In this episode of Keep Hustling, Aaron Gordon sits down with Aubie Knight, CEO of Big I North Carolina, for an in-depth conversation about the power of relationships, innovation, and leadership in the insurance industry. Aubie Knight shares insights on the importance of showing up, building real connections, and how investing in people drives both culture and performance. The discussion dives into finding balance between professional commitments and family, the value of learning from failure, and the need to fight complacency through constant innovation. Aubie Knight also reveals his approach to leading transformative change within his organization and offers actionable advice for young professionals on overcoming excuses, taking risks, and embracing collaboration. Tune in for practical tips, motivational anecdotes, and a dose of holiday cheer from two industry leaders passionate about hustling with purpose.

Get To Know Aubie Knight Aubie Knight is known throughout the insurance and association industry for his bold visions, innovative problem-solving approaches, and a constant desire for growth and evolution. He takes great pride in the fact that IIANC has been listed as a top employer in North Carolina for four consecutive years and that the IIANC team has an office culture and engagement score ranked in the top 1% of US employers.

As a result of his vision and leadership skills, Aubie has served on numerous Boards in both the association and insurance industries. He is constantly challenging himself and any organization that he is affiliated with to "get better"!

During his free time, Aubie loves spending time with his family, smoking meats, listening to live music, and visiting craft beer breweries. Aubie is a graduate of the University of Georgia and a huge Bulldog fan (and season ticket holder). Go Dawgs!

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3 Episode Key Takeaways

1. Relationship Building Is Essential: Aubie Knight stresses that insurance—and most business endeavors—are fundamentally relationship businesses. Showing up in person and engaging in genuine conversations is crucial to building trust and deep relationships, which not only enrich workplace culture but also drive long-term success.

2. Innovate and Take Calculated Risks: The episode highlights Aubie Knight's philosophy of embracing innovation and not being afraid to fail fast and iterate. By treating organizational resources as tools for strategic growth, he encourages leaders to try new ideas, accept setbacks as part of progress, and continually fight complacency in pursuit of improvement.

3. Balance Professional Hustle with Personal Values: Aubie Knight discusses the importance of balancing industry commitments with family priorities. He reveals his intentional approach to travel and work obligations, reminding listeners that real hustle includes knowing when to prioritize personal relationships and well-being while still making a meaningful impact in their career. Aubie Knight's Inspirational Quote: "The question is not whether our ideas are crazy, but whether they are crazy enough."

Show Overview 00:00 Passion for College Football

03:15 Insurance is a Relationship Business

08:46 Balancing Priorities and Commitments

11:14 Relentless Hustle Drives Success

13:44 Creating Change Through Strategic Leadership

16:15 Taking the Leap for Change

20:08 Embrace Change, Innovate Boldly

23:54 Motivational Quotes and Invitations