Insurance Town

In this episode of the Insurance Town Podcast, Mayor Heath Shearon sits down with the dynamic Keith Harrison to talk about fun in the workplace, the importance of passion, and the journey that led Keith to where he is today. From LinkedIn connections to the power of networking, Heath and Keith dive deep into the sales process and the ideas and strategies he trains on all over the world.   Keith shares insights on finding joy in daily tasks, the philosophy of providing value over price, and some practical advice for making work feel less like work.

 Check this one out and hear more about:

• Building a Career on Passion – Both Heath and Keith explore the idea that if you love what you do, “you’ll never work a day in your life.”
• Keith shares practical sales tips that work 
• Keith workings with agencies all over the world to bring sales game changing sales process to the table
• How his simple and easy steps can help you turn your CRM into an even more valuable member of your sales team
• building a sales culture in your agency second to none

Episode Sponsors:

• Smart Choice – Helping independent agents grow and succeed with tools and support that make running an agency easier.
• Canopy Connect – The ultimate insurance verification tool, allowing agents to streamline data collection and focus on building client relationships.
• Olde School Marketing – Your go-to partner for customized marketing solutions in the insurance space, from print to digital.

Next Steps:
Tune in, subscribe, and reach out with feedback or topic suggestions. Don't forget to check out our amazing sponsors for tools and resources that can help elevate your agency to the next level.

In this Episode the Mayor sits down with his buddy Bobby Touran, of Rainbow, the MGA built for Restaurants. The conversation covers Baabak Touran’s background, and how the 2008 financial crisis led him and his friends to start a business that eventually became a major focus for him. Heath and Baabak exchange insights on resilience, adapting to change, and the power of entrepreneurship, particularly within challenging economic conditions. Together Mayor and Bobby dive into topics of personal and professional growth, the unpredictable paths that careers can take, and the importance of seizing opportunities—even in tough times.

Episode Highlights:.:

1. Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Reflecting on his experiences, Baabak offers advice for newcomers to the business world. His key message? Embrace the unknown, leverage your network, and never underestimate the power of persistence.
   Key Quotes:
2. Empowering Small Businesses with Data: Rainbow’s technology helps small agencies leverage data that’s typically out of reach due to cost or complexity, leveling the playing field with larger competitors.\
3. Automation for Efficiency: Rainbow integrates automation tools that simplify time-consuming tasks. This means agents can spend less time on administrative work and more time building relationships and growing their business.
4. Data Integration for Deeper Insights: Rainbow aggregates data from multiple sources, giving agencies a more holistic view of each client’s needs, behaviors, and potential risks.
5. Supporting Growth in a Changing Market: As the insurance industry evolves, Rainbow helps agencies stay agile, adapt to new trends, and respond to the ever-changing demands of their customers.

In essence, Rainbow is helping insurance agencies modernize and grow by putting powerful, user-friendly data tools at their fingertips. It’s an approach that not only helps businesses thrive but also improves client satisfaction—transforming the traditional insurance experience for the better.

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! OldeSchoolmarketing.com 

In this solo episode, the Mayor of Insurance Town tackles a challenge we can all relate to—burnout. As the end of the year approaches, workloads ramp up, and burnout can feel like it’s right around the corner.

This episode is all about recognizing burnout, taking practical steps to beat it, and finding motivation to finish strong.The Mayor shares powerful burnout stats, signs to look out for, and real-world strategies that make a difference. From prioritizing tasks and setting work boundaries to celebrating small victories, this episode provides the tools to help you recharge, refocus, and wrap up the year with purpose. Tune in for encouragement, practical tips, and a motivational send-off to close out 2024 strong!

Sponsors: Special thanks to our sponsors, who make this podcast possible and provide solutions that help you work smarter, not harder:

• Smart Choice: Supporting agents with access to top carriers, competitive commissions, and dedicated support to help grow your agency.
• Canopy Connect: The easy, secure way to collect client information quickly, helping you serve clients better and streamline your workflow.
• Olde School Marketing: Your go-to for customized, creative marketing solutions that give your agency the edge it needs to stand out.

On todays episode the mayor interviews good friend Eric Stien, who just finished writing his first book he says, this is a Blueprint for agencies looking to grow their agencies. He gives a lot of practical advice throughout the podcast on simple ways any agency can grow and take its agency to another level. Eric is the President at Insured Solutions, Inc, he is also a Podcast Host: Insurance shop talk and he has a lot to talk about here. Eric shares his inspiring story of taking his insurance agency from humble beginnings to strategic expansion, plus offers advice others can use to differentiate their agency, attract top talent, and adapt to changing customer expectations. This is a good one Buckle up

Sponsors:

Smart Choice
Canopy Connect 
Olde School Marketing

In this episode of the Insurance Town Podcast, the Mayor sits down with Caleb Cramer, an insurance pro who’s always been on the move—both in the field and in his career. Caleb opens up about his journey in sales, how he’s navigated his career path, and the exciting developments with his new job.

They dive deep into the world of insurance sales, focusing on Caleb’s sales philosophy, the challenges he’s faced, and how he’s built long-lasting client relationships that drive success. Caleb also drops some “insider tea” on what’s going on with his latest role and what he's excited about for the future.

Tune in to hear Caleb’s candid thoughts on:

• Why Sales is Everything – How sales has shaped Caleb’s career and why he believes every insurance professional should focus on mastering this craft.
• The Art of Relationship Building – His tried-and-true methods for developing trust and rapport with clients, and how it’s helped him stand out in a competitive industry.
• The Next Chapter – Caleb spills the details about his exciting new job and what it means for his future (hint: he’s not slowing down anytime soon).

Key Takeaways:

• “It’s not just about selling a policy, it’s about solving problems.” – Caleb breaks down how his sales approach goes beyond transactions and into long-term partnerships.
• “You have to stay curious and adapt.” – Caleb shares how curiosity and a willingness to evolve have been critical to his ongoing success in the ever-changing world of insurance.
• “Sales is a relationship game.” – Why focusing on the human side of business makes all the difference.

What’s New with Caleb:
Caleb teases some exciting news about his new role in the industry. Without giving too much away, he talks about his fresh start, what motivated the change, and how he plans to keep shaking things up in the insurance world.

Quotes:

• “If you’re not constantly refining your sales approach, you’re already behind.” – Caleb Cramer
• “Every day I wake up thinking about how I can better serve my clients. The sales will come if you do that right.”

Call to Action: Whether you’re a seasoned insurance professional or just getting started, this episode is packed with insights you can use. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and share it with someone who could use a fresh perspective on sales and leadership.

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!

In this weeks episode of Insurance Town, The Mayor welcomes good buddy Patrick McBride to the show. Patrick, a seasoned insurance professional, shares his journey, experiences, and insights on the industry's evolving landscape.

Key Highlights:

• The Last Few Years in the Industry: Patrick reflects on how the last couple of years have been "wicked" due to the rapid changes in technology and the industry's shift towards innovation. He provides perspective on how to stay ahead amidst these changes.
• Staying Connected in a Changing World: The conversation shifts to the importance of maintaining relationships in the insurance world, especially in a post-pandemic landscape. Patrick talks about his strategies for staying connected with colleagues and clients while continuing to adapt to the evolving industry.

Customer Service and Technology: The conversation digs deep into how the evolution of technology has transformed customer service in the insurance world. Patrick emphasizes the need for agencies to use tech to enhance the client experience—whether it's through automation or more personalized service. They discuss tools like AI chatbots, data analytics, and client portals, which not only make processes faster but allow for a more tailored approach. As Patrick points out: "The best tech makes great service feel effortless."Patrick shares a few stories where tech simplified otherwise complex processes for clients, noting how a quick turnaround and personalized communication helped retain customers. The duo also touches on the challenge of finding a balance between automation and the human touch. "At the end of the day," says Patrick, "clients still want to know there’s a real person behind the scenes who cares about them."

• Rapid Fire Questions Segment: In a fun and fast-paced part of the episode, Heath puts Patrick in the hot seat with rapid-fire questions. Get ready for some hilarious and insightful moments as Patrick reveals:
  • Favorite tech tool for improving customer service.
  • Worst business advice he ever received.
  • Favorite networking event (besides Indy Tech, of course!).
  • Go-to grilling recipe—yes, there’s a little cooking talk!
  • And much more!
• Customer Service Tech Takeaways for Insurance Pros:
  • Speed & Efficiency with Tech: Use technology to streamline repetitive tasks like policy changes, claims processing, and FAQs to free up more time for personalized client interactions.
  • Human Touch: While automation is a game-changer, it’s crucial to maintain a human connection for the moments that matter. Clients value tech for convenience but trust is built through real relationships.
  • Data-Driven Personalization: Tools that provide data insights can help agents understand client preferences and needs, making their outreach and service more meaningful.
• Don’t Miss:
  • Laugh-out-loud moments from the rapid-fire segment.
  • Patrick’s take on the biggest customer service pitfalls and how to avoid them in today’s tech-driven world.

Takeaways for Insurance Professionals:

• Importance of attending industry events like Indy Tech to network and stay updated on new trends.
• How to stay agile and adaptive to change in a "wicked" industry.
• Strategies for staying connected with your professional network, even when you can't always meet in person.

Don't Miss:

• Hilarious stories from the Indy Tech event that will keep you laughing.
• Patrick’s take on how insurance professionals can thrive in today's rapidly evolving environment.

Subscribe & Review:
Don’t forget to subscribe to Insurance Town on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show

This is a LIVE episode from the PIA of Texas Conference in San Marcos Texas ! We are discussing Hard Market with Carrie Cheeks of JenCap,  Debbie Dziga of Dziga Insurance, and Michael Ley of Hawksoft

WARNING : THE AUDIO IS NOT STUDIO QUALITY DUE TO THE LIVE ASPECT BUT CONTENT TOO GOOD not to put out.

Episode Sponsors:
Smart Choice Agents
Canopy Connect 
Olde School Marketing

This is recorded live in San Marcos Texas at the PIA of Texas convention. We recorded this from my iphone so please forgive the sound quality, however the value is definitely there. Please give it a listen and let me know your thoughts, [email protected]

In this discussion we discuss how to navigate the hard market from a Carrier/MGA perspecive and agency owner perspective as well as the perspective of a technology vendor. There are a lot of good questions from the audience as well as pre planned questions too. Thank you to mu panelist Carrie Cheeks, Michael Ley and Deb Dziga for joining me on this panel.

If you are an agent in Texas and you have not given PIA of Texas a chance check them out as well. go to Https://www.piatx.org.

Sponsors
Smart Choice
Canopy Connect
Olde School Marketing 

In this episode of Insurance Town, Heath Shearon sits down with a dynamic guest who is transforming how agencies operate. The conversation centers around leveraging technology to streamline agency operations and drive growth. From CRM systems to data analytics, they break down the tools and strategies that can help agencies stay competitive and efficient. The guest also highlights the power of relationship-building and how investing in both clients and team members can foster long-term success.

This episode is a must-listen for insurance professionals looking to modernize their operations and elevate their business by embracing tech-driven solutions and relationship-focused growth strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• How to effectively implement technology in your agency to improve operations and customer experience.
• The role of data and analytics in shaping smarter business decisions.
• Building strong client relationships as a foundation for agency success.
• Strategies to foster team development and collaboration for long-term growth.

Sponsors:

• Smart Choice – The fastest-growing agency network, offering tools to help independent agents succeed.
• Canopy Connect - Your one click solution to getting dec pages you need. 
• Olde School Marketing New school approach for an old school way of marketing 

In this weeks episide the Mayor, Heath Shearon got a chance to catch up with his good friend Holden Smith on the show. Its been 4 years since he last appeared on the show and lots have changed since then, He's grown in size, locations and Acquisitions. Come join us on this journey and learn more about :

How Holden has hit the reset button and how he come out on top
How Holden purchased 3 agencies in a singe afternoon
What he thinks contributes to good culture in an agency
Heath and Holdens thougths on life, Insurance, and so many other topics

This is one for the ages! check this episode out!!

Sponsors:

• SmartChoice - Helping agencies grow with access to markets, higher commissions, and more. Visit SmartChoice
• Canopy Connect - A game-changer for client onboarding and referrals. Get a Discount www.usecanopy.com/heath 
• Olde School Marketing - Direct mail with a personal touch, featuring handwritten envelopes and notes. Check them out