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On this special Women’s History Month edition of Agency Nation, host Avery Moore, President ECI Insurance in Edmonton, Oklahoma, and a member the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, leads a discussion with remarkable leaders who’ve carved their own paths in the independent agency system. Joining the conversation are Michelle Middleton, president of Berkley Mid-Atlantic Insurance Group; Patience Noah, Principal/Owner of Patience Noah Insurance in Framingham, Massachusetts; and Jamie Bowden, personal lines agency growth coach at Agents United and chair of Utah Insurance Agents’ Women in Insurance Committee. Together, they share their origin stories, challenges and the lessons learned along the way. From starting agencies right out of college to navigating leadership roles in established companies, these women reveal the grit and grace it takes to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Dive into candid conversations about the complexities of agency ownership, the importance of mentorship, and the unfiltered realities of work-life balance. Hear firsthand how these leaders embrace vulnerability, face their fears and find empowerment in taking bold, sometimes uncomfortable steps toward growth. "Success is easy—it's the fear of failure that gets really hard," says Middleton. “It keeps you from trying. And that's where we've got to be able to feel more confident to just jump off and know that you're going to work really hard.” “And if we start to fail, you're going to pivot and change something, embodying a lot of courage to do something different,” she adds. Whether you're a seasoned professional or aspiring to step into leadership, tune in for insights, inspiration and a sense of community for women aiming to make their mark in the insurance industry and beyond. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts.
On this episode of Agency nation Radio, Sarah Cooke, director of personal lines at WalkerHughes Insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana, shares how the agency took technology into their own hands to overcome challenges in the hard market. Named as the Outstanding Large Agency in the 2023 Liberty Mutual and Safeco Agent for the Future Awards, WalkerHughes began developing “Violet,” a proprietary software that acts as the agency’s personal lines management system, in 2016. “We have so many pressures now, especially with the kind of market that we’re in, and we want our employees to be able to function efficiently on a daily basis,” Cooke says. “By building what others won’t from a technology perspective, we feel uniquely positioned to best support our growing team in the future.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. This episode is sponsored by the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA). Some decisions are too precarious to take on alone. Sometimes you need a partner who can help you create the right solution for your client’s risk, while minimizing yours. In fact, it’s so cost-effective that a recent analysis by Conning, Inc. concludes that wholesale distribution does not increase the cost to the insured. That’s a good decision. Manage risk. Choose a WSIA member. Go to wsia.com to learn more. Sarah Cooke https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cooke-a74a67126/
Members of the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee partners with Trusted Choice to share information about the hard market as part of a special bonus series on Agency Nation radio. Guests Adam Risman, Commercial Risk Advisor at Risman Insurance, and Haley Meisner, SVP of Independent Agency Distribution Strategy at Liberty Mutual, went behind the microphone to talk about the importance of relationships between agencies and carriers. This discussion, moderated by Cassandra Koegel, a member of the National Young Agents Committee, focused on how the hard market has impacted agents and carries across the country. This conversation provided some perspective from the agent-side and carrier-side with today’s current landscape in the marketplace. Discussion centered around changes with submissions, communications with pre-submissions, changes from carrier requirements, and adaptions that have been made to submissions to meet carrier requirements. “Agents rely on carriers for placement. They are the supplier, at the end of the day, the underwriting paper. So, it’s so important that we realize that reliance on one another and we’re partnering together and get out of this successfully. Communication is one thing, but what is in that communication? Education is key right now,” Meisner said. During this session, Risman and Meisner both shared their approaches to handling conversations on different sides of the industry. Risman said, “You have to be in constant contact with your carriers, with your marketing reps, with everyone on that side. I think it’s just so important to have that mutual understanding and be able to make it a seamless process, but without over-communicating, without learning and educating ourselves on both sides, it just won’t happen.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. -------------------------------------------------------------- Cassandra Koegel https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-koegel-cisr-ains-ailp-mlis-b2329390/ Adam Risman https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-risman-clcs-ba218172/ Haley Meisner https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-smith-meisner-41535080/
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine, is joined by an expert panel to discuss the intricacies and challenges of hiring at independent insurance agencies, as well as some much-needed winning solutions. As the insurance industry marks Insurance Careers Month, Claudia St. John, president of The Workplace Advisors, an HR consulting and training firm; Nolan Duda, partner and client experience manager at IdealTraits, a recruiting platform built for independent agencies; and Katherine Strate Smith, president and CEO of Strate Insurance in Morristown, Tennessee, offer their unique perspectives on independent insurance agencies’ No. 1 challenge—hiring. Both the insurance landscape and the world of work continue to evolve amidst technological advancements, global economic trends and the lasting effects of the pandemic, the task of attracting, retaining, and developing talent has never been more complicated. Thanks to this specialist panel, this episode provides the foundation for a path forward. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts William Jones, Editor-in-Chief, Independent Agent Magazine https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-j-jones/ Claudia St. John, Founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, Keynote Speaker, Author https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiastjohn/ Nolan Duda, Client Experience Manager at IdealTraits Inc. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-duda100/ Katherine Strate Smith, President and CEO at Strate Insurance Group, Inc. https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinestrate/
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jarrard “Rod” Powell Sr., agency principal at Encore Insurance Group Chesterfield, Virginia, shares his unique experience in insurance. Powell grew up cutting records and touring as an R&B artist, but by the time he reached his 30s, he was looking for a more stable career. After breaking into insurance through claims and benefits, Powell realized that “insurance was not only something that I could do, but something that I would enjoy,” he says. “And lo and behold, it went from something on the side to a passion to, ultimately, a purpose.” In 2022, Powell and his business partner founded Encore Insurance Group, a mid-Atlantic independent agency that runs the gamut from commercial property & casualty to life, retirement solutions and employee benefits, specializing in voluntary benefits and enrollment communication services. Starting the agency was “an opportunity to create the culture that’s going to service communities in the way that we desire, help people, bring value and be a solution,” Powell says. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. You Should Get A License Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@ysgetalicense
The Big “I” Young Agents partnered with Trusted Choice to deliver information on the importance of mentorship as part of a special hard market bonus series on Agency Nation Radio. Guests Krista Kautz, Producer at Berrong Insurance, and Stewart Berrong, Owner of Berrong Insurance, were interviewed by Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee member, on their partnership as mentor and mentee. The conversation provides best practices for finding a mentor, approaching the relationship, and the learning from seasoned industry professionals. Kautz, when reflecting on asking Berrong to be her mentor, said, “One of my main things to mentees is to be curious. Ask the questions because I never would have gotten involved in the Young Agents program had I not said ‘hey I see this on your calendar. What is that? How do I get involved in that?” Kautz recommends that mentees have ambition when reaching out to their mentors. Having a drive to succeed and find new opportunities for growth will help form a stronger relationship with a mentor. If they have any recommendations or ideas for growth, Kautz says that internal drive to grow will help you be more successful During this session, the future of the industry was discussed. There are an estimated 400,000 employees within the insurance industry set to retire in the next few years. Now is the time for conversations between newer employees and seasoned staff to create opportunities for a transfer of knowledge. “The older generation, if you will, is taking our knowledge, our experience, and handing it down to them [younger people]. We have the opportunity to learn from the younger generation as they try to figure that out and apply it to what they’re dealing with day-to-day,” Berrong said. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. --------------------------------- GUESTS: Cash McMillen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cash-mcmillen-cic-a6a17532/ Additional Links: www.cashionco.com; https://www.bigiarkansas.com/Education Krista Kautz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-kautz-cisr-93301b141/ Additional Links: https://www.berrongins.com/; https://www.bigiok.com/Connect/Pages/YA/default.aspx Stewart Berrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-berrong-cic-crm/ Additional Links: https://www.berrongins.com/
In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, host Nancy Germond, Big “I” executive director, of risk management and education, explores the evolving landscape of middle market insurance in 2024. Featuring an in-depth interview with Sandra Little, CEO of CEO, SKL Risk Consultants, Pheonix, Arizona the episode offers insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by middle market clients. They talk about renewals, regulations, and emerging technologies and give their predictions on the hard market. Listen in for practical advice on building a niche, and relationships. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Guest Host: Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Executive Director, Risk Management and Education www.independentagent.com/VU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/insurancewriter/ Guest: Sandra Little CEO, SKL Risk Consultants https://www.sklriskconsultantsllc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraklittle/
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Jonathan Lugo, producer at FirmSecured powered by Veritas Risk Management in Johnson City, Tennessee, shares his remarkable journey from intern to specializing in real estate insurance. Discover how he carved out a niche within an established agency, bringing entrepreneurial spirit and expertise to a specialized market. He discusses the importance of understanding client needs, the art of specialization, and balancing quality with competitive pricing in today's insurance landscape. “Veritas is allowing me to do this—starting my own brand within the agency for a specific niche," he says. “Some days it feels like I have my own business."
During this episode of Agency Nation Radio, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice share their insights on building staff morale as part of a special hard market bonus series. Guests Brock Elliott, National Young Agents Committee (YAC) Chair and Producer at Elliott Insurance Group, and Lisa Lemanski, Operations Manager at Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance, talk about how they keep a positive culture during this hard market with Avery Moore, owner of ECI Insurance and member of the National YAC. Moore starts off the discussion by asking how the hard market has impacted staff morale within their agencies. Lemanski shares some of the strategies she’s implemented – like role playing conversations when a rate increase is discussed to gamifying trainings for staff to win prizes. Elliott reintroduced “smoke breaks” in his office. None of his staff are tobacco users, but the concept of stepping away from your desk for 15 minutes to take a break has been widely popular across multiple branch locations. Moore, when talking about leading through the hard market, said, “When you’re knee deep in alligators, it’s hard to remember you came to drain the swamp.” Elliott, Lemanski and Moore agree that the most important part of leading a team is making sure everyone feels valued and is recognized for their contribution. This might mean late starts, hybrid working, or gift cards to celebrate workaversaries. This session provides multiple strategies on how to increase morale within your agency and how it will impact your culture. Culture is not something that will change overnight. Elliott said, “We’re turning a cruise ship, not a canoe, and that takes time.” The Young Agents recommend the Trusted Choice Hard Market Toolkit as a valuable resource that can help with some of the nuances during a hard market. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. GUEST: Avery Moore https://www.linkedin.com/in/averymooreeci/ https://eciagency.com/; www.bigiok.com/Connect/Pages/YA/default.aspx Brock Elliott https://www.linkedin.com/in/brock-elliott-7168568a/ https://elliottinsurancegroup.com/; https://www.kaia.com/yak/ Lisa Lemanski https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lemanski-cisr-728a0458/
On this episode of Agency Nation radio podcast, the Big “I” Young Agents and Trusted Choice are teaming up to bring you the first episode in a special hard market bonus series. Guests Cash McMillen, National Young Agents Committee member and Vice President at the Cashion Company, and Patricia Clawson, CEO of Clawson Insurance and member of the Florida Young Agents Council, talk about renewals in the current marketplace. In their conversation, moderated by Taylor Hendrickson, Director of the Young Agents Council at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, and member of the Big “I” National Young Agents Committee, McMillen and Clawson discuss some of the challenges they have faced in their agencies with renewals due to the hard market. They dive into how they have managed rate increases and created renewal timelines. They also focus conversation on some of the challenges with property valuations and remarketing accounts. Clawson, when talking about how to communicate rate increases to customers said, “We want proactive, intentional communication throughout the year, not just when the renewal offer has been issued. So, we don’t want the first time our client has heard from us all year to be when we are presenting them with a renewal offer. So, what we've been trying to do is utilize these opportunities for proactive communication to educate our insurers on how we got here in the first place.” This session provides helpful information on how to handle renewal conversations – with customers, carriers, and state insurance departments – and resources to do so. As part of this bonus series, the Young Agents recommend the Trusted Choice Hard Market Toolkit as a valuable resource that includes a remarketing checklist, renewal preparation forms, and other materials that can help with these conversations. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. Download the Trusted Choice Hard Market Toolkit https://lp.independentagent.com/hardmarket Meet the Guests Taylor Hendrickson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-hendrickson-6433b136/ https://www.faia.com/yac Cash McMillen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cash-mcmillen-cic-a6a17532/ www.cashionco.com; https://www.bigiarkansas.com/Education Patricia Clawson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-clawson-hamilton-b2b61956?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app www.clawsoninsurance.com
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Will Jones, editor-in-chief, Independent Agent magazine, is joined by Charles Symington, the new Big "I" president & CEO. Amid the hardest market in a generation, a technological revolution and consolidation within the independent agent and broker channel, Charles joins Agency Nation Radio today to discuss his first 100 days at the helm of the association, as well as what the future will look like for the Big “I.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Meet Our Guests: Will Jones, editor-in-chief, Independent Agent magazine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-j-jones Charles Symington, president & CEO, the Big “I”: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-symington-04b5b6174
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, meet Erin Dop, an independent agent at Fullenkamp Insurance in West Point, Iowa. She did not join the family agency immediately after graduating from the University of Iowa. Instead, she was encouraged to build a foundation elsewhere, which she did by working as a commercial underwriter for a carrier. However, five years ago, Dop's grandfather passed away, helping her realize that “family is one of the most important things," she says. The thought drew her into the family agency at a time in her life when she was about to get married and start a family of her own. “A lot has changed, but I've learned a lot," Dop says. “Not only from an insurance perspective, but also about valuing the importance of a small family agency that offers all lines of business—from property & casualty to life and health, and everything in between." Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent—we've got the stories you want to hear. Dop was also featured in the December issue of Independent Agent. Check out her interview here https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/december/declaration-of-independents-erin-dop or read the full issue online https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/digital/2023/december.
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, we explore the intersection of parenthood and professional growth with Lori Mihalich-Levin, the founder of Mindful Return. Lori shares insights, challenging stereotypes and offering practical strategies for both working parents and leaders seeking to foster a more supportive work environment for employees at every stage in life. Guest hosts Jana Foster, owner of Nevada Insurance Agency Co. and Jesse Konold, partner at BridgeMark Insurance Solutions in South Dakota experienced many parallels in life. The fast friends served the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee while raising young families and moving into agency ownership. They recently reconnected to talk with the leading empowerment expert “parenting out loud.” Lori talks about creating a parent-friendly work culture that encourages open communication, empathy, and flexibility. Additionally, she shares personal strategies that help her create structure and find success as a busy working parent. “There are these career critical skills that we gain through parenthood that make us inevitably more efficient and effective,” says Lori. “Working parents are some of the most productive and efficient people I have ever met because we don't have time for all the nonsense. Right? We are productivity, ninjas.” Get ready for this myth-busting session filled with techniques you can easily implement for a more productive and mindful life. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Guests: • Lori Mihalich-Levin https://www.mindfulreturn.com/about-lori-mihalich-levin/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimihalichlevin/ • Jesse Konold, https://keyagency.com/about/staff/jesse-konold; https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-konold-cic-afis-568a5422/ • Jana Foster, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-schellin-foster-969667b1/ Resources: • Mindful Return Website: https://www.mindfulreturn.com • Lori's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimihalichlevin/ • Mindful Return's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-return/ • Mindful Return on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulreturn/ • Mindful Return on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulreturn • Mindful Return on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mindfulreturn/ Parents at Work Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parents-at-work/id1239258343
Join us for an inspiring conversation with David Garcia, the President of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. in San Diego, California. Discover how David transitioned from a career in professional baseball to founding a Best Practices agency with a unique approach to specialization. Learn about the agency's commitment to giving back, their innovative programs like SafetyStar™, SafetyOne™, and their dedication to impacting their clients' businesses positively. Tune in to find out how this agency goes the extra mile to ensure their clients' success in a challenging insurance market. Don't miss this episode of Agency Nation Radio as we explore David Garcia's journey and Rancho Mesa's grand slam. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Meet Our Guest: Read more: https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/november/declaration-of-independents-david-garcia Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc.: https://www.ranchomesa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-garcia-1507511a/
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Cassandra Keogel, sales executive with Eastern Insurance Group in Massachusetts and member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee, is joined by two very special guests: Max Revenue, half man, half meme, 100% producer, and Micah Salas, senior vice president at the Christensen Group Insurance. Together, they created the producer playbook, a 5-module video course for growth minded agents. As producers in the trenches of the hard market, they share sales stories and strategies, and advice for the often-grueling process that goes into building a book of business from scratch. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Meet Our Guests: Cassandra Keogel, sales executive with Eastern Insurance Group in Massachusetts: Micah Salas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahsalas Max Revenue: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maxrevenuegroup The Revenue Letter: https://maxrevenueletter.beehiiv.com/ The Producer Playbook: https://maxrevenuegroup.kartra.com/page/playbook
TrustedChoice.com employees have taken over the IA Advantage podcast once again with breaking news! Listen as Steve Gomez, Director of SEO, and Viviana Buzo, Director of Marketing, look back at TrustedChoice.com over the last decade and share the SEO strategies the company has employed leading to a major SEO event.
On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Ray Robertson, principal of Limestone Agency in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, sits down with Olivia Overman, content editor of Independent Agent magazine, to discuss his agency’s 175-year-old roots in Kentucky, community involvement and more. Robertson joined the agency in 1996 after spending several years working as a marketing representative in eastern Kentucky. Moving back to Mount Sterling with his expectant wife and young child was like a homecoming for Robertson, who had grown up about 15 miles away. In 2022, Limestone Agency celebrated its 175th anniversary and, like Robertson, has deep roots in the local community. “I’m chairman of the planning and zoning commission in Mount Sterling and have been for almost 20 years,” he says. “I’m also chairman of the board of a Main Street committee that owns some property in the name of the city.” Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. MEET OUR GUEST: Independent Agent magazine: https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/october/declaration-of-independents-ray-robertson Limestone Agency: https://limestoneagency.com/
Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a conversation among friends on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Mike McBride your new Big “I” chairman and president of Mason-McBride, Will Lemanski owner of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance and Lisa Lemanski, agency operation manager of Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance explore the importance of actively engaging in a supportive business community. Tune in as these insurance professionals, all hailing from Michigan, share their origin stories, their unwavering commitment to improving the industry, and their deep appreciation for the sense of community within the Big "I." Discover what truly sets the insurance industry apart: the connections, mentorship, and friendships that thrive within it. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Guests: Will Lemanski, Agency Owner, Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance Lisa Lemanski, Insurance Agent Operations Manager, Meiers Lombardini Lemanski Insurance Big “I” chairman, Mike McBride, president of Mason-McBride in Troy, Michigan
IA Advantage Presented by TrustedChoice.com Chip and team announce major product news, revealing more options and greater control over prospecting for individual producers.
In this episode of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio Podcast, Osiris Maldonado, the co-founder of Pronto Insurance located in Schaumburg, Illinois sits down with Will Jones, Independent Agent magazine editor-in-chief. Osiris shares her journey from car sales into agency ownership and how educating her staff and the community creates a ripple effect of loyalty and success. “I always thought, if I ever had an agency, I would do things differently,” says Osiris. “A lot of agencies focus on selling a policy to be profitable, not on educating the Hispanic community.” Today, Pronto Insurance is focusing on expanding into new states, entering new lines of insurance, and training licensed agents. As the majority of Pronto’s clients and staff are Hispanic, Osiris is making it her mission to educate her community about insurance, and provide a stable, rewarding career to her staff. Find out how she expanded her team, writing over $4.5 million in personal lines premium in 2022. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by AM Best, a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. The AM Best Mobile App lets users monitor Best's Credit Ratings, look up information on specific insurers, and keep up with AM Best's insurance industry research and news headlines—all at no cost. Learn about the new, enhanced version of the app at www.ambest.com/mobileapp. MEET OUR GUEST: Independent Agent magazine: https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/september/declaration-of-independents-osiris-maldonado Pronto Insurance Services: https://www.prontoinsuranceservices.com/
On this edition of Agency Nation Radio Podcast guest host Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, executive director, risk management and education sits down with Karen O’Connor Corrigan, CIC, CIRMS, president, and owner of O’Connor Insurance located in St. Louis Missouri and one of the foremost experts on community associations. Together they provide an update on the state of the multifamily housing market. The Foundation for Community Association Research Factbook reported that 52.9% of U.S. housing was built prior to 1979 leading to aging roofs, failing plumbing, and more. "The habitational market has long been claim-ridden. High frequency, high severity, you know, the insurance covers accidents that are typically confined to one home, but now imagine it's spreading to your neighbors,” says Karen. Additionally, the two discuss the complexities of the hard market on both property and liability insurance. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Meet Our Guests: Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Executive Director. Risk Management and Education https://www.linkedin.com/in/insurancewriter/ Karen O’Connor Corrigan, CIC, CIRMS President, Owner, O’Connor Insurance, Missouri https://www.oconnor-ins.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-o-connor-corrigan-6184569/ Additional Resources: https://www.independentagent.com/vu/Agency-Management/Sales/Other/GermondHardSoftInsuranceMarket.aspx Webinar: https://youtu.be/2hj7zgDaLHw https://www.independentagent.com/resources/SiteAssets/Aluminum%20Wiring%20Explanation.pdf https://www.independentagent.com/resources/SiteAssets/Big%20i%20Habitational%20Hot%20Mess%20by%20KOC.pdf https://www.independentagent.com/resources/SiteAssets/CAI%20National%20Survey.pdf
Join us for Declaration of Independents on Agency Nation Radio, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the insurance industry. On this episode, we meet Jason Rodriguez, the managing partner at Prominent Insurance in Wilmington, Delaware. From his entrepreneurial journey growing up in Brooklyn to serving on the board of the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers, Rodriguez is on a mission to make insurance not just a profession, but a passionate pursuit and opportunity for others. Gain insights into his franchise expansion plans, with a goal of 20 franchises every year. This episode is hopsted by AnneMarie Spears, news editor at Independent Agent magazine. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Read the Declaration of Independence: Declaration of Independents: Jason RodriguezDeclaration of Independents: Jason Rodriguez (iamagazine.com) Meet our guest: Jason Rodriguez, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-rodriguez-06740028/
There’s no doubt insurance marketplace is harder to navigate, with economic pressures and increased natural disasters leading to rising premiums. How do you best support your clients, agency staff and successfully navigate the hard market? Tune into this episode of Agency Nation Radio Podcast, hosted by Kelley Donahue-Pirro, owner of Agency Performance Partners, who sits down with two experienced agency presidents, Michelle O’Connor of O’Connor Insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Matt Simon, CIC, CPCU or CoverLink Insurance in Columbus, Ohio. They talk about how to navigate market conditions, what they have done, and the advice for other agents—especially those who haven’t experienced a hard market. It’s time to get back to basics. Hear strategies to help you evaluate your client outreach and double down on your communications. Find out how you can zero-in on internal processes to support your team and remind them that now, more than ever, independent agents bring value to their clients and the community. Hopefully this talk and the Hard Market Toolkit created by Trusted Choice will help make navigating today’s insurance environment a little easier. Get a copy of the Hard Market Toolkit by Trusted Choice. https://lp.independentagent.com/hardmarket Host Kelly Donahue-Pirro, Owner at Agency Performance Partners : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellydonahuepiro/ Michelle O’Connor, President O’Connor Insurance – Charlotte, NC : https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenagelioconnor/ Matt Simon, CIC, CPCU, President CoverLink, Columbus, Ohio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewtsimon/
On this edition of Declaration of Independence, on Agency Nation Radio podcast, host Olivia Overman, content editor with Independent Agent magazine, sits down with Crystal Fox, the founder of Beauty Queen Insurance, a division of the Smith Sawyer Smith agency in Rochester, Indiana. The pandemic brought Crystal’s makeup career to a halt leading her to find new opportunities as an independent agent. Recognizing a gap in the market for an insurance agent with specialized knowledge of the beauty industry, Crystal created a career path to serve the industry she loved. She began to dive into the limited coverage options for services like permanent makeup, Medi spa treatments and permanent jewelry. Listen in to be inspired to find a niche that connects your passion to a career in insurance. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Read the Declaration of Independence: https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/july/declaration-of-independents-crystal-fox Meet our guest: Crystal Fox, Founder and Creator, Beauty Queen Insurance https://beautyqueeninsurance.com/
What does the next generation want in a career? How does the insurance industry align with what Generation Z wants in a profession? We uncover the connections on this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast. Guest host Cassandra Koegel with Eastern Insurance Group and a member of the Big “I” national Young Agents Committee talks to Will Huang, recent graduate of St. John’s University Risk Management and Insurance program and intern with the Big “I” Invest education foundation. Together, they talk about what they love about insurance and how we can position the industry to appeal to the next generation—giving back, a challenge, flexibility and the ability to make a really good living—what’s not to love? Find out what young people want in the workplace and how insurance is truly a hidden gem. Tune in today. Want to learn more about attracting the next generation to your agency? Invest connects insurance professionals with schools and resources to help students learn about insurance and careers in the industry. Find internship guides, help connecting with schools and career day materials to help you educate students on careers in insurance at investprogram.org. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Our Guest: Cassandra Koegel CISR, AINS, AILP, MLIS, Commercial Lines Producer at Eastern Insurance Group LLC https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-koegel-cisr-ains-ailp-mlis-b2329390/ Will Huang, Graduate St. John’s University Risk Management and Insurance, Sec. Gamma, Big I intern working with Invest, soon to be underwriter at Chubb everlasting passion for underwriting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-huang-6501/
David Watson, executive vice president of Mappus Insurance, South Carolina sits down with Will Jones, editor-in-chief of Independent Agent magazine to share his origin story on this edition of Declaration of Independence on Agency Nation Radio podcast. After working for State Farm and Allstate, David became a Farm Bureau contractor and in 2016 he founded a scratch independent agency, BlueLake. However, he quickly noticed mundane tasks like lead generation and data entry were holding him back. The entrepreneurial bug bit again and David launched RiskAdvisor, a software program that streamlines the application and renewal process for independent agencies. Listen in to be inspired by his background and hear how carriers and agencies can work together to make it to do profitable business and service clients. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Our Guest: David Watson https://www.linkedin.com/in/agentdavidwatson/ Risk Advisor: https://riskadvisor.insure/ Mappus Insurance: https://www.mappusinsurance.com/ Read the interview: https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2023/june/declaration-of-independents-david-watson
Chip learns the story behind Rocket Referrals' name change when he and Torey Maerz, CEO of ClientCircle and veteran IA channel insurtech leader, catch up for the first time since COVID.
On this edition of Agency Nation Radio podcast, guest host Bob Fee, President, Fee Insurance, Kansas and immediate past chair of the Big “I” is joined by Kathy Conley-Jones LUTCF, Chief Insurance Strategist, Williamson Financial Management Group in St. Louis. She also founded The Conley Financial Group, a multi-line insurance and employee benefits firm that provides holistic insurance solutions to its clients. They share their backgrounds in benefits and provide strategies and tips for agencies considering expanding their service as a trusted advisor. Find out how to get started, markets to consider, income potential, and staffing. “I think it’s so important that our independent agents start to expand and see themselves in a different light because most of your clients are hoping that you will,” says Kathy. Tune in today and take note of actionable strategies to help you enhance your agency’s service profile. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit https://www.iamagazine.com/podcasts. Bob Fee, President, Fee Insurance, Kansas Immediate past chair, Big “I” Bob currently has a benefits team of 4 and some unique obstacles in Kansas. The agency is actively working to expand into the benefits space even further. https://www.feeinsurance.com/bob https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-fee-8289488/ Kathy Conley-Jones LUTCF, Chief Insurance Strategist, Williamson Financial Management Group, St. Louis Founder of The Conley Financial Group, a multi-line insurance and employee benefits firm that provides holistic insurance solutions to their clientele https://www.williamsonfinancial-mg.com/Kathy-Conley-Jones,-LUTCF.e1177836.htm https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-conley-jones-lutcf-47886b3/
On this edition of Declaration of Independence on the Agency Nation Radio podcast, Dean Giem, president of Paradox Insurance Agency in Montana talks about technology. The self-proclaimed technology geek shares his journey from a captive agency to independent agency ownership. Now, as a member of the NetVu board and the AUGIE executive council, he explains technology is accessible and affordable for small and mid-size agencies. From chatbots to AI, he explores the future of insurtech. “I think the way data is collected, the way data is consumed and shared, is going to be a major shift in the next two to three years,” says Dean. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From main street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we’ve got the stories you want to hear. Catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts. Want to learn more about technology for your agency? The following resources can help: Big “I” Agents Council for Technology: https://www.independentagent.com/ACT/Pages/default.aspx NetVu: https://www.netvu.org/web AUGIE https://augiegroup.org/ GUESTS: Dean Giem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deangiem/ Paradox Insurance: https://paradoxinsurance.com/
Chip’s guest this week is Jason Keck of Broker Buddha. Chip & Jason discuss some shared history and their evolving insurtech perspectives. Jason also reveals news of an affordable new solution from Broker Buddha specifically designed to help smaller independent insurance agencies with five or fewer customer-facing employees.
