Don shares his experiences and valuable insights throughout the episode, shedding light on the realities of starting an agency from scratch and the importance of continuous learning in the ever-changing insurance industry.

Discover the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the mindset required to navigate the extreme peaks and valleys of building a scratch agency.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned insurance professional, or simply curious about the industry, this episode is packed with practical advice, inspiring stories, and expert knowledge.

- Introduction to today’s show 0:00

- Working for a more prominent agency gave me false confidence about my understanding of the industry 2:19

- When starting a scratch agency, a wealth of information and support is available to you. 3:55

- Checking your ego at the door and being curious. 7:33

- Why it’s so critical to be a student of the industry and engage in a meaningful way with other people in a peer-to-peer manner 14:42

- You must have the grit and the discipline to go through the extreme peaks and valleys of success. 17:32

- The importance of building a strong culture in your business. 20:43

- What would be a good idea for you to start? 26:12

- Gather as much information as possible about the industry as possible. 29:16

- What is a restaurant and bar insurance program? 32:35

- What does education do for your business? 39:30

- Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. 42:02

- The one thing I would have done differently. 44:53