Is It Wrong To Mix Business With Pleasure?

After taking the “leap of faith” to develop my own insurance agency, something unusual happened. Let me explain.

First of all, I love what I do. I love to be good at something that people deem so challenging. I envy those people who know what they want to do early in life and excel in it. For the rest of us, we seem to drift through trying to discover our true talents, only able to determine what they are when we are older — like myself!

When the office opened, I had to work hard to get it off the ground. Not all franchises are set up like McDonald’s where “you built it and they will come”. All you have is the name… the trademark… the brand behind you. But, you better work.You better get your ass out there and sell something! Today!

Between networking, recruiting, and training & mentoring, but most of all being the owner, there were bizarre social repercussions that I did not expect and would like to share with you. Perhaps if you own your business and come in contact with a lot of people, you may have experienced something similar?

Power Is Intoxicating… Liberating! 

"...Oh, so you like me for my resume, huh?.."

Power is intoxicating to a lot of people. It’s also easy to abuse.

I never wanted to be that person that was abusive and cruel to my employees. I wanted them to believe in me… and be inspired.

In my industry, it’s our responsibility to look and sound successful. It’s an image that we work hard to maintain. Without it, you begin to lose credibility.

People have a tendency to gravitate to what they see as success… and two things most likely happen. Either they try to emulate and learn from it… or they try to manipulate it.

I have personally experienced a wide array of reactions from people, but there is one aspect that I wanted to share in particular.

Image and Appearance 

First of all, I will admit I haven’t been the most faithful in my past relationships. I’ve often been a fan of acquiring as many girlfriends at one time that I can physically manage. But, all that went away when I got married the second time. I do flirt a little here and there. The attention from younger women is flattering. But I don’t act on it. Make no mistake about it, I love my wife and she takes good care of all my needs (winks).

Lately, I admit, my appearance has become more important to me. I have lost weight and have really hammered the weights on a daily basis. I’ve even gone as far as thinking about coloring my hair and tanning as well.

But why? For who?

Well, admittedly, it’s for business owners, their counterparts, other decision makers… and since I sell employee benefits (indemnity insurance, really, & life insurance) directly to employees, trying to look good for them is key as well. It’s a social world and attractive men and women always seem to have better results. It’s a fact. People are very visual.

Success Is Sexy?

Besides being out in the field, I am responsible for some pretty dynamic recruiting functions held at my office as well as some pretty intense 1-on-1 training sessions.

During some of this activity, something happened. I began to get hit on quite regularly by various women.

Look, it’s not that women had never found me attractive, but there just seemed to be a time and place for that. Between my primary LLC and my work at Aflac, there were some weeks when I was easily working 120 hours a week to get the business started. I didn’t have to flirt and look cute.

What Do I Do In My Free Time? Huh?

Can we stay on-topic, please?

I have pictures of my wife and daughter throughout the office. I wear my wedding ring on a daily basis. — So, I’m confused. Why would you be even the slightest bit interested in me romantically?

I know 7 out of 8 of you have never worked in this type of business (insurance, business to business marketing, or sales). As I mentioned, it is exciting making this type of dramatic career change. But, don’t get carried away.

My Opinion

Listen, I’ll be the first one to declare that this is a very exhilarating business. There is the potential to make a lot of money here. Because of this, I wear my passion on my sleeve.  I know that when I am in the passionate throws of “closing” the next set of recruits in a big, group presentation, someone’s panties are going to get wet over this.

"If he only knew!"

I can sense it. And yes,  it will usually be the cute girl who sticks around a little longer than the others to ask some asinine question that I had already covered in the presentation.

I have been massaged, had flowers delivered, been invited to have coffee, even to stop by her house, after work, for some more discussion. (discussion? — yeah right!) Get this, I even had someone make a copy of my daughter’s picture from the ‘About Me’ section of this blog, Source Blogger, and bring it to a second interview! Was that a ‘Fatal Attraction’ moment or what?!

If success and money is power, I think women go out of their way to exert their own power, particularly their sexual power over men. Some may not feel like they would be good at insurance, or employee benefits, or sales, but want the satisfaction of piquing the interest of the owner. They want to “level the playing field”.

Even if I was overcome with lust over you, I would never reveal it.

Why give you the satisfaction for that… when you’re lacking so much confidence in the position?

When it comes to mixing business with pleasure — just say no!