Meet Sheryl, whose journey into financial planning wasn’t sparked by ambition—it was sparked by necessity. Fresh out of university and unsure of her next steps, she took a chance on a LinkedIn message that invited her into the world of insurance. With no prior knowledge of the industry, she said ‘yes’ anyway—and that leap of faith became the foundation of a thriving career spanning nearly a decade.
Today, Sheryl is a trusted financial consultant known not just for her expertise, but for her heart. Drawing on her early experiences in HR and F&B, she approaches every client with empathy, responsiveness, and genuine care. Whether she’s guiding someone through a claims process or helping a family plan their financial future, Sheryl sees her work as a way to honour love, responsibility, and trust.
What inspired your transition into the financial planning industry, having previously worked in HR and F&B?
My story is a bit unconventional. I was fresh out of university and actively looking for a job when someone reached out to me on LinkedIn to ask if I’d be keen to join the insurance industry. Back then, I was clueless about insurance—but I decided to give it a try anyway, and it’s been nine years since.
So it wasn’t driven by some big inspiration at the start—I simply wanted to get started somewhere. That said, my background in F&B at 16 and HR as an intern taught me how to serve people with heart and manage administrative work efficiently, which have both been very helpful in my current role.
How do you approach building trust and credibility with clients in such a competitive industry?
To me, trust is a word that’s often said but must be earned through consistent actions. During the pre-sales stage, I maintain a very open and pressure-free environment. I ensure clients fully understand what they’re considering and that they feel comfortable with both me and the plan before they sign anything.
I don’t believe in pressure-selling—because I personally dislike being pressured too. That said, selling a policy is one thing; being there when it matters is another. I take pride in my service after the sale, particularly in claims support. My clients appreciate my responsiveness—whether it’s a claim or a simple query, I aim to respond immediately when I’m not in meetings or within the day at the latest.
I also believe presence plays a key role in building trust. I make it a point to show up—not just for reviews, but also for my clients’ birthdays, baby showers, and even their company events.
One recent example was when a client called me—not for a claim, but because she didn’t know how to reject her friend who was trying to review her policies. She told me she really liked and trusted me and didn’t want to switch agents. That level of trust and connection is built over time, and it’s hard to replace.
What are some common misconceptions people have about life insurance, and how do you help them understand its importance?
Here are three key misconceptions I often encounter. Firstly is the “I don’t need it now.” Many people believe they can buy insurance later. But all it takes is one minor diagnosis to change everything. Even something non-cancerous, like a cyst, can affect future underwriting. They may end up paying more or get excluded from certain coverage entirely. The best time to buy insurance is when you’re healthy and don’t need it.
Secondly, “Insurance only pays when you die.” This is not true. Many plans include living benefits that provide payouts while the policyholder is still alive—for example, in the event of critical illness or disability. Lastly, “Insurance is expensive.” In reality, there are affordable options to suit every budget. I once had a client say, “It’s actually quite affordable—why don’t more people buy?” That really stuck with me.
To help clients understand the importance, I use a simple illustration. I draw a tap (representing income) and several buckets (representing expenses—e.g. food, allowances, bills). Then I ask: “What’s the most important part of this picture?” Most people say “food” or “family”.
But actually, it’s the tap. Because once income stops, none of the buckets can be filled. That’s when I ask them—what’s your backup plan?
One recent example was when a client called me—not for a claim, but because she didn’t know how to reject her friend who was trying to review her policies. She told me she really liked and trusted me and didn’t want to switch agents.
Can you briefly explain the differences between whole life, term plans, and accumulation plans and how do you guide clients in choosing the right one?
Whole life and term plans are both protection plans that pay a lump sum upon events like death, total and permanent disability, or critical illness. Whole life plans cover you for life and accumulate cash value. Term plans cover you for a fixed period (e.g. until retirement or your child becomes independent) and do not accumulate cash value.
Accumulation plans, on the other hand, are designed to grow your money. These can be endowment plans, which are more suitable for low- to medium-risk clients seeking capital assurance. They can also be investment-linked plans, which carry higher risk and potentially higher returns.
I always emphasise that there’s no one “best” plan in the market—only what’s most suitable for the client. My job is to present the options and guide them based on their comfort level and goals.
With medical costs rising in Singapore, how do medical and accident insurance protect individuals and families?
Medical and accident insurance are two essentials in any financial plan. Medical insurance covers inpatient hospitalisation and surgeries, including day surgeries. It also includes pre- and post-hospitalisation cover—post-hospitalisation can extend up to a year, covering follow-ups and treatments, which can be very costly.
Accident insurance covers outpatient treatments for injuries like sprains or falls. These costs aren’t cheap—MRIs can cost over $1,000, and physiotherapy sessions range from $150 to $200. Accident plans also cover partial loss of limbs or body parts. Basic accident plans can cost less than $20 a month and offer solid coverage. For most clients, that’s a worthwhile and affordable layer of protection.
What is the most rewarding part of being a financial planner, compared to your previous career paths?
Being part of my clients’ lives and witnessing their different life stages has been incredibly fulfilling. Some clients even treat me like family—they invite me to their homes and cook for me, which is both heartwarming and, admittedly, not great for my waistline!
Personally, I also treasure the time flexibility that this career gives me. It allows me to be present for the people I love, which is a blessing.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
I hope to see a more financially prepared society—where financial literacy improves, and insurance is not just seen as a policy, but as a promise. A promise of love, responsibility, and preparedness for those we care about.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’d love to have the power to read minds—just for the purpose of better understanding others. I think a lot of people keep their struggles to themselves because they fear judgement. If I could truly understand what they’re going through, I’d be able to serve them with more empathy and compassion.
Connect with Sheryl: LinkedIn.
Sheryl is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
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