Amira Irfan is an inspiration to bloggers and to women. She is a successful entrepreneur, lawyer, and business coach, and she runs a successful group for bloggers. I catch up with Amira to get to know her a little bit better and get an understanding of how bloggers can protect themselves.

Amira, a pleasure to have you on my blog. Please tell my audience something important about you.

Thanks, Jerry! Happy to contribute. My name is Amira, and I’m a business lawyer, six-figure blogger, and coach who helps entrepreneurs protect their online business legally. 

I’ve helped more than 10,000 entrepreneurs with my best-selling legal templates and affordable services as a lawyer for 9 years now. I still work full-time as a lawyer while I run a successful online business in my precious little free time! 

What is A Self Guru about?  Why did you start it, and who is your audience?

Great question! When I launched my business and decided on this name, the thought was that you are A Self Guru when you are the master of your own destiny and hence, in charge of your future! This became my blog’s tag line. 

So my target audience is anyone who wants to become their own boss, meaning entrepreneurs like you and me. I started my business because I saw so many entrepreneurs struggling with the legal side of their business, and I wanted to offer services and products that you could actually afford without having to hire a super expensive lawyer. 

That’s why you will find tons of easy business and legal tips to help you along your self-employment journey!

You have a successful blog. Walk me through some of the steps of having a successful blog?

Thank you! I’ve worked day and night with my full-time job to become a six-figure blogger. I can’t outline the exact steps I took because as entrepreneurs, we are constantly evolving! 

There’s always so much to learn and implement but there were a few crucial blogging courses I took in the beginning to start my blog and those were instrumental in my success. 

Since then, I’ve made tons of other business investments that have further propelled my success allowing me to make $35,000 in a single month!

The best advice I would give is to NOT waste time trying to figure out everything on your own. Time is money and treat it like that! 

Whatever you decide to pursue, learn from the best and invest in the right business tools and resources right away because that would speed up your progress and you will get your desired results much faster.

What attracted you to become a lawyer and what advice you have for young girls wanting to become one?

One of the big reasons I became a lawyer was because my father got sued as a business owner when I was still in college studying to become a doctor. Life took a sharp turn and before I knew it, I was helping my dad figure out all the legalities of a $90,000 lawsuit that lasted for an entire year! 

It left us financially broke and my dad had to start his business all over again. That lawsuit left a permanent scar on me, and I didn’t want to see any other entrepreneur, any other family suffer as we did! 

So instead of going to medical school, I ended up going to law school instead and never looked back! Everything about the law has also been much more fascinating and impactful, and I absolutely love working as a business lawyer. 

It gives me a great sense of purpose helping other entrepreneurs avoid the big legal mistakes that could turn their life upside down (like what happened to my dad and our family). 

As for any young girls wanting to be a lawyer, I’d say only pursue it if it’s your passion and you love the law otherwise, you would be miserable. 

Unfortunately, I know tons of unhappy lawyers and when I say I love the law – people look at me funny because it’s rare to meet someone like me. Most lawyers are not happy practicing the law.

So only pursue it as a career if it excites you and keeps you awake at nights because you really enjoy it, not because you have to. 

Tell us about your legal templates for entrepreneurs?

There are 10+ affordable legal templates I sell on my blog that all entrepreneurs need every day for their business. These legal contracts and documents have helped thousands of bloggers and entrepreneurs. 

Some of the most popular legal templates are below, and they all are important for different reasons:

1. The Legal Bundle For Your Website 

The Legal Bundle is an instant download of my 3 best selling legal templates + 9 bonuses you need to comply with the laws, avoid GDPR fines and sleep peacefully at night knowing your online business is protected legally. 

2. Sponsored Posts Contract Template 

You use this contract template to quickly and easily collaborate with brands like a pro to produce sponsored content (blog posts, social media posts or video) and build lasting relationships without getting into legal issues. You also get $500 in bonuses! 

3. Freelance Contract Template 

The Freelance Contract template (also known as the Independent Contractor Agreement) is an instant download of my most popular legal contract you need to avoid lawsuits and sleep peacefully at night knowing your online business is protected legally, PLUS get $550 in 3 special bonuses you don’t want to miss! 

4. Guest Blogger Template 

If you are accepting guest posts on your blog then you MUST have this template that includes all the guest post guidelines and legal provisions you need to protect yourself from copyright violations and more. 

5. Affiliate Agreement Template 

If you have your own affiliate program then you must have your affiliates accept these terms and conditions before they start promoting your products to protect yourself from their legal mistakes! 

6. Confidentiality (Non-disclosure agreement) Template

This contract allows you to protect your business information and secrets before collaborating and sharing your business with others. 

For example, if you are hiring a virtual assistant for your business or someone else to help you with your business, you would want to enter into this NDA agreement to make sure the other person doesn’t steal your business information after learning the ins and out. 

7. Media Release Agreement Template 

You need this contract before you start using someone’s name, image, video and other intellectual property in your business and promotions to avoid getting sued and violating their legal rights.

8. LLC Operating Agreement Template  

You need this Operating Agreement to separate your business from YOU. This is the legal contract that shows to the court that your business is separate from your personal assets so you are not legally responsible for your business debts and lawsuits. 

9. Coaching Agreement Template

Use this contract with your coaching clients while working 1:1 or providing group coaching to protect yourself and get paid and it includes tons of other important legalese and disclaimers you need as a coach to protect yourself from lawsuits! 

10. Interior Design Contract Bundle 

This contract bundle includes my 5 essential legal templates you need plus 10 bonuses to protect your interior design business. It’s perfectly customized for Interior Designers including eDesigners giving you all the legal documents and contracts you need to work with clients. 

Talk to me a little about the city you live in. The food scene and some favorite restaurants?

I live in South Florida, about 45 minutes from Miami. If you have ever been to Miami then you know we are famous for our beautiful beaches and amazing food! There are so many great choices for restaurants depending on what you like to eat. 

Rapid-fire questions

Favorite food Mexican and Italian 

Favorite book Too many! Here’s one – Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy

Favorite actor Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey

Any book you are reading now Right now, I’m buried into the blogging courses I’ve bought to grow my business  

Three people you would like to have a meal with and what is one question you would ask them?

1. Oprah Winfrey – what keeps you motivated?
2. Tony Robbins – what are your best tips for entrepreneurs?
3. Amy Porterfield – how do you manage to look so good on camera and connect with your audience effortlessly? 

If you were chosen to go to Mars and can take only 5 personal things what would those be?

It depends on the duration! If I’m just visiting then probably nothing. I’d like to be in the moment and enjoy the full experience

The post Amira Irfan: Lawyer, Six Figure Blogger, Business Coach appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Welcome to my new series on Life Insurance For Women. In the introduction, I mentioned the reasons why women need insurance and how it empowers you.

I am going to interview Chad Viminitz from GoLife insurance   https://golife.ca/fourcolumns on the following ten topics:

1. Women are being overcharged, a lot, for mortgage insurance – what you need to know!
2. Why women talk themselves out of the life insurance they want/need?
3. How to prepare for the baby- 3 pieces to financial protection (will, mat leave savings, life insurance).
4. Is underwriting for women different?

In the fourth interview, we focus on how is underwriting for women different. It is important that women need to know about being approved for life insurance.

What is underwriting?

Underwriting is the process of assessing the degree of “risk” relating to the person applying for life insurance. Basically, underwriting answers the question:  “Are you expected to have a standard life expectancy?” Underwriting is a process that benefits individuals applying for life insurance because it results in more individuals getting coverage and premiums for life insurance being less. For example, I have a heart condition and because underwriters can get more information about health conditions today, the odds of being approved have increased.

Why is underwriting a good thing?

Underwriting is a positive part of the application process as it has resulted in life insurance becoming more affordable (ie. lower term life insurance premiums) and with more individuals being approved and getting coverage, even if there are health concerns. It can be intimidating to share one’s medical history or vitals and wait to be “assessed” but it is an important part of the application process that does not need to be feared. Having underwriting completed upfront, at the start of the application process also gives you confidence that your coverage is actually in place. Creditor insurance (ie. mortgage insurance) for example completes their underwriting post-claim – meaning after the person is dead – at the wrong time. Underwriting that is done at the beginning results in the best life insurance coverage.

Is it harder for women to get approved for life insurance?

There is no difference between the underwriting requirement for a woman or a man. Of course, men and women may have different medical issues but life insurance pricing reflects the different risks. Women typically pay less for life insurance because they have better mortality rates, ie. they live longer.

What if I have a health issue? Can I still get life insurance?

Yes! Don’t let a medical issue stop you from applying for life insurance, the worst they can say is “no”. I have a heart condition and applied 3 or 4 times before I was eventually approved. Over time underwriting may take a different view on a certain health issue, especially as technology, drugs and treatments evolve. An example is individuals who are HIV-positive can now get life insurance, that wasn’t always the case. Life insurance companies are in the business of getting people coverage, know people and expect that medical treatments and conditions are part of a normal life, they just want to know the details before approving the policy.

Can women get coverage while they are pregnant?

Yes, even though the body is going through a significant change – you can apply for life insurance while pregnant. Pregnancy can have complications that can impact one’s application, blood pressure, and gestational diabetes being two examples. If possible, it’s recommended to apply while in your first or second trimester. Getting coverage before baby arrives provides confidence that your family is protected from day one of becoming a mom.

What is involved in getting approved?

Most life insurance applications need a combination of three elements:

1. Tele-interview – answering your questions about your medical history
2. Nurses’ visit – blood and urine samples are usually required for applications over $500,00 of coverage
3. Doctor’s report – These reports are sometimes requested to clarify or gain a better understanding of one’s medical information. It is not an indication of being declined or paying higher premiums. Greater clarity an underwriter has about an applicant’s medical condition, the better chance for an application to be approved.

The requirements specific to you will depend on your age and the amount of life insurance coverage you are applying for, ie. More coverage, more requirements.

What about No-Medical life insurance products?

Yes, there are life insurance products that are guarantee your approval. These policies come with limitations, restrictions and higher costs. Non-medical policies often cost 30-40% more, limit coverage between $25,000 to $350,000 and sometimes don’t pay a claim in the first couple of years. If you are considering a non-medical life insurance policy you should read the details of the policy. Answering a few questions and seeing a nurse will save you money and provide you with appropriate protection and good life insurance coverage.

What are the most common reasons people are declined for coverage?

It’s important to note that it is a small percentage of applications that are fully rejected. It does happen that an underwriter has to make the decision to decline an application. Some of the most common reasons are:

• Non-disclosure – the individual lied or was hiding information
• Ongoing medical investigation – the individual is scheduled for more tests or procedure
• Time frame – for example, a person may have had a heart attack, drug use or cancer but not enough time has elapsed from the date of the last episode
• Dangerous Driving and license suspension
• Illegal drug use

Being declined does not mean you cannot get coverage later if the reason for being declined changes or treatment improves – apply again!

Are insurance companies trying to charge the highest premium?

Not at all. Insurance companies are competing for clients and term life insurance premiums are at historic lows. Women should feel more confident applying for a personal life insurance policy compared to creditor insurance or mortgage insurance at the bank. Women are often charged 50% more for mortgage insurance at the bank. Women who apply for a personal policy usually qualify for “Preferred Underwriting”. Preferred underwriting means you may qualify for a 10% or 20% discount if you meet specific underwriting criteria, resulting in getting the best term life insurance rates possible.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Hi there! It is my goal to be completely transparent with you both here and within our community, and so I want to let you know that certain products and links to these products on this site are affiliate links. What are affiliate links? Essentially, when you click one of those links and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. I am deeply passionate about this site, and it is my goal to make this a place where you can come and trust that the information you are reading empowers you.

Photo Credits: AJ Yorio Samantha Sophia ieva swanson Priscilla Du Preez Jonathan Borba Hush Naidoo Samuele Errico Piccarini  Online Marketing

The post Life Insurance: Underwriting for Women appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.