Business Refocused

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Charles McDade, Agency Owner at McDade Insurance, to discuss building an agency from scratch from an entrepreneurial perspective. The conversation covers the importance of relationships, the lessons learned from entrepreneurship, and the significance of context in receiving advice. Charles also hits on the top key decisions that agency owner...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with financial experts Andre Logan, Ivan Kan, and Aaron Stocks from Agency Point and Ameriprise Financial to discuss the financial needs and strategies for agency owners. This episode explores the importance of diversifying wealth, effective tax planning, and the necessity of having a cohesive advisory team that understands the unique challenges faced by...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Jake Jensen and Kevin Callister from the Leavitt Group to discuss the how the hard market has impacted M&A in the independent insurance industry. They share insights on what the market has changed, the importance of agency valuations, and the dynamics between buyers and sellers. The discussion emphasizes the significance of culture, employee ret...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Thomas Mann, a new addition to Agency Focus, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing insurance agencies as they navigate scaling, staffing issues, and the importance of technology. They explore predictions for the insurance industry in 2025, emphasizing the need for agencies to document processes and prepare for market changes. The conver...

In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Frank "Santa" Sentner to celebrate their podcast milestone, who shares his extensive experience in insurance technology. The conversation covers the evolution of technology in the insurance industry, the importance of AI, and the need for independent agents to adapt to changing customer preferences.  Connect with us: Follow AgencyFocus for...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Andrew Darlington from Veritas Insurance to chat through how he manages his internship program. THe conversation explores how internship programs can be used to attract young talent, the responsibilities of mentoring interns, and the value of real-world experience. The discussion emphasizes the need for structured internship programs that fo...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Dawnyel Smink, President of the Western region at Keystone Insurers Group to talk about the importance of agency networks in todays insurance landscape. The discussion emphasizes the need for agency owners to choose networks that align with their vision and values, and the importance of treating network relationships as partnerships rather than mere...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Brenden Corr & Justin Goodman to chat about Project 55, an initiative aimed at providing resources and support for mental health in the insurance industry. Project 55's mission is to educate, empower, and equip individuals with the tools necessary to support mental health in their communities. Check it out here: https://project55.or...

In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Andrew Ryan from Hertvik Insurance Group to discuss generational differences in the workplace, the role of technology in modern insurance, and the significance of creating a culture that encourages innovation and risk-taking. Andrew emphasizes the need for alignment between individual and organizational goals, offering valuable insights for both youn...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace answer the question "What even is a valuation report anyways?" and break down what a valuation report really is, why understanding your agency’s worth is crucial, and the key components that make up an accurate valuation. The discussion highlights how regular valuations serve as a vital health check for agencies, the essential data you’ll need,...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Billy Wagner to explore the transition from being an operator to a CEO, emphasizing the importance of building a high-performance team and solving the people problem. Billy shares insights on creating a strong agency culture, the significance of continuous improvement, and the necessity of having the right people in the organization to drive...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Mike Wagar and Mike Strakhov from Westfield Bank, to discuss the dynamics of the insurance lending market. They explore the current state of the market, predictions for 2024 and 2025, and strategies for independent agents looking to grow through acquisitions.  Connect with us: Follow AgencyFocus for more conversations that help agency owners...

In this co-hosted solo episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace dive into key strategies for boosting the valuation and overall value of an insurance agency. They cover essential topics like preparation, defining a niche, improving efficiency, leveraging technology, maximizing carrier relationships, and driving strategic growth through acquisitions. Emphasizing the importance of having a clear plan, und...

In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Kabir Syed, the Founder CEO of Ennabl to discuss the critical role of data and technology in the insurance industry. He shares his journey into insurance, the importance of data in underwriting and risk assessment, and the challenges faced by agencies in utilizing data effectively. The discussion also covers the impact of AI on the industry, emphasiz...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Nick Vitali, Vice President & Co-Owner of All About Insurance to explore the power of marketing in agency growth. They discuss how NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partnerships have elevated the agency’s visibility, strengthened relationships with influential clients, and helped choose the right athletes or influencers to align with the agency's...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Vonda Copeland to chat about the importance of community support and gratitude in the face of adversity. Vonda shares her experiences giving back to her community with the Flint Hills Foster Teen Camps, a program dedicated to helping foster teens overcome trauma and prepare for adulthood, and her recent announcement on being named an Executive Commi...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Bradley, co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast and Owner of Portal Insurance to discuss the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the insurance industry. They explore Bradley's journey in finding the right acquisition, the challenges faced during the due diligence process, and the importance of understanding financials and valuat...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Bill Butler from Butler & Associates Insurance Agency to discuss the journey of transitioning from a generalist insurance agency to a niche-focused agency. Bill shares his experiences, challenges, and successes in choosing his niche, emphasizing the importance of market research, understanding client needs, and the value of commitment and hard w...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Rob Bowen, the owner of Patriotic Insurance Group, about his first seven months post acquisition. They discuss the process of getting on an approved buyer's list, the challenges of acquiring a paper-based agency and the challenges and lessons learned during the transition period, such as data import, technology implementation, and cultu...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Wessly Anderson, co-founder of Agency VA, to discuss the benefits of virtual assistants (VAs) in the insurance industry and his mission to disrupt systemic poverty. Wessly explains that VAs can handle tasks such as quoting, re-shops, and certificate management, allowing agency owners to focus on revenue-generating activities.  Connect with us: Follo...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Heath Shearon, the Mayor of Insurance Town to chat about topics such as the impact of technology on the future of the industry, and the importance of maximizing efficiency and driving margins in agencies. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for adaptation and creativity in the insurance industry in areas such as technology, generative AI,...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Spencer Berg, to share his story finding the abilities in his autism diagnosis that helped him build a successful career in the insurance industry. Spencer emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the unique abilities of individuals with disabilities and discusses the misconceptions about autism and how it is not a social incapability bu...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Sean and Paul Hawkins, the founders of Hawksoft to chat about what large technology companies are doing to keep up with the rapidly evolving insurtech landscape. This episode covers many topics including challenges of integrating different software systems, the importance of focusing on relationships in the industry, impact of COVID-19 and the need...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Kirt Trimble, the president of Trimble Insurance as shares his experience of being the fourth generation to transitioning into ownership of the agency. He emphasizes the importance of planning, clear communication, and understanding the strengths and culture of the agency. Kirt also discusses the role of technology and relationships in the industry,...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey interviews Aaron Stocks, CEO of PFS Global and AgencyPoint, about outsourcing accounting for independent insurance agencies. They discuss the process of onboarding, cleaning up books and taxes, and the importance of tax planning. They also touch on the benefits of outsourcing accounting, such as creating redundancy and improving the accuracy of financial statemen...