Stephen Webb is an Associate Agent with the co-operators.
How long have you worked at the co-operators?
Almost three years. It’ll be three years in September.
What does your job entail?
My major role is financial protection. That involves working the young families on budgets. I also deal with financial protection – issues such as mortgage insurance, life insurance and health and disability insurance.
What other careers have you had?
I started out in Kinesiology. After Kinesiology, I was a director of a YMCA in Toronto. From there, I went to Ireland to play rugby professionally and I played until I was 32. When I came back, I completed my bachelor of Education and taught for 6 years in Bowmanville and Newmarket. After teaching, I was in the event management business. I was running major events such as the Manulife Ride for Heart and the Canadian Tire Pro Cycling Racing. I was also the General Manager for a golf magazine called “Golfer’s Guide.”
What prompted you to change careers often?
I’ve been told that I’m “entrepreneurial.” I want to see things change for the better and they don’t always change fast enough. And with teaching, it was the bureaucracy. I loved working with kids, but the bureaucracy was too much.
What is your favourite sport?
It depends on what time of year it is – golf in the summer, hockey in the winter. I also love rugby but a couple of injuries keep me from playing.
What has been your favourite career?
I’ve enjoyed them all. With teaching it was the chance to work with kids and coach them – it was rewarding. With the golf magazine, it was the chance to build up a thing from scratch. Event marketing was great because I was all over the country and was seeing new things doing stuff I like.
What do you like about this job?
It’s like teaching; you have an opportunity to help people achieve their financial objectives. You give them a peace of mind with insurance. I also like helping with plans to get them to a comfortable retirement.
Do you plan on having another career after this one?
This is my final career.