Tonya Johnston - Western & Southern Financial Group

05/13/2026

"People do not buy what you do, but why you do it" - Marcus Kirkman.

Incredible Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Smart Series presentation by Marcus on what is your "why" behind what you do, how to articulate that to clients, and the opportunities that will arise from the clarity.

As for my why, I truly believe that everyone deserves access to a financial professional. One who will listen without judgement, offer solutions with a positive intention, and be a guide through the lows and the highs of life.

What's your why? I'd love to know!

05/01/2026

Celebrated the newly renovated HomeTrust Park - Home of the Asheville Tourists - with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce last Thursday! I'm always so thankful for all of the cool things I get to attend by being an Asheville Chamber member!

If you're looking to advance your business, expand your community impact, and meet incredible people along the way, please reach out to Jessica Kanupp (featured in this post) to see how a Chamber membership can benefit you and your team.

12/02/2025

Today on Giving Tuesday, I want to recognize the incredible time that I had at the WNC Philanthropy Summit last month. The Association for Fundraising Professionals – Western North Carolina Chapter put on such an impactful event that not only highlighted the great work our non-profits do for our community, but the remarkable and hardworking PEOPLE that keep their mission moving.
As a sponsor of the event, I hosted a table that featured how we can support their mission: Charitable Giving through Life Insurance. Many folks are wanting their legacy to support the causes that matter the most to them and we’ve seen an increase in utilizing this charitable giving strategy.
If you are involved in a nonprofit in any way, shape, or form, I’d love to connect to learn more about your organization and how I can support you!

10/24/2025

When you hear talk at a conference such as "this experience has been career affirming" and "I have never felt so seen and heard in my career until these past few days", you know you're in the right place.
It is a true honor to be a member and attendee of the Women in Insurance and Financial Services conference this year in Omaha. Year after year, I get to see familiar faces and meet new ones that inspire me to push forward in this career. The truth is, only 13% of the financial services industry is female. 13%! We need eachother. Our clients need us. Frankly, the world needs us.

Thank you to WIFS for an incredible three days.
Thank you to Western Southern for sending me and 23 other leaders in our company. We truly appreciate the support.
And thank you to all of the people that I had powerful conversations with. I appreciate you.

09/26/2025

Do you ever meet someone, connect for a moment, and think "wow I really hope that I get to see them again"?

Back in December, I donated blood (reluctantly) for the first time. Honestly, I was being such a big baby and was just generally anxious not knowing what the process would look or feel like. My incredible phlebotomist noticed my fear and walked me through everything. Maybe it was her light up Christmas headband bobbing while she sang Holly Dolly's Christmas album that told me everything would be alright. Maybe it was how she recognized my fear and checked in with me every step of the way. I think it was both. I thanked her, forgot to catch her name, but hoped I would see her again someday.

I started hosting/sponsoring blood drives with Western & Southern at my office back in April and yesterday we completed our second one (up to 42 lives saved!!). As the big ole bus was pulling into the parking lot, I was so pleasantly surprised to see my incredible phlebotomist friend driving it. Her name is Wendy. I got to tell her how I had really hoped to see her again and why she's a big reason that I host blood drives. She told me her story - 25 years with the Blood Connection - and in two weeks, she's retiring. Through misty eyes, she remininsed on all the people she's met over the years. Thank you, Wendy for the inspiration to not only me, but to many others that will impact our Western North Carolina community for years to come.

How great is it that I got to see her again? Call it fate, call it luck, call it "God's Timing" as she said. I'll call it all three.

09/23/2025

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month.

Life insurance is important to me because I have people who depend on me. I have loved ones that I want to give the option to grieve as long as possible, organizations that I support, and a mortgage to take care of. Life insurance is not for me. It's for who I inevitably will leave behind.

Not sure how much life insurance is needed to protect your loved ones? Call me. Let's make sure you have peace of mind. It's important.

06/23/2025

“I’m worth more dead than I am alive.”
“My family can just put me in a box.”
“What does it matter? I’ll be dead anyways.”

If you work in life insurance, you’ve heard at least one of these phrases (if not all of them) several times. Here are my thoughts to each phrase:
1. Maybe you’re not worth more dead than you are alive, but I doubt it. Your ability to make an income provides for someone who is dependent on that income. I promise you that they would much rather have you here than to receive a check in your absence.
2. I’ve heard folks joke about this one. The honest truth is that your family wants to honor your life and legacy. Maybe they want to donate to a cause on your behalf. Maybe they need to pay for more than your funeral – like medical expenses left behind.
3. True. You’ll be gone. But life insurance isn’t for you. It’s for the people you will inevitably leave behind. Your legacy is important. You might leave behind two kids that will need to be raised by a single parent now. You might leave behind some debt that doesn’t just vanish. You might leave behind a business that needs to be settled.
The last one is shocking, but you’d be surprised how often I’ve heard that one while their spouse is sitting right next to them. Odd, right?
Often, your life insurance through work isn’t enough. It’s a good start, but it’s not enough. If you need help determining how much coverage you need, please ask your financial professional. Heck, ask me and I’ll help you.

Life insurance insurability is a gift, not a right. You’re not invincible. Understand your needs, take action, and give yourself (and your family) peace of mind.

05/21/2025

A little goes a long way, right?

In our digital era, I truly think that there's nothing more impactful than a handwritten card. Birthday, congratulations, thinking of you, you name it. For me, I love sending thank you cards to my clients to let them know how much I appreciate them.

Want to add some flare to your thank you cards? Add a packet of your favorite wildflower/pollinator seeds and a cheesy pun about their future growing with you. I've even had clients send me pictures of their wildflowers blooming! Incredible. It's all about planting the seeds both physically and metaphorically, right?

If you have any client appreciation ideas, drop them in the comments below.

04/29/2025

It's such an honor to be on this nominee list of impactful young professionals here in Asheville!
Check out the list of nominees and their stories.

Join us at The Barn at Honeysuckle Hill on Thursday, May 22nd, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, to celebrate a remarkable group of young professionals shaping Asheville’s future. These nominees represent excellence in leadership, innovation, and service, each making a unique impact in their field and our com...

04/17/2025

Yesterday, our office hosted our first blood drive with the Blood Connection and it went SO WELL! We had over 30 people donate which saves up to 90 LIVES for our community. Incredible.

Thank you to everyone who spread the word, set up the event, or donated. And thank you to the Blood Connection for being so fabulous and a pleasure to work with. Can't wait to schedule our next drive soon!