Thinking about how to grow your insurance agency for long-term success, without sacrificing happiness or work-life balance? In this episode, Eddie Price sits down with Keith Kiser to share real lessons from decades in the business. 

Here's what you'll learn: 

Key steps included adapting to market shifts, embracing independence when given the opportunity, and choosing technology partners tailored to the agency’s real needs rather than flashy features. Throughout, prioritizing customer relationships, staying resilient through hard markets, and learning from both successes and failures set the stage for Kiser Insurance Agency’s sustainable growth. 

(00:22:29) “We're not going to represent a company that we would not place our own insurance with.”  - Keith Kiser 

52 Years Strong: The Secrets Behind a Lasting Independent Insurance Agency 

Actionable strategies for agency owners include focusing on genuine customer service—such as meeting clients where they’re most comfortable, providing flexibility in communications, and maintaining after-hours support when truly needed. Keith notes that patience is required and that new agency owners must ‘pay their dues’ as in making the calls, working the long hours, and showing up consistently over a long period of time, building referrals and reputation.  

You’ll find emphasis throughout this episode on the importance of balancing personal and professional life, including the pursuit of hobbies and family time to avoid burnout.

Building the Right Team by Hiring for Heart and Training for Skill  

Although hiring is identified as a major challenge, Keith’s advice is to seek candidates that fit the agency culture and train them for skill, rather than prioritizing prior insurance experience. While much of the insurance world might still feel outdated, the presence of apps, chatbots, and e-signature software has made it possible to operate with less staff members than in the 90’s since many important steps are taken automatically, thanks to technology. Adapting quickly to integrate the technology is just as important as setting aside the budget for the team training needed for each new app or tech opportunity.  

Boosting Agency Efficiency and Client Retention with Jenesis Software 

When Kiser Insurance Agency transitioned from being an exclusive Nationwide agency to an independent one in 2019, he evaluated several agency management systems but ultimately chose Jenesis for its simplicity and reliability, likening it to a “Honda Accord” that provided all the essential features without unnecessary complexity or cost. Since then, Kiser is also using their website service and Jenesis’ reputation management system, which helped them go from 3 to 17 Google reviews in just 30 days. 

Keith praises the Jenesis support team’s responsiveness and persistence in solving issues and highlights their ongoing commitment to improvement and personalized service—qualities he believes make Jenesis an ideal fit for agencies seeking practical, people-oriented technology solutions. 

Connect with Eddie Price and Jenesis Software:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddierprice/ 

The Perfect Insurance Agency Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Insurance-Agency-Changes-Success/dp/0578485753 

Agency Management Software: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/ 

Book Your Demo of Jenesis Software today: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/request-demo-2/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenesisSoftware 

Connect with Keith and Kiser Insurance Agency:  

Website: https://kiserinsuranceagency.com/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063670235016#