In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Chris Larmore to discuss his experience in building a niche agency specializing in high risk construction markets. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the insurance market, the importance of relationships, and how technology, particularly AI, is being leveraged to enhance agency efficiency. 

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 discuss the importance of perpetuation planning for agency owners and the consequences in the event of not having a plan in place. They dive into the components that should be included in a perpetuation plan, and the steps to take to create a living document that can be updated regularly. If there's one thing they want listeners to take away from this episode, it's the emotional and financial implications of being unprepared and encourages agency owners to take action to protect their businesses and families.

Download our Perpetuation Planning Guide

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 discuss risk factors affecting agency value, emphasizing the concept of transferability. Carey explains how transferability relates to the predictability of an agency's ongoing performance and the various factors that influence it, including agency culture, technology, and niche markets. The conversation highlights the significance of continuity and the need for agency owners to assess their businesses from a buyer's perspective to identify potential risks. 

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 Jim Schubert, owner of Southern States Insurance, Inc. to explore the dynamics of remote work, the role of virtual assistants in agencies, the impact of employee retention on agency success and the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) as a framework for organizational structure and 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, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Karl Sherrill to discuss the importance of sales training and the dynamics of agency transitions. Karl shares his personal journey into the insurance world, emphasizing the potential for growth and success within the industry. The discussion also highlights the need for a supportive sales culture and the optimism surrounding the future of independent insurance agencies.

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 Jordan Piland, President at Lewis and Wallace Associates, Inc, who shares his journey from working at IBM to the insurance industry at a family agency. We dive deep into a discussion of the challenges and triumphs of working in a family agency, the importance collaboration and open communication, and the timeline of Jordan's transition to ownership within the agency. 

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 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/