Meet Dawn McFarland | Independent Certified and Licensed Health Insurance Agent for Medicare

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn McFarland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I could be called a workaholic – I enjoy being productive. As I have gotten older (and hopefully wiser) I have learned that the cliché “if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life” is pretty accurate. I also feel that ensuring I have some “down time” is imperative to avoid burnout. For me that is blocking one full day a week without a single obligation. Does it work EVERY week, no, and I notice a difference if I don’t get that rejuvenate day.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have been a licensed agent since the beginning of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and learning the health insurance industry was daunting. It took me several years to find the niche that helped me feel like I am in alignment with my purpose. I tried many different avenues, from consulting for businesses to working with employer groups, avoiding Medicare at all costs because it seemed so complicated. Over time I learned more about Medicare and the opportunities and NEED for agents to help people navigate the transition. I decided to make the jump into serving Medicare beneficiaries about 5 years ago and love the experience. Even though I spent a year studying the market before taking on clients, the lessons came with helping people. Every story, and need, is different. It is so rewarding to help someone feel like they can grasp how the process works and understand the various options. Retirement is a stressful time with a lot of emotions, being able to help ease some of the worry is such a wonderful experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question – first I would see what kind of entertainment would be around that week (concerts, theater, sports) and plan around that. Otherwise we would do a coastal road trip from San Francisco down to San Diego. We would spend a day in Monterrey and do the infamous 17 mile drive ending in Big Sur by sunset for dinner on the coast. The next day we would meander down the coast to Morro Bay and spend a day watching the sea otters, maybe check out the shops in Cambria. Next day would be Pismo beach – maybe some 4wheeling on the dunes. Next would be a stop in Hollywood to do all of the touristy things – like walk the stars, maybe catch a show. Then we would end in beautiful San Diego visit the lighthouse and have a fabulous meal in the Gaslamp quarter.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been blessed with a plethora of good people willing to mentor me, and in this career most of them I met through my volunteer work with my trade association – NABIP (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals – Formerly NAHU). This organization has played a key role in my personal and professional development.

Website: www.mnmbenefitsolutions.com

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