Meet Mandy Kobilan of Health Insurance Consultations Colorado in Southern

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Kobilan.

Mandy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey to this point has never been a straight line – it has been twists and blind turns, open doors that I no idea where they were leading, but walking through them in faith, and always moving to the direction that felt good to my servant’s heart.

In 2005, I graduated from Charleston Southern University, in Charleston, South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy. After five years of music school and a six month internship in a Neurologic Music Therapy framework, it was my first time getting out in the “real world” jobs. I was living in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a wife and a mother of a toddler, and applied for a job listing for a speech/language pathologist (SLP) at a developmental preschool. Although I was not an SLP, I demonstrated the ways that I was similar, but also how I was different, but could very much support the role of an SLP. I was hired and thus started my career in education of young children, 0-3 years old and their families. Fast forward ten years, another baby, a divorce, a move to Colorado Springs, numerous roles and certifications within the infant and toddlers with special needs world, an adjunct faculty position at Pikes Peak Community College and other secondary education roles, I was becoming burnt out. If you have been in non-profit work at all, you know that in order to create increases in your income, many times, you just take on another grant. At this time, I was a single mom of 2 young boys, bought my own home and car, and was determined NOT to let divorce bring me on a downward spiral financially, but in doing that, I was never home for my kids. I remember when my oldest son was ten years old and said, ” Mom, you are leaving again? You are never home anymore”. Something had to change.

Within a week of that time, during my weekly visit to a coffee shop, while my kiddo was in tutoring, I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen since I had first moved to Colorado Springs. He had mentioned his new work in health insurance industry and the freedom that it had provided….maybe I could do it, too…? I had never been in sales, wasn’t sure what a deductible was, and had no idea how to live off a commission only position without health benefits!!! But, it was a door that was opened in front of me, and I wouldn’t say that I boldly walked through that door, but rather, tread lightly as I slowly inched my way in.

Within the 4 1/2 years of working in this field, there have been high highs and very low lows. I’ve read a lot. I’ve tried a lot of new things, I have opened another business using principles learned in this field, and best of all, I have met so many people, whether clients or others on their own journey of their business, looking to connect with other businesses and learn. I have evolved from being and “Agent” in the Health Insurance Industry, to what a business connection of mine had renamed me, a “Consultant”, using what know so well-educating people about what they don’t know, then assisting them in making a choice that they feel good about. I have learned that I am in the “People” business first, sales second. I have learned to never sacrifice my family, to never let go of my warmth and empathy for others, and to ALWAYS do what is right for the person in front of me. That’s what good business is and it is everything that I want to be known for.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely NOT!

Most of the struggles that I have experienced are partially what makes my business strong. I am not your typical insurance agent. I very much understand the experiences that some have with salespeople and why they turn the other way when they see us coming. I feel as if there is usually a struggle for agents to fit into the highly competitive world like insurance, leading to salespeople doing the wrong thing for the client, just to be able to get ahead and meet a number goal set by a company and /or leader. (Thankfully, I was not made to go this way with any company that I work with!) It makes sense that this would happen, but what it does is puts the people that are seeking products to help them at risk, and makes them feel like they were deceived in the process. Have I made mistakes? Put people on plans that may not have fit their needs? Likely. Although my mistakes have been heartbreaking and so difficult to remedy, it has allowed me to get to the place I am now. It has led me to be confident in explaining the world of health insurance to others. I have learned that sometimes veering away from the “norm”, and doing what is right in your soul, leads you to far more success. The first few years were difficult in the feeling of success as it was solely driven from revenue. And, being a highly sensitive person, this drove me into a tailspin at times. But, another great characteristic I have learned that I possess is persistence. Each day is a new day, and each week is a new week. And each person I serve well is that much closer to having an ability to serve another.

Please tell us about Health Insurance Consultations Colorado.
I am a health insurance consultant. I help people understand the landscape of the ever-changing and very confusing world of health insurance. I am known for educating people first, then helping them to create a strategy for themselves, their family, and/or their business.
I am proud that I am able to serve the person in front of me first. This is also what makes me different. Every person is different. Every story is different. Everyone’s peace of mind is different. The ability to understand and serve people, combined with the knowledge of the market AND how to educate people is what makes this business special.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Although the mistakes at the beginning of everyone’s journey of a new path are crucial for learning, I would probably change my reaction to those challenges.

But, I do think that we are all lead on a journey that has already been set for us, and it is many times, only in hindsight that we are able to see the real reasons for the challenges placed in front of us and the fruit that came from it.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1271 Kelley Johnson Blvd Suite 111
  Colorado Springs, CO 80921
• Phone: 719-648-3645
• Email: mandykobilan@gmail.com
• Facebook: Mandy Kobilan – Health Insurance Consultations Colorado @affordablehealthinsurancecolorado

Image Credit:
Rebecca Kuhn Photography

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