Business Refocused

In this episode Carey and Lindsay sit down with Grant Weber, President of TruSummit Insurance Solutions to talk about the entrepreneurship, partnerships, and the challenges of business ownership. Grant shares his personal experiences and lessons learned, offering valuable advice for those considering partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, detailed contracts, and the imp...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay are joined by David Watson from RiskAdvisor to talk about the impact of data on agency operations and acquisitions. The conversation covers the topic of RiskAdvisor's functionality, and explores the efficiency and value of capturing and leveraging data, as well as the potential for data-driven decision-making in an agency acquisition. Connect with us: Follow...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Elliot Bassett, the president of Ellerbrock-Norris and co-founder of Rocketship Ventures. They discuss Elliot's journey in the insurance industry and the development of Launch, a software platform designed to help insurance agencies become trusted advisors to their clients providing a roadmap to assist in ways to improve their insurance score a...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey are joined by Meg McKean to discuss imposter syndrome, knowing your worth, and redefining success. They explore the challenges and doubts that come with pursuing a non-traditional career path, the importance of embracing your own journey, and the power of vulnerability and authenticity. Meg shares her own experiences and offers advice on how to navigate imposter...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Olivia Schmitt from Vertafore to talk about personal and professional growth in the insurance industry. Covering various topics, including their love for family and dogs, the importance of having a mentor, and redefining success in different areas of life. Olivia shares her experience transitioning from a small insurance company to a large company a...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Kevin Panter, the owner of Kevin Panter Insurance and a founding member of Southeastern Network Agencies (SNA) to  discuss the importance of technology and learning from failure. Kevin emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people, partnering with the right companies, and investing in technology to enhance agency operations. Connect with us:...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Jennifer Weaver, a lawyer at Manning Fulton & Skinner, P.A., who specializes in insurance industry litigation, to discuss the recent ruling by the FTC banning non-compete clauses in employment contracts. She explains that non-competes are agreements between employers and employees that prevent the employee from working for a competitor during or...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Jimi Honachek, Vice President of YMI Insurance, to talk about his industry journey. From integrating into his family agency's legacy to fostering trust among the staff, Jimi shares invaluable insights reflecting on his podcasts for local marketing initiatives, and the intricacies of implementing transformative changes such as process and techno...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey interview Jacob Eisenrich, Vice President of Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance. Jacob shares his unique background as a doctor who transitioned to the insurance industry and discusses the reasons for leaving the medical field and how he settled on insurance as a career. Jacob emphasizes the importance of being data-driven in the agency and shares how his agency track...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Matt Naimoli to discuss Matt's journey of selling his agency. They cover topics such as finding the right partner, educating oneself on the selling process, and setting expectations for the future. Matt shares his insights on running the business with a future sale in mind and the significance of day two culture. He also offers advice for agenc...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey interview Daniel Smith, the co-founder of Market Retrievers, a digital marketing agency for insurance agencies. They discuss the importance of marketing for agencies and provide insights on how to effectively market insurance services. They cover topics such as choosing the right marketing channels, utilizing AI in content creation, measuring marketing success, a...

🕊 In Memory of Bobby Salmon 🕊 In this special re-launch episode, we pay tribute to our Bobby Salmon, whose passion in the independent insurance industry continues to inspire us. Join Carey and Lindsay as they revisit their conversation with Bobby, delving into the importance of fostering relationships in our industry and shaping its future. Though Bobby may no longer be with us, his wisdom and pas...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Chris Paradiso, the owner of Paradiso Insurance. They discuss Chris's background in insurance and the importance of discipline and mental readiness when buying an agency. Chris shares his experiences with failure and the lessons he has learned from them. He emphasizes the significance of building relationships in the insurance industry and the...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Clinton Orr, an insurance agent and partner at iProtect Insurance. Clinton shares his journey in the insurance industry, starting from his background in real estate and his transition to insurance. He discusses the importance of finding a niche and building a book of business, particularly in the commercial lines market. Clinton also talks about his...

In this conversation, Chris May shares his experience of starting his own insurance agency and navigating a partnership. The conversation covers topics such as getting started in the insurance industry, the decision to start a partnership, the importance of clear communication and expectations, and the process of ending a partnership. Chris emphasizes the need for honesty, open communication, and...

In the third episode of the series, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Erik Garcia from Plan Wisely to talk about the financial challenges and considerations of ownership transfers in independent insurance agencies. Discussing the importance of emotional and financial readiness, setting clear boundaries, and planning for retirement and succession. They emphasize early conversations and proper plannin...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Eric Garcia from Plan Wisely to discuss the financial planning considerations for agency owners. They cover topics such as starting an agency from scratch, being careful who you take cues from, aligning personal and business finances, and creating cash flow and equity. They emphasize the importance of making disciplined decisions, seeking guidance,...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Erik Garcia, owner of Garcia Insurance Services and Plan Wisely, to discuss how future owners can set themselves up for success with preparing their personal finances for ownership.  Erik emphasizes the need to start with a clear purpose and align financial decisions with personal values. He also discusses the importance of saving, managing spending...

In this episode, Carey Wallace and Lindsay sit down with Christos Provistalis about the recent sale of his family's business, Pleasant Pizza. They discuss the history of the business, the decision to sell, and the emotional impact of letting go. Christos shares how his family announced the sale to their staff and the community's response. He also talks about the future plans for each fam...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Patty and Vanessa Lares to discuss how mother-daughter duos are revolutionizing the insurance industry. Breaking gender stereotypes, they unveil the secret ingredients for building a successful multi-generational agency, emphasizing how consistency, dedication, and proactive referral requests fuel their agency's growth. Vanessa shares her exper...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Michael McCormick and Taylor Dobbie, founders of Insurance Soup, a Facebook group revolutionizing agent collaboration. Join the conversation as they discuss breaking down industry silos, creating a safe space for agent-to-agent learning and growth, and pushing each other to excel. Discover how Insurance Soup is transforming the landscape of agent re...

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Missy Stallings, owner of Stallings Insurance Agency, as she shares her journey in the insurance industry and how she navigated challenges such as long commutes and starting her agency during a recession. She discusses the importance of mindset and how she draws inspiration from Tony Robbins. Missy also talks about the use of tools like Culture Inde...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with George V. Pilat, a partner at Gertzberg, Lakata law firm. George has extensive experience working with insurance agents and agencies, particularly in M&A transactions. He provides legal services related to errors and omissions defense, coverage analysis, administrative proceedings, and more. The conversation covers topics such as non-compete and...

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with CJ Hutsenpiller, a Private Client Advisor at Hutsenpiller Insurance, Co-owner of CAC and TacoBot. They discuss the implementation of AI in insurance agencies and the various ways it can be used, such as content creation, personal AI training tools, and accounting reconciliation. CJ also explains the difference between TacoBot and ChatGPT, highlighti...

In this episode Carey and Lindsay sit down with Dr. Billy Williams, an expert in insurance sales, shares his insights on the biggest misconception in sales and the role of technology in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of scripts and templates in effective communication and provides practical advice on creating an elevator pitch.  Connect with us: Follow AgencyFocus for more conversation...