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Connections are being made in Lanaudière between the worlds of insurance and traditional music! By day, Kevin Nadeau is a broker and account manager with La Turquoise. By night, he takes out his guitar and banjo to perform with Les Campagnards, a band that plays traditional Quebec music. Portrait of a young man deeply involved in his region.
It looks like insurance runs in the Nadeau family because your father is also a broker in Lanaudière. Did you always want to follow in his footsteps?
Not really! I’ve always respected my father’s profession, but when I was younger, his work seemed complicated. I was more leaning towards becoming a psychologist, and I was also very into playing football with Les Triades, the college team at the Cégep régional de Lanaudière. In the end, after trying out different courses and various jobs in my early twenties, I became more attracted to my father’s profession, and realized that I could be happy doing that kind of work. My father encouraged me to start out with a big firm. That’s why I’ve been with La Turquoise for four years as a property and casualty insurance broker for business clients. And I love it!
What aspects of insurance brokerage attracted you to this career?
The first thing I was looking for was job stability. I’ve absolutely nothing to complain about in that respect because I immediately landed a position in business insurance. I was lucky because new brokers often start out in personal or vehicle insurance. On the other hand, business insurance is an exciting field in which I can hone my curiosity. I’m learning to master the terminology applicable to the fields of each of my business clients and how to understand their reality. After discovering an interest in legal concepts at college, I find that this helps me every day in my work as an account manager.
You play guitar and banjo with Les Campagnards. Tell us about this passion of yours.
In Lanaudière, we’re steeped in trad music from childhood. For instance, I clearly remember family gatherings in my grandparents’ basement where my grandfather used to play the violin and my uncles sang along. I joined Les Campagnards in my early twenties. We represent a rough-and-ready, celebratory approach to traditional music. I love the fact that music brings people together and gets lively crowds to dance and sing. Enjoyment in spades, so to speak!
You also put your work as a broker and your talent as a musician to good use in an effort to encourage Lanaudière students to continue their studies and not drop out. How do you go about this?
With some La Turquoise colleagues, we came up with a fundraiser based on achieving a Guinness world record by organizing 1,000 foot-tappers to perform a five-minute number and raise $100,000 for the Fondation des Samares, a local organization dedicated to helping students persevere in their studies. I plan to direct the show and manage the record attempt. Although we’ve unfortunately had to postpone the event this year due to the pandemic, we’re working hard to hold it next year.
How does your musical career help you in your property and casualty insurance work?
Playing in a band helps me with my interpersonal skills. We talk to a lot of people after our concerts, and we have a very diverse audience. In addition, whatever reputation I’ve acquired locally sometimes brings the company new clients. People often don’t realize that a traditional musician has to be an excellent researcher to track down hidden jewels of the repertoire in archives. My research skills are also useful in my day-to-day work at La Turquoise.
How do you juggle work, family, friends and a musical career? You must have a packed schedule!
Absolutely! Shows, practices, jam sessions and festivals take up 70% of my weekends. I compose some of the band’s songs and I also spend some time promoting Quebec traditional music to Quebecers. The secret to not burning out is to be able to sometimes say no, and arrange your schedule strictly in terms of your actual availability.
Being an insurance broker involves dealing with people. What has surprised you most in your dealings with clients?
I’m particularly fond of the construction industry. It’s chock-full of colourful personalities who teach me a lot about humanity. Some construction people are warm and friendly, whereas others prefer a more formal and professional approach. You have to adapt to everyone on their own terms! I operate easily in that environment, which reminds me of my years as a football coach. In fact, I continue to play a coaching role in insurance. I help my clients to focus closely on their needs and consider every potential scenario in order to offer them the best service.
Kevin and all the brokers at La Turquoise put their talents and personalities to good use in their work. For all your insurance needs, contact us!