When His Calling Became an Addiction for Pankaj Garg
If your calling becomes so ingrained in you that it feels like an addiction, awards and accolades are bound to follow.
“Once you taste what it is like to hit the target, you receive recognition, awards, and appreciation from your family and colleagues. That encouragement pushes you to keep doing it over and over again.”
These are the words of Pankaj Garg, a top insurance advisor at a local insurance brokerage. Pankaj has been recognized as the top performer five times in a row—no small feat in such a competitive industry.
His journey to success, however, was anything but conventional. When he first arrived in Canada in 2005, Pankaj took on various odd jobs, including working as a taxi driver, gas station attendant, teacher, radio jockey, and eventually, a highly successful insurance advisor—where he truly excelled.
Despite holding a Master’s degree in Mathematics, his entry into the insurance industry was not a planned career move. “It just fell into my lap, and for quite some time, I never imagined it would lead to where I am today.”
Like many immigrants, Pankaj started with survival jobs, working as a cashier at a gas station and taking on night shifts at a factory. He later worked as a supply teacher for the Halton District School Board (HDSB) and as a supervisor at the YMCA.
“When I bought my first house, an insurance advisor came to sell me two policies. He asked about my educational background, and when I told him I had a Master’s in Mathematics and a teaching education program, he suggested I consider becoming an insurance advisor.”
Pankaj decided to give it a try. “At the time, I was working full-time as a pizza delivery driver. I burned the midnight oil, reading and studying for the licensing exam.”
His motivation was financial. “I had sponsored my parents and needed to prove a certain level of income. I worked hard. My son was born in 2008, but I barely got to see his childhood because I was always working.”
By the time he obtained his insurance license, he was also working as a taxi driver and hosting a radio show. “I started advertising my insurance services on my radio show and getting inquiries while driving my taxi. It became difficult to answer calls while driving, so I decided to go full-time into insurance.”
How did he develop the necessary skills for success—analytical, communication, and sales skills?
“As a taxi driver, you talk to customers a lot. That experience helped build my communication skills, along with my time working at a gas station. During my college days, I acted in plays and sang, so I was never hesitant to speak. Then I joined the radio industry, where talking became second nature. All of this prepared me for the insurance business.”
One of the biggest challenges he faced was the lack of awareness about insurance in the South Asian community. “It’s difficult to make people understand its importance. But my radio job helped tremendously. Radio became my primary tool for spreading awareness, educating potential clients, and, most importantly, building trust.”
The pandemic, surprisingly, became a turning point. “Before the pandemic, I had to visit clients at their homes or meet them at the office, which left little room for family or social life. After the pandemic, 80 percent of my clients preferred virtual meetings. This was a game-changer.”
While the radio played a significant role in building his business, what’s the secret behind his consistent top performance?
“It’s a lot of hard work. Radio helps, but this business thrives on referrals and word-of-mouth. Conducting business with integrity is crucial. I’m grateful that I can help people. I’ve seen firsthand how insurance makes a difference—when people receive financial support in their time of need and, unfortunately, when they don’t have it.”
For Pankaj, insurance is more than a profession—it’s a purpose-driven career. “Serving with the attitude of genuinely helping people makes all the difference. It requires dedication and effort, but in the end, it’s all worth it.”
He leaves his readers with a final message: “If you have any insurance-related questions or are considering insurance as a career, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 905-616-7560. I’m here to help.”