Avon Sherff believes that by consulting with her clients, rather than simply presenting an insurance quote, she can contribute more to their success.
By Jill Nagy
Avon Sherff, owner of the Sherff Insurance Agency, a certified woman-owned business in Clifton Park, is also the creator of I am, I Can, a nonprofit organization devoted to mentoring high school girls. The insurance agency is a full-service agency specializing in employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, disability and workers’ compensation insurance. It also offers some individual policies in areas like property and liability.
Although located in Clifton Park, its clientele comes mostly from a corridor from Lake George to south of Albany but, she points out, “We can sell anywhere in New York State.” Sherff, who has owned the agency for nine and one-half years, lives in South Glens Falls.
Ms. Sherff says that one of the most frequent questions she gets from business owners is about the impact of the unfolding health care reform legislation. “If you’ve had any experience with the Medicare or Social Security system,” she says, “you’ll understand that there will always be a need for folks like us to help navigate through those regulations.”
“I try to approach each client in a consultative way, rather than simply presenting an insurance plan. Instead, I ask what are your goals, objectives and challenges? I try to be a resource to my clients no matter what comes up.”
Businesses today are re-evaluating their relationships with vendors and looking for total value rather than just a quote for a policy, according to Ms. Sherff. “They want to know what else you can bring to the table,” she said. “So you have to be creative and use your imagination to contribute to their success.”
“I always tell people who are trying to decide who to do business with to trust your gut – follow your instinct. As a business owner, I like to do business with folks who appreciate the kind of person I am. I know we’re not a good fit for everyone, but people are more savvy today about what brokers are offering, and they know it’s more important to find the provider you can work best with. Use your intuition and everybody wins. That goes for any business.”
The mentoring organization, “I also started from the ground up,” said Sherff. Founded in November 2010, it has spent the last two years getting organized, raising money, and recruiting mentors and board members. The first group of girls came on board in September 2011 and they are about to start interviewing for this year’s class.
I Am I Can is organized to serve girls in Grades 9-12 in traditional suburban schools who come from a “challenging family environment,” she said. Some don’t live with parents; others have divorced parents or other issues that limit the amount and quality of parenting they receive. They are, she added, girls “lacking a strong positive female influence on their lives.” Their mentors will help them deal with issues in school and to work to meet their post-high school goals, whether college, military service, technical training or employment. “These women have a huge, huge impact on these girls,” Sherff declared. At the same time, she wants girls who have “some sort of buy-in” to the program.
The mentors and their protégées are expected to get together at least once a week. The mentor may help a girl get her driver’s license, find a job, visit colleges, even buy a prom dress, she noted. It is not primarily a tutoring program.
The main qualification Sherff looks for in mentors is “really a woman who has a desire to help a teenage girl.” Current mentors range in age from their mid-20’s to their 60’s and come from a variety of backgrounds. Currently, there are “a dozen or so” mentors. In addition, a board of directors of 14 members helps run the organization.
As with any non-profit, money raising is a primary concern. The organization sells a “signature” pendant necklace and will soon have a “signature” silk scarf available for sale. A Casino Night at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs is expected to bring in most of the funds needed to continue operating. In addition to gambling, there will be a performance by an all-female singing group and the opportunity to try an “opportini,” a mixed drink created for the occasion. Tickets are available from the organizations office, 338-5635; ask for Stephanie at Ext, 103.
The Sherff Insurance Agency is at the same telephone number, 338-5635. Its website is www.sherffinsurance.com. The mentoring organization’s website is www.iamicanachieve.org.