Insurance Refocused podcast

30:55

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Chris Larmore to discuss his experience in building a niche agency specializing in high risk construction markets. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the insurance market, the importance of relationships, and how technology, particularly AI, is being leveraged to enhance agency efficiency. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#109 - Failing to Plan: An Agency's Biggest Risk 30:10

for 9 dage siden30:10

30:10

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey discuss the importance of perpetuation planning for agency owners and the consequences in the event of not having a plan in place. They dive into the components that should be included in a perpetuation plan, and the steps to take to create a living document that can be updated regularly. If there's one thing they want listeners to take away from this episode, it's the emotional and financial implications of being unprepared and encourages agency owners to take action to protect their businesses and families. Download our Perpetuation Planning Guide This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#108 - Agency Risk Factors 27:51

for 16 dage siden27:51

27:51

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey discuss risk factors affecting agency value, emphasizing the concept of transferability. Carey explains how transferability relates to the predictability of an agency's ongoing performance and the various factors that influence it, including agency culture, technology, and niche markets. The conversation highlights the significance of continuity and the need for agency owners to assess their businesses from a buyer's perspective to identify potential risks. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#107 - The Future of Remote Work w/ Jim Schubert 40:35

for 23 dage siden40:35

40:35

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace, sit down with Jim Schubert, owner of Southern States Insurance, Inc. to explore the dynamics of remote work, the role of virtual assistants in agencies, the impact of employee retention on agency success and the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) as a framework for organizational structure and growth. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#106 - Supporting Sales in the Insurance Industry w/ Karl Sherrill 31:19

for 4 weeks siden31:19

31:19

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Karl Sherrill to discuss the importance of sales training and the dynamics of agency transitions. Karl shares his personal journey into the insurance world, emphasizing the potential for growth and success within the industry. The discussion also highlights the need for a supportive sales culture and the optimism surrounding the future of independent insurance agencies. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#105 - Family Agency Ownership Transition w/ Jordan Piland 42:50

for 5 weeks siden42:50

42:50

In this episode Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Jordan Piland, President at Lewis and Wallace Associates, Inc, who shares his journey from working at IBM to the insurance industry at a family agency. We dive deep into a discussion of the challenges and triumphs of working in a family agency, the importance collaboration and open communication, and the timeline of Jordan's transition to ownership within the agency. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#104 - Starting From Scratch w/ Charles McDade 47:12

for 6 weeks siden47:12

47:12

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 owners should focus on, including choosing the right MGA for you, understanding financial metrics, and the significance of asking the right questions to foster successful partnerships. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#103 - Effective Tax Planning w/ Andre Logan, Ivan Kan & Aaron Stocks 32:20

for 7 weeks siden32:20

32:20

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 agency owners. Learn more here: www.SentinelWealthAdvisoryGroup.com This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#102 - Not All Buyers are Right for Every Seller w/ Jake Jensen & Kevin Callister 41:23

for 8 weeks siden41:23

41:23

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 retention, and the long-term implications of selling an agency. The guests provide valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of M&A transactions and the critical factors that influence agency valuations. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#101 - 2025 Predictions w/ Thomas Mann 29:08

for 9 weeks siden29:08

29:08

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 conversation highlights the significance of agency performance and valuation in a competitive landscape, as well as the excitement surrounding Thomas's new role at Agency Focus. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#100 - The Insurtech Santa w/ Frank Sentner 39:06

for 10 weeks siden39:06

39:06

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. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#99 - Creating an Internship Program w/ Andrew Darlington 36:01

for 11 weeks siden36:01

36:01

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 focus on project-based learning, allowing interns to engage meaningfully while contributing to agency growth. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#98 - Choosing a Network w/ Dawnyel Smink 39:04

for 12 weeks siden39:04

39:04

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 contracts. This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#97 - Project 55: Empowering Mental Health Awareness w/ Justin Goodman & Brenden Corr 39:29

for 13 weeks siden39:29

39:29

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.org/ This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business. Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/ ///////////// Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions. Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/…

1
#96 - Permission to Fail w/ Andrew Ryan 35:56

for 14 weeks siden35:56