Agency Freedom

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on January 6th, 2023, James welcomes Bradley Flowers and Scott Howell, co-hosts of the Insurance Guys Podcast. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Bradley discusses The Insurance Guys Podcast, how it got started, and what the podcast's hook is. (6:04) Bradley believes that people should create content around their passions, and that podcasting is a great way to do it. (9:51) Scott and Bradley explain that consistency is the key to having more than 300 episodes and that skipping an episode for a week is a good litmus test to see how many people are waiting for that show to drop. (13:29) Bradley mentions that he and Scott often batch record, putting them months ahead of schedule. (16:41) Scott explains that his sole focus is to provide outstanding material every Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. (27:23) According to James, many absolute rockstars are hidden in plain sight, and Vonda Copeland, who has 9 offices with over 50 employees, is one of them. (30:26) Bradley explains that, from a content viewpoint, it is becoming easier for non-content producers to generate content, therefore if you want to be an elite content generator, you must elevate your game. (50:14) James commends the people of Florida for passing special session legislation that limits the assignment of benefits. (1:03:51)

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on July 22nd, 2022, James talks with Troy Smith, Retired Detective and Hostage Negotiator with the San Antonio Police Department. Troy is now with the Black Swan Group. To learn more about Black Swan Group, Visit https://www.blackswanltd.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Troy shares his background story and how he ended up joining the San Antonio Police Department as an officer and later as a hostage negotiator. (5:19) Troy discusses what led him to the Black Swan Group where hostage negotiation skills are applied in a business environment. (6:28) Troy shares the story of a powerful moment when he gave his badge to a young boy with terminal cancer who wanted to be in law enforcement one day. (9:06) Troy explains his day-to-day setup as a Black Swan coach and facilitator. (19:40) Troy shares that the foundation skills as part of the training are labeling, mirroring, and dynamic silence. (22:57) Troy shares how to use dynamic silence as a way to stay in the conversation and continue to get the information that you need. (29:54) Troy explains that if you are in any kind of negotiation, you have to learn to be patient and be willing to commit to it. (32:15) Troy discusses why they limit their coaching sessions to 1 or 2 per day. (41:40) Troy shares how Chris spends his time on a day-to-day basis as he runs the business and makes important decisions. (45:16) Troy advises the listeners not to get consumed with how everybody is doing down the road, and instead, just give their best at the moment. (47:41) Key Quotes: "If you don't use the silence to give them the time, you start over talking, you start talking over them. And before they can give you an answer, you've already moved on to the next thing." - Troy Smith “If you're in a negotiation, you have to learn to be patient. This is something that you have to be willing to commit to.” -Troy Smith "When you start saying it’s is all about you, it's not about them any longer. And most people are going to get turned off by that." - Troy Smith

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on May 20th, 2022, James talks with Cory Schnabel, Agency Principal at KC Insurance Group in Kansas City, MO. To learn more about KC Insurance Group, visit https://www.hubinternational.com.Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Cory talks about how he got started in the insurance industry. (5:27) Cory shares that he bought his first Allstate agency in 2010. (6:42) Cory how he started KC Insurance Group and what helped him to get contracts with several carriers. (12:51) Cory shares that his referral partners are one of the secrets to his success. (20:46) Cory explains how he connects with his referral partners. (21:36) Cory shares his best practices for establishing value and connection with a channel partner. (26:03) Cory discusses what he believes works best with channel partners in 2022 and beyond. (30:37) Cory explains that most people, perhaps 90% of lenders, agents, wealth planners, CPAs, and insurance brokers, have no idea where a large portion of their business comes from. (32:39) Cory shares his thoughts on what he learned from IAOA. (37:55) Cory discusses some of his decisions that he would alter if given the chance. (51:57) Cory believes if you trust in yourself and bet on yourself, you'll be alright. (54:38)

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on June 10th, 2022, James talks with Dr. Billy Willams, CEO of Inspire A Nation. To learn more about Inspire A Nation, visit https://www.inspireanation.org. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Dr. Billy Williams talks about his background and what led him to start Inspire A Nation. (5:23) Dr. Billy Williams shares that he does not worry about a person's mindset, but what is important is discipline. (10:27) Dr. Billy Williams explains that when he chooses an agency management system, he makes sure that it does 90% of everything he needs. (20:03) Dr. Billy Williams mentions that he is a step-by-step guy, and gives out the steps he is guided through on a normal workday. (24:34) Dr. Billy Williams explains that the reason most people won't follow a process is that they don't take the time to create a process. (30:07) Dr. Billy Williams elaborates on common weaknesses that a lot of people have. (38:17) Dr. Billy Williams explains that he is not a cold caller type of guy, but a big referral type of guy. (44:31) Dr. Billy Williams shares that one thing agents can do to make themselves experts is to understand that insurance is all about claims. (46:43) Dr. Billy Williams explains the importance of having enough of a niche and knowledge in your demographics. (49:18) Dr. Billy Williams elaborates on the importance of people getting back to the process and understanding assurances about the claim. (56:39)

In this episode, James talks with Brandon Rondon, Owner of Rondon Insurance Services. To learn more about Rondon Insurance Services, visit https://www.rondonins.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Transition from MMA to insurance Approach to sales and client relationships Insights on leadership and team building Effective use of feedback within teams Strategies for personal and professional growth The role of constructive criticism in development Integrating new technologies and systems in business operations

In this episode, James talks with Sandra Gebhardt, an Online Marketing Strategist. To learn more about Sandra Gebhardt Digital Marketing, visit https://sandragebhardt.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Sandra's entry into the insurance industry and transition to marketing Importance of personal branding in marketing Using organic social media to enhance business growth Tips for optimizing marketing strategies and community involvement Benefits of a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer Challenges faced by insurance agents and strategies for success

In this episode, James talks with Patrick Murakami, Owner of Uprise Unlimited Coaching and Consulting. To learn more about Uprise Unlimited Coaching and Consulting, visit https://upriseunlimited.net. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Patrick's family military background and its impact Overcoming personal challenges Career transition from call centers to owning an insurance agency Utilizing social media and AI in business growth Patrick's approach to customer relationships and service Leveraging Facebook groups for community and business development Innovations in using ChatGPT for business efficiency and client engagement

In this episode, James talks with Tyler Woodall, Founder of Agency Aid. To learn more about Agency Aid, visit https://agency-aid.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Tyler's entry and evolution in the insurance industry Transition to agency ownership and adoption of VAs during COVID Challenges of managing an insurance agency and solutions through VAs Development of a comprehensive training program for VAs Decision process and execution of selling his insurance agency Use of remote talent in the insurance industry Overview of Tyler's current business, Agency Aid, and its offerings

This is the final of three episodes recorded live in New Orleans at Accelerate presented by NetVu and Vertafore. In this episode, James talks with Syd Roe, Director, Agency Marketing at Vertafore. To learn more about Vertafore, visit https://www.vertafore.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Syd Roe's career journey from family insurance agency to Vertafore The creation and mission of AgencyOne at Vertafore Challenges and solutions for integrating various tech products in insurance The role of data and technology in the future of insurance agencies The importance of offering choice and independence in insurance technology How Vertafore’s Orange Partner Program supports integration and choice for agencies Syd's philosophy on leadership and work culture in the tech industry

Recorded live on location at Accelerate 2024 in New Orleans, LA. In this episode, James talks with Raution Jaiswal, Founder of InsuredMine. To learn more about InsuredMine, visit https://www.insuredmine.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: InsuredMine’s emphasis on serving larger agencies with a minimum of 10 seats to deliver more significant value Noteworthy adoption among top agencies, with 14 out of the top 50 using InsuredMine Flexible platform configurations allow customization to fit diverse agency workflows Upcoming CRM 2.0 features include advanced deal predictability and enhanced data integration Continuous enhancements driven by user feedback, aiming for 600-700 new features annually Future focus on AI and natural language processing to improve usability and data handling

In this episode, James talks with Chris Cline, the Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology with Big I. To learn more about Agents Council for Technology with Big I, visit https://www.independentagent.com/act. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Introduction to Chris Cline and his role as Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology with Big I The Big I’s national model and its impact on State Chapters Chris Cline's diverse career journey The inception and evolution of technology in insurance Impact of relationships and networking in the industry Future of the Agents Council for Technology and its role in enhancing industry collaboration Chris' perspective on personal and professional growth

In this episode, James talks with Niki Henley, Owner of Extra Mile Insurance Solutions. To learn more about Extra Mile Insurance Solutions, visit https://www.extramileins.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Niki shares her early career path and rapid shift to agency ownership Importance of technology and automation in scaling insurance operations Utilization of social media and video for market leadership Strategies for navigating hard market conditions effectively Emphasis on education and learning within the insurance field Challenges and opportunities of running an agency in a competitive environment

In this candid and revealing conversation, James interviews the three most senior members of the RiskWell team. This special two-part episode gets into origin stories, and personal anecdotes and goes deep into how RiskWell operates in the marketplace. To learn more about RiskWell, visit https://www.riskwell.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Implementing structured processes in insurance Specialization and scalability in business operations Leveraging past experience for better client relationships Adapting services to client needs and service improvement Enhancing team dynamics and communication Strategies for future growth and maintaining client relationships

In this candid and revealing conversation, James interviews the three most senior members of the RiskWell team. This special two-part episode gets into origin stories, and personal anecdotes and goes deep into how RiskWell operates in the marketplace. To learn more about RiskWell, visit https://www.riskwell.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Introduction of the Executive team at RiskWell and their roles in the agency Reflections on the growth and evolution of the podcast from its early episodes The challenges and advantages of working remotely and the dynamics it brings to the team Insights into the culture of innovation and willingness to experiment within the agency Discussion on the impact of personal growth on professional development within the company Exploration of the unique management style and team interactions at RiskWell Plans and visions for the future of RiskWell and its continued evolution

In this episode, James talks with Beaux Pilgrim, Owner of Reed Insurance. To learn more about Reed Insurance, visit https://www.reedinsla.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Beaux Pilgrim's introduction to the insurance industry through family connections The evolution of Beaux's career from commercial lines to agency owner Navigating the dynamics of working with family in the business Strategies for adapting and growing an insurance agency in a rural setting The significance of building relationships with municipal clients and the community Launching a remote staffing company to address industry-wide challenges in talent acquisition Insights into maintaining work-life balance while managing multiple ventures

In this episode, James talks with Ryan Englund, Founder of Englund Insurance Group. To learn more about Englund Insurance, visit https://www.englundins.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Ryan Englund's early career and the pivotal decision to enter the insurance industry The evolution of Ryan's career from captive to independent agent Challenges and triumphs of transitioning in the insurance industry The impact of technology and personal relationships on business growth Ryan's advice for insurance professionals considering a similar transition The importance of family support and team collaboration in achieving business success Ryan's vision for the future of his agency and the insurance industry

In this episode, James talks with Nathan Hirsch, Co-Founder of TrioSEO. To learn more about TrioSEO, visit https://trioseo.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: What drove Nathan to become an entrepreneur and his early efforts in dropshipping on Amazon Startup and sale of FreeUp, a freelancing platform, and virtual assistant recruiting and management lessons Virtual assistants in Nathan's firms, stressing Filipino workers' quality and influence Starting Outsource School to educate entrepreneurs their hiring methodology Launching new businesses after FreeUp sale, like TrioSEO and an e-commerce accounting service

In this episode, James talks with Brett Young, CEO of Erb and Young. To learn more about Erb and Young, visit https://www.erbandyounginsurance.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: The impact of mentorship and network marketing on career trajectory Creating a voluntary army through positive culture and team building The shift from network marketing to the insurance business The importance of personal development in business success Leveraging technology and community for growth in the insurance industry Strategies for building a successful insurance agency in challenging markets

In this episode, James talks with Taylor Garcia, President of Jackson & Jackson Insurance. To learn more about Jackson & Jackson Insurance, visit https://jjinsurance.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Taylor Garcia's unique transition from musician to insurance professional The importance of content creation and personal branding in the insurance industry Navigating generational shifts within a family-owned insurance agency Strategies for maintaining the legacy of a longstanding agency while injecting new, innovative ideas The role of authenticity and personal interests in connecting with clients and building lasting relationships Leveraging creative skills to offer additional value to clients and the community Adapting to changes within the industry and embracing new opportunities for growth

In this episode, James talks with Ben Criss, Owner of Strong Insurance. To learn more about Strong Insurance, visit https://www.stronginsuranceinc.com/. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Key Topics: Introduction of Ben Criss and the backstory of his family-owned insurance agency Challenges and strategies in transitioning to commercial insurance Importance of knowing your numbers and financial literacy in executing a business pivot The role of market access and rebranding in aligning with new business objectives Insights on building a supportive team and fostering a shared vision for the future The significance of specializing and finding your niche in the insurance industry