NEA Women in Business: Julie Woodson

Residence: Walnut Ridge

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? The most fulfilling moment of my career so far was being approached by Shelter to be the agent here in Walnut Ridge. I worked as an employee in the agency for a decade before stepping into my current role, so I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn so much about the technical aspects of the industry before becoming an agent.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? The next step in my career is continuing to work towards the goals that we set in the agency for customer retention and growth.

What character traits do you feel have benefited you in your success? I think integrity, honesty, and hard work have been pivotal to the success I’ve found in my career. Put simply, delivering to your customers what you promise goes a long way.

What are some unique aspects of your job or business? A unique aspect of my job is how so much of the way you run your business is up to you. In my experience, people have different styles of running insurance agencies, and there is no universally right way that leads to success. It’s a job where you really have the opportunity to play to your strengths.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? For women just beginning their careers, particularly in sales roles, I would recommend giving clients more than what they expect. Offering great service should be the baseline, and in those times where you go above and beyond, it leaves an impression on people that they will never forget. Doing good work and making a real effort to understand people will take you far. Focus on the process rather than the outcome and the bottom line tends to take care of itself. I think in a world that is increasingly competitive and fast-paced, people find that sort of attitude refreshing.

Can you share how COVID impacted your business or organization during the pandemic? COVID affected our company because Shelter is very customer service based and works one on one with people in the agencies. So, we did have to pivot and adjust to more telephone and email contact. Thankfully, after the pandemic, we have been able to return to normal.

Do you have a significant other and/or children? If so, what do you guys like to do for fun? At home, I love gardening, reading and enjoying time with my family and my two golden retrievers. Lately, I’ve been enjoying John Grisham novels. As much as I love to travel, my time for that has become limited. I do try to escape to the beach for a long weekend a couple of times a year. I also enjoy meditation and yoga, they play a role in keeping me calm and stress free. I’m an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

If you have a bucket list, what are the top three things on it? I began working over 40 years ago, so I am beginning to think about things like enjoying the fruits of my labor. My bucket list items would be having a home near the beach so my kids and their families could spend time with me there. Also, I would love to travel to Europe and experience their food, culture, and history.