Insurance Refocused
The independent insurance agency space is rapidly changing and evolving. The whole industry is feeling it and we want to provide a connection for agents to understand that they’re not alone. Join industry expert, Carey Wallace, and her Gen X daughter, Lindsay Wallace, as they interview agency owners, and get down in the nitty-gritty of every day topics that you face in your agency. The incoming wave of M&A, agency marketing, technology & insurtech, and generational change is upon us, join us as we redefine the industry!
Episodes
118 episodes
#117 - Can AI Answer Your Agency’s Phones? w/ Francisco Lopes
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Francisco Lopes to talk about the innovative AI technology he developed for insurance agencies. The AI functions as a receptionist, handling calls and customer inquiries while maintaining a perso...
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Episode 117
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31:26
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#116 - Buying an Agency After Loss w/ Ted Rusinoff
In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Ted Rusinoff to discuss a transition story few agency owners prepare for, purchasing an agency after the unexpected death of its owner.Ted shares the real-world challenges of stabilizing ...
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Episode 116
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39:45
#115 - Harnessing AI in Insurance w/ Landry Fields
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Landry Fields from Nova Insurance Group to talk about how he's leveraging of AI into his agency for content creation, enhancing efficiency, marketing, and training. He shares insights into the ri...
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Episode 115
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47:09
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#114 - Preparing an Agency For Sale w/ Steve Carroll
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Steve Carroll from Patriot Growth Insurance Services to talk about current market dynamics and the characteristics of agencies that are well-prepared for sale. They discuss the importance of unde...
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Episode 114
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37:58
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#113 - The Power of Mastermind Groups w/ Jason Kilgo
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Jason Kilgo from Kilgo Insurance, to talk about importance of building connections through mastermind groups, the value of sharing knowledge and the significance of trust and transparency in busi...
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Episode 113
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33:48
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#112 - Internal Transition of a Family Insurance Agency w/ Landon Bentham
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Landon Bentham from Callahan & Rice to talk about his journey taking over Callahan and Rice from his father-in-law, Mark Rice. The discussion covers the challenges and dynamics of transitionin...
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Episode 112
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31:44
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#111 - The Journey of Female Entrepreneurs w/ Julie Webb
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Julie Webb to discuss the importance of female empowerment in the insurance industry, Julie's journey as a woman entrepreneur, and the challenges faced in male-dominated fields. They explore the ...
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Episode 111
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35:01
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#110 - High Risk Niche w/ Chris Larmore
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 i...
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Episode 110
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30:55
#109 - Failing to Plan: An Agency's Biggest Risk
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, ...
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Episode 109
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30:10
#108 - Agency Risk Factors
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 fact...
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Episode 108
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27:51
#107 - The Future of Remote Work w/ Jim Schubert
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 succ...
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Episode 107
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40:35
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#106 - Supporting Sales in the Insurance Industry w/ Karl Sherrill
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 ...
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Episode 105
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31:19
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#105 - Family Agency Ownership Transition w/ Jordan Piland
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 th...
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42:50
#104 - Starting From Scratch w/ Charles McDade
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, ...
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Episode 104
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47:12
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#103 - Effective Tax Planning w/ Andre Logan, Ivan Kan & Aaron Stocks
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 imp...
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Episode 103
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32:20
#102 - Not All Buyers are Right for Every Seller w/ Jake Jensen & Kevin Callister
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 ch...
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Episode 102
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41:23
#101 - 2025 Predictions w/ Thomas Mann
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. The...
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Episode 101
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29:08
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#100 - The Insurtech Santa w/ Frank Sentner
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Frank "Santa" Sentner to celebrate their podcast milestone, who shares his extensive experience in insurance technology. The conversation covers the evolution of technology in the insurance indust...
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Episode 100
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39:06
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#99 - Creating an Internship Program w/ Andrew Darlington
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Andrew Darlington from Veritas Insurance to chat through how he manages his internship program. THe conversation explores how internship programs can be used to attract young talent, the ...
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Episode 99
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36:01
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#98 - Choosing a Network w/ Dawnyel Smink
In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Dawnyel Smink, President of the Western region at Keystone Insurers Group to talk about the importance of agency networks in todays insurance landscape. The discussion emphasizes the need for age...
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Episode 98
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39:04
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#97 - Project 55: Empowering Mental Health Awareness w/ Justin Goodman & Brenden Corr
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Brenden Corr & Justin Goodman to chat about Project 55, an initiative aimed at providing resources and support for mental health in the insurance industry. Project 55's mission is to ...
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Episode 97
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39:29
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#96 - Permission to Fail w/ Andrew Ryan
In this episode Lindsay and Carey sit down with Andrew Ryan from Hertvik Insurance Group to discuss generational differences in the workplace, the role of technology in modern insurance, and the significance of creating a culture that encourage...
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Episode 96
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35:56
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#95 - What Even Is a Valuation Report Anyways w/ Carey & Lindsay
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace answer the question "What even is a valuation report anyways?" and break down what a valuation report really is, why understanding your agency’s worth is crucial, and the key components that make up an...
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Episode 95
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31:52
#94 - Solving the People Problem w/ Billy Wagner
In this episode, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Billy Wagner to explore the transition from being an operator to a CEO, emphasizing the importance of building a high-performance team and solving the people problem. Billy shares insight...
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Episode 94
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42:44
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#93 - The Future of Agency Acquisitions w/ Mike Wagar & Mike Strakhov
In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Mike Wagar and Mike Strakhov from Westfield Bank, to discuss the dynamics of the insurance lending market. They explore the current state of the market, predictions for 2024 and 2025, and...
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Episode 93
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35:14
