Orianne Williamson, protection specialist at LifeSearch, speaks to Health & Protection about being inspired by her mother who became a widow at 35, securing cover for Hepatitis B, and her passion for protection and the piano.
How did you get your start in the sector?
I began in a prospect team for a small brokerage, contacting protection enquiries and passing them over to protection advisers. During this time, I spoke to advisers about their current roles and responsibilities, learning about their day to day work and understanding various processes.
I was also required to sit in on insurer meetings to understand more about the products and benefits, which is where I expressed my interest in becoming a protection adviser. Three months later, I was given the opportunity to progress.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The fact that I can help change the lives of people and their families at the time when they need it most.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
My mother is my role model. Since childhood, she has faced endless hurdles and difficulties as she became a widow at the age of 35 with three young children.
My father was the sole provider at the time and unfortunately there were no financial provisions in place for the family.
My mother’s whole life turned upside down and I saw the challenges she overcame which she handled with courage and determination. She inspires me to work hard and has taught me resilience.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
My leader Ryan is the most important mentor in my career. He is always giving me open and honest feedback on how I can protect more families.
He invests the time with me by having one-to-one sessions to work on the different areas in my role that can be improved, and has helped mould me into the adviser I am today – he believes in me.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Be patient. It involves constant learning, evolving, and adapting. You will make mistakes, but don’t dwell on them and remember the lesson.
This will pay off in the long run knowing that you are helping people, properly, to achieve their financial goals at possibly the toughest time of their life.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
I once had a customer who had a mortgage and a young family. He expressed his frustration of trying to obtain life insurance many times over the last 10 years, to help look after his family financially.
Unfortunately, he had no luck due to a specific health condition – Hepatitis B. He told me that in the past he had been told that he would not be unable to obtain life insurance, others said they would get back to him but never did, while some insurers came back and declined. In the end, he had given up.
His previous experience was really disappointing to hear, but it also saddened me. Therefore, I made it my mission to change this and wanted to show him that I was determined to find him a solution.
That week, I rang every insurer and found out all the specific information I needed regarding his health condition, the evidence he would need and what insurer was going to be the most favourable.
During this time I constantly kept him updated on what I was doing, and the progress I had made. Long story short – both myself and the customer worked together, sent every bit of evidence that was needed – and we managed to get him protected.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
To advance to a leadership position.
How would your boss describe you?
Passionate, customer focused and driven.
What is your biggest talent away from work?
Playing the piano.
What mantra do you live by?
You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.
