How long have you been in business?
I'm celebrating my second full year in the financial service business coming up this July.
What exactly do you do?
My business consists of helping my clients, businesses and individuals get from where they are today to where they want to be in the future. I do that with insurance and accumulation products of many different styles and shapes.
How long have you lived in Austin?
I’m fortunate enough to be a lifetime resident of Austin. I went to Anderson High School, which is located in north Austin.
Does your business offer any unique products or services?
Actually, our company works a little different tham most financial service companies. Modern Woodmen of America is a 125 year old, non- profit, fraternal benefit society, and we operate for the benefit of our members. That allows me to work without fees and offer great products.
Being fraternal means we provide certain benefits to our members in times of need. One way we do that is with our fraternal aid fund. This fund pays our members premiums when an event occurs that puts them in a hard situation. It is also in our charter to give back to the communities that we serve. That purpose allows us to keep a non-profit status and creates the opportunity for community service and giving back. There are, of course, many other ways we do this. More information is on our website.
Our chapter meetings are what we call camp activities. When someone becomes a member they are put into camps based upon their zip code. Then, once a month we invite all the members of a camp to a dinner so they can see us and we can see them. While there are social memberships available, typically speaking, a person becomes a member when they have planned their financial security with us.
What do others NOT know about you or your business that you would like to share?
I think my dedication to being as low pressure and friendly as possible is something I would want everyone to know about me.
Who is your best potential customer?
While I’m open to work with a wide variety of clients, my main book of business has been composed of families, young and old, that want to make sure all aspects of their financial security is sound. If you love someone, you are my prospect. Cheesy but true.
Have you or your business received any awards or special accomplishments?
A.M. Best is a company that analyzes and ranks companies that do what Modern Woodmen does. For the past 27 years in a row, we’ve been ranked A plus, which represents the "superior" ranking.
Have you or your business been involved in any special events or activities?
As mentioned earlier, it is a part of our charter to give back to the communities in which we serve. Some, but not all, of the ways we do that is by donating supplies to schools and churches, organizing donations, providing community service and working with youth.
If you could give advice to those just starting out in their careers, what would you say?
Make sure you believe in what you do. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t question their career choice on a regular basis. If you aren’t sure it’s something great, that people need, you might not be able to get through the hard times.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
I'm not sure the first time I heard it or what it is from, but when I finally realized not to worry about the things I can’t change, I learned a lot.
If you didn't have this job, what would you be doing instead?
Probably something totally different. Maybe a bartender in a hotel in California. Or a lifeguard like I was in high school. The glory days.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I’d just like to say that I’m glad to be a part of NWAustin Chamber. I look forward to seeing how we can help our area grow and getting to know all the members better.
Future Modern Woodmen and those missing the glory days can contact Grant at:
email: grant.mcclendon@mwarep.org
office: 512-250-0458
Their Web site (www.modern-woodmen.org) is very helpful and has plenty of information to introduce someone to all the things Modern Woodmen does.
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