Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Williams
Sydney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins long before I started my business. Growing up, my dad always told me, “Get your degree and be your own boss,” and he supported me financially as long as he could. But it wasn’t that simple. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or be. I changed my college major multiple times—from art to psychology, biology, and veterinary medicine. I would stop attending school, then get motivated again, only to stop once more, feeling lost and unsure of my path.
I wasn’t even sure I’d graduate high school, so deciding on a degree and pursuing business ownership felt terrifying. It took me six years to complete my associate’s degree, and at the time, I was embarrassed. How could a two-year degree take six years? I had to learn to give myself grace.
During that period, my grandmother passed away from cancer, and then COVID hit. In the early months of the pandemic, my mom also passed away from cancer, and a year later, my dad was diagnosed with the same illness—but he beat it! I felt lost and alone, having lost the two most important women in my life while the world was in crisis. It was devastating.
But something inside me—call it resilience—kept me going. I was determined to finish my degree, and I did. During those six years, I worked as a veterinary technician and became incredibly passionate about the field. I thought I was destined to become a doctor and own my own animal hospital—that was the dream. I loved helping people and animals, but slowly, I began to burn out. Compassion fatigue set in, and despite training as a lead tech and eventually becoming a hospital manager, I was unhappy. Deep down, I realized this wasn’t what I wanted anymore.
What I truly wanted was to be an entrepreneur, even though I wasn’t sure what that meant at the time. But I decided to bet on myself. After everything I’d been through, why not? I wanted financial freedom and more time with my family. After all, my dad, my dog and my boyfriend were all I had left, and I didn’t want to lose any more precious moments.
My first business venture was an online boutique named after my mom. I didn’t invest much time in it, and I was essentially throwing things at the wall, hoping something would stick. I didn’t love the business, and I never even ordered samples to get it off the ground. It was frustrating, but I didn’t give up. I was determined to keep trying.
That’s when I entered the insurance industry and quickly realized it was something I could succeed in, though it wasn’t without challenges. I wasn’t one to shy away from hard work, and I thought, “If I could spend all this time investing in a career that wasn’t fulfilling, why not invest in myself?” Becoming an insurance agent allowed me to do just that.
For nearly two years, I worked for two different agencies, but I wasn’t happy. I didn’t have the freedom to run my business the way I wanted to. I wanted to connect with clients on a personal level, to be their trusted broker for all their healthcare needs. I became an insurance agent to be my own boss. I wanted to build a team and lead other agents as my agency grew.
In May 2024, I officially started Ember Advisory Group, a Florida insurance agency. This is just the beginning of our story, and I’m learning every day. But where I stand now, I’m incredibly proud that I took the leap and invested in myself. Entrepreneurship is often glamorized as “be your own boss” or “make your own hours,” but the reality is far more complex. I liken it to learning how to surf—right now, I’m wading in the water, waiting to catch that wave.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing about being an entrepreneur is easy. I’ve faced many struggles along the way. I’ve invested every dime into this business—working part-time jobs and picking up relief shifts as a veterinary technician just to cover bills, even maxing out credit cards. When I say I’m fully invested in myself and my goals, I mean it. There’s no turning back—this is Plan A, and there is no Plan B.
As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly finding ways to keep the fire burning, using whatever scraps of energy or resources you can. The key is to never let the fire go out. Some days, I’m wracking my brain for new strategies and game plans, printing thousands of flyers to promote my business, only to discover they aren’t compliant with insurance regulations. Compliance is crucial in this industry, and it’s frustrating when efforts seem wasted.
There are days when clients respond, appointments are scheduled, and enrollments are completed. But other days, clients don’t show up, and since we only get paid for completed enrollments, it’s easy to feel disheartened. I’ve gone months without a sale, and then, finally, I’ll enroll a client. Transitioning from working at a company that provided leads to building my own book of business has been tough. Not a single day is easy, and to say I don’t cry sometimes would be a lie. But, I try to keep my mindset positive.
There are times when I truly don’t know what to do or which direction to take. I’m hard on myself because I know what I’m capable of, which makes it even harder to navigate. My high expectations sometimes get in the way of accepting where I am in my journey. I catch myself thinking about where I “should be by now,” rather than appreciating the present progress.
My inner dialogue is always: You’ve got this. It’s okay. Don’t worry. Ignore the fear. Have courage. Be confident. In any sales position, rejection is part of the game. You hear “no” again and again. But resilience continues to play a major role in my life, reminding me to keep going, no matter the setbacks.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ember Advisory Group is a Florida-based insurance agency that specializes in helping individuals with health insurance, Medicare, life insurance, and ancillary policies. What sets us apart is our dedication to providing clients with easy and stress-free assistance. We focus on educating clients, guiding them through the often-confusing world of insurance jargon, so they can confidently make informed decisions about their healthcare needs.
We take pride in our personalized approach. Whether it’s helping family members understand their loved ones’ benefits when they become a power of attorney, guiding young adults as they transition to their own health insurance at age 26, assisting small business owners in accessing health coverage, or helping individuals transition smoothly to Medicare at 65, our priority is to serve our community with care and expertise.
What we’re most proud of is the exceptional customer service we offer. Every interaction is designed to ensure clients feel supported and valued. Our brand is built on trust, education, and a genuine commitment to helping others, and we work tirelessly to uphold these values in everything we do.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
At Ember Advisory Group, we’re eager to grow by helping more individuals in South Florida gain access to health insurance, Medicare, and life insurance. We are always open to collaborating through educational events for the community, providing valuable information on various policies and benefits that people may not be aware of.
We’re also interested in partnering with nonprofits, particularly in the immigration or social work sectors, to assist individuals who might not realize they qualify for health insurance. Our goal is to educate and serve, ensuring that people have the support they need.
If you’d like to support Ember Advisory Group, referrals are incredibly appreciated. Word-of-mouth recommendations are the greatest compliment and help us continue our mission of assisting people with their health insurance needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emberadvisorygroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emberadvisorygroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558331981055
Image Credits
@murasakiphotos – Janelle Thorne
