Q: What does being a member of NAWBO Silicon Valley mean to you?
FH: Being a NAWBO member brings me a lot of pride and inspiration, as I’m surrounded by women business owners who continually strive to run a successful business while focused on the importance of family and community.

Q: How has NAWBO Silicon Valley helped you as a business owner?
FH: The organization has helped me tremendously, as I can tap into a variety of women business owners in different industries and expertise, and at different stages of their business. The networking and camaraderie are invaluable, and we all learn from each other in a supportive environment.

Q: What service(s) or product(s) do you offer/manufacture?

FH: As an insurance broker and consultant, I represent various insurance carriers and vendors such as Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Delta Dental, Kaiser, Vision Service Plan, etc. in order to provide products and services such as medical, dental, and vision benefits for start-ups, groups, individuals, and families.

Q: What made you choose this type of business?
FH: As a service-oriented business, this suits my social personality and analytical business style.

Q: How did you get where you are today, and who/what helped you along the way?
FH: As a child and young adult, I give credit to my parents who were hard-working and optimistic about the American dream. They instilled the importance of education, determination, and positive thinking. Today, I give credit to my husband who sees my potential beyond what I can imagine, and he fully supports my goals and dreams.

Q: What is unique about your business?
FH: We build strong partnerships with the clients that we serve, but also with the employees that work for our clients. Also, we provide free services such as ThinkHR which give clients access to Human Resource professionals and EaseCentral that is an online enrollment and benefits management system. This is in addition to the insurance brokerage and consulting services provided at no cost.

Q: To what do you attribute your success?
FH: Tenacious, determination, hard work, and luck!

Q: What has been the role of luck in your success?
FH: I think luck is all around is. It’s a matter of perspective. When you’re open-minded, you can embrace the opportunities that surround you each day. Luck is believing you’re lucky!

Q: How do you achieve work-life balance?
FH: I always make time for my friends and family, along with time for myself. It’s important for me to rejuvenate – exercise and hobbies are the key.

Q: What have you learned about leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring others?
FH: You don’t realize how far you’ve come until others want to learn from you. Then one day, you realize you’ve become the person that you’ve strived to become yet you feel the work is never done. As the incoming President, I look forward to leading NAWBO Silicon Valley as the premier women business owners group. I am passionate about our mission where leaders and entrepreneurs can learn and share with each other for the benefit of improving our businesses and communities.

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
FH: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you don’t speak up, you’ll never be heard.

Q: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
FH: Don’t wait for things to be perfectly in place before you start a business, as perfection is an elusive goal. Starting a business is an ever-evolving process. You just need to go for it and always do your best along the way. Suddenly, you’re learning and yearning to do more and taking on challenges that you didn’t think you were capable of.

Five Things About Flordelisa Harris

1. If you could meet anyone famous past or present … who would it be and why?
I would’ve loved to have met Audrey Hepburn. She had a sense of grace, confidence, and style, while never taking herself too seriously. Although successful in her acting, dancing, and modeling career, she made family a priority and the need to help starving children in third world countries. She epitomized a well-balanced life as a wife, mother, actress, dancer, model, and humanitarian!

2. Can you tell us one of your passions in life? 
I’m passionate about helping others, especially children. My dream is start a foundation for under-privileged children, so they would have the joy of celebrating their birthday.

3. How do you deal with stress?
I always find “me time” to rejuvenate.

4. It there a place you always dreamed of visiting?
Bora Bora, Tahiti – I’d love to stay in an overwater hut where you could watch sea life swimming in turquoise waters from the floor of your room.

5. What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?
The harder you work, the luckier you are!

flor@benefitssimplified.biz
www.benefitssimplified.biz
408-202-2776