recommendations when they’re looking for a new primary care provider. I think one of the most important things is I don’t just help somebody get on a plan I stay with them. I become their agent and a lot of times friend. I answer my phone. I return calls. I respond to text messages. Communication is very important. People need help navigating the industry and when they come across something that they don’t understand or need assistance with, I am there to help as best I can.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I spend a lot of time doing educational presentations out in the community such as Medicare 101s or how to be prepared when you’re turning 65 and getting on Medicare for the first time. I have a Scam presentation to teach seniors how to be aware and avoid being scammed and defrauded. I try to be of service to the community and partner with many different kinds of organizations. So anytime someone can give me the opportunity to get in front of people. That’s a great way to support me. Sharing my social media posts, getting on my newsletter so we’re staying in touch. It is all greatly appreciated!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ZenSeniorServices.com
- Instagram: @zensweatandcheers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BF7f1zG9s/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethsaxon
- Youtube: Zen Senior Services
