ATO Podcast

This is a great discussion with Michael Cruz about scaling his Foresight Insurance Agency, developing as leader, learning from mistakes and much more.  Michael has a great back story on where he came from, why he chose the insurance business and how he's decided to run his business.  In addition to the insurance business conversation, it was fascinating to learn of his new Virtual Assistant venture in Columbia.  There is a huge learning curve starting any business.  To start a business in another country brings and entirely new set of challenges. Thank you for listening!! Enjoy the episode.   

If you are liking this podcast, please like and share the show!! Thanks!  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcruzforesightins/

https://www.foresighti.com/

https://onhandvas.com/

Great conversation this week with Christos Provistalis. Christos is a public speaker focusing on the Customer Experience.  He is a dynamic, emotional speaker.  Christos has been trained by the best on customer service and has used this training and experience  to share this powerful message through his speaking engagements and workshops  We also discuss his journey as a public speaker.  Like any other business, it takes some time to develop your brand and fine tune your process.  Christos speaking career is in the early stages, but is growing quickly.  I learned a lot talking to Christos.  You will too!! 

Great discussion here with Greg Hogan from Curabba Insurance Agency out of Middleton, NY.  Greg is a major contributor to our insurance industry.  He is very active in helping agents on the the IAOA Facebook page.  We discussed the current state of the insurance industry and did a deep dive into his acquisitions.  Greg leads with education. He is a true insurance professional.  Enjoy the episode!! 

https://www.curabba.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryhogan/

https://www.ameriguardinsurance.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-boldt-00318278/

An absolute pleasure to connect with Rushang Shaw  and Sean Hawkins to discuss all things Hawksoft.  Hawksoft is truly the American Dream story that started with a passion for programming software to using this passion to find needed solutions to the dated insurance industry.  Paul & Sean Hawkins founded their company by putting people first.  Hawksofts Core Values are not just words on a wall, they live and operate by their core values.  This was a great conversation about helping the insurance agency force get better, challenges of a tech company in 2023, getting better and delivering the best possible customer experience they can.  Enjoy!  


 @hawksoftinc  

https://www.hawksoft.com/
linkedin.com/in/rushang
linkedin.com/in/sean-hawkins-7aa227b

Great to have Stephen Turnbull back on the ATO Podcast.  Stephen recently celebrated T5 Insurance One Year Anniversary.  I wanted to circle back with Stephen to discuss what the first year in business was like, lessons learned, victories made and what's in store for Year 2.   Stephen has some exciting plans for growth in Year #2, which included hiring a training the first employee and growing by Acquisition.  There's no growth in your comfort zone as Stephen points out.  Enjoy!  

For anyone that is considering using a VA service, this is a must listen episode.  It was a pleasure to meet with two of Savvital Assistants finest employees Uswa Zainab and Musab Shabaz.  These are two talented, personable, intelligent young professionals.  We discussed how they are supporting and benefiting the companies they work with. How they each have become valuable members of their organizations and provide a wide range abilities to not only support their companies, but improve their efficiency and operation.  I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation.  Enjoy!  

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-boldt-00318278/

#businessowner #businesspodcast #virutalassistants #insurancepodcast #Savvital

This is an episode for all small businesses.  We talk in depth about best practices for hiring, the importance of an assessment for applicants and best methods to find the most qualified job candidates.  Kevin is co-owner of IdealTraits.  A hiring platform specifically for the Insurance Industry.   Kevin started and grew 4 insurance agency locations before selling a few years back.  In addition to Ideal Traits, Kevin is involved in multiple businesses.  He is a true entrepreneur.   Every Insurance Agency should tune into this one to learn about hiring practices.  I would also recommend reaching out to Kevin for his Ideal Traits service when the time is right.   Enjoy!! 

Landry Fields started his agency from scratch 4 years ago.  We had a great conversation about the landscape of the insurance industry, hiring good people, his real estate niche, plans for growth. marketing.  This was an easy conversation with someone I had never met before this podcast.  Enjoy!  

Great conversation here with Brad Kaplan of Kaplan Insurance Agency.  We covered so many topics relating to the Independent Insurance Agency Channel.  We discuss hiring staff, managing staff, Agency Management Systems, specifically Hawksoft and why Brad says they have such a great company, how Kaplan Insurance continues to grow, the overall agency operation and much more.  There are a lot of key takeaways from this conversation.  Enjoy! 

https://www.kaplaninsuranceagency.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradkaplan1/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-boldt-00318278/

hawksoft.com 

Jessica Holder & Keenan Rice left their well paying jobs in the Captive Insurance world to start their own Independent Insurance Agency.  With little money, a lot of uncertainty and a baby on the way they were determined to find their own way.  There were struggles, but 4 1/2 years later, they've made it.  And add 2 more babies.  As owners of Eclipse Insurance, they have formed a great partnership.  Keenan focuses on Producing and Jessica focuses on running the operation.  This was a really fun, real conversation.  These are great, hardworking, honest people.  You will enjoy this episode!