I had the pleasure of interviewing Isabel Solorzano, a partner and co-owner of Bulldog Adjusters. In the span of 4 years, she’s managed to quadruple the size of the team and the company’s bottom line. She’s been a key player in the materialization of her partners’ vision for the company as young entrepreneurs.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “backstory”?
My name is Isabel and I am a co-owner of Bulldog Adjusters. I started as an administrative assistant and within months, I was promoted to accounts receivable. After proving myself over a few more months, I was again promoted to the position of office manager. Years later, I am a co-owner of the company and have found my place as the Claims Director and company partner.
How did you become a co-owner?
I developed my position through working for years in all of the positions available at the company. As we started to expand, my position escalated.
Now, I am a partner in the company and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead my team to success.
What is it about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
I am leading the state of Florida as the largest, and quickest expanding public adjusting team in the state.
As a female, my role is pivotal.
I am the leader in one of the most challenging industries and I fight on behalf of my clients to male-dominated industries such as legal firms and insurance companies.
We all need little help along the journey — who have been some of your mentors?
Vince Lefton has been my biggest mentor. He is the founder of Bulldog Adjusters and believed in me before I believed in myself. He is always willing to train me, help me, inspire me and be there for me throughout the tumultuous growing pains of our successfully expanding company.
How are you going to shake things up next?
I am changing the team motivation game. My industry can be dry- who wants to get excited about insurance claims? My team does because I create scavenger hunts, team building activities and fun, unique, weekly learning activities that give team members opportunities to earn promotions.
Right now, I’m creating a Jeopardy game and even bought buzzers for the players.
Can you share 3 of the best words of advice you’ve gotten along your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
Never take no for an answer. In the course of my position, I’m often told that I am not going to get the settlement amount that I need to give the homeowner in order to fix their hurricane damage. I don’t take no for an answer and I fight for the amount that our clients need.
Your display of confidence is key. As a young co-owner, my team has to have the sense that they can rely on me 100%. I’m young, so it’s important that my confidence doesn’t falter, even when I have to manage team members who are double my age.
Be a bulldozer. I make my team successful because there is no other alternative.
What’s a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking?
Anthem, by Ayn Rand, taught me that people will always seek out a leader, so you have to embody one in order to lead.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
My dream is to have breakfast with Mark Cuban. I think he is such an incredibly influential player in global business and he inspires me as a minority who is the daughter of immigrants and a female game-changer!
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Follow us on Facebook.com/BulldogAdjusters
Originally published at medium.com