Meet Maria Perryman | Entrepreneur, Author, Life & Health Insurance Broker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Perryman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was an educator for 31 years. It was around the 25th year of teaching that I started thinking about having my own business. It came when I started teaching financial literacy after school and it turned into an entrepreneurship club for 6th grade girls. I was enjoying teaching them in an arena that I was not even part of. But I saw the richness of it while teaching them. I found myself wanting the freedom that was part of having your own business. I remember looking down the hall from my classroom door and seeing the hall looking like a prison. All the classroom doors were closed and there was no one in the hall. I knew then it was time to pursue my dreams and aspirations before it was too late. I joined a network marketing organization called It Works. It opened a brand new world for me. I was ignorance on wheels as they say. I got a taste of building a business while learning a new set of skills. I was still teaching during the day and working my business in the evenings. My mindset was changing. I didn’t like being stuck in the classroom all day, following the rules, had to be at work at a certain time and could not take off work without calling in, etc. My love for teaching was being replaced with the love of me having my own business. My thought was this business was going to retire me from teaching. It didn’t happen like that. The Chicago Board of Education offered an early retirement package to teachers. If 900 teachers applied for it we would be able to retire early with extra money given to us. Well I signed up for that. But there weren’t enough teachers to sign up so they gave us the opportunity to stay or take early retirement without the extra pay. I went on to take early retirement without the extra pay. I was happy with my decision. Now I could work on doing the things that I wanted to do. I wanted my own company to flourish. I wanted to write a book. I wanted to leave a legacy for my grandchildren. These were the thoughts I had as I signed those papers and moved forward toward my freedom. It has been 7 years and I don’t regret my decision. I have my own LLC, my book is complete, I have traveled to different countries doing mission work and my business is steadily moving forward.

What should our readers know about your business?

The name of my business is MLP Professional Education & Development LLC Under this umbrella is everything from Mentoring & Coaching with an emphasis in health & wellness.
I offer a wide range of services for the total person for all age groups.
1. Wellness Coaching – Set you up with steps to take to better your health along with helping you open up your online wellness shopping account to shop for all your wellness needs, from personal care items to nutritional items. Everything needed for personal, physically, environmental and financial health.
2. Medicare Insurance – We work with individuals to help them choose the right plan to fit their current health needs. We help them save money and put money back into their pockets.
3. Life Insurance – We show individuals how to leverage their life insurance to provide generational wealth for their families.

I am proud of these services because I am able to help individuals save money, make money and give them peace of mind while providing them with information to improve their health and wellness(body, soul and spirit.
I got where I am today through prayer and research. I had the help of mentors and professionals that have been in the business arena for a long time. It has not been easy and I’m still not where I want to be. I overcame my challenges with lots of prayer and seeking God for direction. I have learned that no matter what, don’t quit. The life of a business person is not smooth. If it was more people would be doing this. The rewards are great! Prepare to win and failures are lessons to be learned. Relationship building is key but sometimes you can spend all the time building a relationship and still not help a person. I want the world to know that I love God, my family and love building relationships with people. I love helping people. One skill I know I have that can benefit so many people and that is finding ways to save money while making money doing the things they have to do on a regular basis. I was that educator that got tons of materials for my classroom without spending money out of my pocket. My classroom got a whole new makeover for free. I didn’t write a grant for it. I just asked the store manager for help. I was given the worst looking classroom but by the time it was made over it was the most beautiful classroom in that old building! I am now doing the same thing in business. I have found a way for individuals to make money and save money without using their income! Doing this is so fulfilling to me! Helping and serving people!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Wow! This is great! I live in Chicago! We would stay downtown Chicago in the Four Seasons Hotel with a view of Lake Michigan. This hotel rests on Michigan Avenue and has a shopping mall in the same building. We are steps from the beach and from Navy Pier, the Riverwalk and so many different venues.
Our first day would be spent getting ready to enjoy our trip. We will eat in the Adorn restaurant in the Four Seasons, that is an awesome Gourmet meal experience!
Each night would be a different dining experience
1. Adorn Restaurant
2. The Alinea – the only 3 Michelin Star Restaurant in Chicago
3. Prime & Provisions Steakhouse
4. The Ever Restaurant this Chef has 2 Michelin Star
6. The Florentine
7. Wildfire- one of my favorite restaurants

During the Day:
1. Shopping on North Michigan Avenue – definitely going to get some Garrett’s Popcorn, eat lunch at the Grand Luxe

2. Navy Pier – experience the pier, ride the huge Ferris wheel we will do the luncheon tour on the Spirit of Chicago Boat

3. Go to the Chicago Broadway Theater dinner before the theater

4. Today is Riverwalk day Spend time there having lunch and enjoying the activities provided on the riverwalk

5. Beach Day – Relaxation on the beach, Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park and watch the firework display at 9:30 pm

6. Have breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe then Go to the Shedd Aquarium, Planetarium

7. Breakfast in the Bronzeville Area at Pearl’s Place & go to The Black history Museum

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to start with my parents George & Vermay Taylor. They are instrumental in raising me to be the woman that I have grown up to be. My Grandmother Louise and Aunt Elaine who instilled prayer and believing in God in me. My husband, who God gave me. He has been my main supporter and inspiration. For my children Victoria, Alexander and Joshua each one is so different but had their roles in helping me to be successful in all that I do. For Ashley, my daughter in law who has encouraged me as well. To Bishop Carlis Moody Sr for instilling faith in me. Mother Mary Moody for all her prayers and encouragement. To Pastor Carlis Moody Jr for instilling in me the need to fulfill my purpose to the fullest. Now my mentor for business that I want to give a shoutout to are:
LaKeshia Hudson firm and means business when it comes to business. She became my best friend while mentoring me to go beyond my thoughts and aim higher. Kimberly Massengill was my first mentor in business. Bold and Beautiful! She gave me the skills of knowing my numbers. Understanding business in terms of MONEY. I am doing this to make MONEY. It is not a hobby! Adrienne Sifontes is a gentle and powerful business woman. She knows her business. I learned patience and consistency from Adrienne. No matter what it looks like, keep moving forward and Level Up! Sharon Ringier is my business mentor from the beginning of my journey. I met her during an event I attended. She was very upfront with me. Giving me the advice I needed to hear to move forward in this arena which was so different from the education arena. Gavin Mountford, my internet coach from the UK! I learned Social Media techniques that have enabled me to grow an audience and build my business through social media. Justina Ford my Mindset coach. She was instrumental in working with me on mindset. As an educator you think about helping others and don’t worry about monetary compensation. My mindset had to change and realize that I am worthy to get paid for the services I provide. Lola Tomorrow my internet business coach. She’s instrumental in helping me keep a balance between business and God. I can serve God and still be a millionaire.

Website: www.mariaperryman.com

Instagram: perryman_55

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.perryman.5

Other: my fb Business page https://www.facebook.com/mlpped