Featured New York Life Insurance Agent: Steve Wang

Featured New York Life Insurance Agent:
Steve Wang

• With New York Life Insurance Company for 10 years
• Works primarily with the Chinese community
• Has twin 2-year old boys

Hotel manager, launderer, entrepreneur, cook, Beanie Baby importer, not to mention world traveler, A life insurance agent from Seattle, Washington, Steven Wang has worn many hats before joining New York Life Insurance Company 10 years ago. A varied career path, however, builds character and the ability to solve tough business problems — qualities that are intrinsic to any successful agent. And life experience can often be the best training for any position.

Wang, who was born and raised in Nanjing, China, says, “I majored in hotel management in college and was working at a hotel as a food and beverage manager after graduating. It was at that time I met my former wife, an American, who was studying in China. We fell in love, and I came to the U.S. when I was 22 years old.”

“The best part of this business for me,” Wang, who primarily works within the Chinese community, continues, “is that many of my clients have become very good friends. The concept of life insurance is still fairly new to members of the Chinese community, and so I’m happy that I’m able to educate others of the importance of it.”

“My wife was still a student at the time, so we lived with her mother in Boston. I spoke absolutely no English at the time, but my wife’s mother was very kind and took me to Chinatown often so I would feel at home,” Wang recalls. “After two weeks, I found a job working the overnight shift in the laundry room of a hotel. It was very exciting, my first job in the United States! I carried my Chinese/English dictionary around with me and talked with people as much as I could.”

“I worked for the hotel for a year, then decided to try my hand at something new: importing Chinese silk scarves and selling them wholesale. That was pretty exciting and my business did very well,” he says. “But I missed China, and so my wife and I decided to move back so she could earn her Masters Degree. There, I worked as a day trader and also opened and operated a bar.”

Wang’s wife then applied and was accepted into a doctoral program at the University of Washington, and Wang, now a father, moved to Seattle ahead of his wife and daughter to find work and a place to live. “Three days after arriving in Seattle, I walked into a local Denny’s and the manager said, ‘Are you looking for a job?’ Turned out he was looking for a cook, so after one week of training, I became a cook. I figured, I can do anything!” he laughs. “I liked it so much, I picked up a second job as a cook at a fast food restaurant, working the night shift.” An offer from a friend prompted Wang to leave his job and travel back to China, this time not to live, but to export rare collectible Beanie Baby dolls — a surprisingly lucrative business.

Eventually, Wang found his way to the New York Life’s Seattle General Office, where he found himself sitting across from Partner Vick Lim, who offered him a position as an Agent. “I was very excited about the position and the challenge of learning a new business. Although being an Agent is different from anything I’ve done in the past, it’s similar in many ways. I work with people, which I really enjoy, and am challenged to find solutions for my clients and learn new things every day.”

“The best part of this business for me,” Wang, who primarily works within the Chinese community, continues, “is that many of my clients have become very good friends. The concept of life insurance is still fairly new to members of the Chinese community, and so I’m happy that I’m able to educate others of the importance of it.”

“I recently lost a very good friend — it was very difficult for me. Luckily he had purchased a Life insurance policy from me. The proceeds from that will help his wife pay for the burial costs, as well as pay off the mortgage on their home. This will allow her some time to look for work and ease her worry.”

Wang is now remarried and has twin 2-year old boys, in addition to his daughter. Sleep, he confesses, is something he is lacking, but he loves his busy life and work as an Agent. “I just love this job!” he says, happily. “And I don’t regret a thing I’ve done along the way. I think life experience is very important and has allowed me to understand my business and my clients’ needs even better.”

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