Catching Up With Chris

Founder and CEO Chris Yokley (middle) shares his "why" about how Advocate Financial Partners went from a goal to a number one satellite office at American Senior Benefits.  

We would like to open the doors of Advocate Financial Partners and help you understand who we really are and why we do what we do. In an effort to do this, our first blog post will dive into the mind of our founder and CEO Chris Yokley. We will explore the experiences that he has had in his life and what lead him to create Advocate Financial Partners, his hopes for the future, and some insights into…..

By Emma Bradford 
Feb. 1, 2019

Why did you create Advocate Financial Partners? 

“Five years ago, I found myself trusting everyone that was surrounding me in the world of insurance. I quickly realized that all they cared about in this cut throat and deceitful environment was the money. Sleepless and stomach aching, I realized that I was being called for something bigger.”

"AFP was founded on the frustration of what the insurance industry actually was"

“I wanted to give agents the opportunity to find a home and feel safe. Give them a place that they can bring their kids, wives, and husbands. A business that values families, where you don’t have to worry about where your significant other goes during the day. To create a culture that fosters doing the right things for the right reasons. Once you do that, the rest is simple. You get to love and serve people, educate and empower them, bring purpose, clarity, and stewardship to everything you do.”

Pictured: Founder and CEO Chris Yokley

"We use the shield as our logo and the word advocate to represent who we are. Protectors"

What are you excited most about at the beginning vs now? 

“I have always had vision but my first day of appointments, I was completely broke. My car had a hole in the floorboard, and on the way to see a client, I got on the highway and I was going around a curve when before my eyes my car lit up on fire.”

"I remember thinking: man, I just want to have a car that I can drive to work in”

Pictured: Chris McMath (left),
​Matt Ruddick (middle), Chris Yokley (right)

​“That day my vision was small. Setting small goals, getting small rewards, and celebrating small victories. Today my vision is much bigger especially after seeing AFP excel last year. I remember putting the plan together for 2018 and  now looking back on the year- seeing all of those goals hit and even exceeding them- was great. The best part now is “seeing the amount of people that are joining AFP and having the same values and vision as we do”. ​

"It’s not about one million dollars earned its about one million lives touched"

How have your roles changed and still stayed the same? 

“From day one I have always had an understanding with myself that I would never stop selling or seeing my own clients. The day that I do that, is the day that I am requiring everyone else in my organization to go and provide for my families income. If I am capable of working, I am always going to.”

"I told myself no matter how much our organization expands, I was going to be one of the top agents - it wasn’t about the money, it was about doing what I said I was going to do." 

Pictured: Founder and CEO
Chris Yokley (left), Wealth
​Manager Shawn Cook (right)

“My role has shifted now because my vision has expanded. It is no longer about me being successful, it is about my agents. Now I am focused each day on how I can help position them to win.”

What are the three of the most valuable things in your life?

Faith
Family
Integrity

What is one thing you make a point to do every day?

1. Say the same prayer since the first day in my career:
"Lord put the right people in front of me, and give me the right words to say”

2. Always find a way to make someone else’s life better:
It can be anywhere, something as simple as picking up a dropped pen. I make sure to smile at them and wish them a great day. ​