Life has a funny way of redirecting us. For Javier Valenzuela, a devastating personal loss and a sudden health scare weren’t endings—they were the blueprint for a deeply fulfilling career in pre-need sales with Security National Life (SNL).
A Personal Legacy of Preparedness
Javier’s journey into the pre-need business started with his own family. When his father passed away in 2013, Javier experienced firsthand the incredible gift of being prepared. Because his parents had set up a pre-need plan years prior, the family didn’t have to worry about a single detail.
Touched by the funeral home’s compassion, Javier told his wife that if he ever changed careers, he wanted to work in this industry to give other families that same peace of mind.
The Turning Point
That shift came sooner than expected. In 2018, after surviving a stress-induced heart attack at his previous business, Javier knew he needed a change. Remembering his words from years before, his wife encouraged him to apply at a funeral home. With a lifetime of sales and training experience, he fit the role perfectly—it was the missing piece of the puzzle.
Innovation in Times of Crisis
Javier stepped into the industry right before COVID-19 hit. While the pandemic caused widespread panic over how to meet with families, Javier used his entrepreneurial background to innovate. He approached his manager, Gracie, with a game-changing idea: use DocuSign and phone consultations to keep serving families remotely.
This proactive strategy was a major “aha moment” that kept business moving and quickly earned him a promotion to supervisor.
Why SNL is Home
For Javier, partnering with Security National Life has been a breath of fresh air. In an industry that can sometimes focus strictly on numbers, SNL stands out for its heart.
- A Leadership Team That Cares: Executive managers like Jason, Jason Overbach, and Adam Quist maintain a genuinely close relationship with agents, even remembering the names of Javier’s wife and children.
- Family-First Values: SNL understands that agents work hard for their own families, fostering a corporate culture that champions a true work-life balance.
- Winning Partnerships: Alongside excellent internal leaders like Maria Ortega, Javier’s team recently transitioned to working with Sunset Funeral Home in El Paso—a family-oriented business that matches SNL’s “extra mile” philosophy.
For Pre-Need, Age is Just a Number
Javier loves to remind people that it’s never too early—or too late—to plan. He fondly recalls one of his first clients, Ms. Rosario Luvine, who was nearly 90 years old and still working on the stock market when they met. She bought pre-need plans for her adult children, and today, at 95, she still calls Javier to set up plans for her grandchildren.
Javier's Top Tip for New Agents
Now a seasoned leader, Javier’s biggest advice for anyone starting their career in pre-need sales is simple: Conquer your fear of the word “No.” Pre-need isn’t just about selling; it’s about protecting a family’s hardest day in advance.
With the right mindset and a supportive partner like SNL, you aren’t just building a career—you are providing a lifeline.
