Breanne Beard '17
Carl Cassella ’79, Senior Vice President of Primerica, visited his alma mater for the second installment of this semester’s School of Business Lecture Series. Primerica, Inc., is an award winning United States based insurance and financial services company.
After obtaining his degree in history from the College, Cassella followed an education path and began teaching. It was while working in the education field that Cassella realized his true passion, entrepreneurship. In 1985, he heard about a business opportunity with Primerica that would let him experience being his own boss and gradually immersed himself in the entrepreneurial world. Today, with over 13 locations across 5 states, Cassella continuously works to spread his knowledge to his team of award winning entrepreneurs.
Cassella spoke to the audience about the four basic desires that everyone has in life: time, money, freedom, and influence, and how they play a part in the business world. In comparing the profession of acting with being a business owner, Cassella demonstrated the long-term benefits of entrepreneurship. He explained that the flexibility and opportunity one encounters in owning their own business far outweighs the unlikely chances one becomes wealthy in the entertainment business.
The three key aspects Cassella believes go into running a business are leverage, distribution and perfect timing. He went on to explain that although you may have a profitable idea, choosing the right time to fully pursue your product or business is the key to success. He urged the future entrepreneurs to keep an open mind, be flexible, do the work, be patient and have a plan that benefits others.
English major Cadeem Harris ’17 said, “I found it interesting how he took a chance on an opportunity outside of what he had studied in school and how much it paid off for him in the long run.”
Cassella commented, “Do not forsake your liberal arts because it contributed to my success. I can talk to anyone about anything because of all the topics I have been exposed to. This is not just about building a business, but about planning out your way of life.”
