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Nothing in his background predicted that he would become a business owner and million dollar earner. He comes from four generations of preachers and a long line of educators. (His uncle and grandfather pastored the same church in Philadelphia for a total of almost 80 years. His grandmother was a teacher and his great, great uncle, Dr. James E. Shepard, founded North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC in 1909.) He didn’t graduate from college. He had no financial services knowledge or experience. Yet, in 2003, Sam Shepard became the first African American in Primerica to earn $1 million in one year. Sam was born in Philadelphia and, at the age of eight, moved with his mother and sister to Atlanta. His father was a minister and his mother worked as the assistant registrar at Morehouse College for over 35 years. Sam attended Morehouse for three years and dropped out to work full time at the now defunct Eastern Airlines. Earning $22,000 per year as a baggage handler, this was the best job he ever had. Previously he had been a busboy, dishwasher and security guard. He was introduced to Primerica in 1981 at the age of 22 and joined, under the leadership of Harold Crafter, because he saw the crusade of “buy term, invest the difference.” He was shocked that cash value insurance could be sold legally even with a negative, damaging report from the Federal Trade Commission. He didn’t have sales experience but liked helping people. He understood that Primerica was not sales but education, giving the right information so people could make the right decisions.
The next evening after he
joined, Sam went to a “fast start school” and met Art Williams, the
founder of the company. He als Because he took full advantage of the Primerica opportunity, Sam was able to care for both his parents. In 1984, he moved his mother in with him and took care of her for 20 years. She had no bills and she travelled with him all over the United States, including Hawaii. His two sons, Sam III and Marshall, had the opportunity to grow up with their grandmother. She told Sam that was a “big deal.” Sam also supported his father who lived in Philadelphia. His dad was proud to go on Primerica trips to such places as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii and walk the stage with his son when Sam received company recognition. Sam has been to Europe, other foreign countries and all over the United States with Primerica; he has been to Hawaii over 20 times with the company and on his own; he has been on countless other personal trips to top locations; but he considers caring for his parents as his biggest blessing. Through the years, Sam had many ups and downs in the business but he stayed the course. He was the company MVP three times, being presented at the national conventions as one of the top hierarchies. He was selected to be on the Wall of Fame in 1995 and his portrait hangs on that wall at the home office. He is a member of the company’s Training Advisory Group, a member of the African American Leadership Council, and is a regular presenter at the annual “Millionaires in Training” school for new RVPs. He has spoken at national conventions to over 50,000 at the Georgia Dome and has spoken by invitation to Primerica groups in 38 states and in Canada. However, his greatest accomplishment to date was becoming the first African American million dollar team. This dream started in 1997 and became a reality in 2003 when he became the 40th million dollar earner in the company, achieving this honor with one of the smallest teams to ever attain that status.
Other blessings include being able to have Sam III graduate from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with no debt, having Marshall graduate next year from University of Georgia with no debt, and being able to do the same for Shawn when he goes to college. Also, Sam and Elaine own their Primerica business which they can sell or leave to their heirs. It is valued at 8 to 12 times their income. In June 2006, Sam and Elaine joined “The Church” under the leadership of Jasper and Alicia Williams. Sam serves as an usher, as a member of the leadership team and on the ministry team. Elaine sings with the praise team and is also on the ministry team. Their pastors have mentored them, helping them strengthen their marriage, and helping them ground their relationship in God. This was pivotal in leading both Sam and Elaine to accept their call to the ministry on May 2, 2009. Sam and Elaine have a
great life that revolves around their church, their family and their
business, all intertwined. However, they have not stopped dreaming
and setting goals. Their number one goal is to serve God; to be an
example that God can always use to show that when you put Him first
in your life, there is absolutely nothing that you can’t do. They
desire to be a positive influence in the lives of their team mates
and mentor them to achieve their goals.
Sam wants to be the best husband, the best father and the best grandfather (to his first grandchild, Sam IV) that he can be. His guiding principles are: treat people good; “do unto others as you would have them do unto you;” love and help people regardless of their actions toward you. Sam and Elaine are especially grateful for the priceless relationships they have developed over the years within the SuperTeam and across Primerica. It brings them so much joy when they see dreams coming true for others through the Primerica opportunity. They consider the Primerica representatives not as “business associates” but as “team mates” and “family.”
Encouragement to those considering joining Primerica: Advice to current team mates: “Stay in the fight. Keep your childlike enthusiasm. Be excited and motivated. Go back to the passion you had when you came into the business. Real winners stay excited until the job gets done and that job is financial independence and freedom for yourself and your team mates.” Words from Sam and Elaine: “We thank God for Primerica. We give him all the glory and the honor for what we have been blessed with and the blessing we can be to others. But we know that this is just the beginning. It’s a new season and the best is yet to come!” Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this Web page are the opinions of Sam and Elaine Shepard and not necessarily the opinions of Primerica.
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Sam
& Elaine Shepard
o
heard from million dollar earners in the business. His experiences
at this big event convinced him that Primerica was more than an
extra income opportunity; it could be a life changer. From that time
forward, Sam took the steps and did the work to change his life
significantly. Four months later, he went full time in the business.
He became licensed in June 1981, became an RVP in December 1983,
named his group the Shepard SuperTeam, and made $60,000
that first year. This made him a member of the President’s Council,
those earning $50,000 and more. He earned his first $100,000 in
1985, became a Senior Vice President in 1987 and earned $200,000 in
1988. Sam became a National Sales Director in 1989 and also earned
$300,000 that year. He became a Senior National Sales Director, the
highest Primerica designation, in 1993. Under his leadership, 20
RVPs on the SuperTeam now earn over $100,000 annually.
Another
life changing event also happened for Sam in 2003. In June of that
year, he married Elaine Flynn in Maui, Hawaii. Elaine had been a
Primerica client for several years but had not been told about the
business opportunity. She was a single mom to Shawn, working in a
bank and in need of extra income. When she was seeking a higher
paying job in 2001, a Primerica card given to her a year earlier
fell out of her wallet. She called the RVP, a member of the
SuperTeam, and told him she wanted to hear more about Primerica. He
said, “You are blessed today because you called me.” At that time,
she had no idea what that statement would mean for her. Elaine says,
“I was looking for a part time opportunity but God had something far
greater in store for me. One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians
3:20. ‘God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you
can think to ask.’ I am so blessed. Sam and I are a blessing to each
other. I know that this is a God thing. More and more our purpose
for being together is being revealed.”
They
want to have over 100 ring bearers ($100,000 earners) and, over the
next five years, personally produce 15-20 new RVPs.