In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Dawnyel Smink, President of Canyon Lands Insurance and Founder of Women In Insurance Sharing Empowerment (WIISE).

They discuss mentoring done right and how to build the courage to be our very best.

Episode Highlights:

Dawnyel discusses her passion for empowering women in the insurance industry and how she started the Women In Insurance Sharing Empowerment (WIISE). (2:28)


Dawnyel shares her strategy of making it easy to show appreciation and make a difference in people's lives by using cards with positive messages. (13:01)


Dawnyel discusses various ways she shows appreciation to her team, clients, and agencies, including giving scholarships and challenges, and emphasizes the importance of knowing the love language of one's team. (18:42)


Dawnyel explains how she helps people manage their personal and professional life by asking questions and giving them a planner. (34:36)


Dawnyel encourages people not to take rejection personally, as it doesn't mean you're wrong for everything you've done. (45:11)


Dawnyel mentions that the WIISE Workshop was created to create a brave place to talk about empowerment, mental well-being, and how to have the right conversations at the right time. (52:28)



Key Quotes:

“It makes it easier to take some risks and do stuff that is really, really scary if you embrace the one person on the positive side, instead of embracing the one person on the negative side.” - Dawnyel Smink

“You're responsible for where your path is going, no matter what obstacles or things are thrown in your way, and you can decide to make it a learning lesson. And you can remove those obstacles, and then you can go move forward in your life.” - Dawnyel Smink


Resources Mentioned:


Dawnyel Smink LinkedIn

Canyon Lands Insurance

CLI Select Agencies

Wiise Women

Contact Teresa Kitchens


Sterling Insurance Group