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Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition
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Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition

Author: SIA of NC

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Looking to build your own insurance agency and you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!

37 Episodes
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#Insurance #AgencyPartnership #BuildYourAgency 💡 Ever wondered why there's a cost to partner with SIA of NC? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down what that investment really means—and why it’s one of the most valuable moves you can make for your agency’s future. ✅ Tailored Onboarding – Why every new agency gets a custom onboarding experience ✅ Foundation Support – From licensing to tech stack, get your agency ready to launch ✅ Commercial Growth Programs – Res...
#InsurancePerpetuation #AgencySuccession #InsuranceLegacy 🧩 Is your insurance agency ready for the future? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we unpack the essential steps to creating a smart perpetuation plan—before it’s too late. ✅ Why agencies fail to plan—and how that costs them ✅ Key factors that determine your agency’s true value ✅ How to prepare your agency for sale or internal succession ✅ What buyers look for and how to stay in control of your exit ✅ Creating tr...
#AgencySuccessionPlanning #IndependentAgencies #BuildYourLegacy 🔒 Who takes over your agency if something happens to you? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we explore why succession planning is essential for every independent insurance agency. ✅ Solo Owner Considerations – What happens if your spouse doesn’t work in the business? ✅ Partnership Triggers – What to know if your business partner passes away. ✅ Operational Access – The importance of admin rights, bank accoun...
#Insurance #AgencyFailure #InsuranceSuccess 🚨 Thinking about starting an insurance agency? Many independent agencies struggle to stay afloat—and some fail entirely. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the top reasons why insurance agencies fail and how you can avoid common pitfalls. ✅ Financial Preparedness – Cash flow is king! Why agencies fail when they don’t plan for slow months. ✅ Self-Awareness – Selling insurance vs. running an agency—ar...
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we sit down with Hunter Runnels, Regional Vice President at MIA (Mississippi Insurance Alliance), to discuss the key characteristics of successful agency owners and how they drive growth, profitability, and lasting client relationships. ✅ Relationships Matter – Success starts with strong connections, not just with clients but with carriers, underwriters, and staff. ✅ Entrepreneurial Mindset – The best agency owners are forward-thinking...
💰 Is your agency maximizing every revenue opportunity? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the 5 Pillars of Compensation that SIA of NC partner agencies can access—and why they matter for your bottom line. ✅ Commission – The foundation of agency earnings, but how do partner agencies earn even more? ✅ Quarterly Overrides – Guaranteed bonuses for new and renewal business, paid out every quarter. ✅ Local Incentives – Extra bonuses SIA of NC negotiates ...
Unlocking Growth: Why Existing Agencies Should Consider Partnerships Is your agency maximizing its potential? In this episode, we dive into why existing insurance agencies should take a closer look at agency partnerships—and how the right collaboration can drive revenue, improve market access, and enhance client service. ✅ Access to Markets – More than just new carriers—strategic market access and warm introductions. ✅ Bigger Relationships – How partnerships help you work with top-tier carri...
Success in the insurance industry isn’t just about clients—it’s about building strong relationships with carriers, underwriters, and industry reps. In this episode, we break down how networking and relationship-building can give your agency a competitive edge: ✅ Carrier & Underwriter Relationships – Why they matter just as much as client connections ✅ Trade Shows & Association Events – The best ways to engage and deepen partnerships ✅ Social & Business Networking – How ca...
Essential Insurance Coverage for Independent Insurance Agencies | Protect Your Business Running an independent insurance agency? Make sure you have the right insurance coverage to protect your business from costly claims and operational risks. In this episode, we break down the must-have policies every agency needs: ✅ Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance – Shields your agency from professional mistakes and negligence claims. ✅ Cyber Liability Insurance – Protects against data breaches,...
As an independent insurance agent, you have access to multiple carriers—but how many do you really need? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we dive into why less can be more when it comes to independent insurance agency carrier relationships. We discuss: ✅ How carrier selection impacts your agency’s bottom line ✅ When to expand your markets—and when to hold back ✅ The importance of underwriting relationships for better pricing and flexibility ✅ Ho...
How much money do you really need to start an independent insurance agency? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the key financial considerations—licensing, technology, and insurance. With many agencies now operating remotely, startup expenses are lower than ever, but having enough capital to cover at least three to six months without income is critical. We explore funding options, the risks of cutting corners, and strategies to set yourself up for success. W...
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss who should start their own independent insurance agency. Whether you’re already in the property & casualty industry, in real estate, or a small business owner looking to partner with a producer to start an agency, there are several ways to get started. Tune in as our hosts dive into this recurring topic.
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Travis and Bill dive into a common question for insurance professionals: should agents focus on personal lines or commercial lines? They discuss the importance of leveraging strengths, highlighting how personal lines often offer faster sales cycles and cash flow advantages, while commercial lines can bring complexity and long-term opportunities. Whether you're starting a new agency or looking to refine your focus, this conversation offe...
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Bill Mills is joined by Brandon Mills from SIA Group’s Employee Benefits team. Together, they discuss practical insurance solutions for agency owners, including group medical considerations under the Affordable Care Act, voluntary benefits like life and disability insurance, and innovative strategies like defined contribution plans. Brandon shares expert advice on building competitive benefits programs tailored to business goals while n...
In this episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis dive into the dynamics of the insurance industry, focusing on the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on independent agents. They discuss how industry disruptions create opportunities for talent recruitment, agency perpetuation, and client acquisition. Highlighting actionable insights, they encourage independent agencies to seize the moment, whether by recruiting top talent, forming new partner...
In this holiday-themed episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Travis and Bill discuss a timely topic for independent insurance agencies: budgeting- with or without contingencies and profit sharing in mind. They explore considerations such as historical data, guarantees, and loss ratios, and offer practical advice while emphasizing the importance of planning ahead for growth. Whether you include contingencies and profit sharing in your budget or not, the key takeaway is c...
In this episode, the focus shifts to the spirit of giving back during the holiday season by discussing the vital role insurance agencies play in supporting their communities. The conversation highlights how agencies can contribute not just financially but also by volunteering their time or setting up community drives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning your contribution with your passion—be it children, sports, animal welfare, or other causes—to foster genuine engagement. As...
In this episode, we discuss the essential process of agency planning for the upcoming year, building on the concept of carrier planning from a recent episode. We emphasize the importance of setting realistic goals to ensure the owner sets their year up to be as successful as possible. The conversation covers balancing new business growth with retention efforts, as well as the need for specific and strategic planning. Looking to start your own insurance agency but don’t know where to begin? Or...
Join us for an insightful conversation with Matt Littlejohn, a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of experience. In this episode, we dive into the process of carrier appointments, including how agencies can stand out to carriers and guidance for succeeding in the insurance industry. Matt shares valuable advice for agents looking to grow, build meaningful carrier relationships, and pivot from personal to commercial lines. Don’t miss this insightful guide to the carrier perspec...
As the insurance landscape shifts, planning with carriers becomes more critical than ever. In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss how agents and agencies can align with carrier strategies to thrive in 2025. From adapting to understanding what the carriers are looking for when planning with insurance agencies, we unpack the tools and tactics needed to stay ahead. Tune in to gain practical insights and actionable advice on navigating carrier relationships, enhancing service offerings, a...
In this episode, Whitney Oliver discusses the importance of building strong relationships with insurance carriers to help new network members secure carrier access and appointments, a key value for members. Whitney emphasizes the need for understanding carrier appetites and adapting to market conditions, highlighting the weekly Carrier Corner sessions and annual meetings as vital networking opportunities. She also explains the role of the Access Plus division, which serves as a testing ground...
In this episode, the hosts highlight the unique role of AccessPlus, which is designed to help agents grow and move towards direct carrier contracts. AccessPlus enables members to build strong relationships and demonstrate their value to carriers, giving agents access to competitive carrier options and helping them establish a compelling value proposition. Particularly valuable in hard markets, AccessPlus positions agents to showcase their capabilities, which can be crucial for carriers that a...
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we welcome back Stefani Butschle to address a common question for agency owners: how do I classify internal staff correctly? Stefani and Bill break down the distinctions between salaried and hourly employees, diving into why the choice between these two can impact an agency’s operations and financial responsibilities. They also clarify the differences between exempt and non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), exp...
In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle a common question in the insurance world: How do I get direct codes from carriers? They discuss basic approaches for agents, like contacting carriers directly, and the benefits of the Access Plus program, which helps streamline the process. The hosts emphasize the importance of focusing on the right carrier partnerships, cautioning against taking on too many at once, and highlight the value of building long-term, efficient relationships to drive busines...
In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most common questions they receive: Do I own my book of business? Take a listen as they dive deep into the nuances of ownership in the insurance industry. The conversation covers the motivations behind why agents and producers ask this question, the challenges they face, and what it truly means to own a book of business. They also touch on the growing trends in the industry, such as mergers and acquisitions driven by private equity, and how ...
We’re excited to introduce Whitney Oliver, our Agency Partner Growth Coach, who will guide us through the essentials of starting and running your own agency. In this episode, we tackle key questions like: How do I get started? What do I need to run my agency effectively? Whitney shares her 17 years of experience and explains our Agency Foundation Program, which supports new members in setting up their agencies, from licenses to tech stacks. Every agency is unique, and we tailor our sup...
In this episode, we explore why agency owners, captive agents, producers, and entrepreneurs are turning to agency partnerships. Market challenges and industry shifts are pushing professionals to seek growth, ownership, and diversification. We discuss how captive agents are looking for more options and ownership, and how producers are navigating changes in compensation and equity. Entrepreneurs are drawn to the insurance industry for its residual income potential and community connection...
In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most frequently asked questions: "If it’s so great, why doesn’t everyone do it?" They break down the barriers, from costs to ROI, offering clear and valid reasons behind their approach. Tune in as they explore the challenges and give insight into why their strategy hasn’t gained widespread traction—yet. Thinking about starting your own insurance agency but unsure where to begin? This podcast is for you! Already own an agency but want to grow ...
In this episode, Bill and Stefani Butschle discuss what it means to be a 1099 employee and a W-2 employee, and the differences between the two. Listen as they talk through and "decode" the IRS expectations for employers regarding each type of employee, as well as what penalties are involved if employees are misclassified. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and ...
In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss the major differences between independent and captive agencies. Take a listen as they talk about location, technology and commission differences! Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!
In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss what contingency is, who can get it, and the significant impact it can make regarding your agency's success. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!
Short, sweet and to the point as the saying goes! In this episode, Travis and Bill discuss the top three questions a potential agency partner should ask before signing on the dotted line of any agreement. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!
Meet Andy Neary! In this episode, Andy and Travis talk about the upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting, and what Andy has in store for those in attendance. Listen as Andy discusses how he went from pitching baseballs for the Milwaukee Brewers to helping others pitch their business successfully to clientele! Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your...
In this episode, Bill and Travis talk about our upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting in Durham, NC, and why the Annual Meeting is important. Take a listen as they discuss past meetings, as well as who the special keynote speaker is for the Annual Meeting this September. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you t...
In this episode, Bill and Travis answer one of their most-asked questions: What is SIA of NC? Take a listen, as they explain who SIA of NC is and why it is a great choice for agents who are looking to start their own insurance agency and start building their legacy! Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips ...
Welcome to SIA of NC's first podcast episode! Meet our hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, as they walk you through who they are, what the overall goal of this podcast is, and what to expect from them (and others) in the future! Looking to build your own insurance agency and you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss the transition from personal lines to commercial lines, offering practical advice for agents looking to grow their expertise. They emphasize starting small with simpler accounts, building strong relationships with carriers, and leveraging training resources to develop the skills needed for success.
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