"Her Strength" | Sunshine Life's Han Xuesong: Build a sense of security for yourself, and then pass on this "preparation for a rainy day"

In the tide of the times, women are anchoring their lives with multiple identities. They are warriors overcoming obstacles in the workplace, warm and resilient havens at home, and relentless seekers of self-worth. However, amid changing roles and the passage of years, anxiety and unease often follow like shadows—career ceilings, fertility choices, family responsibilities…

Senior Marketing Manager Han Xuesong of Sunshine Life Beijing Branch

While most people try various ways to find “security,” there is a group that chooses to become the transmitters of security. They are insurance agents—professionals and empathetic individuals who turn uncertain risks into assured peace of mind and dignity. As International Women’s Day approaches, we meet Han Xuesong, a senior marketing manager at Sunshine Life Beijing Branch, who has dedicated over a decade to this industry.

Since joining Sunshine Life in 2011, she has accumulated numerous accolades: President of the 15th and 16th Sunshine Life Summit, MDRT and TOT member for consecutive years, multiple International Dragon Awards, IMA Insurance Celebrity Gold Award, and the inaugural Hurun China Insurance Person of 2024. Behind this shining résumé is a young woman who, fresh out of university and a “Beijing drifter,” relied on resilience and her feminine sensitivity to turn challenges and prejudices into growth.

Han Xuesong recalls that her initial motivation was simple, even somewhat “selfish.” In her early twenties, like many girls striving in big cities, she faced identity confusion and uncertainty about the future. “As a young girl at the time, I deeply understood the unique challenges women face at different life stages.” Her profound empathy for women’s situations drove her to seek her own sense of security and to pass on this “foresight” to others who shared her anxieties.

Over fourteen years in the industry, her career has undergone a qualitative transformation. It is no longer just a means to make a living but has become a “career of passing warmth.” Her mindset shifted from anxiety-driven pursuit to calm confidence, understanding the importance of long-term thinking; her value recognition evolved from “selling insurance” to contemplating how to use insurance as a tool to provide clients with more effective and practical security. This deepened her understanding of the profession—insurance agents truly can support a family through storms and rain.

Facing the wave of digitalization and industry upgrades, Han Xuesong believes that agents must upgrade their professionalism. Otherwise, the widespread adoption and application of digital tools will pose the greatest challenge. Future insurance development will not be about merely providing a policy but will focus on “protection + service + ecosystem,” emphasizing health management, retirement services, and wealth inheritance across the entire chain. Agents should embrace AI as an auxiliary tool, focus on complex planning and lifelong service for high-net-worth clients, and continuously learn to enhance their multidisciplinary skills.

On this women’s holiday, Han Xuesong’s story is not only a model of an insurance agent’s perseverance but also a mirror reflecting how contemporary women use resilience to create value, and with professionalism and love, build a sturdy and warm “umbrella of protection” for themselves and others.

Q: What initially motivated you to become an insurance agent?

Han Xuesong: I started in the insurance industry at a very young age, just the second year after graduating from university. At that age, I didn’t have many fixed ideas, but because I was young, I was more willing to learn new financial knowledge and eager to connect with different people. As a young girl at the time, I understood the unique challenges women face at different stages—career struggles, role changes, dealing with childbirth and retirement… It was quite insecure. I could deeply empathize with the anxiety and needs of women around me. Choosing the insurance industry back then was to establish my own sense of security and to pass on this “foresight” to others.

Q: As a newcomer in the industry, did you encounter any confusion or obstacles? How did you overcome them?

Han Xuesong: Definitely. Two main obstacles were obvious: first, insufficient knowledge reserves, which made me hesitant when facing professional consultations; second, weak resilience, easily affected by negative emotions.

When I first entered the industry, I thought it was pure sales, but later realized it’s highly professional. Luckily, I was energetic and set strict learning plans for myself, a habit I still maintain. Also, rejection was psychologically tough. Later, I was inspired by senior industry sisters who told me to see rejection as a growth opportunity. After each rejection, I would review whether my communication was lacking or my explanation unclear. I also learned to release pressure through exercise, music, or even gaming. Looking back, that resilience was quite strong.

Q: Over the years, has your understanding of the “insurance agent” profession changed?

Han Xuesong: The understanding has changed dramatically. Initially, it was just a job to make a living—a girl from out of town coming to Beijing with no resources or network, where sales might earn faster than other jobs. But over the years, this profession has undergone a qualitative transformation in my life. It’s no longer a cold job but a career of passing warmth and protecting others. Women’s innate sensitivity allows us to empathize more deeply. Through countless interactions with clients, I’ve witnessed many joys and sorrows, and I firmly believe this career can be both gentle and powerful.

Q: From a novice to a senior agent, what do you think has been your biggest growth? What is your core competitiveness?

Han Xuesong: The transformation mainly involves two aspects: one is mindset—shifting from anxiety-driven pursuit to calm confidence, understanding the importance of long-termism; the other is from merely earning a living to recognizing the value of insurance itself—thinking about how to use insurance as a tool to provide more effective and practical security for clients.

My core competitiveness is quite simple: the feminine sensitivity and empathy I possess. I never rush in my communication with clients but listen carefully to their worries and expectations, capturing unspoken needs. I want clients to feel that I am not just coldly selling products but genuinely tailoring a protection plan for them. This is also the main reason why I can build trust that goes beyond business.

Q: Since starting your career, is there a case that strengthened your sense of the profession’s significance?

Han Xuesong: There are many cases, but I’ll share the story of Sister Xu, a client who passed away recently. I met her when she couldn’t buy insurance due to health reasons. She was cheerful and straightforward, telling me, “I can’t buy insurance, so if you come just to sell, you might be disappointed. But I’m curious—can we chat?” I said of course. During our talk, I learned she had a 12-year-old son and was most worried about her health issues preventing her from providing more security for her family. Later, I helped her plan for her husband and child, mainly with critical illness insurance and education funds.

Seven or eight years passed, and last October, her husband came to find me, saying Sister Xu had passed away. I was shocked and saddened but also very relieved. The health insurance I arranged for her triggered a premium waiver, so she no longer needed to pay premiums; the education fund insurance was also at a point where her child could access it for college. This not only eased the family’s burden but also reduced her husband’s stress. The only regret is that I wanted to help her with retirement planning, but she said her workplace had coverage, so I didn’t insist. That still weighs heavily on my mind.

Q: What do you think are the main trends in the current insurance industry? What are the biggest challenges faced by insurance agents?

Han Xuesong: The industry is moving toward high-quality development, and change will be significant. The widespread application of AI could cause many agents to lose their jobs, replaced directly by AI and online channels. Therefore, in a future where information is increasingly accessible, agents must upgrade their professionalism. Otherwise, the lack of application skills for digital tools will be the greatest challenge.

Moreover, future insurance development will not be about simply providing a policy but about “protection + service + ecosystem,” focusing on health management, retirement services, and wealth inheritance across the entire chain. We must embrace AI as an auxiliary tool, focus on complex planning and lifelong service for high-net-worth clients, and continuously learn to enhance multidisciplinary skills.

Q: What are your career plans for the next few years? Any advice for newcomers entering the industry?

Han Xuesong: I have three main directions: first, deepen my expertise; second, complete digital transformation, mastering AI for needs analysis and client service; third, leverage women’s strengths to focus on high-net-worth female clients, becoming their family risk and wealth advisor, shifting from product sales to lifelong companionship services.

My advice to newcomers is: the requirements for agents today are no longer just being eloquent. Before entering, think carefully whether you truly believe in the value of insurance, and choose a platform that can help you grow.