Environment Is Everything

He grew up making average grades and working a series of average-paying jobs. He didn't own a suit or tie and didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. Daniel Pirillo attended university because "it was the thing to do." He was moving along, but without much direction. He did what he felt was expected: the bare minimum.

Then, at age 19, his life was no longer "average" — it was almost over. He developed meningitis, an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, and came close to dying. Within the next couple of years, he survived two separate cases of meningitis. That was when he realized that there was more to life than the average existence he'd been living. He wanted a new life filled with passion, purpose and a positive environment.

"Life will give you what you're willing to fight for," Daniel says. "It's important to have a life filled with purpose and passion."

After recovering, Daniel made some changes. He stopped living an average life. He knew that he'd gotten a second chance and decided to do something great. He wanted to be somebody and wanted to help others become somebody too. Then Daniel discovered Primerica. He knew he'd found a perfect fit.

"I remember the day I was introduced to Primerica," the 26-year-old native of Toronto, Canada enthuses. "I went to a business meeting wearing my best clothes — jeans and a sweater. I felt out of place for a minute until the representative holding the meeting said, 'Everyone is welcome here. We don't judge anyone. You can be somebody here.'"

And that was when Daniel "fell in love" with Primerica. His life was no longer on hold. He joined Primerica and began filling his life with purpose. He moved full-throttle into the business and worked his way up the Primerica ladder in a mere six months. The combination of helping "average" families get back on solid financial footing while being in business for himself was just the opportunity he was looking for.

"No school ever teaches you how to become an entrepreneur," he says, "but that's where the potential for real wealth is. Before Primerica, I was sold on the vision of working for a big corporation and getting benefits.

"But then I remembered something my dad told me once," Daniel recalls. "He told me that when you work for someone else, they can just as easily give you a pink slip at the end of the week as a paycheck. You have no control unless you're in business for yourself."

Today, Daniel and his wife Sandra work their business together as partners alongside other members of their families. They're truly living the life they've always dreamed of.

"When we started," he remembers, "we wanted to be able to vacation in exotic places. So far we've been to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Boca Raton and Cancun — all paid for by Primerica! We've been on every single trip the company has offered."

For the Pirillos, it's not just about money and travel. "It's a great feeling to help others get out of debt, save for the future and become financially independent," he says. "We really make a difference in people's lives."

"Primerica helps you achieve your goals and dreams. Corporate Canada doesn't typically offer you a way to do that," he says. "I love Primerica's environment. I can work my own hours and make money while being in an environment that is welcoming, kind, energetic and encouraging."

For Daniel and Sandra Pirillo, life is what you make it. Daniel knows that life is precious and that dreams are worth fighting for. He finally found what he was looking for with Primerica and has vowed never to lead an average existence again.

Primerica: Daniel Pirillo