Meet Shamaya Harrison | Insurance Agency Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shamaya Harrison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shamaya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind me starting my own business is I’m bossy, so why not work for myself?!? Haha No, I’ve worked 2-3 jobs at at time since I was 18 years old, I would work the hours no one wanted to work, I would come in NO MATTER WHAT. When I had kids that did not stop but it became harder; having to find childcare picking the kids up from school/daycare, children being being sick, etc. Then Covid hit…….. EVERYTHING became much harder, I kept getting in trouble because the daycare or school would close, my son was also in the process of potty training, he was lactose intolerant; we didn’t know that until THIS YEAR. So imagine being called 2-3 times a week to come get your kid because he had an accident! Imagine being the hardest worker in the room and when you weren’t there, the office felt it! Unfortunately some employers were not willing to adopt to closures and the change that Covid made to families. So j said, “You know what?!? If I can put this effort and time into working for someone else and building their dream I should do this for MY FAMILY!” I always wanted to own something but never knew what, until I worked for Farmers Insurance!!!!! 3 years later here I am my own Agency Owner!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my Grit, I have this really big fear of failure. My drive to succeed comes from growing up with a single mom who has worked multiple jobs to raise my sister and I. With that she missed a lot of events, I promised myself I will not be that Mom. She gave us everything we wanted but it came with absence. I worked so much the first few years of my children’s lives I missed first words, first steps and I don’t want to miss anymore firsts. I don’t have rich parents, my credit was shot, and I’m definitely not perfect! But with the right people in my corner I was able to join the protege program with Farmers Insurance, with little to no money and start my business, with the help of Covid because ALOT of necessities were waived! Oh my gosh, it has been so hard, I hate hearing the word NO, it makes me want to go harder! I eventually want to be a pillar in my community one day which is why I chose the location I chose. I’m the ONLY BLACK FEMALE agent in my district and I hold that title with sooooo much pride. I want people to look at me and say “If she can do it, then I can do it!” I want to help people, every one thinks insurance agents are like the Mafia or Vulchers and they are absolutely not! I want to change the way people think about insurance and protecting what matters the most to them!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh My gosh, I’m such a homebody I have no idea where to go or what to do. I watch movies with my kids and keep my TV ON DISCOVERY ID, with a glass of wine of course! Lol I like to try new things but I’m also cheap so I would probably be on Groupon trying to find cheap ideas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my gosh, my husband Corey Harrison! I am the most indecisive and all over the place person! I change my mind every 30 seconds but my amazing husband has made so many sacrifices to help my dream come true, he’s been a babysitter, maintenance man, cheerleader, therapist. I mean you name it! He’s the yin to my yang, he’s so level headed and calms me down and when I don’t make level headed decisions he definitely lets me know!

Website: https://agents.farmers.com/tx/fort-worth/shamaya-harrison/home-insurance

Twitter: @ShamayaHFarmers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shamayaharrisonfarmers

Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/shamaya-harrison-farmers-insurance-fort-worth