On this episode of The Insurance Guys Podcast, Scott and Bradley have a special guest, Josh Bagby, who shares his journey in the insurance industry. Josh talks about his experience working in a slow and political environment that wasn’t the right fit for him long term. He discovered the importance of building his personal brand locally and realized that people cared more about him as an individual than the company he worked for. When COVID hit, electronic signatures became crucial for the survival of his business. Josh spent a few years researching and considering other options due to the pandemic and a good renewal book. During this time, he listened to a podcast episode featuring Kenny Urbania, which led him to reach out for advice. He found the information from podcasts and guests valuable, especially when learning about the agency collective. Josh’s agency offers opportunities for growth and better pay for producers who are tired of being stagnant. He emphasizes the importance of freedom in terms of time and how agents are treated as human beings. He discusses the frustrations of being an independent agent and the challenges of dealing with aggregators and clusters that lock them down. 

Throughout the episode, Josh and the hosts also touch on the importance of not being influenced or bought by sponsors who may act against the best interest of independent agents. They discuss their concerns about the actions of a company called Openly, in which they are both investors. They highlight the need for independent agents to have support and someone to fall back on, as well as the significance of market access, commission percentage, and avoiding lock-up and stipulations.

In addition to diving into the insurance industry, they discuss this agent’s personal life, education, and career journey. The podcast episode also covers the power of social media, specifically how the speaker started a successful Facebook group that became a town hall and brand builder for their business. They discuss their efforts to positively impact their community, addressing needs quickly without red tape. They also offer insights on managing negative reviews and maintaining a balanced online community. 

Towards the end of the episode, the speaker announces their plan to open an independent insurance agency in their hometown and shares their approach to doing the right thing and learning from past agency experiences. They emphasize the importance of investing in quality resources and expertise while building solid relationships in the industry. The episode concludes with a sponsored message from Ascend, a premium finance company that automates invoicing for premium financing. They highlight how Ascend can save time and reduce non-payment cancellations for teams in the industry.