Marina Geronazzo
Most people go through school and pursue something they are interested in hopes of getting into a career that they will love. What’s different with our feature is that not only did she do that but she went ahead and pursued her studies and brought her expertise overseas. Meet Marina Geronazzo, who came from the corporate world, even built up her own business overseas but still managed to find a way to go back to Canada and help even more people while having the benefits of full control over her professional life.
Marina Geronazzo receiving her $150,000 plaque with Lead Mentors, Marlon & Elsa Antonio.
The norm for most people is to go to school and get a good job. That was my plan. I was serious about my education and how it could serve me, so I completed my Public Relations degree in Nova Scotia and then went to France to continue with my Masters in Economics and International Business. Now I was ready to take on the world!
I decided to start with an overseas working experience and settled in New Zealand. It’s a dynamic market and the country is predominantly made up of small business owners. After a few years of working in consulting and management positions, I realized that creating my own business was truly achievable. So, I built a communications and event management company and operated it for the last four of my 13 years in the country. It was a great experience and very rewarding, but Canada was home to me, and I missed my family - it was time to return.
Once I was back in Canada, it was like starting all over again. I fell into getting a job and becoming an employee again because unlike New Zealand, it’s the norm here. I didn’t start a company but instead, worked for companies. Working for somebody else can be challenging and lucrative but you’re never really in control. You don’t control of your income, your time, or your working future. At any time, the company may decide to restructure, and you could no longer have a job. This happened to me several times over my working career.
We all have control of our own mindset and our activity. It means that we are truly unlimited in terms of our potential.
In one job with an international technology company, I was the Senior Manager for Media Relations and was basically on call 24/7. Responsible for the global market, I worked all time zones – that meant I could be talking with someone in South Africa at 4 AM and could be followed by someone from India at 11pm – and different countries all hours in between. It meant long days and long hours. Sure, it was a lucrative, rewarding, and rather exciting. The job offered a 6-figure career with lots of benefits, but it was slowly wearing me down. After nine years, I realized it just was not sustainable.
When I was introduced to this business, I was receptive to the concept of gaining control of my time and income. At the same time, I was unfamiliar with the Financial/Insurance industry.
The realization that I could become an independent life insurance advisor started by really understanding my own plan. I was a client first and I understood how the Insured Retirement Plan worked. The plan really made sense to me. It’s a multi-faceted product with lots of moving parts and benefits. What I like about it is I can save more, grow more, keep more, and even save taxes in the future. It’s an outstanding savings and protections program. There’s no other plan like it! I was astounded that I have never heard of it before. Even though this plan has been available for over 40 years in Canada, I was never going to get it from the bank because I wasn’t dealing with the wealth managers. I could have missed this opportunity for myself, for my family, and for my future. In recognizing how powerful this plan is, I had to take advantage of it and help other people do the same.
The realization that I could become an independent life insurance advisor started by really understanding my own plan.
I came to understand that if I studied, and became proficient at sharing this plan with others, I could help them and create a business. The couple that shared this business with me were ordinary people and their testimony was very empowering. They helped me understand that if they could do it, then I could do it.
I received my license in June 2016. It’s been a whirlwind journey and I’ve learned a great deal and appreciated that education in this industry is endless. There is always more to learn as this is dynamic and ever-changing profession. But what I am most proud of is helping other people start businesses for themselves. The coaching and the training that I do now in helping students and advisors achieve more is very fulfilling. I'm also proud of being able to make a significant difference in my clients' financial futures. When I see the results that clients are achieving with their plans – it’s remarkable! These results would not have been possible without the proper financial advice and commitment to each client.
If you’re sitting at home waiting for your next job or business opportunity, you might be sitting there for a while. It might not come. True opportunity comes from your action.
I have come to better appreciate that success is created with mindset. Success is not created by the circumstances. It’s about having the willingness to learn, create and achieve. To a certain extent, we can be affected by outside forces, but these are not the deciding factors of our future. What we can achieve comes from a level of competence - and competence comes from action. If you’re sitting at home waiting for your next job or business opportunity, you might be sitting there for a while. It might not come. True opportunity comes from your action.
Look at what Greatway has done during this Covid Pandemic! Even in the last 10 years! We all have control of our own mindset and our activity. It means that we are truly unlimited in terms of our potential.
Surround yourself with people who offer you positive input, those that will support you and empower you. Stay away from the naysayers. Make sure that you are plugged in with constant positivity. Read books that will guide you. Listen to inspiring podcasts and YouTube sessions. Take direction from those who can help you and who believe in you. Be coachable and hungry to learn and apply what you learn.
Get a positive mindset and get busy. If I could do it again, I would do more and do faster. Why wait?
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