Dear Insurance Agent...

During the late 1800s, the economy had taken a downturn until the discovery of gold in the Yukon.  Because of the Panic of '93, a one-income family was no longer the norm.  More women sought employment in numbers although the expectation of marriage and start families still drove the social norm.  Considered as second-class citizens, women had no rights, could not own property, could not vote and had little to no choices.  (Learn more about The Gilded Age - a time of turmoil).  Fathers and husbands dictated the future of their wives and daughters which lead to oppression.  Wealthy women received better opportunities in education allowing for careers in teaching, nursing and secretarial. Three quarters of women in the workforce were single allowing for much independence like never before.  Women fashion changed considerably. No more was the dress for pleasure a likely fit for being in the workforce. Women colleges offered sports and helped usher in the change of sensible fashion apart from the Victorian era. Ready-to-wear comfort was preferable for the long grueling work hours imposed in factories, hospitals and schools.    

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Texas boomed in the 1980s but it also busted during this period, too.  One thing  that remained the same was traffic.  But since 2014 a change in demographics and a surge of new business landed these Top 50 fastest growing cities in Texas (WalletHub.com-2018): 

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Liability Coverage and Workers Comp are essential for a project's success.  But prior to the start of project is safety priority.  Hazard exposures are located every where humans are subjected. Proactively identifying hazards before, during and after tend to lessen injuries and promote job safety.  Start with OSHA>>>

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The auto insurance industry is driven by statistics and personal factors about YOU.  Insurance premium is made up of a matrix of factors. So buckle up, as we count down to the behind the scenes of your insurance matrix:

10.  Married vs Single:  Its fact, two heads are better than one with the insurance industry.  Most SMART married couples tend to pave the road to longevity.   Couples not only combine their resources, they combine policies, guard credit better, budget household funds better and file less claims.  They have legal and economic benefits that make for a champion of stability, investment and family growth(the backbone of a thriving society).  George Clooney, a lifelong bachelor knows tying the knot has its perks.

9.  Sedan vs Sports:  Your car represents you...well, at least, this is the idea the auto industry wants you to buy.  A sedan is much less costly when it comes to repair after a loss and a much safer way to get around.  If you don't believe it, check out your collision coverage and compare it.  Your driving pattern impacts your finances.  So the better the driving pattern, the better the finances(get it?) which can lead to increasing that deductible and lowering that rate.  

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Even though memory loss may be the #1 reason why some issues don't get reported, it is important to keep your agent abreast of possible issues that may escalate later.  

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In recent years, the headlines spark wonder if the insurance outlook for consumers will shake many small insurance agencies.  Buying auto insurance direct for instance,  has worked out well online for a number of years.  However, when it comes to homeowners and commercial coverage, the agent is still the best beat.  Why you might wonder?  Online is the craze for purchasing everything and anything.  Well, almost.  

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Trailblazers of American business happened to stumble upon ideas to make life better.  Innovative thinkers never stop pushing forward.
But rarely do we find great reads about women contributors throughout the generations.  It so happens that they develop ideas far better when adversity is at its fullest.
In the heart of our nation were the founding fathers. But as far back as colonial America, women contributed to the development of business establishments. 

In 1718, while women were required to give up their property and rights to their husbands upon marriage, Pennsylvania legislation enacted a bill granting women to serve as feme sole trader.  This act allowed women to make sound business decisions in place of their husbands while at sea.  The legal authority to help a woman support herself and her children would keep her "from becoming a burden to the public".

Hannah H.T. Elliot, petitioned the court for sole feme trader after reporting her husband for abandonment and unable to support her household including children. Leaving her destitute and frequently borrowing from friends and relative, she was forced to open a trimming shop.  She was granted feme sole trader status whereby allowing her sole business operator along with retaining the profits.
  
Betsy Ross, along with her 1st husband, co-owned an upholstery business. Upon his death, having to raise children on her own for a while, she acquired his property and worked diligently making flags for Pennsylvania.  Marrying a third time, didn't stop her from continuing her skills of needlework.  The tale of the first American flag belongs to Betsy Ross.

Elizabeth Blackwell was ridiculed in medical school and ostracized when attempting a career in medicine.  In the midst of her struggle as a physician, she held strong.  In the mid 1800s, after watching a friend struggle with sickness due to embarrassment of visiting a male physician, co-founded a clinic for indigent women and children that would last over a century.

Josephine Cochrane couldn't help but wonder how to develop a better way to wash dishes. After finding much damaged china over the carelessness of her kitchen help, she discovered how water jets could blast powerful streams onto dishes if aligned in racks.  Her husband died while her design was formed and almost left her penniless.  She worked tirelessly pushing her invention but it changed the world forever. Her company evolved and changed hands after her death, to become better known today as Kitchen Aid. 

The inventor of a new fiber developed as Kevlar, known for bullet proof vests, building materials, tires, and fiber optic cable was awarded the National Medal of Technology and inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1994. Stephanie Kwolek, a chemist at DuPont passionate and persistent, “I discovered over the years that I seem to see things that other people did not see. If things don’t work out I don’t just throw them out, I struggle over them, to try and see if there’s something there.”

Party plan marketing is owed to Brownie Wise, a single mother, who had a charm and a knack for a product sales model.  She took TupperWare not selling well in department store shelves and made into a household name. Earl Tupper hired her to head his company but later fired her after she received recognition for the TupperWare invention.

Throughout centuries, women have faced unpredictable challenges.  Whether from despair, pressure, or simply a solution to a persistent burden, the human mind is capable of innovative ideas.  How we get from idea to service or product starts with inspiration.   

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During WW2, unemployment became scarce as millions took jobs at war production plants.  Rationing was the selfless act of the American effort as every vital resource was conserved.  Coupons were purchased by consumers limiting the used of ingredients such as coffee and sugar.  Driving was limited as rubber was required for military production and recycling.   Upon the end of the war, the U.S. aided the greatly suffered Western European sector but included its own reconstruction back home. (WW2 Museum).

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1. Fashion and Liquid Gold:  In the late 1800s, a young orphan girl is raised by nuns and taught to sew.  In her early 20's, she opens a hat shop in France. She ventures into clothing and designs her first dress successfully adding more fashion stores and a customer reach to include royalty. In the 1920s, she launches a perfume as the first with a designer name.  She pioneered the Chanel suit and the "little black dress".  For decades after WW2, she lived under the shadow of scandal and escaped from public eye. Not until her 70s, did she return to the world of fashion producing comfortable and fitted designs.  Her life continues to captivate the masses.  The legacy of Coco Chanel reigns through active fashion houses and forever a liquid gold we know as Chanel No.5.

2.  A Plow and a Pitch:  At the age of 17, he began a career in blacksmith. He found plows to be problematic and repairs reoccurring.  Experimenting, he was able to pitch his design to local farmers.   John Deere, the inventor, was enabled to design and construct better tools, better steel plows and better solutions for the agriculture industry.  But today, John Deere is a leader in quality of out door heavy equipment made especially for farm, construction, forestry, but also includes compact equipment for residential usage as well.

3.  International Beauty/Activist/Inspiration:  A laundress, widowed at age 20, must provide for her two year old.  An orphan at age 7 and married at 14, Madam CJ Walker faced many life perils unknown to many.  An oncoming scalp disease brought on by stress and lack of indoor plumbing created hair loss and forced her to search for a home remedy.  With brothers in the barber industry, and with the aid of a pharmacist, she developed a special shampoo and ointment. Manufacturing the products was a success. 

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