Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brianna Johnson.
Lgnd Life Financial is a mission-driven financial services company dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and small businesses through comprehensive financial literacy and life insurance education. Founded by Brianna Johnson, a visionary leader and top life insurance agent, Lgnd Life has redefined the industry by providing tailored solutions that protect and build wealth for its clients.
With a track record of serving over 5,000 families and paying out millions in claims, Lgnd Life Financial stands as a trusted partner in securing financial futures. Licensed in over 25 states, the company also invests in the next generation of professionals by training and mentoring more than 250 life insurance agents, fostering a community of excellence and empowerment.
At Lgnd Life, the mission goes beyond policies—it's about creating legacies.
She is a visionary entrepreneur, financial expert, and the founder of Lgnd Life Financial, a company dedicated to empowering individuals and families to build wealth and secure their financial futures. Born and raised in Chicago, Brianna began her entrepreneurial journey at just 14, owning two successful clothing stores and hair salons by the age of 22. At 24, she boldly transitioned into the financial services industry, combining her passion for helping others with her knack for business innovation.
Through Lgnd Life Financial, Brianna has served over 5,000 families and paid out millions in claims, ensuring financial stability for her clients. Licensed in over 25 states, she has also mentored and trained more than 250 life insurance agents, fostering growth and success in the financial sector. Brianna is committed to breaking barriers, particularly for women and minorities, and inspiring others to create lasting legacies for their families and communities.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I am Rashan McDonald, our host the weekly Money
Making Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this
show provides are for everyone. It's time to stop reading
other people's success stories and start living your own. If
you want to be a guest oh my show, please
visit our website, Moneymakingconversations dot com and click the be
a Guest button. Press submit and information will come directly
(00:23):
to me. Now let's get this show started. My guest
is a visionary entrepreneur. She owned two successful clothing stores
and hair salons by the age of twenty two. At
twenty four, she boldly transitioned into financial services, licensing over
twenty five states. She is the founder of Legend Life Financial,
(00:47):
a company dedicated to empowering individuals and families to build
wealth and secure their financial futures. Please welcome to Money
Making Conversation Masterclass. Brianna Johnson on Brena, I am good.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Can you hear me? Ladon Clear?
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I hear you, Louen Clear, Miss Chicago, Miss Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yes, chic I go. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
First of all, I lived in Chicago five years. It's
February going into just turned March. Okay, how's the weather.
I just got to ask you. Are you're suffering right now?
Is it? What kind of clothes are you wearing right now?
Can we see your face when you walk down the street.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yes, well right now you can see my face as
I walk down the street. But I just left Atlanta,
so it was definitely a transition. I'm just like, why
am I suffering? Why do I still live here? I
don't know.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Because of the summer, Because of the summer.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
You know, there's summer just about to say that, you know,
and then you feel like this during the cold months,
and then summer just swings by, you know, casually, and.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So here you are again like okay, well spring is first,
and then summer and it's just like okay, I think
I can do it, and you get stuck here after here.
It's a cycle. It's a vicious cycle.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I know that summertime. You haven't been in Chicago during
the summer. It is absolutely different. I tell people that's Beanna.
It is absolutely fantastic. I am a foodie. I was
born and raised in Houston. I've lived in New York City.
I live currently in Atlanta, Georgia. I lived in Chicago
five years. I lived in Los Angeles for fifteen years.
Chicago has the best food anywhere outside of Houston Tech
(02:34):
Now Houston, Texas killing it now, but Chicago, they got
the best breakfast spots in the country. Y'all eat good
in Chicago, my friend.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Oh, I couldn't agree more. Okay, I think that's another
reason why I'm still here. Nothing here.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
This assurance is a cup of coffee. Just a cup
of coffee and you get your shoes. Why one of
they not telling me in those commercial because I've had
to pick up the phone and call them. But a
lot of people are calling them because you see all
these commercials and sometimes you see retired celebrities pushing life
insurance packages. What are they not telling us about these
(03:12):
insurance packages that you may be aware of that you
are just telling us to look out for.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Absolutely great question. So what they're not telling you is
what type of policy it is. What they're not telling
you is that the cost of insurance is a goes
according to if you're a male with female and your
age factor, and so it gets people really rouled up
and excited. So I would say that's literally called clickbait.
They just want you to call in and then they
(03:42):
will properly qualify you. But you have to ask those
key questions, like what type of policy is this, because
there is a difference between whole life and term. And
what I've learned is sixty seven percent of people they
just blindly buy policies and think that, Okay, this I'm
going to buy this policy and the price of this
policy is going to stay the same forever, and I'm
(04:04):
locked in. But then they get a nice little note
in a mail twenty years down the line saying, hey,
your policy that was once fifty dollars forty dollars will
now be four hundred and fifty dollars. And at that
point in time you might be at retirement, income might
have changed. So it's very important to talk to somebody
who you know, you like, and your trust, and just
(04:26):
to really be able to get educated on the different
policies that are available on the market.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And I'm gonna put a love mustard on this sandwich here.
My frat brother. My frat brother sold me some insurance.
It was two hundred dollars every yeah, two hundred dollars
every year. Did all of a sudden it jumped up
to two thousand dollars. That's what she's saying. This is
(04:54):
an honest conversation. Just because you know somebody don't mean
they telling you the right policy. Do your research when
they talk about when they because all policies show you
the payments as they go through the years. They do that,
and you need to look at every year and see
does the price change in it? And we were not
(05:17):
ready for that price change. And when it happened, I
was mad and I called you here, you do you know?
And then here was the kicker. I'm not in the
insurance business no more.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Oh, and you know, And that's another thing. It's just
like when is the last time you talk to your agent?
Are they still in the business. When is the last
time you actually check the type of policy that you
have or looked at it? You even know where your
policy is. And so that's why I really take pride
in educating my clients properly, doing the needs analysis that
(05:55):
we can see exactly how much coverage they need and
follow up with them every six months to a year,
because your insurance needs will change as you change. So
I'm glad you disclosed that, because most agents they just
sell policies to get a commission and that's it.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
They don't, well, that's what they did for me. That's
what you did for me. He sold, got a commission,
and then got out of the business. I was stuck
with this big annual bill did eventually, I'll be honest
with which I canceled because I didn't see it. I
didn't understand the value of paying that much more insurance
into it. What is the difference between term hold and universal?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
All right, so long story short, I'll try to break
it down really to make it kindergarten simple as well.
So term is the cheapest form of insurance that you
can get. Term is about two dollars per thousands. Term
it does exactly what it says is going to do.
Is the price stays the same for a specific term,
so that's twenty years, twenty five years, or thirty years.
(06:56):
But you have to be mindful that there are annual
renewable terms and policies that can increase every single year,
so the price will start off real low. So that's
what a lot of times these companies they're talking about
call in the cost of insurance super low. It's like, okay,
five dollars start now, but every single year is going
to hike up, right, so be mindful of that. But
(07:16):
it allows you to get a lot of coverage and
not have to pay a lot. So my first policy
that I received was a million dollar term policy when
I was twenty four, only paying thirty five dollars per month. Okay,
that's turn right. Now when we talk about whole life,
whole life, it is a permanent life insurance policy, and
(07:36):
the premiums never changed, but the cost of whole life
is more expensive than term. It's about seventeen dollars per thousand.
It also has a cash value component within the policy
which allows you to borrow from the policy, and it
has a consistent rate of return anywhere from two to
five percent per year, but it takes three to five
(07:58):
years for the cash to build up in a traditional
whole life policy. Now we also have IULS, which is
an index universal life insurance policy. So with this one,
it's a flexible permanent life insurance policy that builds cash
value that's based on the performance of the stock market,
so it's tied directly to the market, but it's not
(08:21):
investing directly into the market, and this allows you to
make flexible premiums and a lot of people like these
policies because it keeps your money safe. So when the
market goes up, there'll be a cap typically somewhere between
ten and twelve percent. But then when the market goes down,
you don't participate in the market downside, right, so if
(08:44):
the market goes down thirty percent, there is a floor
typically of about one percent or one point two five percent. Now, last,
but not least, we have universal life insurance policy. So
these are a permanent policy that have as flexible premiums
as well, but the cash value is not as high,
(09:06):
well it won't build as high as an IU will,
but it's not lower than a whole life policy. So
those are the three different kinds of policies that you
have outside of just you know, a final expense policy.
And final expense policies are typically for those who have
a lot of health issues or you know, have DUIs,
(09:28):
reckless drive, and selonies, and those policies only typically go
up to fifteen twenty thousand.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Biann and Johnson, you are the Queen of insurance right now.
I'm giving you that title right now, yes.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Yes, please. You can find me at Brianna Kayla j
on all social media platforms. That's b R I A
N N A KA Y la J. You can also
call in directly at three one two seven six eight
three six zero four and be sure to check out
(10:00):
our website at legendlife dot com that's l G N
D L I SE dot com and I'll be more
than happy to serve you.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass
continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making
(10:33):
Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Well let's talk about you. You know to say that
in my intro about two successful clothing stores and hair salons,
I say salons wouldn't s by the age of twenty two?
Talk about that because I can tell you at the
age of twenty two, I think I was attending for
fraternity to parties. I really do believe that's what I
was doing and doing all the wrong things, but entrepren
(11:00):
lewdership was not in my plan. How did you how
did that? What part of your DNA push you in
that direction in such an early age to accomplish those things.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
My father, honestly, you said it right, has been embedded
into my DNA. I actually started working at the age
of I believe was I thirteen or fourteen. I was
working in clothing stores, and at that point in time,
you weren't supposed to be working, you had to be
sixteen years old. But I had a gift when it
(11:32):
came to sales, and I was actually working in retail.
And at that point in time, that's when I knew
I wanted to open up my own stores. And my father,
he's actually been in the financial service industry since I
was four years old, being an entrepreneur, so I knew
that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. At first, I
(11:53):
didn't know how it was going to come about, But
just watching him and growing up and seeing the freedom
and flex ability that he had, I'm like, corporate is
not going to be for me. You know, I'm gonna
use corporate as a college at school to propel me
eventually at some point in my life.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So yeah, you know, But that's so you didn't have
that fear, you know, because a lot of people have
fear of transcention of transitioning from a forty hour week
job and go, I don't know if I can leave
this job. What if I'm not successful? Because being an entrepreneur,
what do you say to your to people who are
(12:31):
out there afraid to consider that or want to do
it and don't know how to make the next step, Because,
like I said, two successful clothing stores, hair salon's in
Chicago by the age of twenty two.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Well, you know what, if I'm going to be honest,
I wouldn't say I didn't have fear. I would just
say that I had fear, and I faced the fear
and did it anyway. Because fear is nothing but false
expectations appearing real. So I was condition to just just
push past fear because everything that you want is on
(13:06):
the other side of fear. So I would just tell people, Hey,
fear is just a temporary emotion, but if you don't
step out of your comfort zone, nothing changes if you
don't change, So feel the fear and do it anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
She just threw out that real quick, false expectation appearing
real like I, and that was over there. F e A.
She just said, fear is she given that? Come on now?
You can talk. Girl was out there selling clothes at thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen and didn't know what to do with you. Now,
now when you made that transition, you know, because you
(13:42):
said your father was in financial services. When you say
financial services, and you did it at the age of
twenty four, again, another major leap in your brain, your mindset,
but your father had. That's why I always love mentoring people,
showing them they can accomplish, because if you don't see it,
then guess what you will be? What everybody expects you
(14:03):
to be, That regular person, that forty hour week person.
What is financial services? Will you mentioned your father's background?
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Okay, so there are a lot of different factors within
financial services. It is very very broad. But what he
specialized in particularly is life insurance. So that is the
field that I jumped into. I actually when I own
my clothing stores and hair salons, my father he will
(14:34):
always come into them and he would see certain items
still up or saying, okay, how much did you make?
You're working so hard? You can be you know, working
less and making more and making more of an impact,
you know, if you just take the test. So I
eventually resist.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Day use resistance day trying to go.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Down that path one hundred yes, because that was his
claim to fame. And I'm just like, there was nothing sexy,
cool or fly about financial service. When you think about
financial service and life insurance, you think of older people
with song. Not today, not with me, not today, not
(15:18):
with me?
Speaker 1 (15:19):
She fly, y'all, y'all need to see her pictures of fly,
cop boy hat, leather pants, all this in Chicago. But
she's doing a whole different thing up there, up there,
yodling up there in Chicago. But you know, that's what
That's what I was talking to another friend of mine
about when she was talking about, you know, manufacturing, and
then she said, manufacturing didn't found hip like tech, you know,
(15:43):
like like you know, like you know, programmers. That's not
a very hips very smart. When you say manufacturing, it
sounds like you had a hard hat on and you
had a launch pail that you had to go to
work with. And so when you was in clothing, you know,
who can't you know, clothing is clothing. You walk in there,
you put your clothes on people and mirrors trying to
(16:04):
look good or looking good or you telling them they
look good just so they can get those clothes off
those wrecks so they can get out that door and
they come back. And I'm sure you was in the
Ladies line of clothing. That means they coming back all
the time buying. And with your big personality, you saw
a future. But did you say to yourself, I think
I can make a lot more money any shillings? When
(16:28):
did that thought? When did that thought hit your brain?
Like your dad kept telling you all those years.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, So it was crazy because I was actually when
I had my clothing stores, because like you mentioned, I
wouldn't say I wasn't fearful. I was literally bartending on
the weekend while I had my clothing store because of
the unpredictable income. So then with bartending, I was let go,
(16:54):
right so at that point in time, But with bartndy,
you can make a lot of money and not working
as much. So when I was let go, I knew
immediately that I could not return to a corporate job
and you know, make a lot and work less. So
that's when I gave in to the industry. Now, I
(17:14):
also saw the impact that it had within our community, Okay,
And I.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Was like, you know, before we get to the impact,
how did you get into it. I know you said
you said something by test, because when I hear the
word financial services, I hear college, I had four your degrees,
I hear NBA. But you're saying that you got into
financial services on the insurance side by taking the test.
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Yep. Okay. So I had to take a state test,
so it was fixed chapters. And when I say I
was so scared, I think at that point in time,
I could I could barely afford to really park downtown,
you know, downtown parking in Chicago expensive. So I'm just like,
I'm down here at this state center taking it tests,
(18:00):
really really scared. But I end up passing on that
first try. So after I took my state test, I
was able to get my license in Illinois, and then
I eventually started to get license in different states. Now
I know you how.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Many states are your licensing? How many states are you licensed?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I think right now we're hovering or at about thirty
about thirty states.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So you can sell insurance and so basically just educate
me here. So you have to be the licensed in
that state to sell insurance in that state. That is correct,
and so but you can take the test in other
states and sell insurance in Texas or Georgia or Florida.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
So the beautiful thing about it is you only have
to take the state test once and then you just
pay the cost of the insurance license or your individual
state every year or every two years whenever you have
to renew.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Wow. So just talking to potential people out there, you know,
hunker now. But it's easier said than done because a
lot of people don't see that model. How did you
see that business model? And I'm gonna ask you this question.
Did your father have that same vision for his business
model to expand to other states?
Speaker 2 (19:18):
You know what, I don't think he had the same
vision to expand to other states. He stayed pretty stationary.
And I just saw the need and the impact and also,
like you asked, the income potential because I was able.
When I really realized how much money I can make
in this industry is when I set with a client
(19:40):
for about forty five minutes, and at that point in time,
I did not have my presentation down, but I still
made one thousand dollars And I said, you know what,
if I can perfest this and listen to my father
and stop taking this thing for granted and just like,
oh my dad does it whatever, whatever, Then Bree, you
can make a lot of income in make a huge impact.
(20:02):
So let's stop playing. So he didn't see the vision
to get license and you know, as many states as
humanly possible, But I did so I took what he
gave me and I just took it to the next level.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Wow. When we would come back, she's going to answer
a question that I won't answer, the difference between term life,
whole life, and universal. We would come back with more
money making Conversation master class, which she started. She says
she's been working since she was thirteen. Well, it was
working out good because at twenty two she had clothing
stores and hair salons and at twenty four she transitioned
(20:38):
to financial servicesna I want to make sure I'm getting
the name of your business correct. Is that legend Life
Financial and legend is LGND.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (20:49):
That is correct, LGND Life Financial. Now Brianna has served
over five thousand families as in the financial services. She's
paid our millions in claims ensuring financial stability for our clients.
She's licensed in over thirty states. She's also mentored and
trained more than two hundred and fifty life insurance agents
(21:11):
fostering growth and success in the financial sector for people
of color. Why is that important to you?
Speaker 2 (21:19):
It's very important to me because, like I mentioned before,
when I was working in corporate, I was always trying
to climb the ladder, but I just could never make
it to the top due to discrimination or people thinking
that I wasn't qualified to sit at tables, although I
was putting up the buckets and the numbers to take
(21:40):
us to championships. So, when it comes to financial services,
this vehicle literally I call it a ferrari because it
can get you from where you are to where you
want to be a lot faster. And also with the
education piece with life insurance, our community is great underserved
(22:00):
and there can never be too many educators to help
our community understand really basic financial principles when it comes
to life insurance. So being able to mentor coach and
develop and help people get from where they are to
where they want to be and have you know, another
business running parallel to what they have going on right
(22:22):
now is a complete game changer.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Now. So just like you were saying, you know you
were even though you had hair salons, even though you have,
you know, the the clothing stores. You still was able
to do an insurance on the side and so, which
became a very lucrative hustle, and eventually it became your
(22:45):
full time hustle, which became a very nationwide business at
your age. Now, how do you feel about that? You know,
because again this is not what your father did. Your
father was living and provided a great lifestyle for you,
but he gave you the vision, the instinct, the entrepreneurial
(23:07):
spirit to go beyond his dream. I like that as
is your father alive now?
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yes he is.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
What does he think of his What does he think
of his daughter? Brianna Johnson?
Speaker 2 (23:20):
He is more than proud. He's just like you know what.
You listen to everything that I told you growing up,
and just to see him propelled just makes him extremely,
extremely happy and proud.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
Thank you for coming on Money Man. It commes so
you knew I got to bring you back. You a
fantastic talker and you've educated me and I think more
people need to hear what you got to say. Thank
you for coming on Money Making Conversation Masterclass. Brianna Johnson.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Thank you, thank you for having me back.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation master
Class hosted by me Rashan McDonald. Thank you to our
guests on the show today and thank you our listening
audience now. If you want to listen to any episode
or want to be on the guests be a guest
on the show, visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media
handle is money Making Conversation. Join us next week and
(24:07):
remember to always leave with your gifts. Keep winning. This
has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass hosted
by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests on
the show today and thank you our listening to audience now.
If you want to listen to.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
Any episode I want to be a guest on the show,
visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media handle is money
Making Conversation. Join us next week and remember to always
leave with your gifts.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Keep winning.
Hi, I am Rashan McDonald, our host the weekly Money
Making Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this
show provides are for everyone. It's time to stop reading
other people's success stories and start living your own. If
you want to be a guest oh my show, please
visit our website, Moneymakingconversations dot com and click the be
a Guest button. Press submit and information will come directly
(00:23):
to me. Now let's get this show started. My guest
is a visionary entrepreneur. She owned two successful clothing stores
and hair salons by the age of twenty two. At
twenty four, she boldly transitioned into financial services, licensing over
twenty five states. She is the founder of Legend Life Financial,
(00:47):
a company dedicated to empowering individuals and families to build
wealth and secure their financial futures. Please welcome to Money
Making Conversation Masterclass. Brianna Johnson on Brena, I am good.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Can you hear me? Ladon Clear?
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I hear you, Louen Clear, Miss Chicago, Miss Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yes, chic I go. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
First of all, I lived in Chicago five years. It's
February going into just turned March. Okay, how's the weather.
I just got to ask you. Are you're suffering right now?
Is it? What kind of clothes are you wearing right now?
Can we see your face when you walk down the street.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yes, well right now you can see my face as
I walk down the street. But I just left Atlanta,
so it was definitely a transition. I'm just like, why
am I suffering? Why do I still live here? I
don't know.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Because of the summer, Because of the summer.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
You know, there's summer just about to say that, you know,
and then you feel like this during the cold months,
and then summer just swings by, you know, casually, and.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So here you are again like okay, well spring is first,
and then summer and it's just like okay, I think
I can do it, and you get stuck here after here.
It's a cycle. It's a vicious cycle.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I know that summertime. You haven't been in Chicago during
the summer. It is absolutely different. I tell people that's Beanna.
It is absolutely fantastic. I am a foodie. I was
born and raised in Houston. I've lived in New York City.
I live currently in Atlanta, Georgia. I lived in Chicago
five years. I lived in Los Angeles for fifteen years.
Chicago has the best food anywhere outside of Houston Tech
(02:34):
Now Houston, Texas killing it now, but Chicago, they got
the best breakfast spots in the country. Y'all eat good
in Chicago, my friend.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Oh, I couldn't agree more. Okay, I think that's another
reason why I'm still here. Nothing here.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
This assurance is a cup of coffee. Just a cup
of coffee and you get your shoes. Why one of
they not telling me in those commercial because I've had
to pick up the phone and call them. But a
lot of people are calling them because you see all
these commercials and sometimes you see retired celebrities pushing life
insurance packages. What are they not telling us about these
(03:12):
insurance packages that you may be aware of that you
are just telling us to look out for.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Absolutely great question. So what they're not telling you is
what type of policy it is. What they're not telling
you is that the cost of insurance is a goes
according to if you're a male with female and your
age factor, and so it gets people really rouled up
and excited. So I would say that's literally called clickbait.
They just want you to call in and then they
(03:42):
will properly qualify you. But you have to ask those
key questions, like what type of policy is this, because
there is a difference between whole life and term. And
what I've learned is sixty seven percent of people they
just blindly buy policies and think that, Okay, this I'm
going to buy this policy and the price of this
policy is going to stay the same forever, and I'm
(04:04):
locked in. But then they get a nice little note
in a mail twenty years down the line saying, hey,
your policy that was once fifty dollars forty dollars will
now be four hundred and fifty dollars. And at that
point in time you might be at retirement, income might
have changed. So it's very important to talk to somebody
who you know, you like, and your trust, and just
(04:26):
to really be able to get educated on the different
policies that are available on the market.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
And I'm gonna put a love mustard on this sandwich here.
My frat brother. My frat brother sold me some insurance.
It was two hundred dollars every yeah, two hundred dollars
every year. Did all of a sudden it jumped up
to two thousand dollars. That's what she's saying. This is
(04:54):
an honest conversation. Just because you know somebody don't mean
they telling you the right policy. Do your research when
they talk about when they because all policies show you
the payments as they go through the years. They do that,
and you need to look at every year and see
does the price change in it? And we were not
(05:17):
ready for that price change. And when it happened, I
was mad and I called you here, you do you know?
And then here was the kicker. I'm not in the
insurance business no more.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Oh, and you know, And that's another thing. It's just
like when is the last time you talk to your agent?
Are they still in the business. When is the last
time you actually check the type of policy that you
have or looked at it? You even know where your
policy is. And so that's why I really take pride
in educating my clients properly, doing the needs analysis that
(05:55):
we can see exactly how much coverage they need and
follow up with them every six months to a year,
because your insurance needs will change as you change. So
I'm glad you disclosed that, because most agents they just
sell policies to get a commission and that's it.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
They don't, well, that's what they did for me. That's
what you did for me. He sold, got a commission,
and then got out of the business. I was stuck
with this big annual bill did eventually, I'll be honest
with which I canceled because I didn't see it. I
didn't understand the value of paying that much more insurance
into it. What is the difference between term hold and universal?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
All right, so long story short, I'll try to break
it down really to make it kindergarten simple as well.
So term is the cheapest form of insurance that you
can get. Term is about two dollars per thousands. Term
it does exactly what it says is going to do.
Is the price stays the same for a specific term,
so that's twenty years, twenty five years, or thirty years.
(06:56):
But you have to be mindful that there are annual
renewable terms and policies that can increase every single year,
so the price will start off real low. So that's
what a lot of times these companies they're talking about
call in the cost of insurance super low. It's like, okay,
five dollars start now, but every single year is going
to hike up, right, so be mindful of that. But
(07:16):
it allows you to get a lot of coverage and
not have to pay a lot. So my first policy
that I received was a million dollar term policy when
I was twenty four, only paying thirty five dollars per month. Okay,
that's turn right. Now when we talk about whole life,
whole life, it is a permanent life insurance policy, and
(07:36):
the premiums never changed, but the cost of whole life
is more expensive than term. It's about seventeen dollars per thousand.
It also has a cash value component within the policy
which allows you to borrow from the policy, and it
has a consistent rate of return anywhere from two to
five percent per year, but it takes three to five
(07:58):
years for the cash to build up in a traditional
whole life policy. Now we also have IULS, which is
an index universal life insurance policy. So with this one,
it's a flexible permanent life insurance policy that builds cash
value that's based on the performance of the stock market,
so it's tied directly to the market, but it's not
(08:21):
investing directly into the market, and this allows you to
make flexible premiums and a lot of people like these
policies because it keeps your money safe. So when the
market goes up, there'll be a cap typically somewhere between
ten and twelve percent. But then when the market goes down,
you don't participate in the market downside, right, so if
(08:44):
the market goes down thirty percent, there is a floor
typically of about one percent or one point two five percent. Now, last,
but not least, we have universal life insurance policy. So
these are a permanent policy that have as flexible premiums
as well, but the cash value is not as high,
(09:06):
well it won't build as high as an IU will,
but it's not lower than a whole life policy. So
those are the three different kinds of policies that you
have outside of just you know, a final expense policy.
And final expense policies are typically for those who have
a lot of health issues or you know, have DUIs,
(09:28):
reckless drive, and selonies, and those policies only typically go
up to fifteen twenty thousand.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Biann and Johnson, you are the Queen of insurance right now.
I'm giving you that title right now, yes.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Yes, please. You can find me at Brianna Kayla j
on all social media platforms. That's b R I A
N N A KA Y la J. You can also
call in directly at three one two seven six eight
three six zero four and be sure to check out
(10:00):
our website at legendlife dot com that's l G N
D L I SE dot com and I'll be more
than happy to serve you.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass
continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making
(10:33):
Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Well let's talk about you. You know to say that
in my intro about two successful clothing stores and hair salons,
I say salons wouldn't s by the age of twenty two?
Talk about that because I can tell you at the
age of twenty two, I think I was attending for
fraternity to parties. I really do believe that's what I
was doing and doing all the wrong things, but entrepren
(11:00):
lewdership was not in my plan. How did you how
did that? What part of your DNA push you in
that direction in such an early age to accomplish those things.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
My father, honestly, you said it right, has been embedded
into my DNA. I actually started working at the age
of I believe was I thirteen or fourteen. I was
working in clothing stores, and at that point in time,
you weren't supposed to be working, you had to be
sixteen years old. But I had a gift when it
(11:32):
came to sales, and I was actually working in retail.
And at that point in time, that's when I knew
I wanted to open up my own stores. And my father,
he's actually been in the financial service industry since I
was four years old, being an entrepreneur, so I knew
that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. At first, I
(11:53):
didn't know how it was going to come about, But
just watching him and growing up and seeing the freedom
and flex ability that he had, I'm like, corporate is
not going to be for me. You know, I'm gonna
use corporate as a college at school to propel me
eventually at some point in my life.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So yeah, you know, But that's so you didn't have
that fear, you know, because a lot of people have
fear of transcention of transitioning from a forty hour week
job and go, I don't know if I can leave
this job. What if I'm not successful? Because being an entrepreneur,
what do you say to your to people who are
(12:31):
out there afraid to consider that or want to do
it and don't know how to make the next step, Because,
like I said, two successful clothing stores, hair salon's in
Chicago by the age of twenty two.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Well, you know what, if I'm going to be honest,
I wouldn't say I didn't have fear. I would just
say that I had fear, and I faced the fear
and did it anyway. Because fear is nothing but false
expectations appearing real. So I was condition to just just
push past fear because everything that you want is on
(13:06):
the other side of fear. So I would just tell people, Hey,
fear is just a temporary emotion, but if you don't
step out of your comfort zone, nothing changes if you
don't change, So feel the fear and do it anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
She just threw out that real quick, false expectation appearing
real like I, and that was over there. F e A.
She just said, fear is she given that? Come on now?
You can talk. Girl was out there selling clothes at thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen and didn't know what to do with you. Now,
now when you made that transition, you know, because you
(13:42):
said your father was in financial services. When you say
financial services, and you did it at the age of
twenty four, again, another major leap in your brain, your mindset,
but your father had. That's why I always love mentoring people,
showing them they can accomplish, because if you don't see it,
then guess what you will be? What everybody expects you
(14:03):
to be, That regular person, that forty hour week person.
What is financial services? Will you mentioned your father's background?
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Okay, so there are a lot of different factors within
financial services. It is very very broad. But what he
specialized in particularly is life insurance. So that is the
field that I jumped into. I actually when I own
my clothing stores and hair salons, my father he will
(14:34):
always come into them and he would see certain items
still up or saying, okay, how much did you make?
You're working so hard? You can be you know, working
less and making more and making more of an impact,
you know, if you just take the test. So I
eventually resist.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Day use resistance day trying to go.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Down that path one hundred yes, because that was his
claim to fame. And I'm just like, there was nothing sexy,
cool or fly about financial service. When you think about
financial service and life insurance, you think of older people
with song. Not today, not with me, not today, not
(15:18):
with me?
Speaker 1 (15:19):
She fly, y'all, y'all need to see her pictures of fly,
cop boy hat, leather pants, all this in Chicago. But
she's doing a whole different thing up there, up there,
yodling up there in Chicago. But you know, that's what
That's what I was talking to another friend of mine
about when she was talking about, you know, manufacturing, and
then she said, manufacturing didn't found hip like tech, you know,
(15:43):
like like you know, like you know, programmers. That's not
a very hips very smart. When you say manufacturing, it
sounds like you had a hard hat on and you
had a launch pail that you had to go to
work with. And so when you was in clothing, you know,
who can't you know, clothing is clothing. You walk in there,
you put your clothes on people and mirrors trying to
(16:04):
look good or looking good or you telling them they
look good just so they can get those clothes off
those wrecks so they can get out that door and
they come back. And I'm sure you was in the
Ladies line of clothing. That means they coming back all
the time buying. And with your big personality, you saw
a future. But did you say to yourself, I think
I can make a lot more money any shillings? When
(16:28):
did that thought? When did that thought hit your brain?
Like your dad kept telling you all those years.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, So it was crazy because I was actually when
I had my clothing stores, because like you mentioned, I
wouldn't say I wasn't fearful. I was literally bartending on
the weekend while I had my clothing store because of
the unpredictable income. So then with bartending, I was let go,
(16:54):
right so at that point in time, But with bartndy,
you can make a lot of money and not working
as much. So when I was let go, I knew
immediately that I could not return to a corporate job
and you know, make a lot and work less. So
that's when I gave in to the industry. Now, I
(17:14):
also saw the impact that it had within our community, Okay,
And I.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Was like, you know, before we get to the impact,
how did you get into it. I know you said
you said something by test, because when I hear the
word financial services, I hear college, I had four your degrees,
I hear NBA. But you're saying that you got into
financial services on the insurance side by taking the test.
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Yep. Okay. So I had to take a state test,
so it was fixed chapters. And when I say I
was so scared, I think at that point in time,
I could I could barely afford to really park downtown,
you know, downtown parking in Chicago expensive. So I'm just like,
I'm down here at this state center taking it tests,
(18:00):
really really scared. But I end up passing on that
first try. So after I took my state test, I
was able to get my license in Illinois, and then
I eventually started to get license in different states. Now
I know you how.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Many states are your licensing? How many states are you licensed?
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I think right now we're hovering or at about thirty
about thirty states.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
So you can sell insurance and so basically just educate
me here. So you have to be the licensed in
that state to sell insurance in that state. That is correct,
and so but you can take the test in other
states and sell insurance in Texas or Georgia or Florida.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
So the beautiful thing about it is you only have
to take the state test once and then you just
pay the cost of the insurance license or your individual
state every year or every two years whenever you have
to renew.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Wow. So just talking to potential people out there, you know,
hunker now. But it's easier said than done because a
lot of people don't see that model. How did you
see that business model? And I'm gonna ask you this question.
Did your father have that same vision for his business
model to expand to other states?
Speaker 2 (19:18):
You know what, I don't think he had the same
vision to expand to other states. He stayed pretty stationary.
And I just saw the need and the impact and also,
like you asked, the income potential because I was able.
When I really realized how much money I can make
in this industry is when I set with a client
(19:40):
for about forty five minutes, and at that point in time,
I did not have my presentation down, but I still
made one thousand dollars And I said, you know what,
if I can perfest this and listen to my father
and stop taking this thing for granted and just like,
oh my dad does it whatever, whatever, Then Bree, you
can make a lot of income in make a huge impact.
(20:02):
So let's stop playing. So he didn't see the vision
to get license and you know, as many states as
humanly possible, But I did so I took what he
gave me and I just took it to the next level.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Wow. When we would come back, she's going to answer
a question that I won't answer, the difference between term life,
whole life, and universal. We would come back with more
money making Conversation master class, which she started. She says
she's been working since she was thirteen. Well, it was
working out good because at twenty two she had clothing
stores and hair salons and at twenty four she transitioned
(20:38):
to financial servicesna I want to make sure I'm getting
the name of your business correct. Is that legend Life
Financial and legend is LGND.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (20:49):
That is correct, LGND Life Financial. Now Brianna has served
over five thousand families as in the financial services. She's
paid our millions in claims ensuring financial stability for our clients.
She's licensed in over thirty states. She's also mentored and
trained more than two hundred and fifty life insurance agents
(21:11):
fostering growth and success in the financial sector for people
of color. Why is that important to you?
Speaker 2 (21:19):
It's very important to me because, like I mentioned before,
when I was working in corporate, I was always trying
to climb the ladder, but I just could never make
it to the top due to discrimination or people thinking
that I wasn't qualified to sit at tables, although I
was putting up the buckets and the numbers to take
(21:40):
us to championships. So, when it comes to financial services,
this vehicle literally I call it a ferrari because it
can get you from where you are to where you
want to be a lot faster. And also with the
education piece with life insurance, our community is great underserved
(22:00):
and there can never be too many educators to help
our community understand really basic financial principles when it comes
to life insurance. So being able to mentor coach and
develop and help people get from where they are to
where they want to be and have you know, another
business running parallel to what they have going on right
(22:22):
now is a complete game changer.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Now. So just like you were saying, you know you
were even though you had hair salons, even though you have,
you know, the the clothing stores. You still was able
to do an insurance on the side and so, which
became a very lucrative hustle, and eventually it became your
(22:45):
full time hustle, which became a very nationwide business at
your age. Now, how do you feel about that? You know,
because again this is not what your father did. Your
father was living and provided a great lifestyle for you,
but he gave you the vision, the instinct, the entrepreneurial
(23:07):
spirit to go beyond his dream. I like that as
is your father alive now?
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yes he is.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
What does he think of his What does he think
of his daughter? Brianna Johnson?
Speaker 2 (23:20):
He is more than proud. He's just like you know what.
You listen to everything that I told you growing up,
and just to see him propelled just makes him extremely,
extremely happy and proud.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
Thank you for coming on Money Man. It commes so
you knew I got to bring you back. You a
fantastic talker and you've educated me and I think more
people need to hear what you got to say. Thank
you for coming on Money Making Conversation Masterclass. Brianna Johnson.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Thank you, thank you for having me back.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation master
Class hosted by me Rashan McDonald. Thank you to our
guests on the show today and thank you our listening
audience now. If you want to listen to any episode
or want to be on the guests be a guest
on the show, visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media
handle is money Making Conversation. Join us next week and
(24:07):
remember to always leave with your gifts. Keep winning. This
has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass hosted
by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests on
the show today and thank you our listening to audience now.
If you want to listen to.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
Any episode I want to be a guest on the show,
visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Our social media handle is money
Making Conversation. Join us next week and remember to always
leave with your gifts.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Keep winning.
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