Meet Jymmetta Reeves of JPR Asset Services in Southeast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jymmetta Reeves (License # 561577). 

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jymmetta. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My mother was a big influence in me developing the entrepreneurial spirit. She started a neighborhood take out restaurant when I was a teen. I spent a lot of time working by her side learning the in’s and out’s of running our family owned business which included knowing how to prep, cook and serve every item on the menu. There were times when I was frustrated seeing my friends walk by the restaurant enjoying themselves while I was inside working. That sacrifice helped train me for adulthood. Unfortunately, my mother took ill and the restaurant was closed before I finished high school. Her health continued to decline, and she passed away in 1994. Her passion for cooking and the desire to pursue something close to her heart left an impression on me. I never saw in her a fear of failure. She was a woman with an inner strength that is rare. As a single mother she no doubt had her ups and downs raising eight children. I am the youngest. Sadly, my father fell asleep in death when I was nine years old. I am very proud of my mother because she was talented, creative and resourceful. She never felt sorry for herself or gave up but instead she always worked with what she had to make the best of life and provide for us. As a child I had a natural desire to want to help others and that is still my core personality. As a youngster, some of my career choices were to become a teacher, a fire fighter, a fashion designer or a nurse. I love to create so I also wanted to make things and sell them.   An example of the depth of my desire to help others is when I was about eight or nine years old, I decided to learn sign language so I could communicate with my cousin. I felt sorry for him that he had no one to talk to. I would look around and see everyone else in the family talking and laughing amongst themselves and he would be by himself. After school my siblings and I would be at the table doing our homework and freely asking each other for help. I wondered to myself “What if my cousin has questions about his homework? Who is going to help him when no one knows how to talk to him? What if he doesn’t get the best grade on his homework because he wasn’t able to get help? What if he wants to share what is on his mind but there is no one to listen to him?” Well, that bothered me. So, I took it upon myself to learn sign language by doing the same homework he had. I got some paper and put my answers on it and kept it in my room. I would check my answers based off of how the teacher graded his work. In time I started learning a few words here and there.  I was excited to share my “baby talk” with my cousin.  As my vocabulary grew, my cousin and I were able to have full blown conversations. It was a joy to see him laugh, smile, and joke with me. And when he had questions about his homework, he now had someone he could go to and get the help he needed just like me and my siblings were able to do.  As a result of being the only one in the family that could talk to him, I was the family interpreter for a long time.  Sign language has been a part of my life to this day.  My husband and I are regular volunteers in the community helping those with special needs.  Cooking is a pleasure that I share with family and friends.  As an adult I have worked various jobs.  After being in the Insurance Industry for over 25 years, I decided to branch out and start my own business as a licensed insurance agent.  Having such a diverse employment background has served me well for this venture.

Has it been a smooth road?
Just like many other people, I have had to deal with health challenges and the normal ups and downs, ebbs and flows of life. With any new business there comes the challenge of establishing yourself as a reputable resource that people can trust. And fortunately, I feel I have accomplished that. 

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the JPR Asset Services story. Tell us more about the business.
Although I am an independent Agent, I am a part of a nationwide Insurance Network that supports my agency. 

We assist with coverages that include; Life, Health, Mortgage Protection Insurance, Long Term Care, Business Insurance Strategies, Term (Temporary Coverage), Universal Life, Retirement Planning Solutions, Whole Life (Permanent Insurance), Insurance Solutions for Those Difficult to Insure, Accidental Death, Dismemberment Insurance, Farm and Agriculture Insurance. One of our strongest assets is that we can assist Families & Children with Special Needs. As a company we are proud of our support within the community which includes having access to grant funds. Some examples of utilizing this valuable resource is The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Annual Fill the Boot Campaign. Where we were able to provide 200 snack bags for fire fighters during the Labor Day Weekend of 2019. Another grant project benefited a High School in Aurora, CO. Three bicycle racks were provided to enhance the appearance of the neighborhood while adding another level of safety. This project also promotes a healthy lifestyle and clean environment. These grant projects also provide an opportunity for young ones to get involved in giving back while earning school credit for supporting their community. We are grateful that so many of them are willing to support. I get feedback from them about how much fun they had helping out. They all have asked to be put on my call list for any future projects.  Another community activity I was part of was getting ADA doors for a recreation center in Aurora, CO that caters to those with disabilities.  The Automatic Door Doctors was happy to assist by donating labor and supplies to support this facility. This story started out as a research project to see if it could fit within the grant guidelines. I was having conversation with one of the installers who in turn spoke to the company manager. A quick decision was made to adopt the project as their own charity event. What a pleasant surprise that was for both me and the owner of the recreation center! It is so nice when people can unselfishly share their resources to benefit others. I am grateful to be amongst those who have such rewarding work that fills a need while enhancing the lives of families, individuals and businesses. 

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The Insurance Industry has a great future because life functions on insurance. There are so many things one can’t do without insurance. So, I think the industry will continue to adjust accordingly in order to better serve the needs of people.  An example of such is how the coronavirus has changed the world in so many ways.   The Insurance Industry made a variety of changes (one in particular – creating a special open enrollment period to obtain health insurance) to ensure the needs of people are in proper focus.  That provision, along with the other avenues of care and concern, were quickly and consistently dispensed to us agents so we can be equipped to assist accordingly.

Pricing:

• Myth – Life Insurance is expensive. Fact- Life Insurance is affordable. Ask your local agent for a quote that fits your budget. 
• Myth – Life Insurance is for old people. Fact – Life Insurance is for EVERYONE – Singles, Infants, Children, Couples, Business Owners, etc.  Ask your local agent how it will protect your life now. 
• Myth – I am uninsurable. Fact – There are coverages available even for those difficult to insure. Ask your local agent what options are open for you. 

Contact Info:

• Address: 7535 E Hampden Ave Suite 400 Denver, CO 80231
• Website: www.jprassetservices.com
• Phone: 720-987-8271

Image Credit:
Go Images (Wedding photo), Donna McCloskley (Headshot)

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