Meet Genell Holloway | Health/Medicare Insurance Broker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Genell Holloway and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Genell, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in Franklin, KY on a farm. We raised pork and beef as well as crops. I was diagnosed officially with severe hearing loss at age 5 years. Nonetheless, I attended a regular public school taking regular classes. It was a struggle at times. I worked hard at listening, and it was exhausting to put so much effort into listening. I had a speech impediment too that often led my peers to make fun of me.

I have always wanted to do things that helped people and made a difference in their lives. My very first job was working in the local hospital as a nursing assistant. My hearing made it hard to hear blood pressure readings as we still used sethescope to record the readings. So, I have worked in many other industries including transportation and logistics, healthcare, management, and funeral care business.

While I enjoyed what I did, I didn’t feel like I was truly making a difference in the lives of people at the level I wanted to. This search led me to insurance. I enjoy working with the health insurance helping people navigate these oftentimes confusing and daunting paths and helping them find the right insurance for their family needs and budget. I’m passionate about ensuring that they are insured at just the right level of coverage.

I also own another business where we make life easier for those who need additional help wherever they call home. My other company is MidSouth Home Helpers and we provide caregivers to those needing help whether it’s for a short recovery period or in the final stage of life and anywhere in between.

I feel very blessed to be able to be enterpreneur to two significant types of service.

What should our readers know about your business?
Coming up with the brand, Eagle Hollow, was easy and you can read about this on the website eagle-hollow.com But, the truth is that we are our own brand. We project energy that determines if people will be happy to see us coming or going. I want to be one of those people that people are happy to see coming. I do my best to keep a cheerful demeanor and a can do attitude. This was not my general personality before. My self esteem was low and I perceived I was not well liked. My friend, Ann, helped me to see that I was a person of worth. And, then there were many others along the way too who helped reinforce this.

I read every self development book I could. I studied everything about how the mind thinks. The books by Napolean Hill were awesome in helping me to learn to think differently. Despite being a deaf girl with a speech impediment, I added value to those in my circle. And, I begin to see myself differently.

Eagle Hollow shows how far I’ve come in that I’m truly now an entrepreneur, someone who makes a difference in my community and those who cross my path.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here in Memphis, there’s plenty to see and do. Something for everyone.

I love going to Bass Pro Shop Pyramid. it’s cool with the aquarium on the ground floor. I haven’t stayed the night in their hotel suite, but I understand it’s really something special. So, that’s definitely something we would do.

Elvis Presley and Graceland are definitely fun to do. There’s so much history here with many different stories.

The Peabody and the ducks are a special event too. The best time to go is when the ducks are coming out for their evening parade. And, the view from the rooftop where the ducks are kept is spectacular.

One should always take a stop on Riverside Drive at the Tom Lee Park. Good place to walk, can pack a picnic lunch and spend an hour or so.

Shelby Farms is beautiful no matter what time of year one goes. Plenty of walking trails, etc. Might want to eat at Coastal Fish House too because the view is beautiful as the sun sets on the lake.

Arlington Depot and the old square is a fun place to drive through. Maybe take in a lunch and do a little shopping there.

If you like the theater arts, there’s plenty to choose from here – the Orpheum downtown or Theater Memphis off of Perkins to Germantown Performing Arts, etc.

Restaurants galore are everywhere to choose from. From Chinese, to Mediterranean, to Asian, to Southern Cooking, etc. And of course Memphis BBQ. My favorite BBQ place is Brad’s BBQ in Bartlett. Best southern cooking is either Sweet Pea’s or Pop’s Comfort Kitchen both in Bartlett. Favorite steak house is Long Horn in Collierville, and the very best chinese buffet, Ichiban Buffet, can be found in Collierville as well. And of course, we have a mexican restaurant on almost every corner. I especially like El Mezcal in Cordova.

One needs to spend some time on Memphis downtown Beale Street – preferably during the day. There’s BB King’s and the oldest general store to check out.

Again, there’s so much to do and see depending on what your preferences are.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a lot of people a shout-out for influencing my life in different ways. My mentor, Ann Estes, was my biggest cheerleader and taught me so many wonderful sales techniques.

I would like to do a special shout-out to Talk Shoppe in Memphis, TN. (talkshoppe.com) It was here that I found a wonderfully encouraging group of people who had the same philosophy I did – a desire to help people. I learned to do elevator speeches and to better speak in front of a group. Many of the members have become my clients and my friends. Our motto is to equip, engage and empower. Jo Garner is the CEO and fearless leader of this organization. Because of Jo, I’ve been a guest on her radio show multiple times. I have always received an encouraging word and been given opportunity to serve in different capacities. Talk Shoppe meets weekly, and I’m delighted to be able to give back as a sponsor.

Website: eagle-hollow.com

Linkedin: Genell Holloway

Facebook: Genell Reagan Holloway

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@genellholloway

Other: talkshoppe.com

Image Credits
Linda White, Photographer