Janet’s introduction into the financial services world came out of pure need. After she and her husband Bobby moved to Florida in the mid-80s, they were looking for group benefits. That’s when Janet discovered MetLife and her soon-to-be mentor, Ann Riley. “Ann took me under her wing and taught me the business, but even more importantly, she showed me what a difference I could make in people’s lives.”
Years later, Gary Schwartz opened another door when he asked Janet to head up Madison Planning’s new Florida branch. It was a perfect fit. Gary’s mother Miriam, also a MetLife veteran, had been assisting Janet for more than 20 years. Not only does Janet share Gary’s passion for serving her clients like family, but they are practically family themselves. Plus, as a true southern girl (she was born in Kentucky and raised in Mississippi), Janet loves Madison Planning’s laid back, no pressure approach to client service. “We never sell a thing,” she says. “It’s all about working with each client to understand what they need, and then figuring out the best way to help.”
At MetLife, Janet’s focus was purely Life Insurance. As part of Madison Planning, she is now able to expand that focus and offer her clients even greater value through the process of personal financial planning. “Financial planning is the ideal next step for our clients, many of whom are planning for retirement,“ says Janet. “Our goal is to help them make smart decisions that reach beyond Life Insurance and support every area of their financial lives.”
Janet lives in Lake Worth, Florida with her husband Bobby (“the love of my life!”). Together they have four children, including their youngest daughter, Tara, who has been working side by side with Janet for nearly a decade. “Once our clients realized Tara was my daughter, they fully embraced her—often literally! And those sincere hugs from our clients are one of the best fringe benefits of the job.”