Exploring Life & Business with Malinda Mims of Malinda Mims Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Malinda Mims. 

Hi Malinda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Since I was little, I have always loved being of help to others, and the idea of random acts of kindness brought me joy. I would help my family and friends at any chance I got. I earned my BBA from Cleary University in Michigan and worked as a salesperson and trainer in the pharmaceutical field for 15 years thereafter. The pharmaceutical industry gave me the opportunity to help people and build strong relationships with doctors whom I worked with. I earned many awards as my skills came naturally for me and this was part of my motivation to strive to do better. 

In 2013, I quit my job to take care of my mom who became ill. Before she passed away, she did not want me to quit, give up on my dreams, and drop my love for helping people. My mother’s passing gave me the inspiration to become an entrepreneur and establish my first business, TACT Training Solutions. There, I taught DISC behavior styles and communication skills to businesses and independent contractors. Additionally, I was welcomed by schools to apply my coaching skills and developed workshops for faculty and staff, students, and parents. Programs included anger management, conflict resolution, and bullying prevention. 

Throughout the years and on a random day in January of 2021, I got discovered on LinkedIn by a State Farm recruiter who thought I’d be a perfect fit to become a State Farm Agent given my background expertise. This was where it all began. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My mom passed away in 2013, and it felt lonely. Keeping up with being motivated up until receiving the opportunity to open up my own agency felt bittersweet. In 2020 when COVID-19 hit, the prior agency I worked for had to send all its employees home. Working from home was difficult as it was new for me to not be interacting with others face-to-face, and business slowed down immensely. 

Come 2021 after being discovered by the State Farm recruiter, I took it upon myself to challenge myself and dedicate all my time into pursuing this what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have my own agency. I prepared myself for the process of becoming an independent agent. I studied days and night for six months straight to even get approved to move onto the next step of the process and built a business plan from scratch. I wish the process was as short as the last sentence, but it wasn’t. Luckily, I was able to prove myself to the State Farm company, and they believed in my vision. I am so grateful for all the things I went through that led me to apply all my prior knowledge and expertise into what I have today. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Malinda Mims Agency. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
My inspiration for committing to this business is solely my love for genuinely helping people. 

My agency’s mission statement is to manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and help people realize their dreams. 

Insurance products we offer are auto, homeowners, renters, condo, business, life, boat, fire, flood, and pets. 

We always fight for the lowest prices and plans that perfectly fit each person’s/ family’s budget. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I loved being around my friends and family, reading, and being an overall high achiever. Especially being one out of eight kids in the family and the oldest sister, I always felt the need to be a role model to my siblings. This made me grow into the sociable and outgoing woman I am today! In school, I was a part of many clubs and extracurriculars, with my personal favorite being a cheerleader at Renaissance High School in Detroit. 

Moreso, I enjoyed doing arts and crafts as a little girl, to the point where at some point in school I decided to start selling homemade jewelry with some of my best friends at school. 

My parents and friends would always jokingly tell me that I have such an entrepreneurial spirit… they weren’t wrong turns out. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.myagentismindy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/malindamims_statefarmagent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074526592082&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malindamims
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/MimsAgent