National Women's Small Business Month: Shelley Fiore CLU, ChFC, CLTC, LIC

October celebrates National Women’s Small Business month. This is a time to recognize the great achievements of our country’s female entrepreneurs and the positive impact they are making, both inside and outside of the office.

Today, Shelley M. Fiore CLU, ChFC, CLTC, LIC is the President and Chief Operating Officer of MassMutual Great Lakes, located in Southfield, Michigan. Just over a year ago, when all Michigan agencies merged into one, Shelley was excited to expand the opportunity to share history, experience and assistance to many new advisors.

Shelley’s journey to becoming President and COO of MassMutual Great Lakes started in the early days of her career.

She had an interest in accounting and finance as a young girl. Shelley took many courses in high school that led her to major in accounting when she entered college. Although she ended up changing her major to Merchandising Management, Shelley still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her career upon graduation. She had a family member in the insurance industry and fortunately, fate led her that way.

Shelley joined MassMutual in 1983, just a year after graduating from Michigan State University. She first started her career as an Insurance Agent.

Shelley proudly enjoyed working as an Insurance Agent. As intimidating as the career is, she had the perfect personality and attitude for the role, which helped her acquire many clients to make sales, but also helped her build strong relationships with those around her.

Selling life insurance was her only area of expertise until she became securities licensed about six years into her career, expanding the products she could offer her clients.

Shelley viewed the industry as an opportunity where she had to work hard to succeed. Through commitment and desire, she soon learned that the opportunities were endless in this career. Shelley tried not to worry what people thought about her, push past the fear, and be proud to be a woman in the industry.

Shelley believed there were no differences between she and her colleagues, most of whom are men.?“Men don’t expect much from me.?I enjoy surprising them with an above-average level of competence in this male-dominated industry.”

After being a Financial Advisor for 27years, Shelley transitioned to General Agent in 2010, leading MassMutual Michigan Metro in Farmington Hills, which has since merged with two other MassMutual agencies in Michigan now known as MassMutual Great Lakes.?Shelley is now co-owner of MassMutual Great Lakes and holds the position of President and Chief Operating Operator.

Shelley has established quite the list of accomplishments over the years. She was the third woman in all of MassMutual’s 170-year-long history to earn ELIF recognition. ELIF stands for Exceptional Level of In-Force, another term for MassMutual’s “Hall of Fame.” ELIF is a measure of an advisor’s long-term success, dedication, and history of quality MassMutual production with consistent business development and growth year after year.

Shelley was also the first female ever elected as President of the MassMutual Agents Association, serving from 2008 to 2009. As President, she works on behalf of the advisors to advise and advocate for them and their clients.?She forged relationships with the leadership at MassMutual’s Home Office Executives and shattered the glass ceiling in style.

When Shelley was a member of the Agents Association, she met and built relationships with many successful men and women within the company. One of those women gave her advice that still resonates today. “Don’t try to keep up with the guys,” Being a female in a male-dominated industry, this quote resonated well with Shelley. This piece of advice taught her to sit back and listen more before reacting.?She learned to be comfortable being herself.

With over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, Shelley would advise young women just entering this career to “Take it seriously, treat yourself like an employee, be willing to bet on yourself and be honest with yourself. There are countless opportunities in this business, and if you can do all of that, then this will be the greatest experience and career you could ever hope for.” Shelley encourages anyone to join this profession with an open mind. Entrepreneurial work ethic sees no gender.

Aside from being at the office, Shelley is an active donor and advocate for ALS of Michigan. This not-for-profit supports people with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), along with their families and caregivers, providing them with programs and resources needed to live their lives to the fullest.

Shelley also enjoys spending time with her family. She is a devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six. Shelley and her husband of 34 years, Dennis, spend at least two days each week taking care of their grandchildren, and they love every bit of it. Her favorite days are spent watching Michigan State games and enjoying each other’s company. Shelley currently lives in Bloomfield Hills with Dennis, the greatest inspiration in her career and role model in life.