In this episode of Business Refocused, Carey and Lindsay welcome AgencyFocus Fractional CFO Lisa Melroy, CPA, for a very real conversation about budgeting inside independent insurance agencies.

Lisa has spent more than 30 years in financial roles, including working directly with independent agencies and networks. She shares what actually happens behind the scenes when agencies either skip budgeting altogether or build one that looks good on paper but doesn’t reflect reality.

They talk through common issues they’re seeing right now, especially in a shifting market. Many owners are focused on premium growth but not thinking through how rate changes impact actual revenue. Others are pushing for 10 percent growth without stepping back to ask whether staffing, compensation, and carrier appetite support that goal.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The biggest budgeting mistake agencies make and why “no budget” is still common
• Why aggressive top-line growth goals can backfire without the right foundation
• How softening markets impact revenue, not just premium
• Why profit does not equal cash and how to think about cash flow
• The hidden risks in producer compensation structures
• How benchmarking expense categories can highlight inefficiencies
• Why budgeting should be a living document, not a once-a-year exercise

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Show previously named Insurance Refocused