In this episode of The Insurance Town Podcast, host Heath Shearon sits down with Teresa Kitchens, a dynamic agency owner and podcaster, to explore her remarkable journey of resilience, leadership, and transformation both personally and professionally.

Key Highlights:

• Facing and Overcoming Adversity: Teresa shares deeply personal experiences, including her children's mental health struggles and navigating divorce, while balancing business challenges. These life-altering events shaped her leadership philosophy and the structure of her agency.
• Virtual Agency Model: As a pioneer of virtual operations, Teresa discusses the motivations behind creating a remote-friendly business and the positive impact it’s had on her team and culture.
• Leadership and Team Development: Insights into fostering a collaborative and accountable team culture, where members are supported through challenges and empowered to lead.
• Personal Growth and Mindset Shifts: How self-reflection, books like John Acuff's Start, and introspection allowed Teresa to transform her fears into stepping stones for growth.
• Blended Family Dynamics: A candid look into the ups and downs of second marriages and blended families, with lessons on communication, compromise, and perseverance.
• Building Strong Client Relationships: Teresa emphasizes the importance of humanizing client interactions, understanding their struggles, and aligning business operations with empathy.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Our fears were creating everything we didn’t want, but acknowledging them allowed us to grow beyond them.”
• “As a leader, you must give your team space to heal and grow. Honor their journey—it strengthens the entire organization.”

I love interiewing other podcasters its so fun, Listen to her podcast, Power Women in Insurance, where she uplifts voices and stories of women in the insurance industry.

Sponsors: A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!

• Smart Choice: Looking for a great partner to help grow your agency? Check out Smart Choice for all your agency needs.
• Canopy Connect: Want to simplify the way you collect client information? Visit UseCanopy.com/heath to see how Canopy Connect can help streamline your agency’s processes.
• Olde School Marketing: For all your marketing and promotional needs, Olde School Marketing has you covered. Reach out today to level up your marketing game!