Star City Six – Melissa Wheeler
Farm Bureau Financial Services is an insurance and investment company that builds relationships with people from all walks of life to help them protect what matters most and prepare for the future. Melissa Wheeler CPCU ChFC LUTCF is a local agent with Farm Bureau Financial Services.
Tell us a little about your business.
I am in the risk management business. Insurance is all about finding the appropriate level of risk that a customer can absorb and then the amount that they want to transfer to the insurance company.
How did you get started in the business?
I worked for a pharmaceutical company, and then it got purchased. Since they already had a sales force, my position was eliminated. My husband suggested insurance and the rest is history!
Tell us a little about your family.
I’ve been married to Gary for 17 years. We have a son named Dalton. Gary works at Continental Tire (Goodyear) and Dalton is a sophomore at Waverly. We are also hosting an exchange student this year. His name is Vit Zebra, and he’s from the Czech Republic.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Walking into Pilates Method and having Connor and Monica Dawson change every aspect of my life for the better.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Play tennis.
Who inspires you?
Coach Tim Matacio. He is great at asking me questions and helping me to achieve more than I ever thought possible.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
There are a few that come to mind. One of them is by Alan Cohen. He says, “If pleasing people was the key to happiness, you would be happy by now.” Another good one is, “Every since your goal found out that you were travelling towards it, it has been running towards you.” – Paulo Coelho. I also like the saying, “The BAD NEWS: There is no key to happiness. The GOOD NEWS: It isn’t locked.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
A killer tennis serve.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
Inner Tennis: Playing the Game by Tim Gallwey.
What is your favorite movie?
Star Wars. I was reading about George Lucas and how he collects Norman Rockwell prints. The reason he likes Rockwell so much is because everyone in a Rockwell has a full backstory. He modeled Star Wars on this idea. I remember being eight years old and walking out of the theater thinking, I want to go to “a galaxy far, far away” because it felt so real.
What is your favorite TV show?
The Mandalorian. I was getting up at 4 a.m. to watch a new episode each Friday before work. Thank goodness there were only eight chapters this season.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
FlyDogz. I love hot dogs.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Roger Federer. He is so great at making his fans feel important.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 484-0303; Email: Melissa.Wheeler@fbfs.com; Website: melissawheeler.fbfsagents.com.