Jenny O’Brien moved to California from Vietnam at the age of 15 unable to speak a word of English. Now she’s one of Insurance Business’s Top Specialist Brokers 2018 after developing a $3 million book of business in the e-cigarette and vape store niche at USG Insurance Services.
How did she get there? A good work ethic and determination.
Through her teen years, O’Brien focused hard on her education and managed to graduate high school on schedule despite having no English at the age of 15. She then put herself through college with a Business Degree.
After a few entry-level jobs, O’Brien found a home with Kemper Insurance in its claims department, where she learned policy forms and how to deal with customers. After that, she moved to Austin, TX, where she found employment in the Excess & Surplus industry with TAGA as a small business underwriter.
Soon, after working her way up the ladder, an opportunity arose for O’Brien to return to California to be closer to her family and work with USG Insurance Services, Inc. in its new Irvine location.
She exceled in her new position, moving up rapidly from producer to production manager and then was promoted to branch manager in 2018. For the past three years, she was the top producer at USG, balancing her career along with raising her seven-year-old son.
O’Brien is well respected amongst her agents as being exceedingly responsive and knowledgeable. Being new to management, she said the favorite part of her job and her greatest challenge is “helping others succeed in their careers.”
As to what advice this top broker offers to others: “Have a work ethic and take the very best care of your clients; then they will take care of you!” She stands by her own advice every day.
As to the limited time O’Brien has in her personal life, along with spending time with her son Kenzo and two little puppies, cooking remains one of her passions. She seldom consults a recipe, preferring instead to experiment and add her own touch to any dish.
