Insurance Agency Success

Family-First Priorities and 16 Agency Acquisitions In 25 Years | Todd Johnson | Ep 3

Noting today’s hardened insurance market and contrasting it with the number of new, younger agency owners finding success, this episode highlights the weight carried by a family name and reputation, the power of acquiring other businesses over time, and the importance of building a network. Most of all, however, this week’s guest touts the importance of family and personal time above all.  
 
"Without the work-life balance, all the rest of it means nothing." - Todd Johnson 
 
Every insurance agency owner has to navigate the complexities of insurance markets, increased deductibles, reduced coverage, and rising premiums. Beyond that, Todd says the greatest challenge is finding and retaining great employees whose values align with your agency’s goals and the reputation you intend to build (which he’s been successful at).  
It's no secret that the insurance industry is highly competitive, with companies constantly vying for market share and customer loyalty. To stay ahead in this environment, one must be prepared to adapt, innovate, and constantly strive for excellence. 
 
Time Well Spent: Carrying Your Family Name and Business Reputation 
(00:08:57) Building a Family Business and Upholding Reputation 
(00:22:17) Impact of Hardening Insurance Markets 
(00:25:09) Thriving Amid Insurance Industry's Competitive Landscape 
(00:30:03) Johnson's Political Career Highlights 
(00:33:09) Helpful Association & Group Memberships 
 
 
Building a Family-Centered Business in the Insurance Industry 
Todd Johnson, Owner of Johnson Insurance in North Carolina, built his insurance agency from scratch, thanks to his father’s guidance and the acquisition of agencies along his 25-year career. You’ll find value in his perspective on achieving work-life balance and building a cohesive team that shares common values and mindset. Johnson attributes much of his success to a commitment to technological advancement, a principle passed down from his father, which has been pivotal in enhancing the growth and efficiency of his agencies. 
 
 
 
 
Business Strategy & Takeaways for Insurance Agency Owners: 
Starting any business from scratch is tough. Accept guidance and advice from those who have already done it and remain open to acquisition opportunities to get “over the hump.” 
Blocking your calendar (and respecting those calendar blocks) for personal, spiritual, and family time is a useful strategy to ensure all of your energy isn’t consumed by the agency. 
Hiring and retaining team members that share your values and align with the agency’s goals is top priority when building a business. 
Pursue opportunities to learn from others – associations, conferences, networking, and even political affiliations or memberships can provide connections, help you implement best practices, and ensure your drive for innovation.  
One of the best ways to keep your finger on the pulse of industry-related legislation is to get active in your local community and government.  
 
 
Connect with Eddie Price and Jenesis Software:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddierprice/ 
The Perfect Insurance Agency Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Insurance-Agency-Changes-Success/dp/0578485753 
Agency Management Software: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/ 
Book Your Demo of Jenesis Software today: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/request-demo-2/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenesisSoftware 
 
 
Connect with Todd Johnson & Johnson Insurance:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-johnson-96827138/ 
Johnson Insurance: https://johnsoninsurance.org/ 
Email Todd: todd@johnsoninsurance.org 
North Carolina’s Senator of the 35th District email: todd.johnson@ncleg.gov 
 
 
Video editing & podcast management by www.podcastabundance.com

Strategic Expansion to $35 Million with Multiple Physical Locations | Miles Butler | Ep 2

Does your agency's growth strategy focus on expanding its physical presence through acquiring new locations and team members?  
Miles Butler of Able Insurance Agency highlights the advantages of multiple locations, including improved accessibility for clients, more opportunities for customer service, and enhanced online visibility through local SEO.  
 
Able Insurance’s Journey Through the Generations:  
(00:10:37) Enhancing Accessibility Through Local Agency Office Locations 
(00:13:18) Ensuring Reliable Team Members Across Multiple Offices 
(00:18:09) Specialized Staffing and Carrier Acquisition Challenges 
(00:21:09) Dynamic Marketing Investments for Insurance Agencies 
(00:28:57) Enhancing Customer Experience Through Technology Adoption 
(00:38:00) Ethical Customer Relationships in Insurance Industry 
(00:38:30) Ethical Customer-Centric Business Strategies 
 
Overcoming Obstacles in the Insurance Industry: Team, Carriers, and Communication 
Although Miles has been working and growing the business full-time over the past 10 years, he credits his grandfather and father for establishing a strong initial footprint for the family business. With multiple locations, several brand names beginning with “A”, and a book worth $35MM in premium, he says attracting qualified team members, securing the right carriers, and maintaining effective communication, particularly in coastal areas with unique insurance needs are ongoing challenges.  
Able Insurance’s marketing strategies are diverse, combining traditional advertising with SEO efforts, and Miles advises patience and consistent investment over a long period of time before evaluating whether one tactic is working or not.  The agency remains committed to a customer-centric approach, prioritizing long-term relationships and moral integrity over short-term gains, and leveraging technology to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. 
"You have to meet them where they are. You have to understand their needs. Their ability to pay or not to pay is not something that the majority of people are making that conscious decision. They're out there doing their best." - Miles Butler 
 
Advice & Strategy For Insurance Agency Owners: 
Additional locations provide an improved local presence and more opportunities for customer service 
Maintain reliable team members in each office to handle unexpected emergencies 
Invest in marketing strategies like billboards and online advertising for effective lead generation, they all work cohesively to establish your agency as top-of-mind 
Leverage technology to streamline processes and enhance customer experience 
Prioritize customer satisfaction and retention over short-term gains 
Reject policies that do not align with the customer's best interests to maintain moral integrity 
Build trust and positive relationships with customers by treating them with empathy and respect 
 
 
 
Connect with Eddie Price and Jenesis Software:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddierprice/ 
The Perfect Insurance Agency Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Insurance-Agency-Changes-Success/dp/0578485753 
Agency Management Software: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/ 
Book Your Demo of Jenesis Software today: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/request-demo-2/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenesisSoftware 
 
 
Connect with Miles Butler of Able & Atlantic Coast Insurance Agencies: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miles-butler-379038206/ 
Atlantic Coast Insurance Agency: https://atlanticcoastautonc.com/ 
Able Insurance Agency: https://ableautoinsurance.com/ 
 
 
 
Video editing & podcast management by www.podcastabundance.com

Growing Your Insurance Agency Organically (Without Advertising) | Deirdre Rushin | Ep 1

While rapid growth may seem appealing, slow and steady business growth often leads to long-term success. By focusing on sustainable growth strategies, businesses can build a strong foundation, establish a loyal customer base, and weather economic downturns more effectively. That’s exactly how Deirdre Rushin has methodically grown Imperial Insurance and Financial Solutions of Durham, NC.  
 
Imperial Insurance’s Evolution & Growth Blueprint:  
(00:02:48) Remote-Driven Evolution in Insurance Business 
(00:08:06) Relationship-Based Expansion Marketing Approach 
(00:12:29) Team Alignment in Business Scaling Challenges 
(00:16:28) Sustainable Growth Through Methodical Progress 
(00:24:03) Referral-Based Business Growth through Strategic Partnerships 
(00:33:14) Narrowing Business Focus for Strategic Growth 
 
From Monoline to Multifaceted: The Path to Sustainable Insurance Agency Expansion 
Deirdre Rushin founded the company in 2018 with a focus on monoline home and auto insurance. From buying a book of business (life insurance) and working to serve those clients in other areas, she successfully expanded into the commercial insurance sector, offering Workers’ Comp., Group Health, General Liability, Commercial Auto, and International Business Insurance.  
She’s used Jenesis Software as her agency management system from the start. Having implemented it back in 2016 at her then day-job, she knew it was the perfect fit for her own agency.  Book your Demo of Jenesis Software today. 
In 2022, Deirdre transitioned her agency to a fully remote operation, adapting to the post-Covid way of doing business. This allowed for reduced overhead costs and increased flexibility in servicing her clients. With a firm belief in the importance of a strong support system and a methodical approach to growth, she continues to leverage her prior experience and digital platforms to maintain client relationships and drive success in the ever-evolving insurance industry. 
"If I had to give advice, I would start by saying that it's so important to have a support system, first of all, because it's rough starting any business from scratch, be it insurance or grocery store or a hair salon." - Deirdre Rushin 
 
Business Strategy & Takeaways for Insurance Agency Owners:  
Transitioning to a 100% remote work model saved on overhead costs and increased flexibility 
Focus on leveraging existing relationships, referrals, and partnerships to generate clients without traditional marketing campaigns 
Ensure team members align with the agency's goals to scale the business effectively 
Prioritize slow and steady growth at a rate of 10-15% annually for long-term success 
She’s primarily relied on referrals and building relationships to acquire clients instead of traditional marketing methods 
Maximize time and profits by focusing on a specific area of business  
 
Connect with Eddie Price and Jenesis Software:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddierprice/ 
The Perfect Insurance Agency Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Insurance-Agency-Changes-Success/dp/0578485753 
Agency Management Software: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/ 
Book Your Demo of Jenesis Software today: https://www.jenesissoftware.com/request-demo-2/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JenesisSoftware 
 
 
Connect with Deirdre Rushin and Imperial Insurance and Financial Solutions:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-rushin-9b2a1325/ 
Imperial Insurance: https://imperial-ins.com/ 
 
 
Video editing & podcast management by www.podcastabundance.com

Build a Better Insurance Agency: Streamline & Scale with Eddie Price

Want to grow your insurance agency, streamline operations, and scale with confidence? Host, Eddie Price—founder of Jenesis Software and agency owner for 30+ years—shares real strategies from top agency owners and industry pros to help you build a business you love. Ready to simplify your systems? Visit jenesissoftware.com to book a demo.