Business Profile: Tabitha Melvin - Primerica Financial Services

y name is Tabitha Melvin and I am a Regional Vice President with Primerica. Our mission is to help families earn more income, become properly protected, debt free and financially independent. We do this by providing financial literacy, a financial coach and a complimentary financial needs analysis. We make finance FUN, so you don’t want to run. 

​I grew up in Marshall, Mn and graduated from MSU in 1995 with a bachelors degree in elementary education and early childhood special education. I have one younger brother and my parents were married for 36 years before my mom passed away of cancer at 59. My dad was a successful business owner and shared with me a tremendous work ethic and how to get along with people. But most importantly he taught me what integrity truly meant as a business owner and woman. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I just didn’t realize God would shut the door on my teaching career so I could teach middle income families the rules of money that I had never been taught. It was always a sign. I was always unhappy in the corporate world and soon realized being my own boss was hard but what I truly wanted to do. 

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How did you get into your profession/industry?
*i started part time with my husband in 2004. Got licensed in 2005 and passed my brokers exam in 2010. I opened my own firm 4-16-2018. 
  
What do you love about what you do? 
 *i Love the fact that I get to teach, educate and empower families the way we were 15 years ago. I love that I get to take a stand in an industry that can be very non client focused. I get to do the right thing every time!! And I still get to teach;)
 
What keeps you going thru the hard business days?
* my why keeps me going. That is my family. I want to be able to be the person that they can count on each and every time. My naysayers also keep me going. Because somebody is right, them or me;) so I refuse to give up. My goals are clear, concise and concrete and I share my vision with others to keep myself accountable. 
 
What is the greatest lesson you have learned as a business owner thus far?
*always follow up and always treat people with respect. Listen and seek to understand.  
 
If you could go back and give your “starting your business” self a piece of advice, what would it be?
*be kind to yourself but don’t let yourself off the hook. Failure is a part of success. Get 1% better every day!! Never let off the gas!! Momentum is a huge deal and if you don’t fuel it it will go elsewhere. Work hard and smart. 

What 3 words describe you?
*fun, ethical and disruptor 

Who is your idol & why?
 * Art Williams. He took a stand against an industry that tried everything to get him to fold. He used the truth and people skills to change an entire industry. Because of his commitment, selflessness and kick butt attitude he has changed millions of lives. He has left a legacy that the industry I represent still talks about to this day. 

To what do you contribute your success?
 * family, mentors, relentless pursuit of my dreams, worked my butt off and never gave up and I got better every day personally and business wise. 

What is the first thing you do each day?
* watch my minute with Maxwell and then work in my gratitude journal and write my goals.  

What is your top goal over the next year?
*to be a speaker in the school district for the financial literacy classes and also teaching the teachers through their union. Oh and to be on the cover of River Valley Women;)
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