2023 BIAW Secretary focuses on community and connection

March 28, 2023

In 2017, after spending more than a decade as a health insurance consultant for another company, Nicole Ahola decided that in order to have the lifestyle she wanted, she would start her own health insurance agency. And with that, Ahola Benefit Consultants, LLC, was born.

Recently elected as BIAW’s 2023 Secretary, Ahola became involved with the BIAW Health Insurance Program in 2007. Over the last 15 years, she has been active with multiple local home builders associations and has served in several leadership positions, currently as vice president for her local, the Central Washington Home Builders Association (CWHBA). She is also an active member of CWHBA’s Young Professionals Committee.

Responsibility to community

Ahola’s goal while building her company was to establish a place that would positively impact the community while helping businesses flourish and teams grow. This vision continues to be at the forefront of Ahola Benefit Consultants today.

“I believe we have a responsibility to use our time and talents to make a positive impact on our corner of the world, no matter how big or how small,” Ahola said. “You matter and what you do matters.”

Active in her community, Ahola currently serves as president of the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, where she also sits on the Business Development Committee. She is also active in her local Rotary Club, church and her children’s school.

Seattle to Cle Elum

Born and raised in the suburbs of Seattle, Ahola made the move to Eastern Washington nearly a decade ago and chose Cle Elum as the home for her business. Before entering the world of insurance, she earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.

Right out of high school, she began her career working for Costco, starting in the warehouse, and eventually making her way to their corporate office. In 2007, after 10 years with Costco, she made an abrupt change and began her career in the insurance industry.

“The decade of experience I had with Costco gave me the understanding and value of customer service that I bring to my business today,” Ahola said.

The Ahola Benefit Consultants team continues to grow, now serving over 175 clients and more than 3,000 lives. Learn more about all they offer Kittitas County and the surrounding areas at AholaBenefits.com.

 

*Original article was featured in the March 2023 issue of Building Insight magazine.