In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Charles McDade, Agency Owner at McDade Insurance, to discuss building an agency from scratch from an entrepreneurial perspective. The conversation covers the importance of relationships, the lessons learned from entrepreneurship, and the significance of context in receiving advice. Charles also hits on the top key decisions that agency owners should focus on, including choosing the right MGA for you, understanding financial metrics, and the significance of asking the right questions to foster successful partnerships.

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with financial experts Andre Logan, Ivan Kan, and Aaron Stocks from Agency Point and Ameriprise Financial to discuss the financial needs and strategies for agency owners. This episode explores the importance of diversifying wealth, effective tax planning, and the necessity of having a cohesive advisory team that understands the unique challenges faced by agency owners.

Learn more here: www.SentinelWealthAdvisoryGroup.com

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Jake Jensen and Kevin Callister from the Leavitt Group to discuss the how the hard market has impacted M&A in the independent insurance industry. They share insights on what the market has changed, the importance of agency valuations, and the dynamics between buyers and sellers. The discussion emphasizes the significance of culture, employee retention, and the long-term implications of selling an agency. The guests provide valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of M&A transactions and the critical factors that influence agency valuations.

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Thomas Mann, a new addition to Agency Focus, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing insurance agencies as they navigate scaling, staffing issues, and the importance of technology. They explore predictions for the insurance industry in 2025, emphasizing the need for agencies to document processes and prepare for market changes. The conversation highlights the significance of agency performance and valuation in a competitive landscape, as well as the excitement surrounding Thomas's new role at Agency Focus.

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Frank "Santa" Sentner to celebrate their podcast milestone, who shares his extensive experience in insurance technology. The conversation covers the evolution of technology in the insurance industry, the importance of AI, and the need for independent agents to adapt to changing customer preferences. 

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Andrew Darlington from Veritas Insurance to chat through how he manages his internship program. THe conversation explores how internship programs can be used to attract young talent, the responsibilities of mentoring interns, and the value of real-world experience. The discussion emphasizes the need for structured internship programs that focus on project-based learning, allowing interns to engage meaningfully while contributing to agency growth. 

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Dawnyel Smink, President of the Western region at Keystone Insurers Group to talk about the importance of agency networks in todays insurance landscape. The discussion emphasizes the need for agency owners to choose networks that align with their vision and values, and the importance of treating network relationships as partnerships rather than mere contracts. 

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Brenden Corr & Justin Goodman to chat about Project 55, an initiative aimed at providing resources and support for mental health in the insurance industry. Project 55's mission is to educate, empower, and equip individuals with the tools necessary to support mental health in their communities.

Check it out here: https://project55.org/

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Andrew Ryan from Hertvik Insurance Group to discuss generational differences in the workplace, the role of technology in modern insurance, and the significance of creating a culture that encourages innovation and risk-taking. Andrew emphasizes the need for alignment between individual and organizational goals, offering valuable insights for both young professionals and agency owners. 

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace answer the question "What even is a valuation report anyways?" and break down what a valuation report really is, why understanding your agency’s worth is crucial, and the key components that make up an accurate valuation. The discussion highlights how regular valuations serve as a vital health check for agencies, the essential data you’ll need, and the role subjectivity plays in these reports. They wrap up with practical insights on how knowing your agency's strengths and weaknesses can impact your valuation strategy.

This episode is brought to you by Cake, connecting independent insurance agents looking to sell a book of business or a slice – a chosen group of accounts – with other agents looking to grow their business.

Learn more and create a free account at https://www.haveyourcake.com/

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/