In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim sits down with Bobby Touran, co-founder of Rainbow, a tech-enabled MGA transforming how insurance is delivered for niche businesses like restaurants. Bobby explains how Rainbow blends automation and underwriting expertise to improve efficiency without removing the agent from the process. He shares how his team uses real-time data, continuous underwriting, and a strong service mindset to simplify restaurant insurance and support agency partners.

Takeaways

• Rainbow is a tech-enabled MGA focused on providing restaurant insurance through independent agents.
• Bobby explains how public data and POS systems improve underwriting speed and accuracy.
• Agents can quote and bind restaurant policies in minutes using Rainbow’s digital platform.
• Continuous underwriting helps detect risk changes throughout the policy term.
• The platform supports agents with human underwriters and responsive service.
• Rainbow has grown rapidly through word of mouth and state association involvement.
• Bobby emphasizes patience, partnership, and openness to evolving how insurance is delivered.

Resources From Bobby

Website
LinkedIn

About Bobby

With 7 years in the insurance industry, Bobby is co-founder of 2 insurtech companies in the P&C space, both with a focus on retail agents and small commercial insurance.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim welcomes Dani Kimble, founder of Azelie Studio and a specialist in building purpose-driven brands. Dani shares how growing up in a family business shaped her storytelling mindset and explains the core elements of creating a brand rooted in authentic purpose. She offers valuable advice for insurance agency owners looking to deepen their brand impact.

Takeaways

• Building a purpose-driven brand starts with understanding and articulating your backstory.
• Dani’s branding process focuses on authentic storytelling, not quick marketing tactics.
• Brand strategy involves core values, purpose, vision, and long-term positioning.
• Insurance agencies often struggle with balancing short-term wins and long-term brand growth.
• Brand work leads to stronger retention, internal culture, and deeper client relationships.
• Dani doesn’t push marketing without a solid brand foundation first.
• Storytelling creates meaningful differentiation in competitive markets.

Resources From Dani

Website
LinkedIn
Difference by Bernadette Jiwa

About Dani

Dani Kimble empowers small businesses to create purpose-driven brands grounded in authentic story and strategy, positioning their brand for growth. She’s the Founder of Azelie Studio, a boutique brand consultancy focused on brand strategy, brand identity, and brand story.

Former Chief Marketing Officer for a growing independent insurance agency, Dani transformed the brand identity to center around its story, its people, and its culture. This led to supporting growth across the organization from talent attraction and retention, client retention, new business opportunities, and referrals.

Dani is now sought for her branding approach that puts storytelling and differentiation at the forefront. Dani has been featured in business publications, podcasts, and articles for her work in brand positioning, messaging, storytelling, and marketing.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim reconnects with Gabe Oh, a returning guest and friend who recently sold his insurance agency. Gabe opens up about the personal and professional reasons behind his decision, the options he explored, and the mental and emotional impacts of selling. He reflects on life after the sale, how it has affected his family, his work, and his mindset, offering honest advice for agency owners considering the same path.

Takeaways

• Selling an agency is a deeply personal decision based on timing, goals, and life circumstances.
• Gabe’s reasons included new opportunities, family security, and simplifying the future.
• There are many deal structures—full sale, partial sale, or partnerships.
• Gabe chose fit and vision over the highest offer when selecting a buyer.
• Post-sale life offers more time with family and a shift away from day-to-day operations.
• Mental health and identity shifts are common after selling a business.
• Gabe advises agency owners to seek guidance from those with no financial interest.

Resources From Gabe

LinkedIn
The Great Money Reset by Jill Schlesinger  


About Gabe

Gabe Oh is a former agency owner who sold his independent agency to a national brokerage backed by private equity. With nearly 200 flight hours as a pilot and new ventures on the horizon, Gabe continues to support other agency owners navigating growth, acquisition, and post-sale transitions. A proud father of two and Pacific Northwest resident, Gabe values faith, family, and helping others succeed.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

In this episode, Jim sits down with John Barbour, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG), to explore the vital role that independent agents play in driving real change during one of the hardest markets the insurance industry has seen. John shares his background as a lobbyist and explains how agents can use their relationships and voices to influence critical legal reforms, especially around tort and judicial issues. The conversation offers a powerful look at the importance of grassroots advocacy and the tools now available for agents to make a lasting impact.

Takeaways

• John Barbour is the CEO and lobbyist for IIAG, serving as a key advocate for independent insurance agents across Georgia.
• John emphasizes the value of relationships in his journey from the State Senate to representing agents at the Capitol.
• Legal reform is a top priority as Georgia faces skyrocketing rates, increased exclusions, and mounting underwriting challenges.
• The Big I of Georgia has helped secure major wins on tort reform and protected homeowners market stability through advocacy.
• Georgia’s status as a "judicial hellhole" drives nuclear verdicts and rate increases, sparking urgent grassroots action.
• The Agents Action Center equips agents with tools and resources to educate clients and influence legislators.
• John encourages agents to recognize their influence, build relationships with lawmakers, and authentically advocate for change.

Resources from John

IIAG Website
Agents Action Center
Justice Not Jackpots Campaign
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

About John Barbour

John Barbour is the CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG) otherwise known as the Big "I". he manages all aspects of our association as well as serves as our association lobbyist at the State Capitol. He has worked 22 years at the State Capitol. 5 sessions for the Georgia State Senate, 9 sessions as a lobbyist for the Georgia Association of REALTORS, and now 8 sessions for IIAG.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

To celebrate the 100th episode of the Agents Growth Academy podcast, our guest is one of the most dynamic agency owners in the insurance space, Chris Paradiso. With 25 years of experience, Chris shares how InsurTech, process-driven leadership, and client-focused innovation are revolutionizing the independent agency model. From redefining the customer experience to investing in your team and technology, Chris delivers actionable insights for agents ready to work on their business, not just in it.

Takeaways

• Chris shares how a pivotal 2009 conference changed his mindset from working in the business to working on the business.
• Emphasizing client experience, Chris believes InsurTech tools must be built for how clients want to engage.
• The importance of AI and tools like Donna and ClientCircle to proactively assess client sentiment and retention risk.
• Why owning mistakes and practicing radical transparency builds stronger customer loyalty.
• Investing in technology is meaningless without processes and procedures to support it.
• Chris outlines how voicemail drops and automated follow-ups increase touchpoints without exhausting team resources.
• Agents must engage with InsurTech platforms and carriers to influence future innovation in the industry.

Resources from Chris

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/X
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Donna by Aureus Analytics
ClientCircle
HawkSoft
Traction by Gino Wickman
Relentless & Winning by Tim Grover

About Chris Paradiso

Chris Paradiso is one of the most passionate and dynamic agency owners in the insurance industry today. Within his 25 years as a licensed Insurance agent, Chris’s unwavering dedication to exemplary customer service has led him to build and grow his own agency to the 50+ employees that it is today. Established in 2006, Paradiso Insurance recently won Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s National Agent for the Future Award in 2019 and is currently licensed in 44 states with plans to be licensed in all 50 within the near future. Chris’s clear vision has helped hundreds of other insurance agencies to push the envelope and find their own success as well through his coaching work with Paradiso Presents.

Chris currently sits on the advisory board of both Rough Notes, an Insurance Publication dedicated to e

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Building Products with Your Customers

In this episode, Jim interviews Mark Engels, CEO of ePayPolicy, a modern payments platform built for insurance carriers, brokers, and agencies. Mark shares insights on why businesses should build products with their customers rather than for them. He explains how ePayPolicy collaborates with agencies to streamline payments, automate reconciliation, and improve efficiency. The conversation dives into digital transformation in insurance, the importance of customer-driven innovation, and the evolving landscape of financial technology.

Takeaways

• ePayPolicy is a modern payment platform designed for the insurance industry, helping agencies streamline transactions.
• Mark emphasizes the importance of building products with customers to solve real problems efficiently.
• The insurance industry still heavily relies on paper checks, creating operational bottlenecks.
• ePayPolicy developed solutions for automating check reconciliation and outbound carrier payments.
• The introduction of CheckMate and Payables Connect simplifies financial workflows for agencies.
• AI-driven automation is helping agencies reduce manual work and improve accuracy in payment processing.
• Mark advises agencies to map out their digital transformation journey to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Resources from Mark

ePayPolicy - Finance Connect
ePayPolicy
LinkedIn
Microsoft Power BI
Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge

About Mark Engels

Mark Engels is the CEO of ePayPolicy, a leading payment platform built specifically for insurance agencies, brokers, and carriers. With over 25 years of experience in the payments industry, Mark has held leadership roles at HyperWallet (acquired by PayPal) and PayPal, overseeing sales and growth initiatives. His expertise in digital transformation and financial technology has made him a key player in modernizing payments within the insurance industry.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

In this episode, Jim interviews Winston Smith, CEO of Bridge, a customer communications management software designed for independent insurance agents. Winston discusses the importance of agency owners working on their business rather than in it, and how Bridge can help them achieve this. He highlights the bottleneck that agency owners often face and explains how Bridge streamlines operations and provides tools for sales, marketing, and customer communication. Winston shares success stories and feedback from Bridge users, emphasizing the increase in revenue per employee as a key metric. He also discusses the role of Bridge as a companion to agency management systems and the importance of customer satisfaction. The episode concludes with Winston's advice to be true to oneself and the opportunities available in the insurance industry.

Takeaways

• Bridge is a customer communications management software designed for independent insurance agents, helping them work on their business rather than in it.
• Agency owners often become bottlenecks in their own businesses, hindering growth and scalability.
• Bridge provides an all-in-one solution for sales, marketing, and customer communication, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
• Bridge offers features such as video recording, marketing automation, and personalized communication to enhance customer relationships.
• Success stories from Bridge users include increased revenue per employee and improved customer satisfaction.
• Bridge serves as a companion to agency management systems, focusing on communication and customer relationship management.

Resources From Winston 

Website 
LinkedIn
Google Calendar
Think-Cell
How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clay Christensen

About Winston

Winston Smith is the CEO of Bridge, a customer communications management software designed just for independent agents.

Winston came to Bridge after a decade on the carrier side of P&C. Prior to Bridge, Winston ran his own micro-Private Equity fund, Hammersmith Capital.

While on the carrier side, Winston was a general manager responsible for P&Ls across multiple states for the Safeco and Liberty Mutual brands (but he takes no responsibility for the 'LiMu Emu') and spent a LOT of time in the field with Safeco-appointed agencies (and is lucky enough to count many of them as friends).

He started his insurance career at AIG on Water Street in Lower Manhattan as an underwriter of Executive Lines for Financial Intuitions during the Great Recession.

Winston holds the CPCU and API designations, has an MBA from NYU Stern and his undergrad degree from Princeton. He lives in Johns Creek, GA with his wife and two kids.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Chris Greene from Flood Insurance Guru shares what he's learned about creating the most robust library of content that is selling flood insurance like hotcakes. In fact, he created 1,500 videos in 1,500 days! He also discusses the importance of perfecting your processes so you can free up your time to "Wow" your customers.

3 Key Takeaways

• The most effective way to create content that sells insurance for you while you sleep is answering questions your clients and prospects constantly ask you.
• Creating consistent content positions you as an expert in your field.
• You need to perfect your processes so you can keep your customers engaged without you having to exert extra effort.

Resources From Chris

Website
YouTube
Facebook
LinkedIn
Munch AI
HubSpot
Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller
Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller

About Chris

Chris Greene is the owner of the Flood Insurance Guru where they provide "Coverage For Now and Education for the Future." After buying a house in a flood zone 12 years ago and having a terrible experience with it Chris has spent the last 12 years helping property owners, real estate agents, real estate investors and business owners avoid the same thing he had to go through.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today, Melissa Stallings shares the secret formula for growing her agency to one of the most respected all-female agencies in Georgia. It all comes down to the culture she's developed with her employees and the relationships she's developed with her community and her referral partners. Get ready to learn how you can grow your own book of business through culture and relationships.

3 Key Takeaways

• Melissa started out seeking balance in her own life, but ended up fostering it in her own staff, which is a BIG part of their culture.
• If you work hard to keep your employees, they will work hard to keep their jobs.
• The key to growing referral partners is focusing on revenue generating activities and not being willing to compromise on the standard of client you want to have referred to you.

Resources From Melissa

Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
TickTock
InsuredMine
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

About Melissa

Meet Melissa L. Stallings, a trailblazer who forged her path by establishing Stallings Insurance Agency in the fall of 2008. She founded the agency on three core values – Positive, Polished, and Commitment while creating a brand rooted in the values of Family, Faith, and Fun.

Beyond the confines of her agency, Missy is an integral participant in industry and community circles, affiliating with organizations such as IIAG, SNA, IAOA, SecureRisk, and more in addition to actively engaging with the Douglas County and Carroll County Chambers. Her affinity for like-minded peers fosters enduring relationships that fuel her agency's success, while her philanthropic spirit drives her involvement in numerous charitable initiatives annually, underscoring her commitment to giving back to the community.

As Missy continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication, thriving agency, and genuine spirit, her story remains an embodiment of success, family values, and boundless possibilities.

Get ready to learn the daily habits of million-dollar insurance agents that can help you take your insurance sales to the next level. These habits will help you stay focused and motivated every day. Join us as we dive into the routines of top-performing insurance agents and learn how you can implement these habits into your own daily routine to achieve success in your insurance career.

3 Key Takeaways

• Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, reading will get your brain up and moving as well as provide you with topics of conversation and media posts; incorporate it into your day. 
• Develop deep relationships that will eventually turn into transactions with minimal effort. It’s as simple as sending a “This reminded me of you” text. 
• Calling someone is different from emailing or texting them. It’s now become the form of communication that feels special–utilize that!

Resources

⬇️ - [DOWNLOAD] - https://agentsgrowthacademy.com/value 🎥 - [VIDEO] - Insurance Producers: Do THIS To Skyrocket Your Sales - https://youtu.be/1BrHKg8foj8
🎬 - MOST RECENT VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/@AgentsGrowthAcademy/videos 🎥 - [VIDEO] - HOW TO BECOME A REMOTE INSURANCE AGENT: https://youtu.be/FkWqhKNXA2A 🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/43GjuxP 🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - CONTENT MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/3qs75zv

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy, the simplest solution for insurance agents, carriers, brokers, MGAs, and premium finance companies to collect credit card and ACH payments: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box, your virtual insurance processing team that lets you do the people stuff while we do the rest: https://bit.ly/3O1QdFB 

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Discover the power of Jasper AI and learn how to crush your sales goals in this game-changing video! 🚀 In this Jasper AI tutorial, I’ll reveal the top hacks that will revolutionize your sales and marketing process and help you achieve your targets faster than ever before. 💥

3 Key Takeaways

• Compelling opening subject lines are KEY to get your readers to open emails; use Jasper AI to select the best shot!
• One of the simplest ways to engage a social media audience is to ask a question–up your question game to get people talking. 
• Consider implementing video titles that leave the viewer with questions in mind.

Resources
🎥 - [VIDEO] - Insurance AI: 5 Game Changing AI Tools for Insurance Agents - https://youtu.be/Z3sYqK-sVXQ

🎬 - MOST RECENT VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/@AgentsGrowthAcademy/videos 🎥 - [VIDEO] - HOW TO BECOME A REMOTE INSURANCE AGENT: https://youtu.be/FkWqhKNXA2A 🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/43GjuxP 🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - CONTENT MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/3qs75zv

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy, the simplest solution for insurance agents, carriers, brokers, MGAs, and premium finance companies to collect credit card and ACH payments: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box, your virtual insurance processing team that lets you do the people stuff while we do the rest: https://bit.ly/3O1QdFB 

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

I’m going to reveal some deadly mistakes that are holding you back from skyrocketing your insurance sales. 🚀💰 Don’t feel bad, you’re not the only insurance agent making these errors, and by avoiding them, you'll be ahead of the competition. So, buckle up and get ready to start selling insurance like never before!

3 Key Takeaways

• Set expectations for the time it will take to get a quote and review it.
• Set price expectations, it’s what both parties really want.
• Set incumbent expectations, your client needs to know what it looks like when their incumbent tries to keep them around.

Resources

🎬 - MOST RECENT VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/@AgentsGrowthAcademy/videos 

🎥 - [VIDEO] - HOW TO BECOME A REMOTE INSURANCE AGENT: https://youtu.be/FkWqhKNXA2A 

🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/43GjuxP 

🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - CONTENT MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://bit.ly/3qs75zv 

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy, the simplest solution for insurance agents, carriers, brokers, MGAs, and premium finance companies to collect credit card and ACH payments: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box, your virtual insurance processing team that lets you do the people stuff while we do the rest: https://bit.ly/3O1QdFB 

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Ready to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level? In this video, we'll share 10 expert tips to help you optimize your LinkedIn profile and stand out from the crowd. Learn how to create a powerful profile summary, choose the perfect profile picture, and leverage LinkedIn marketing strategies to boost your professional network. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Use amazing visuals to look the part of a professional
• Make sure your info is up to date and ON POINT, people don’t like searching very long for who you are and what you do
• Telling stories gets viral posts, people are on social media to connect, and what’s the best way to connect with you…hearing YOUR STORIES

Resources

🎥 [VIDEO] - How To Make Your LinkedIn Post Go Viral: https://youtu.be/Tga5sODxHqQ 

🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - Marketing For Insurance Agents: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPYmzrOJiE5S2-pwVmm9bqp4iV18Odhc 

⬇️ - [DOWNLOAD] - STORYTELLING FRAMEWORK: https://agentsgrowthacademy.com/storytelling 

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy, the simplest solution for insurance agents, carriers, brokers, MGAs, and premium finance companies to collect credit card and ACH payments: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box, your virtual insurance processing team that lets you do the people stuff while we do the rest: https://bit.ly/3O1QdFB 

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

#linkedin #linkedinmarketing #linkedinprofile

In this video, we'll explore the key skills that every remote insurance agent needs to succeed in today's digital landscape. Learn how to effectively communicate with clients, manage your time, and leverage technology to close deals from the comfort of your home. Join us as we dive into the essential skills that will help you excel as a remote insurance agent and grow your book of business.

3 Key Takeaways

• How to prioritize clients in order to maximize your time spent with each one
• Consistent and timely communication is especially important when working remotely
• Why being agile as a remote agent is more important than ever

Resources

💰 - ePayPolicy: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/ 

🎥 - [VIDEO] - COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AGENTS: YOU NEED TO HEAR THESE 5 PODCASTS!: https://youtu.be/xPD9Q3Hn7E4 

🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - MARKETING FOR INSURANCE AGENTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPYmzrOJiE5S2-pwVmm9bqp4iV18Odhc 

⬇️ - [DOWNLOAD] - REMOTE AGENT CHECKLIST: https://agentsgrowthacademy.com/remoteagentchecklist 

📚 - [BOOK] - NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE: https://amzn.to/43CqtZf 

📚 - [BOOK] - THE EXTRA TWO MINTUES: https://amzn.to/3Jc1tQf 

🔧 - [TOOL] - LOOM: https://www.loom.com/ 

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box: https://marblebox.com/

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by manual paperwork, inefficient processes, and a lack of customer engagement, then you are not alone! Insurance agents everywhere are struggling to streamline their operations and increase sales due to outdated methods and limited resources. Despite efforts to attract new clients, they find themselves stuck in a repetitive cycle that hinders growth and profitability. Instead of achieving the desired result of improved efficiency and increased customer engagement, agents find themselves bogged down with administrative tasks and unable to focus on building meaningful relationships with clients. It's time to revolutionize your agency with A.I.-powered tools that will transform your operations and drive sales like never before.

5 Key Takeaways

• Grasp the impressive blend of Chat GPT and Zapier to streamline insurance processes.
• Learn to amplify your marketing copy by integrating Jasper AI in your strategies.
• Delve into the art of producing professional-quality videos by harnessing Synthesia.
• Boosting Social Media Engagement with Lately AI 
• Learn how to catapult your productivity to new levels by automating content with the Albus AI-powered assistant.

Resources

Zapier: https://zapier.com/ 

ChatGPT: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt 

Jasper: https://www.jasper.ai/ 

Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/ 

Lately.ai: https://www.lately.ai/ 

Albus: https://www.springworks.in/

🎥 - [VIDEO] - How To Drive Sales Through Content Creation: https://youtu.be/Y3JDL9bXTRI

🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - Content Marketing For Insurance Agents: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHPYmzrOJiE5z5ZLvOFrLzySKiuUwE1ZM

🔔 - Subscribe for more tips just like this: https://bit.ly/43BmcEO

AGA PARTNERS

💰 - ePayPolicy: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/

📦 - Marble Box: https://marblebox.com/

About

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Join host Jim Schubert as he talks with Mark Engels from ePayPolicy about the digital shift in the insurance industry and how their product is making premium financing easier and faster. With machine learning and innovative automation technology, Engels will show you how ePayPolicy can help your agency thrive on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Learn how tapping into customer insights and feedback directly influences product innovations.
• See how adopting automation strategies can radically improve your agency management.
• Gain valuable insight into the benefits of incorporating Epay Policy's product into your toolbox.

Resources

Website (Be sure to check out their Finance Connect and Payables Connect services!)

About Mark Engels

Mark is the CEO of ePayPolicy, a modern payments platform built just for insurance carriers, brokers and agencies. Before ePay, Mark served as the Chief Revenue Officer for Hyperwallet (acquired by PayPal) and then Paya, where he led the sales and growth initiatives for both companies. Mark has seen the rapid digital transformation of payments firsthand, having spent most of his career leading teams in the space.

Unlock the power of this unconventional way to generate insurance leads from home 🏠💼!

In this video, I reveal a game-changing approach to generating insurance leads without leaving your comfort zone. Learn how to tap into new markets, attract high-quality leads, and boost your income like never before 🚀💰. Don't miss out on this exclusive lead generation strategy that will revolutionize your insurance business! Subscribe now for more insurance agent advice and valuable insights 🔔📈


3 Key Takeaways

• Learn the power of online community forums in lead generation.
• Recognize the impact of customer reviews on referral generation.
• Find out how original content can boost your brand and attract potential leads.

Resources

💰 - ePayPolicy: https://epaypolicy.referralrock.com/l/JIMSCHUBER35/
🎥 - [VIDEO] - HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY AS A REMOTE AGENT IN 2023
🎥 - [PLAYLIST] - LEAD GENERATION FOR INSURANCE AGENTS
⬇️ - [DOWNLOAD] - REMOTE AGENT CHECKLIST: https://agentsgrowthacademy.com/remoteagentchecklist


About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Commercial insurance agents, listen up! If you want to stay ahead of the competition and become a better agent, then tune in today for five podcasts that are an absolute must-listen. The podcasts mentioned on Agents Growth Academy today will educate you with insights and knowledge that will take your business to the next level–and it doesn’t cost you a dime. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Listening to these 5 podcasts will improve your game and help you stay ahead of the curve. 
• Niching down is an important step for commercial insurance agents trying to grow their business.
• Discover new ways to truly care about your community. Get to know the people you work with.

Resources

Power Producers Podcast

Agency Freedom Podcast

The Ryan Hanley Show

Insurance Town Podcast

Millionaire Insurance Producer Podcast

My Best Advice for New Insurance Producers

Lead Generation for Insurance Agents Playlist


About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Insurance producers are struggling to make use of LinkedIn’s many features and are missing out on the potential it has to offer. So for this episode of AGA, host Jim Schubert shows how to fix seven things on your LinkedIn profile to start generating more leads and sales, including how to optimize your headshot and create a lead magnet. Stop missing out on the potential of LinkedIn and learn how you can use it to get ahead of the competition!

3 Key Takeaways

• Your banner should be more than aesthetically pleasing; include clear phrases and images that convey who you are without having to scroll. 
• Always list your two biggest roles and include hashtags that attract attention. This will be the second thing people notice when looking at your profile
• People want to see compassion and leadership from their agents. Volunteer work does not go unnoticed.

Resources

How to Create a Lead Magnet that Converts Like Crazy YouTube Video
LinkedIn for Insurance Agents Playlist
southernstatesinsurance.com/careers

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

With 20+ years in the insurance industry, Host Jim Schubert has learned a thing or two about how to gain leads and become successful. So today, Jim shares his best advice tailored specifically to new producers starting their career. Learn why you should niche down, provide value, and tell your story, and hear the powerful strategies Jim used to gain success and growth on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Tell potentials a story that demonstrates the transformation a client has gone through; help them feel the effect deeply!
• You CAN’T do it all alone; take the time to thank the people who have helped you. You won’t regret what this says about you or the help you’ll receive in the future because of it.
• Storytelling is an important tool in the insurance producer’s arsenal!

Resources

How to Create a Lead Magnet that Converts Like Crazy

Lead Generation Playlist

5 Ways to Provide Value Before asking for Anything in Return: agentsgrowthacademy.com/value 

Brand Storytelling Framework and Worksheet: agentsgrowthacademy.com/storytelling 

InsurGrid

Wunderite

Marble Box

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Welcome to another resource-abundant episode of Agents Growth Academy, where host Jim Schubert shares the best strategies for remote insurance agents to make money, including surprise selfies, content marketing, InsurGrid links, ePayPolicy, and webinars. He also provides a free resource that will help you get to a yes with your prospects in no time.

3 Key Takeaways

• Get into the habit of creating consistent content. It can be in the form of videos, blogs, and infographics.
• The simplest way to skip the line and beat out competitors is to think of ways you can provide value to potentials. If you’re not creatively inclined, outsource your ideas!
• To gain more leads, it's all about letting the individual know you are aware of them and rooting for them.

Resources

InsurGrid

Content Marketing Playlist

ePayPolicy

5 Ways to Provide Value Before Asking for Anything in Return: agentsgrowthacademy.com/value

Lead Generation for Insurance Agents Video

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Welcome to this “mini Masterclass” episode with guest Steve Wiideman, where he walks you through the three main categories of SEO strategy that will boost your agency website. Learn the tools and techniques necessary to create a twelve month plan to rank for competitive keywords and start getting more website visits and inquiries–with more resources in one episode than ever. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Improve user behavior signals by having a call to action, keyword, and unique selling proposition in the title tag.
• Become more visible off the website by having other websites link to yours. This is known as off-page ranking and works off the concept of a voting system.
• Gain more relevancy by answering a common customer problem–one problem per web page–on your site.

Resources

academyofsearch.com (use code: SEOSTEVE for FREE access to his $600 course)

https://www.wiideman.com

Podcast

LinkedIn

Company LinkedIn: Wiidemen Consulting Group

Email: steve@wiidemn.com

SEM Rush

RYTE

answerthepublic.com

whitespark.ca

BrightLocal

Deep Work by Cal Newport

The Wim Hof Method

Superhuman.com

Find more resources relevant to your specific location/agency in the episode!

About Steve Wiideman

Specializing in strategic planning for multi-location and franchise brands, Steve Wiideman, of Wiideman Consulting Group, considers himself a scientist and practitioner of local and e-commerce search engine optimization and paid search advertising. He is the author of SEO Strategy & Skills, a college textbook through Stukent. Wiideman has personally played a role in the inbound successes of brands that have included Disney, Linksys, Belkin, Public Storage, Honda, Skechers, Applebee's, IHOP, Dole, and others. Many of the mentioned projects with an emphasis on strategy, planning, and campaign oversight.

While serving as an adjunct professor at UCSD and CSUF, Steve’s also building the Academy of Search, while volunteering time to help improve transparency and industry standards as an agency trainer.

With 32 years of experience in the insurance industry, Morris Sims knows the importance of building your business on lasting principles. For this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Morris shares with host Jim Schubert his “Clarity Principle” and how you can use it to prioritize what really matters and foster growth. Get clear on what you want, why you want it and how you're going to get it.

3 Key Takeaways

• This is the year to stop, pick up your favorite beverage, and start thinking ON PURPOSE.
• Start with the end goal in mind: what does your ideal day look like? Why does it look that way?
• What you do with must be fueled with passion and emotion–otherwise, you won’t want to get out of bed every morning. 

Resources

The Business of Sales podcast with Morris Sims

Website

morris@morrissims.com

LinkedIn

The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey

Darren Hardy’s Sunday Planning System

Sanebox.com

The Entrepreneurial Operating System by Ignacio Aguiler

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Legendary by Tommy Breedlove

About Morris Sims

Morris was an agent and manager for NYLIC before he was asked to go into management 32 years later as the VP and Chief Learning Officer in charge of training 12,000 agents and 500 managers with a staff of 200 nationwide. 

Now, Morris runs Sims Training and Consulting, helping business owners grow their business with a clear foundation and a healthy home/work balance.

Don’t make the mistake of writing a standard resume that won’t stand out in a crowd.

An insurance agent must highlight their experience and skills in an attention-grabbing resume or risk losing the job to someone who knows how to land an interview. For this episode of Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert shares the details of what to include–and not include–in your resume from your contact information all the way down to your designations. 

3 Key Takeaways

• You have five seconds to sell yourself to the person scanning your resume. Don’t waste it on “I’d like to further my career…” 
• Show them the money! They want to see specific numbers you have generated in the past; paint them a clear picture of what you’re capable of. 
• LinkedIn is more than a means to see what you look like! Your potential employer will pay attention to how you interact with clients online. 

Resources

What is Content Creation YouTube video

How to Generate Leads on LinkedIn Without Spending a Dime YouTube Video

Insurance Jobs Playlist

About Jim

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Justin Jaksha, VP of Marketing for ePayPolicy, will share his 15 years of experience with insurtech, medical, and real estate and explain why storytelling is always the best marketing method for insurance agencies. Identify the psychology and science behind good storytelling and leverage it in your marketing on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Leverage the psychology of good storytelling: use the hero's journey and monomyth to craft stories that make sense of the world and help the customer along their path.
• When surveying, it’s important to ask the right questions that will uncover the benefits and transformation that comes from using your product or service.
• Pay attention to the language: listen to the words that your customers use and repeat them in your marketing to create an emotional connection.

Resources

LinkedIn

Story by Robert McKee

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Kendra Hall, storytelling expert

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbelll

CheckMate from ePayPolicy

Trello application

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller

The World of Art by Steven Pressfield

About Justin Jaksha

Justin has over fifteen years of experience as a marketing leader (with a little bit of sales) in insurtech, medical, and real estate. Like host Jim Schubert, Justin is a full StoryBrand enthusiast and is StoryBrand certified.

On this episode of Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert shares how he used collaboration tools, a CRM, and a content strategy to increase production and close more sales. He outlines the names of some of the best tools out there and provides a free resource to help you get started. By the end of this episode, you'll have the knowledge you need to boost your sales and make more money!

3 Key Takeaways

• Drive leads with a content strategy. This episode will provide several examples of agents with the best content. 
• Utilize a CRM software to communicate with clients and prospects on and off of the clock, especially if you are a remote agent. 
• It’s especially important for remote agents to implement ways to hold themselves accountable. This is best created in the form of a team leaderboard. 

Resources

ePayPolicy

Insurgrid

Wunderite

Agency Zoom 

Rocket Referrals

InsuredMine

Hub Spot

Salesforce

Ninety

How to Drive Sales Through Content Creation YouTube video

Marketing for Insurance Agents Playlist

The Guide to Giving Before You ask For Anything in Return: agentsgrowthacademycom/value

About Jim Schubert
Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Agency owner and incredible human being Jeremy Powers joins host Jim Schubert to share the core values of his successful agency focused on education, personalization and excitement. He works to inspire agents to be the change we all want to see in our communities and create a legacy of purpose over profits. Quit chasing shiny objects and make a difference as a leader on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• People are looking for human connection more than ever since COVID. Use this opportunity to set yourself apart from all of your competitors.
• Focus on purpose: Identify and focus on your purpose and passion rather than just profits.
• It is equally important to create a culture that encourages team-building and collaboration.

Resources

Website: www.choosepie.com

SendOutCards Program

Purpose Over Profits Podcast 

Canopy Connect

High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard

Soundtracks by Jon Akuff

Facebook

LinkedIn

About Jeremy

Jeremy Powers opened Powers Insurance Experts in 2020 with 10 years of experience in the industry. A focus on education, personalization, and excitement has resulted in his agency winning several local awards 4 years in a row while generating a steady stream of referrals. He desires to inspire other agents to be the change we all want to see in our communities. Jeremy has a beautiful wife Emily, and three amazing children Olivia, Chloe, and Judah. His goal is to create a legacy of purpose over profits.

Host Jim Schubert shares the complete guide to becoming a remote insurance agent, based on his first-hand experience from hiring. Delve into the prep work such as setting up high-speed internet and creating boundaries with your roommates or loved ones. Plus, get a free resource to land your first remote insurance agent job here on Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Prepare for your interview by setting up a distraction free space that has proper recording equipment BEFORE you turn on the Zoom call. 
• There are certain questions that they cannot and should not ask you in an interview; be prepared to change the conversation to the ways you are prepared to work. 
• Use these essential tips to stay sane while working remotely–and you will need to set times to take breaks.

Resources
The Top 3 Interview Questions to Avoid YouTube Video
Free Checklist: agentsgrowthacademy.com/remoteagentchecklist


About Jim Schubert
Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Host Jim Schubert shows you everything you need to know about optimizing your processes to allow your staff to work from anywhere. He outlines the essential strategies, including choosing the right technology platform, creating a remote work agreement, creating systems of accountability, and deciding how to help remote agents feel like they belong on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• You NEED to create a remote work agreement specifically outlining the common remote work scenarios that will protect your business and its data. 
• Establish systems of accountability by assigning roles and responsibilities and creating an accountability chart.
• Employees need to feel like they belong in the company and are a part of some kind of community. This is equally if not more important for remote employees!

Resources
How to Make Working From Home Actually Work for Your Company YouTube Video:

The customizable remote work agreement template: agentsgrowthacademy.com/remoteagreement

Watch for: How to Help Remote Insurance Agents Feel Like They Belong YouTube Video (Releasing next week!)

Remote Work Playlist

About Jim Schubert
Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Remote work is more popular than ever–which means you need to implement new ways to show you value your remote employees. Host Jim Schubert outlines the steps he took to ensure his remote staff felt like an integral part of their organization, such as having regular meetings, reaching out to remote workers individually, and involving them in companywide activities on this episode of Agents Growth Academy. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Have regular meetings with peers, small team meetings, and group meetings.
• Reach out to remote workers individually on a regular basis.
• Involve remote workers through social media, costume contests, and companywide activities and meetings.

Resources

How to Make Working From Home Actually Work in Your Company YouTube video

Remote Work Playlist

Spoonful of Comfort website: spoonfulofcomfort.com

Mountain Mallow: mountainmallow.com

About Jim Schubert

Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems. 

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Sean Kirby was 22 when his father handed him the insurance company and said, “Good luck!” And while Sean’s experience diving in cold turkey wasn’t the most glamorous approach, Sean is a master at adaptation and thinking on his feet. Today on Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert invites you to join them to learn from Sean's experience to be open to change and new ideas. Don’t fear failure–use it to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing landscape.

3 Key Takeaways

• Get comfortable with being uncomfortable; push yourself outside of your comfort zone in order to try new things.
• Be creative with your solutions–do things no one has thought to do before and it will lead you to success.
• Get used to failure and don’t let it deter you from moving on to the next new idea. Start using failure as a tool for learning!

Resources

Yesware Gmail Extension

$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi 

LinkedIn

Performancegroupindiana.com

piaindiana.com

About Sean

Sean Kirby is a husband and father first, entrepreneur second. He was thrown into this industry in his early twenties with a sink or swim situation. From that, he has found his true passion with people: growth and connection. Sean has started (and maintains) 3 separate podcasts, all in the hopes to grow his network and learn from the best in each industry. 

While Sean runs his independent insurance agency, their goal is to build people and businesses around those people (19 entities and counting). He is currently a contestant on David Carother’s The Protégé: Season 2. He was the PIA's Young Agent of the year 2022 20 under 40 in his local area. He is growing and learning every day!

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Lead magnets are a great way to collect leads online but can be an obstacle for business owners of all niches. So today on Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert outlines how to create a lead magnet that converts like crazy. You'll learn what a lead magnet is, how to choose the right type of lead magnet for your business, and how to create a lead magnet that provides value before asking for anything in return. By the end of this episode, know exactly what you need to do to get more subscribers and customers in no time.

3 Key Takeaways

• Brainstorm your target audience's pain points by making a list of common problems that you hear from them regularly.
• Choose a lead magnet type that makes sense for your target audience. This could be a cheat sheet, a checklist, a guide, a video course, or a challenge.
• Create your lead magnet beautifully by using a software or outsourcing it to someone who can help you make it look professional.

Resources
How to Fill Your Talent Pipeline
5 Tricks to Improve Your Email Marketing Strategy
Content Marketing Playlist
5 Ways to Provide Value Without Asking for Anything in Return
Canva
​Fiverr

About Jim Schubert
Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Host Jim Schubert is joined by Will Lemanski, who outlines the moves needed to turn your business into a lean agency machine. As a fourth-generation agent who has been in the business since 2002, he knows what it takes to make an agency run efficiently and maximize everything. Create more freedom by prioritizing certain payments and budgeting using Will’s framework. Show appreciation to your employees and to your clients and become a best practices agency on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Pay off debts and other liabilities as soon as possible to reduce stress and increase freedom.
• Get involved in Best Practices programs to benchmark and improve your agency.
• Appreciate your employees by showing them that you care about their well-being each day.

Resources
Website
Pipedrive CRM
Facebook
Instagram
Email: will@mllins.com
Call: 5173519117
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Agency Freedom Podcast by James Jenkins

About Will Lemanski
Will is a fourth-generation agent who has been in business since 2002. He spent 5 years as a claims rep handling property, liability, and auto claims. As an agent, he bought a business in 2012 with his wife. Since then, they’ve almost tripled agency revenue in 3 years. 

Will is heavily involved in state and national BIG I association and has run a best practices agency since 2016. He went from sitting at a computer with a phone and being told to sell to managing producers, running an agency, and making it as efficient as possible. What interests him now is finding ways to run the agency more efficiently and maximizing everything.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for business owners and professionals, but most people don't know how to use it to generate leads without spending any money. On this episode of Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert breaks down the simple, 5-step strategy that he used to get hundreds of leads on LinkedIn and go viral on social media. This strategy doesn't require any fancy tools or expensive software–just a little time and effort.


3 Key Takeaways

• Stop Spraying and Praying. Niche down and find a target market with fewer people in it.
• Create content and post it consistently. This will help you be the person that people go to when they have a need for your product or service.
• Send people to a lead magnet, something that solves a pain point for them and is a quick win.

Resources

How to Make Your LinkedIn Posts Go Viral YouTube video

Content Marketing Playlist

The free guide on 5 Ways to Add Value Before Asking for Anything in Return: agentsgrowthacademy.com/value

Fiverr 

Jim Schubert

is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

It's far too easy to get bogged down by negative experiences and let them define us. But Michael Zalle brings his experience of being born with a small right hand and losing a seven figure sale just minutes before the interview as proof that your experiences make you the person you need to be today. Join him alongside host Jim Schubert to discuss the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and how you can do well while doing good at the same time on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• In entrepreneurship, you have to learn to adapt.  Figure out how to work around it and don't let it stop you from moving forward.
• Don't take things so personally–not everything is about you. Accept that sometimes things happen that are out of your control.
• Don't dwell on setbacks. Pick yourself up and keep going (in 24 hours or less).

Resources
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
The Daily Stoic Podcast
LinkedIn
Website: goyellowbird.com

About Michael Zalle
Michael is the Founder and CEO of YellowBird. He is responsible for creating, building, and launching new concepts and companies, resulting in multiple successful exits over a 25-year tech career. He has built a career through a unique balance of commercializing novel business models, operationalizing innovative technologies and platforms, rapidly scaling operations, and building market-shaping ecosystems. Michael’s companies and purpose are ever focused on serving others. Whether it be satellite systems for First Responders, environmental products for flood and spill response, or time and economic support for difference-making organizations, Michael believes in “doing well while doing good.”

Michael’s college journey began at San Francisco State University and was completed at Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School while working full-time and traveling at age 19. As a lifelong member and mentor for the Amputee Coalition of America, he enjoys the time he’s able to invest in mentoring kids with physical challenges.

Married 22 years with two children, Michael spends most of his free time at lacrosse or soccer games chasing balls, applying band-aids, and handing out snacks. He enjoys traveling and engages in a variety of sports including golf and tennis; he ranks himself an incredibly average golfer and perhaps even worse tennis player.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

If you're an insurance agent or in any kind of sales role–or just searching for new ways to generate sales–this is for you. Host Jim Schubert is going to show you how his friend Stephen generated $1.5 million in sales from a single content marketing idea. Stephen is an insurance agent who's been in the trenches, but it wasn't until the last couple of years that he generated over a million dollars. Today, Jim shares an exercise that will help you identify how you can create content that adds value and makes big profit. 

3 Key Takeaways

• How one insurance agent generated $1.5 million in sales from a single content marketing idea that he gave away for free. 
• How to become an expert in something by spending just ten minutes a day learning more about it.
• ​How to figure out who your audience is and what they want. Start by interviewing people in your target market or niche to get an idea of the language they use to describe their pain points.

Resources

Full Podcast Episode with Stephen Sedlak

AGA’s Marketing for Insurance Agents Playlist

Free guide with 5 Ways to Provide Value Without Asking for Anything  Else in Return: agentsgrowthacademy.com/value

About Jim Schubert

Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Will Moore is an entrepreneur, habits gamification, and happiness expert. He helps people gamify their habits by combining universal principles to replace their failure habits with success habits five cores that address everything from your physical health to giving back. Hear how you can game up and get back the playful side of who you are on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Universal principles have always and will continue to prove themselves true. Identify the ones that apply to you and create a system for yourself that holds you accountable to them.
• Begin by taking three days to keep track of the habits you’re doing in the morning, mid-day, and night. Use red for bad habits and green for good habits. Decide what you’d like to do instead of the red ones.
• Your mindset holds the power to change your lifestyle into what you dreamed of. Don’t try to do it all at once; instead, work on one or two changes at a time. 

Resources

Website: mooremomentum.com (Take the quiz for a 10000 foot view on where you stand in each of your five cores!)

Sign up to be notified when Will’s app releases

Instagram

LinkedIn

James Clear, Atomic Habits

Simon Sinek, Start With Why

BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits

Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People


About Will Moore

Will is an entrepreneur, habits, gamification, and happiness expert. After exiting his delivery startup for a nine-figure sum, Will realized that “true success" is not just about finances, but nurturing and finding balance in the 5 core areas of your life scientifically linked to happiness:

Mindset

Career & Finances

Relationships

Physical Health

Emotional Health & Giving back

Will’s now dedicated his life to helping others run their lives as a successful startup of the most important business they’ll ever run: THEIR LIVES.

His Moore Momentum System helps people gamify their habits by combining universal principles, science, and tech to WANT to replace their failure habits with success habits in all 5 Cores.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert is about to show you ten marketing ideas that insurance agents or really anybody can use to get more leads and close more sales. Whether you're just starting out or you've been doing this for a while, these tips will help you take your marketing game up a notch on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• How one insurance agent wrote a book and generated $5 million in sales as a result 
• How to use an insurance agency app to get more leads from people who aren’t even your clients.
• How creating video content that answers common questions about insurance will boost your agency’s sales exponentially. 

Resources

Youtube: How to Drive Sales through Content Creation

Our content marketing playlist

5 ways to provide value before asking for anything in return: agentsgrowthacademy.com/value


About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. 

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. 

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Don't let the name fool you – “Client Experience for Dummies” is not a condescending guide; it's an introduction to a new way of thinking about how to serve clients, brought to you by today’s guest, Andy Mathisen of GloveBox. In a world where independent insurance agents are competing with direct-to-consumer carriers, it's more important than ever to find ways to stand out and provide value. Today on Agent’s Growth Academy, hear how GloveBox does this by providing a platform that connects agents directly to carriers, allowing for a more seamless and accurate experience for clients (including a direct way to pay bills). 

3 Key Takeaways

• It’s more important than ever to improve communication and relationships between independent agents and their clients. Companies like GloveBox are making that a possibility.
• Directly connect with carriers to get live data and documents and pay bills through the platform.
• Use GloveBox to set up accounts for prospects, even if they're not currently clients, and track which carriers they use.

Resources

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email: andy@gloveboxapp.com

Relentless by Tim Grover

Website: www.gloveboxapp.com

About Andy Mathisen

Andy grew a $100 million dollar agency alongside his brother and Dad from 2011-2019. He started GloveBox in 2019 and is the co-host of the Cease & Desist podcast.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, headmaster Jim Schubert interviews Stephen Sedlak from Schmale Insurance Agency about Sedlak's new book, The Work Comp Effect: Seven Steps to Increase Profits Through Your Work Comp Program, particularly how Sedlak is using it to generate income exponentially while giving it away for free.

3 Key Takeaways

• Writing a book is one of the fastest ways to establish credibility in your industry. 
• ​Begin by identifying niches that you have knowledge in and narrow those down until you feel you could help others. 
• How giving away your book for free frequently will help to generate higher income (up to the millions).

Resources

Stephen’s book, The Work Comp Control Effect

email: ssedlak@schmaleinsurance.com

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, Leif Babin, et al.

LinkedIn

Use code: GROWBIG at checkout to get 15% off your mountainmallow.com purchase

About Stephen Sedlak

Stephen is a partner at Schmale Insurance Agency. He obtained his journalism degree from the #1 journalism school in the country (mizzou). Stephen is known for his #1 amazon best selling book: The Work Comp Control Effect, and he once owned a company in college where they made the cheesiest commercials.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

As an interviewer, it's important to ask the right questions to get the information you need to make a hiring decision. But there are also some questions that you should avoid–the kind that can get employers into some serious hot water–as they could be considered illegal or discriminatory. Avoid potential issues and, more importantly, identify red flags in candidates before you complete the interview on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.
 

3 Key Takeaways

• While children can be a distraction for remote workers, it is not your place to ask about their childcare arrangements. Instead, ask if they have a distraction free environment that they can make calls/Zoom with no trouble. 
• Don’t be afraid to let there be silence after asking a question; they may need a minute to mull it over, but talented people know their skills and will be able to answer with how they can help. 
• Avoid asking questions about a candidate's current salary; it likely won’t provide the right information because it doesn’t take into account their individual financial situation.

Resources

The Agency Guide to Bulletproofing Your Interview Process: agentsgrowthacademy.com/interviewguide

Leave us a review or chat with me on social media!


About Jim

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. 

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. 

And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Mark Engels, CEO of ePayPolicy, a modern payments platform built just for insurance carriers, brokers, and agencies, has seen the rapid digital transformation of payments firsthand, having spent most of his career leading teams in the space. He sits down with host Jim Schubert today to share the trends he sees changing in end management systems for agencies across the globe and breaks down their valuable service for those who are still receiving a large percentage of their payments in the form of physical checks.

3 Key Takeaways

• How ePayPolicy is helping insurance agents digitize their receivables no matter the payment, INCLUDING checks.
• How the company's machine learning algorithm is used to reconcile data from customer remittance advice.
• How the company's focus on integrating digital payments into the insurance industry is helping agents keep up with industry trends.

Resources

LinkedIn

epaypolicy.com

ePayPolicy’s Checkmate

About Mark

Mark Engels is the CEO of ePayPolicy, a modern payments platform built just for insurance carriers, brokers and agencies. Before ePay, Mark served as the Chief Revenue Officer for Hyperwallet (acquired by PayPal) and then Paya, where he led the sales and growth initiatives for both companies. Mark has seen the rapid digital transformation of payments firsthand, having spent most of his career leading teams in the space.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert is going to show you how he was able to go from zero to 250 insurance job applicants in just two weeks–WITHOUT using recruiters. Jim breaks down the key components to finding success with applicants including the tone (it’s less formal than you’re probably thinking), location (it's less pinpointed than you’re probably thinking), and the right way to advertise your open positions on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.


3 Key Takeaways

• Start by updating the beginning of your job description on Indeed to be clear, include salary, and not overly formal in tone. 
• Post the job listing with remote work as an option for the position; get quality candidates because of it. 
• Sponsor the job listing and still save money by not hiring a recruiter. 

Resources

The Agency Guide to Filling Your Talent Pipeline for free: 

agentsgrowthacademy.com/talentpipeline

About Jim Schubert 

Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Michael Overstreet is an agency owner who has been in the industry for over a decade. He takes a seat with host Jim Schubert to share his found passion for using video to educate consumers and grow his business after merging with two agencies. Take the discomfort out of getting behind that camera and get the biggest secret to success with video on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.


3 Key Takeaways

• It's important to keep in mind that not everyone will be interested in what you're selling right away. It may take several interactions before someone is ready to make a purchase.
• To create educational content, start by thinking about what topics would be most helpful or interesting to your target audience.
• Know that it's going to take at least 6 months to start getting traction with your YouTube videos. Consistency is key to success. 

Resources

motionarray.com

When Words Collide by Lauren Kessler

Legendary by Tommy Breedlove

YouTube

Website

Facebook

Michael’s gardening channel: The Gardening Nerd

About Michael Overstreet

Michael loves to create educational content, and he loves to use video to do so! He has been in insurance for over a decade and just recently merged his agency with TWO others. They are just having fun as they bring their agencies together. Michael is the first to admit he’s failed a lot, but he has learned a lot of good lessons over the years because of it. 

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Wes Becknell is a leading insurance agent who has grown his business exponentially over the past 20 years. Today on Agents Growth Academy, Wes advocates using data to deliver profitability in trucking insurance. He has developed a robust system that does just that. Join him and host Jim Schubert to hear how you can eliminate the need to chase money or endorsements and save a tremendous amount of time.

3 Key Takeaways

• How data can be used to deliver greater profitability in trucking insurance.
• How agents can better use technology to save valuable personal time and make more money.
• Why having an abundance mentality will rise the tide of the insurance industry and bring your agency more leads. 

Resources

WHOOP Strap

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Books by Patrick Lencioni

Legendary by Tommy Breedlove

Website (Give him a call or shoot him an email through their website calendar.)

www.rocklakeig.com

LinkedIn: @wbecknell

LinkedIn: @rocklake

YouTube

About Wes Becknell

Wes is a multifaceted insurance professional; he has been an independent agent, worked on the premium finance side, and both admitted and non-admitted carriers and a MGA, and has grown territories at each stop along the way. Wes generated 87% of a regional carriers’ profits on 25% of their revenues and turned in a 73 combined in a territory known for tornadoes and hail, all the while growing the top line premium.

Wes has won Marketing Rep of the Year in Texas and Oklahoma along with serving as president of the chamber 4 different terms. He has earned his CIC, CSRM, ERIS, CRIS, and has an MBA in Finance.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Jim Schubert hosts this episode of Agents Growth Academy to share five great ways to find candidates without breaking the bank on recruiters. Listing all positions on your website, incentivizing your staff, asking your partners for help, creating a video advertisement on social media, and embracing work from anywhere are all proven methods at AGA headquarters. By implementing even a few of these strategies, you're sure to see an increase in the quality of your applicants.

3 Key Takeaways

• You can find quality candidates without using a recruiter or at least lower the cost of recruiters by utilizing the other five resources your agency already has to offer. 
• Embrace remote working in your agency. There are multiple benefits of expanding your horizon to candidates across the US. 
• Incentivize your staff in a way that matters to them. Don’t be too cheap, but pick a sum that you feel comfortable with.

Resources

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

About Jim Schubert

Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. 

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Learn the secrets of the top insurance agents and how they grow their book of business exponentially each month from industry-leading expert David Watson. Join host Jim Schubert to hear how to write more profitable personalized insurance and use technology to streamline the insurance quoting process. David will also outline how he increased profitability for his insurance agency by using the Risk Advisor system and what it can do for your agency today.

3 Key Takeaways

• What the top insurance agents are doing to grow their book of business exponentially each month.
• Secrets industry-leading experts have for writing more profitable personalized insurance.
• How independent agents can use technology to streamline the insurance quoting process.

Resources

Founders Brand by Dave Gerhardt

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Website: riskadvisor.insure

Linkedin: @agentdavidwatson

Email: david@riskadvisor.insure

About David Watson 

David is a partner of Mappus Insurance Agency, an independent insurance firm in South Carolina that specializes in personal and business insurance.

David is also the founder of RiskAdvisor, an insurtech SaaS tool that helps independent agents streamline the insurance quoting process and write more profitable personal lines accounts. With RiskAdvisor over the past two years, David has written over $1M in personal lines insurance premiums each year–and his goal is to help other independent agents write more profitable accounts, too.

He believes the independent agent is invaluable to the insurance buying process and is on a mission to help agents around the country grow and thrive.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Almost 75 % of our staff worked from home during the pandemic, 40% of which still do today without slowing productivity. A lot went into that statistic behind the scenes. So today on Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert will share how to make working from home actually work, starting with the “why” and following through with systems of accountability.

3 Key Takeaways

• Become 100% clear on your company’s vision before asking yourself if you should allow remote work. That way, you can ask if it aligns with that vision. 
• Remote work is hard to undo, but some of the remote workers Jim has hired are qualified, legacy employees. Don’t rule out this option without looking into it. 
• Your accountability measurables need to be conducted at a regular pace, whether that’s employee feedback loops or responsibility chart check-ins.

Resources

Traction by Gino Wickman

About Jim Schubert

Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. 

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. 

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert is joined by Hal Soden who hits home the most important thing this industry is about: making connections! Hal explains how his agency developed their own niche and what tools they utilized but also explains that they still knock on doors. Get inspired and don’t be afraid to tackle that big business over small ones, connect with other agents, and build relationships with clients on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Don’t be afraid to tackle that big business! You don’t have to stick to the small ones; you already have the resources you need to get there.
• The most important thing you can do right now for your agency is to get involved with your industry. Making connections will help more than anything else. 
• You need to tell people what resources you have available to them or they won’t distinguish you from the others. Make that information known to potentials. 

Resources

LinkedIn (send him a note that you heard about him on AGA)

The Wedge by Scott Carney

Salesforce

Bignition

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Ego Authority Failure by Derek Gaunt

About Hal Soden

Hal Soden, Jr. is a principal and risk management advisor at Oliver L.E. Soden Agency Corp. Hal provides property-casualty consulting and risk management services for mid-size corporate, commercial & NonProfit clients. He specializes in reducing risk & insurance costs using a proprietary risk management process called SAFE365®, written action plans to identify goals, coordinating strategies to prevent injuries, improving safety and claims management systems, and monitoring progress on identified goals.

Hal is the Current Chairman of Big I New Jersey, the industry's premier trade association, and a partner at New Jersey Agents Alliance. Hal resides in Little Silver, NJ with his wife and two children. 

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert would not even be here doing this show if today’s guest wasn’t a part of his life. Tune into this episode with guest and podcasting expert Josh Tapp, where it's about building relationships–whether you think it will help you or not. Discover the power of outsourcing, identifying “pools of problems,” and the truth behind what connecting others will do for YOU in a time of need,

3 Key Takeaways

• Always focus on providing people with value first. The rest will come naturally afterward.
• Stop thinking you need to keep purchasing new marketing methods and know that you already have what you need to be successful. Just be genuine and watch the results. 
• It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time to connect people with others who may be useful to them. You can do it in as little as a few minutes a day and reap the rewards.

Resources

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Business Masterclass by Billy Wagner

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Living Forward by Michael Hyatt et al.

Pantheon.fm (the top podcasters all gathered together)

About Josh Tapp

Josh is the host of the Apple iTunes Top 50 Marketing Podcast, The Lucky Titan.

He is a lifestyle entrepreneur, high-performance business coach, and keynote speaker.

Having interviewed and shared the stage with over 500 of the world’s top entrepreneurs, Josh created The Pantheon method as a simple roadmap for any entrepreneur to build a thriving personal brand.

He believes that entrepreneurship is the remedy to nearly every issue in this world, and spends his time promoting entrepreneurship across the globe.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

You agency owners out there are cramming a little too much in the everyday: pay special attention to this episode. Guest Scott Anderson is an expert coach in burnout recovery, and he’s here to share alongside host Jim Schubert how, despite its major setbacks, burnout can be a blessing. Hear how you can implement his model for de-stressing and decluttering your mind, effective in as little as FIVE SECONDS, on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• The number one key to recovering from burnout is noticing when you’re stressed out. Be aware and listen to your body throughout the day. 
• Take intentional recovery breaks–as little as five seconds to five minutes–and watch the habit make you present and less worried. Use your apple watch to remind yourself to relax if you need to. 
• Reduce your daily tasks that are creating white noise in your mind by identifying what only you can do, love to do, and what will move the needle for your business.

Resources

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

Website 

​Join their Facebook group: Beyond Burnout

About Scott Anderson
 
Scott is a serial entrepreneur whose entry into business started when he was tasked with turning around a 3rd generation family group of construction equipment and industrial engine companies, which he was able to scale and sell at a premium.

Following this, Scott built 3 for-profit businesses, including an agency that he ran for over 25 years and later sold to his employees.

Scott also combined his business acumen with his experience as a licensed mental health therapist to establish the not-for-profit, AtEaseUSA.org, which develops and deploys leading-edge PTSD treatment technology in partnership with Tel Aviv University and the Israeli government.

Scott’s experience in business is matched by his premier training in coaching and therapy. He trained at the preeminent Coaches Training Institute and is certified by the International Coaching Federation (IFC).

He also graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska School of Clinical Counseling.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

The Titanic: the biggest insurance claim of the century. Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat: the greatest historical insurance negotiation. Join guest Peter MacDonald from Wunderite and host Jim Schubert on this episode of Agents Growth Academy to be proud to be a part of the lubrication that’s brought function to society. Become a company that makes top-of-stack submissions quickly and easily–every time.

3 Key Takeaways

-Only outsource the things that don’t add value to your client’s experience. These things that typically feel grueling for you as well and can be handled by Wunderite.

-It’s all about the positive touch points with your clients; start taking advantage of the invaluable data points you collect about them and make the conversation relevant.

-Remember that insurance at its core is about the natural human desire to protect one another. Apply that to your agency’s approach toward the community.

About Peter MacDonald

Before founding Wunderite in 2018, Peter worked at a family insurance agency selling most types of insurance. In this role, Peter earned industry licenses and credentials (CPCU, CRM, CIC, LIA), represented independent agents to lawmakers in Washington DC with the IIABA, and built and implemented technology for the agency.

Intrigued by computers since he was four, Peter hacked the UI of AOL Instant Messenger, started modhalo.net to enhance Halo gameplay, and built bulletprooflinks.com (featured in Wired) before graduating high school. He quickly figured that the insurance industry needed better technology.

Peter earned an MBA with distinction from Boston College as a Dean’s Scholar and a BS in Mathematics Cum Laude from Wheaton (IL).

Peter lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two kids. He is a former traveler, recent drone enthusiast, and likes to be outside.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

If you haven’t considered this automated system for any other reason: do it for your clients. Don’t let check fraud happen to them on your watch. Today on Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert is joined by ePayPolicy’s Zac Franz to lay out the scary reality behind sending a check in the mail, presenting the all too easy, digital solution that beats a square and bank merchant services every time.

3 Key Takeaways

• We’re past the time where sending your bank account/routing information between thin paper is safe. Don’t jeopardize your client relationships by allowing them to be subject to fraud. 
• Stop giving away your commission! Digital payment will make paying easier for your clients and keep your cash in your court. 
• You don’t have to wait for the insurer to acknowledge and approve incoming funds. ePayPolicy will make the transfer immediately. 

Resources

Essentialism by Greg McKeowenazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145

What Would the Rockefellers Do?  by Garrett B Gunderson:

LinkedIn

Website: https://epaypolicy.com/

About Zac Franz

Zac is a genuinely good guy who has worked with ePayPolicy for over two years. He began on their sales team but quickly moved to managing that team after discovering his passion for speeding up receivables. Now, Zac is managing relationships with ePayPolicy’s integrated technology partners, contributing each day to a safer, faster way to pay in the insurance industry.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

How is lead distribution in the insurance agency comparable to Costco? Guest and independent agent Jeff Shi explains why It’s all about the way you incorporate other lead companies. Join him and host Jim Schubert to reimagine the way independent agents grow their agency organically versus through acquisition and hear how, despite the big changes happening in the insurance agency today, the role of the agent is more important than ever. 

Show Notes

[0:25] Jim introduces guest Jeff Shi and his background in insurance

[4:15] Jeff talks about the impact of struggling with mental health growing up and his wife’s mission to help kids like him

[6:50] Jim asks Jeff to explain what he’s learned about distribution and organic growth/why he founded his company

[10:50] Jeff talks about redistribution of leads to independent agents and the struggle in today’s agenting industry to get there

[16:08] The people trying to replace Geico aren’t the smartest ones in the room; focus on the top 100 broker list

[17:40] Why isn’t there interest in the brokerage space?

[26:40] Jeff gives a final piece of advice to agents: treat people how they want to be treated, and if you promise something then deliver

Know your weaknesses and strengths 

[29:18] Money problems resulted in a lack of financial discipline, but true greatness requires discipline 

[30:40] Jeff answers AGA’s rapid-fire round

3 Key Takeaways

•  Don’t focus on replacing major companies like Geico. Instead, focus on becoming a top 100 broker.
• The role of the insurance agent has become more important as the industry has shifted toward “replacing” the insurance agent’s role. 
• Take another look at how you’re utilizing the resource of a potential client’s cell phone. They may be a faster way to generate leads. 

Resources

Linkedin

Facebook

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Richard Kiyosaki 

Telegram

WhatsApp

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

Kobe Bryant video: Obsession 

About Jeff Shi 

Jeff Shi launched his insurance career as a top performing captive agent at Allstate. Along the way, he found the grass really was greener on the independent side, and co founded Quantum Assurance International and Quotehound so agents could have the home they deserve. As Chief Vision Officer at Quantum, he helped pioneer features like immediate vesting and the d

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert brings you the best methods straight from his agency that refine–and raise–your recruiting stats. It starts by setting up an evergreen process that maintains a focus on timing and question phrases. Hear his top five things you must do to recruit effectively on this episode of Agents Growth Academy and watch your incoming resumes raise 70 to 100 percent. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Just because you use a robust interview system doesn’t mean you can’t SAVE TIME from it. Ask the right questions at the right time and make hires faster. 
• You need to think about how your WEBSITE is bringing in resumes–unsolicited. There are over 5 ways you can ensure this.
• Hiring should not be a hurry up and wait process. Instead, maintain a continuous recruiting system and don’t be in a rush to fill upcoming holes. 

Resources

Indeed

Calendly

Use epaypolicy.com/checkmate to see their new service

Leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts

Design expert, Kick-A agent, and possibly even a psychologist Ciara Gravier joins host Jim Schubert for a rich discussion on your agency’s branding. Build a brand that tailors to the gut over the mind and hear Ciara’s top concrete ways to rethink your brand’s impact on this informative episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Build a brand that appeals to your potential client’s gut, NOT their mind. In today’s world, appealing to the mind is not enough. 
• Clearly identify what your agency does enough so that each employee can explain similarly to interested parties. 
• Utilize sensation transfer when designing your brand. Sensation transfer will ensure clients know who you are every time and trust you for that. 

Resources

Website: www.bunkeryourrisk.com

The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier

Canva

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

About Ciara Gravier

has been in the insurance industry for almost 20 years. She helped her parents start two scratch agencies: Allstate, and an independent that was sold in 2018. Ciara is now the founder & CEO of The Bunker Insurance & Risk Management where she holds several designations: CIC, CRM, and the CCIC.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Texan by choice, teacher/coach, and automation expert Casey Nelson is here for what host Jim Schubert describes as “becoming very quickly one of the most valuable podcasts I’ve ever recorded.” Besides being a darn good guy to know, Casey shares value with listeners on the limitless work-arounds available to agents, the biggest ROI action item to implement, and why you should always do more than you have to on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Understand that there will be hairs when you employ automation, but don’t be afraid to make a laugh out of it, especially to clients. 
• You absolutely need to have a written process for EVERYTHING in your agency. 
• Show up, be the person others can rely on, and give more credit to your gut instinct.

Resources

Tango, screen recording platform 

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Website: stakwise.com

Facebook

YouTube

Reach out to Casey any time at casey@stakwise.com

About Casey Nelson

Was Michigan born & raised, graduating a Western Michigan University Alumni, but today, he is a Texan by choice. Casey served as a teacher and coach for eight years and as an insurance agency COO for seven years. He became IIAT ELI Texas Chair and was on the IIAT Board of Directors for two years, after which he started StakWise in August 2021 to help agents/agencies install, build, and manage their technology and automation.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Join this insightful and inspiring conversation with guest Laban Ditchburn, who has had his fair share of experience at growing big. Discover the power of stepping in to who you are to the universe; own your power, your divine purpose, and watch it create invaluable results like it has for Laban, quite literally curing his incurable disease. Learn alongside host Jim Schubert to reach out to people the right way by understanding that the power is in the listeners on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Salespeople: you hold real power when you act as the listener, so ask questions. 
• You can push past the discomfort of calling people who feel higher up by understanding that human beings are just human beings. 
• What people think of you is none of your business, and you shouldn’t care to hear it!

Resources

Steve Hardeson, the ultimate coach

Website: LabanDitchburn.com

Lusch.co to access the contact information of incredible human beings

Laban’s Book: Bet on You 

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann

177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold

Insure the Cure

Laban’s podcast: Become Your Own Superhero

About Laban Ditchburn

An exemplar and a revolutionary, he revels in unabashedly sharing what he’s learned: how to conquer the demons you don’t know you have, and how to be unstoppable in getting to where you want to be.

These days he gets his fix from the madness of ultra-marathon running, smashing the glass-ceiling of limiting beliefs and the demolition of a hot carnivore BBQ.

Continuing his writing, inspiring and transformational speaking, Laban is living his purpose as The World’s Best Courage Coach. 

He lives in the beautiful Riviera Maya of Mexico, with the woman who is responsible for his limitless approach to life, his soon to be wife, the bravest person he knows and the future mother of their giant brood of children, Anna.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

One of the BIGGEST challenges that insurance agencies face today is not having their accounts streamlined. Issues of lost personal account information and across-states clients with urgent needs fill our experience box. How prepared are YOU to pay your consultants and collect bills before disaster strikes? Tune in today for host Jim Schubert’s 3 best ways to streamline your agency accounting on Agent’s Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• Snail mailing your checks is a lot like playing the slot machines; you can only hope your money gets to you through safe means. 
• You want to receive your paycheck through direct deposit to avoid delays and complications. Commissions should be considered NO differently!
• Use Echeck as a last resort to paying vendors and carriers. ACA or credit card are always the best ways to pay. 

Resources

epaypolicy

Leave us an honest review on Apple Podcasts!

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Jim Schubert is unbelievably excited to bring on Brandon Smith, a fellow insurance agent who doesn’t like doing insurance but also loves what he does. Join their conversation centered around Brandon’s motto that if you do what’s right, the business will take care of itself. Use technology as a tool to enhance true relationships and let failure act as a learning point rather than define you on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• The true measure of your company's success should be in PROFITABILITY, not revenue.
• You can and should build meaningful relationships, even if you’re converting thousands of digital leads a year like Brandon’s company. 
• You can use technology to enhance those meaningful relationships as a tool; tune in to hear some options. 

Resources

Handle: @brandon5mith

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

producerdp.com

brandonsmith.pro

Alienated America by Timothy P Carney

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

About Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith is working to be a catalyst in the evolution of independent agents: In addition to his role as EVP of Development & Strategy at Glidewell, he is the founder of Producer Development Program. He also was co-founder of Insurance Agency Owners Alliance (IAOA), an association of 8,000+ agents who innovate and collaborate through events, webinars and more. Brandon has spent years motivating and inspiring audiences to get out of their comfort zone and to dream again. 

With his background as a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local provider for Glidewell, Brandon honed his skills and helps motivate audiences who are just surviving in business rather than thriving. With his engaging, and fun personality, Brandon connects with his audiences and delivers content that they can immediately use when they get back to their home or office. 

The 19-year industry veteran was recognized by Rough Notes Magazine as their cover agent in July of 2020. He attended Southwestern University on a basketball scholarship and still enjoys hoops in his free time. Brandon is a die-hard Red Sox fan, loves coffee and Wi-Fi, and was once a line leader in second grade. Brandon, his wife Joy and three children (Avery 14, Boston 12, and Harper 9) reside in Missoula, Montana.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Remain present on LinkedIn if you want to be seen–we’ve heard this advice. It’s a necessity for promotional work. But do you know just how far a single LinkedIn post can go for you, for others? Today on Agents Growth Academy, Jim Schubert shares how one vacation post went viral overnight for him and uses three components as answers to the ever-present question: what makes them hit that button and take time out of their day to promote you?

3 Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to know the secret to LinkedIn’s algorithm to go viral. Instead, be consistent with the 3 key traits in this episode and people will want to view your content.
• DON’T stage your posts–photos or content. Show people that you are a real human with a real life. 
• Start thinking about how your post will help improve someone else’s life enough to invite a thank you. 

Resources

Visit agentsgrowthacademy.com/value for ideas on how you can give FIRST!

Connect with Jim and leave the episode an honest review!

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

There was never a better time to pursue your passion and share your agency knowledge with others than today. Join the inspiring conversation between host Jim Schubert and guest Dani Kimble to hear how marketing has changed drastically in the last decade, creating space for greater personal content, connections, and community on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• By holding your agency cards close to the chest, you are preventing society from seeing what insurance really means. It’s time to share what you know!
• You have more opportunities now than ever to make real connections with your audience. The marketing space has exploded in just a few years. 
• Focus on the long term impact of your marketing strategy. You may gain more leads the old way, but are you keeping them after a year or two? 

Resources

Dani’s LinkedIn

Dani’s Twitter

Website: www.azeliemarketing.com

Keli’s account with inspiring insurance stories

Bradley Flowers

Traction by Gino Wickman and his quadrant system: Delegate and Elevate

Notion

Founder Brand by Dave Gerhardt

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Get a free audible book at audibletrial.com/growbig

Go to mountainmallow.com and use code GROWBIG to get a 15% discount

About Dani Kimble

Dani Kimble is the Founder/CEO of Azelie Marketing. She has nearly 7 years of professional marketing experience supporting small/midmarket businesses with branding and marketing. Over that time, she's served as CMO for an independent insurance firm, and has also supported consulting firms, restaurants, and SaaS startups. Her expertise lies in building custom marketing strategies - and she brings that expertise to a small number of innovative, growth-oriented companies.

Dani resides in Ohio with her husband and four children. In her free time, you can find her hanging with her little ones - and over-consuming marketing content.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Distinguish yourself from all of the other insurance agents in the market and go deeper into the “micro niches” of your expertise on this episode of Agents Growth Academy. Host Jim Schubert is joined by “super fantastic, wonderful and amazing” guest Charles Specht to discuss the key components of specifying and clearly identifying what you want to clients. This will bring you deeper relatableness and credibility among your peers nearly instantly.

3 Key Takeaways

• There’s no secret formula to getting in front of the right people. You have to do the work agenting requires. 
• Get better at repackaging what you want to present so that it provides a solution to the potential’s problem. 
• It’s time for you to find your MICRO NICHE. Try to narrow your expertise down to no more than two areas. 

Resources

Tribes by Seth Goden (read page 35 about the status quo)

Join Charles’ email list 

Calendly 

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone

Charles’ LinkedIn

About Charles Specht

is a Leadership Consultant, Pastor, Evangelist, Expository Preacher, and Collaborative Leader. He is also author of the a book Revealed: God's Will for Your Life about how to discern God's *subjective* will for your life. He has been married to Kathy since 1999 and has five wonderful children (Camden, Brady, Amelia, Charlotte, and Luke). Their two youngest — Charlotte & Luke — are adopted from China and through genetic testing, They’ve learned they are full biological siblings. 

Charles’ family recently moved to Nashville area in July 2021 so that our youngest son — who is completely blind — could attend The Tennessee School for the Blind. He’s currently praying about and seeking God’s Will for his next pastoral ministry.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Despite technology’s evolution, email marketing continues to prove itself a viable growth option for your business. On average, for every dollar spent, $36 ROI is expected. Today on Agents Growth Academy, host Jim Schubert shares five top tips and tricks for improving your odds and marketing your emails to get that 36-to-1 value.

3 Key Takeaways

• If your subject line doesn’t spark curiosity, it won’t matter how amazing of a deal you’ve got. They won’t open the email. 
• Start showing yourself and your team to clients, even in your emails. People want to buy from people. 
• Give, give, and give some more before you ask for a dime from potential clients. Prove to them that you understand them and their needs. 

Resources

Save Your Asks by Chris Tuff

Patt Flynn’s podcast and website 

Engage with Jim on LinkedIn and Facebook

About Jim Schubert

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

The expert on improving agency marketing and operations, Ryan Teubner, guest stars on this episode of Agents Growth Academy. Join the conversation between him and host Jim Schubert about seeking out training–whatever form it may be in–to prepare for a sales win always. Further those wins by revising your networking parameters and vetoing phone calls in lieu of in-person contacts that build long-lasting relationships.


3 Key Takeaways

• This is a relationship-based industry. That means you need to be out in the field, face-to-face with people, all the time. Don’t substitute for a phone call.
• Get yourself into a place where you’re confident you can win sales because you’re prepared. This means ample self-education and understanding your competition.
• Sharing stories of past client experiences puts the “relate” in relationships. Prepare yourself with a solid list of stories before reaching out to the next lead.

Resources

Save Your Ask by Chris Tuff

The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink

Ryan’s Instagram: @ryanteubner

About Ryan Teubner

Teubner’s insurance career began in 2009 while working primarily with personal lines for Liberty Mutual. He quickly realized that working as an independent agent would give him the flexibility and contacts to serve his personal and commercial clients in the most efficient ways possible. 

His focus is working with business customers to develop an individual, tailored insurance program and offering risk management strategy options to fit their needs. 

He works with his clients to build a partnership that will be beneficial to their growth and development. He prides himself on building relationships with and for his clients so they know he will consistently act in their best interest. 

In addition to currently serving as a board member for the Big I Oklahoma, he has also served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Young Agents Committee; Past-President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Greater Oklahoma City; and has served on the InVEST Board through the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. 

Teubner and his wife, Beth, have two kids, Dixie and Clancey. He enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, and training his three German shepherds.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

92% of customers use online reviews before buying. So what are you doing to prevent your client’s voices from getting lost in the noise? Join host Jim Schubert for a testimonial-focused episode of Agent’s Growth Academy for three key tips that will boost your ratings through the roof, using the key components of specificity and story.

3 Key Takeaways

• Give your clients a PROMPT page when asking for a testimonial–don’t make the student write a paper with no direction! 
• You need to start showing how you TRANSFORMED clients’ lives; potentials want to see that transformation. 
• Specify the testimonials you receive by shaping your questions to relay a STORY. It’s the most powerful way to connect with humans. 

Resources

Go to agentsgrowthacademy.com/story for a cheat sheet on utilizing story in testimonials

Start a conversation with Jim on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

boast.io

About Jim Schubert 

Jim Schubert is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review and Applied Systems. Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction. Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Take a look into today’s guest Nicholas Ayers’ “unbelievably sexy” tech model for agencies everywhere, utilizing technology as the “steroid” for your team’s talent. Tune in today on Agent’s Growth Academy for what’s getting host Jim Schubert excited: how Nick went from co-founder of an agency with zero clients to over 2,500, how they clean up your data to make it actionable, and how they created a program where clients want to spend time with you. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Sometimes if there should be a better way to do things in the industry, you have to make it. Don’t let that deter you from improving the experience. 
• Do not underestimate the impact of community; the insight Nicholas gained from those in positions above and below him has been invaluable. 
• Better Agency makes an actionable, all-in-one program for agencies through clear data. Is your data clear, without redundant information?

Resources

Website

Better Agency’s Youtube channel

Books by Grant Botma

Adobe Premiere

Obviously Awesome by April Dunford

About 

Nicholas Ayers has worked in the insurance industry since 2005 where he started as a sales producer. In 2012 he opened his first scratch independent agency.

In 2018 he left that agency and started over again, launching his second scratch agency. This time he went completely digital with a 23 state operation and relied on his digital marketing prowess to generate leads and customers.

In 2019 Nicholas joined an insurtech startup, “Better Agency” as its co-founder and chief marketing officer.

Better Agency is the first sales-driven AMS and uses policy downloads to trigger hundreds of automation campaigns for sales, service, claims and renewals.

Nicholas’s passions and skills center around marketing, technology, automation, and insurance agency operations

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host Jim Schubert brings you a solocast of the top three mistakes he has personally experienced while trying to build an “audience” on Linkedin in this episode of Agents Growth Academy. Reevaluate your mental framework around stacking the friend count, selling without giving value first, and the crucial difference between looking at an audience and looking at a relationship.

3 Key Takeaways

• Stop calling your LinkedIn friends an “audience.” Build real relationships and watch your contacts flourish. 
• Gaining more followers on LinkedIn is in no way a NUMBERS game. Stop trying to add to your masses just to see the count go up. 
• Selling someone in person before establishing a real human connection NEVER works. It is the exact same scenario on LinkedIn.

Resources

Save Your Asks by Chris Tuff

Reach out to Jim on Linkedin–he’d love to have a genuine chat! 

Visit agentsgrowthacademy.com/value for a free list to provide value before you ask

Linkedin Sales Navigator

Identify the ideal weekly schedule, give back to your community, and clear the deck so you can focus on making connections with your team in this episode of Agent’s Growth Academy. Host Jim Schubert invites Billy Wagner to share his insights on becoming a “time billionaire,” freeing up space to NOT be busy and instead use your minutes intentionally every day. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Work at your peak and save time through Bill’s EAT acronym: eat the frog, achieve, and then touch lives before you do anything. 
• Leaders need to be highly, actively involved in their team’s processes. Regular meetings are a part of that. 
• There are more than 20 ways to add value to partner relationships. Let go of excuses and put your effort into the right things.

Resources

Business Made Simple by Donald Miller

The HOUND App

Billy’s Facebook

Email Billy at Billy.Wagner@brightway.com 

About Billy Wagner

Billy Wagner is accustomed to winning insurance industry accolades, and he views his success as a beacon for those in need. When he set out to raise funds for the Folds of Honor, he authored a book on Insurance, a subject he knows best. His Book “Insuring your peace of mind” has raised over 30,000 for Folds of Honor. Supporting Folds of Honor is a way for him and all of us to prove that our American Heroes' sacrifices will never be forgotten.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Guest Sarah Muniz is a long-time advocate for female employment and empowerment as well as an expert on branding, marketing, and agency operations. Today, she shares with host Jim Schubert her insights about the talent shortage issues business leaders are finding themselves dealing with, or rather, that it isn’t what they think it is. And not only for female agents applying in the industry, but all businessmen and women, tune in to the Agents Growth Academy podcast today for tips on how to advocate for yourself if you are seeking a job, promotion, or adequate training in your field. 

3 Key Takeaways

• It’s not about facing a talent shortage. It’s about a lack of training and incentivization that leads to less top-notch workers. 
• Sarah is not an anomaly; there are women in the insurance industry all over. It’s time to give them the voice they deserve. 
• This industry needs to have a safe space for discussion between anyone; that’s how you create change

Resources

Undiscovered Voices by Sarah Muniz

Sarah’s Linkedin

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robins

Insure Equality 

Go to audibletrial.com/growbig for a free book!

Get 15% off of your order when you go to mountainmallow.com with the code: GROWBIG

About Sarah Muniz

Is the published author of Undiscovered Voices : Unlocking the Potential of Women in Insurance. She served as a top producer at 3 different insurance agencies, and is the mother of 2 teens that are currently still alive.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

If you want to learn anything at all about the impact of increasing the quality of your negotiation skills, THIS is the episode for you. Expert, life-long negotiator Mike Lander shares his wisdom with host Jim Schubert on this episode of Agents Growth Academy, where they discuss the power of the inquisitive mind on your memory recall, how likening yourself to an annoying toddler can increase your sales rate, and how their learning model will naturally secure a better negotiation every time. 

3 Key Takeaways

• There are three ways that you can build professional trust with people and it isn’t sitting for coffee and quizzing their favorite color.
• The inquisitive mind holds more power to recall and implement knowledge than it is given credit for. Use Mike’s model and see it for yourself. 
• Preparation, preparation, preparation! This is 80% of a successful negotiation. 

Resources

Pat Flynn’s Podcast

Getting to Yes by William Ury, Bruce Patton, and Roger Fisher

Visit higgle.piscari.com for the Higgle Negotiation Workbook

Influence by Robert B. Cialdini

The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford

Mike’s website: piscari.com

Mike’s Linkedin

About Mike Lander

has negotiated hundreds of deals over the last 24 years, worth well in excess of £450m. He has been a procurement director for a private equity-backed portfolio company, which is now worth $1bn. Mike is a managing partner at one of the UK's largest Procurement Consultancies, selling businesses for large, 7-figure sums. He raised £6m of debt financing to fund the acquisition and growth of a professional services and education business and has provided negotiation support to clients that has helped them deliver gross margins of over 65%. 

Mike negotiated the restructuring of £4m of creditors as part of a corporate turnaround, resulting in all creditors being paid out in full. More recently, he sold a high-growth SEN school's business for a large 7-figure sum and delivered procurement savings of over £5m.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host and headmaster Jim Schubert is thrilled to invite you to today’s informative and resource-abundant conversation with Jeff Teschke, founder of the highest-rated, fastest-growing web solution in the insurance industry. Today’s discussion will touch on the three major points of AGA: branding, marketing, and agency operations, outlining the absolute criticality of a well functioning and visually appealing website and providing the game-changing impact of an integration with ActiveAgency. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Reputation is key. You wouldn’t wear sweatpants to a wedding, so don’t let your agency look sloppy through its public access points, either. 
• Video proposals have rocketed since COVID and are here to stay. Consider this option for potential clientele. 
• Why not tailor to web user preferences? If your clients prefer live chat over phone calls, you need to give them that option, even if you don’t prefer it. 

Resources

Hello Producer on ActiveAgency

Slack

Mixergy Podcast

Twit Podcasts

forge3.com

Jeff’s Linkedin

About Jeff Teschke

saw many of my insurance agency friends struggling to understand and use the web, apps, and digital marketing. He wanted to do something about it, so Forge3 was born!

Today, their ActiveAgency website platform is the highest-rated, fastest-growing solution in the insurance industry, powering well over 1,000 agencies across the country and around the globe. Powerful sales tools and servicing features like Clickable Coverage, Hello Producer, and Video Proposals enable insurance agencies to look amazing, get found, sell more, and service better.

But they’re still just getting started.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host and headmaster Jim Schubert brings Chris Langille, a guest with a wealth of knowledge on branding, web development, and social media marketing on this episode of Agents Growth Academy. The truth is, people are on Facebook and TikTok right now, and with the right audience, it’s going to make you money. Founder of Advisor Evolved, Chris shares why you need to hold out on your marketing strategy despite a lack of instant ROIs, and avoid keyword cannibalization by looking at search traffic BEFORE you attempt to rank.

3 Key Takeaways

• Don’t put all of your eggs in your SEO basket. You have to go to your display networks to get in front of people, regardless.
• People buy brands; at the end of the day, you are better off advertising than not. 
• Returns from web advertisements are not linear. Don’t give up even if the ROI isn’t immediately improving and you will get traffic results!

Resources

Website: advisorevolved.com

Sister Website: localtrafficmarketing.com

Chris’s Twitter: @LangilleDoes

Chris’s Linkedin

Traffic Secrets by Russel Brunson

Front App

The Category Design Toolkit by Category Pirates

About 

Chris Langille is the founder of Advisor Evolved, a web development and digital marketing agency that helps independent insurance agencies transition their brick-and-mortar locations into well-oiled customer-acquisition machines.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today’s episode on Agents Growth Academy promises insights from expert and Linkedin ninja, Hayato Nakamura. Hayato is going to share what he sees commercialized agents missing concerning Linkedin’s abilities, both to market the agent and build long-term relationships. Discover what Linkedin is looking for in its algorithm today and hear how 15-20 minutes a day can result in sales you earn while you are sleeping.

3 Key Takeaways

• Potential customers are going to call the last agent who built trust with them. What are you doing to build rapport among your sales?
• Linkedin pushes good business value content but also good personal vulnerability content.
• Now more than ever is the best time we can present ourselves on social media as the businessperson we want to be.

Resources

Shieldapp.ai to look at your Linkedin analytics

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Hayato’s Linkedin

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Take a fresh look at your business’s purpose and yours as an agent on this compelling episode of Agents Growth Academy, where guest and genuine human Grant Botma brings his unique and long overdue business model to the sales agency world. Join them as host Jim Schubert asks questions that viewers have never heard Grant give an answer to before, despite his frequency as a podcast guest. Above all, recenter your perception to adapt the key truth that company growth is a natural result of first serving and loving people. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Revise your website’s intention from getting viewers to click “learn more” to “what would my life be like if I scheduled an appointment?”
• Business profit is just a byproduct; any business’s purpose is centered on service!
• Ditch the client demographic and instead accept all people bringing humility, love, transparency, and innovation. 

Resources

Grant’s podcast episode with James Jenkins

Grant’s books:The Problem Isn’t Their Paycheckand Work-Life Harmony

Calendly 

Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @grantbotma

The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren: amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-What-Earth/dp/031033750X

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329

Learn more about Stewardship: moneywellrooted.com

About Grant Botma

Grant, 39, is the founder of Stewardship (in Gilbert, AZ) and was named a top entrepreneur before he reached the age of thirty-five. For the past decade, Stewardship has been providing Home Loans, Insurance, and Investment Advice with wisdom and love. Grant has grown his business and his team winning prestigious awards along the way; Awards like "Broker of the year for AZ”, "Top Agent", "Elite Producer”, "Top 1% in the nation", "Top 20 in the nation" and more. Grant is also is the author of the Amazon Best Selling Book, “The Problem Isn't Their Paycheck: How to Attract Top Talent and Build a Thriving Company Culture”. He also has a new book launching in January 2022, "Work-Life Harmony: How to Enjoy Your Life and Family More Because of (Not in Spite Of) Your Work." As an ambassador of the Stewardship brand and with a heart to help others win, Grant often speaks at business events teaching other business owners about how to manage people and develop winning teams properly. He loves his job because of the impact he gets to make as he works to love people through finances and company culture activism.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

On this unique episode of the Agent's Growth Academy Podcast, we're going to do things differently while still adding a ton of value to your insurance career, beginning with a topic that's near and dear to the hearts of host and hostee. Jim Schubert invites his friend and currently-transitioning agency CEO to Chairman of the Board Clay Snelllings to share about cystic fibrosis and its incredible connection to insurance firms everywhere across the US. 

You have the opportunity to discover how he turned a two-person conviction into a million-dollar, 50+ firm movement and to literally extend the lifespan of a person with cystic fibrosis by decades. 

Join Jim for this heartening and heartwarming conversation on the influence of stories, establishing a true connection, and inspiring change. 

3 Key Takeaways

• How Clay's daughter's life expectancy was moved from 30 to 50 years old in half a life span
• What involving your agency in Insure the Cure will demonstrate to potential and current clients
• One of the 6 key components of a healthy company and why it applies to your agency

Resources

Get involved in finding the cure for cystic fibrosis! at agentsgrowthacademy/curecf

Simon Sinek's Ted Talk and book: Start With Why

Breath from Salt by Bijal P. Trivedi

Clay's Linkedin

About Clay Snellings

Clay leads to inspire confidence in others so their potential is unleashed.

Since joining the firm in 1986, Clay has served in several roles. As an insurance agent, he serves his business and personal clients. As a member of the executive team, he is active in the leadership of the agency serving as CEO and Visionary. With a concentration in the real estate industry, Clay’s clients value his knowledge of their coverage needs and his ability to match them with insurance companies that fulfill those needs.

Clay also lives out his Sense of Purpose by working to unite the Insurance Industry to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Since 2011 he has led the Insure the Cure initiative which has raised over $2.2 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Clay grew up in Atlanta and attended The Lovett School before majoring in Finance/Business Administration at Stetson University. He is married to Lori and has three children: Blake, Walker, and Emily.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

This is one of those episodes you DON'T want to miss, especially if you're looking for a way to work on your business and quality of life. Host Jim Schubert brings on his new friend and neighbor down the street, Tommy Breedlove, who is a "beautiful human" and purveyor of life-changing advice through his Legendary Life Movement, among other things.

Tommy will show how to transform your life into one full of positivity, nutrition, and goodness, ultimately becoming a better leader by working on yourself first! Hear his amazing life story from incarceration at 19 to up-and-leaving his position as a high-level corporate influencer. Learn the real purpose of life and get on track toward positive self-awareness.

3 Key Takeaways

• Tommy's three rules for friendship
• Why Tommy is adamant about his no-news policy
• The number one leadership failure and how to push past it

Resources

Linkedin

Instagram 

Facebook

Legendaryby Tommy Breedlove

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Become a part of the Legendary Life Movement! Email tommy@tommybreedlove.com

About Tommy Breedlove

Tommy's purpose is to empower humans to build and live legendary life. He is a keynote speaker, author of the Legendary Life Movement, and Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best Selling Author of the Book Legendary. He empowers high achievers to be pros in leadership, business, and relationships and stop chasing the ghost of "more" and "when," instead helping them to build a life of purpose, significance, and meaning. 

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Though today's guest is trapped in the middle of a blustering storm, things inside are sunny with Jim Schubert and Meg McKeen on this episode of the Agents Growth Academy Show. Meg is a podcaster and fellow agency expert with over two decades of experience in the industry, and she's ready to help you learn to have client relationships like never before. The truth is it starts with your relationship with yourself. Tune in today and dive into the power of stories, from the fairytale page to an agent's mouth, and learn how true story comes from a place of vulnerability. Get ready to make a worthy risk and get the contacts you've been hoping for!

3 Key Takeaways

• How story will transform an insurance client's life
• Why you should understand that buyers of insurance care very little about learning insurance
• Why your clients don't choose you because you know insurance

Resources

Meg's Website: adjunctadvisors.com

Meg's LinkedIn: @Meg Mckeen

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Playing Big by Tara Mohr

Willby Will Smith

Dubsato

Amy Colette, Book Coach

Get a free audible book, courtesy of Jim at audibletrial.com/growbig!

Go to agentsgrowthacademy.com/stories for a free story frame worksheet!

About Meg McKeen

Meg believes the people who choose a career in insurance deserve a better experience--one that allows you to do more than simply check the box for your clients and teams. And one that allows you to know and honor exactly who you are - and find alignment with the clients and teams that will value you for it. 

At the intersection of personal and professional development, Meg helps insurance professionals to know and communicate that value - using relevant methods that drive outcomes.

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today's guest on the Agent's Growth Academy Show will mix things up with her occupational experience that's outside of the insurance agency niche. Tammy Mutasa is a two-time Emmy award-winning reporter, and while it may seem odd that host Jim Schubert would bring on a reporter, you will quickly see how similar their two jobs can be. Learn what Tammy did to earn her esteemed awards, starting with placing yourself within the framework of a person's journey and learning the true definition of empathy. Make better connections as an agent by helping your potentials remain the hero of their own story and learn to value life differently, yourself, along the way.

3 Key Takeaways

• Why some door knocks will always be harder than others
• Why you need to put yourself in their shoes if you want your sale to be successful
• The true definition of empathy

Resources

Website: komonews.com

Twitter: @tammykomo

Facebook: Tammy Mutasa KOMO

Instagram: Mutammy

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn, Rosalyn Landor, et al.

 Free audiobook

 Save on Marshmallows

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

"If you're an agency owner and you're interested in acquisitions, this is the episode for you!" Join host Jim Schubert in his excitement about today's guest on Agents Growth Academy Podcast, Mike Mensch. Mike is an acquisitions expert on the sales side, and he's bringing his top three pieces of advice for those who may be starting out with an interest in it. Get a framework of how a ready buyer is positioned, advice for handling the human aspect of acquisitions, and even hear a few MNA war stories. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Why you must employ a "boots on the ground" strategy when you've made an acquisition
• Why you should take time to study an owner's P&L
• The typical time frame to complete an acquisition

About 

Mike is the CEO and founding partner of Agency Brokerage Consultants, a top M&A advisor to the insurance brokerage industry. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and a certified Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI). He studied chemical engineering in college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Tech and a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech, continuing through becoming a Ph.D. candidate. He also holds a real estate broker license and property & casualty and life & health agent licenses in Florida.

 For more than 5 years, he has been one of the top producers within the International Business Brokers’ Association (IBBA). In 2017, he was named to the prestigious National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts “40 Under Forty” list of brightest emerging leaders in the business valuation profession.

Resources

Website: agencybrokerage.net

Call the office: (321) 255-1309

Mike's Linkedin

Predictable Revenue: Turn Your Business Into a Sales Machine with the $100 Million Best Practices of Salesforce.com by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Our host, Jim Schubert, and his newest guest Josh Gurley bring power to the conversation by elaborating on the power of a dream on today's episode of Agent's Growth Academy podcast. Learn how Josh went from traveling musician to a leader in the insurance industry, pushed forward by the feeling that there was more out there for him. Get Josh's best advice for newly inaugurated agents and take time to elaborate on the right way to make emotional deposits. Become what Josh self-prescribes to be every day: "professionally persistent."

3 Key Takeaways

• What you shouldn't apologize for doing in your career
• Why the most important thing for you to do is be consistent
• Why you should start building better relationships 

Resources

Josh's Linkedin

Josh's Facebook

Josh's Instagram: @insurewithjosh

Traction by Gino Wickman

Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse

Living Your Best Year Everby Darren Hardy

Get a free Audible book courtesy of Jim! (Link already on Webpage)

David Carothers' podcast

LastPass

Hunt-Miller

The Cincinnati Insurance Company

Learn how to give before you receive in sales on agentsgrowthacademy.com/sales

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today we talk tips, tenets, and taking trips on this episode of the Agents Growth Academy Podcast. Our host, Jim Schubert, invites risk management advisor, chairman, and owner of his own agency, Sean Stewart, to share how he’s achieved long-lasting and genuine relationships with his clients. Get his pro tips on why you always need to give first, how to cut through all the noise, and why you still absolutely need teamwork. 

3 Key Takeaways

• Sean’s 30-fact rule when approaching a new client
• Why you should always “be the egg”
• What to talk to your potentials about instead of policies

About Sean Stewart

Sean is a Vice President and Risk Management Advisor in the commercial lines practice at Turner & Associates Insurance in Brunswick, Ga, and has been serving his clients since 2013. He has served on numerous committees within the IIAG including, most recently, the Chairman of Georgia's Young Agent Committee, recently honored as the National Committee of the Year by the IIABA at their 2021 Fall Leadership Conference. Work is the only place Sean has his own identity because outside of work he is known as Kersey and Porter's Dad and Lindsay's husband in their community of St. Simons Island.

Resources

The 12 Monotasks by Thatcher Wine

Demand Side-Sales by Bob Moesta

The Go-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg

Notability

DOT Filing

Road Warrior

Linkedin

Facebook

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Take a look into the complex world of automation and learn how to get more referrals that tell a real story on this new episode of Agent’s Growth Academy Podcast. Our host, Jim Schubert, is delighted to bring an expert on running the numbers and co-founder of Rocket Referrals: Torey Maerz. Torey and his brother have done the work to create a system that bridges across all platforms and gives concise and accurate feedback on who’s willing to refer you, who may do it again, and puts in place tested forms that acquire detailed responses. Listen in today and learn about the real reason you should be getting referrals, the right way to identify a need for a business, and an example of how one automated birthday card made all the difference.

3 Key Takeaways

• Why your job isn’t to be the hero of your client’s story 
• What to ask instead of “How did you hear about us?”
• The importance of story in referrals

About Torey Maerz

Torey Maerz, CEO, Rocket Referrals

Torey co-founded Rocket Referrals with his brother, Carl Maerz, in 2013. Throughout his career, Torey has spent 20+ years building software and leading technology teams in a variety of businesses across a range of industries—from education to asset management.

Resources

Leave AGA a review!

Sales ideas to give back

Website: rocketreferrals.com (Torey recommends a demo; get talking with someone!)

The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Loyalty 2.0 [The Ultimate Question] by Fred Reichheld

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Get 15% off of a purchase for yourself at Mountain Mallow, use code: growbig

Slack

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Our host Jim Schubert is delighted to bring on a brilliant and notoriously personable expert onto today’s episode of Agents Growth Academy Podcast. Commonly referred to as “The Mayor” (though he doesn’t deal in politics at all), guest Heath Shearon brings his uniquely wide experience from both sides of agenting as a second-generation insurance professional, member of Agency Performance Partners, and previous carrier representative to the conversation. Get first-hand advice on becoming more comfortable with sales and the necessity of human connection–all from the inside of his decked-out “spaceship.” 

3 Key Takeaways

• Why you should never move your focus from establishing a human connection
• What IAOA can do for agents like you
• The power of playing to your strengths in the agency

About Heath Shearon

Heath Shearon is a second-generation insurance professional, creator of the Insurance Town Podcast, and Agency Performance Partners' newest Performance Coach. He built a successful agency before transitioning to the carrier side. Working with hundreds of insurance agencies throughout his career as a marketing representative and consultant, Heath Shearon has parlayed his networking and relationship-building skills into a consulting career, with agencies all over the country in sales strategies, niche marketing, relationship building, cross-selling, customer retention, mergers and acquisitions, developing culture, and brand building (amongst other things). Heath is a strong believer of the accountability factor in coaching and enjoys working with agencies both large and small.

In the past 2 years, Heath has spent time working on his own brand of Insurance Town and other agencies to help them to develop their own branding and develop a culture for their business. Through accountability and consulting, he has helped agencies to grow and achieve and exceed their goals. By joining the team at Agency Performance Partners, Heath is able to serve his customers more effectively by working alongside a team of professionals highly regarded and deeply entrenched in the industry that he loves so much.

The organization’s Agency Performance Assessment ™ zeroes in on organization-wide improvement opportunities and provides the foundation for a customized agency action plan,  addressing everything from agency mission, goals, values, and culture to agency management and infrastructure, employee abilities, service processes and procedures, and marketing, sales, and retention strategy.

Heath is available to conduct in-person and online agency success presentations that complement App’s one-on-one on-site and virtual consulting practice. 

Resources

Linkedin: @Heath Shearon

Podcast Website: insurancetownpodcast.com

Company Website:agencyperformancepartners.com 

Email: Heath@Agencyperformancepartners.com

Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller

Traction by Gino Wickman

FREE AUDIBLE LINK

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today’s episode of Agent’s Growth Academy Podcast brings a down-to-earth conversation about being down-to-earth. Our host, Jim Schubert, invites founder and owner of Kilgo Insurance, graduate of High Point University, retired top auto salesman for Geico, and black belt in Karate: Jason Kilgo. Jason will share some of his major sales processes that lead him to dominate inside and outside of the karate ring with an agency one-call-closing rate at 75% and climbing. Learn about what he believes to be the number one key to selling policy the right way, and join Jim in his excitement to talk to a fellow storytelling guru with tips on how you can be more intentional with the moment.

3 Key Takeaways

• How Jason’s team gets clients on a one-call Zoom sale 
• Jason’s three-step calling process that leads to a one-call-close rate of 75%
• Why you may need to learn to slow down in order to make better sales

Resources

Stories that Stick by Kindra Hall

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

The Orange Revolution by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

Winning by Tim Grover

The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly

IAOA (Insurance Agency Owners Alliance)

Facebook Group: Virginia Homes for Sale or Rent

Kilgo Insurance

Email: jason@kilgoinsurance.com

Phone: (804) 403-7400 (Text or Call!)

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today, we meet a good friend and fellow hometown dweller of Jim on The Agent’s Growth Academy Show. Guest Katie Coleman is a genuine and inspiring human being who focuses on humanity. Among additional achievements, Katie is a financial planner with 15 dedicated years to the industry. She’s trained over 600 financial advisors over the country and earned several awards, one of which is in Forbes. Katie will talk with our host, Jim Schubert, about the absolute necessity of making real and lasting connections with your clients and employees alike by not being afraid to be vulnerable. Listen in and get inspired to slow down, pay attention, and make a real impact.

3 Key Takeaways

• How you can pay it forward by doing right
• Why you need to get comfortable asking difficult questions
• Simple things you can do (even in the mail) to make a better connection

About Katie

Katie Coleman, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor and President of Coleman Financial Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. She has been in the financial services industry for 15 years and is passionate about helping people achieve their financial and life goals. Katie is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She moved to New York in 2007 and that same year, joined Siena Wealth Advisory Group. In 2012, Katie became a partner at the firm and together, with her business partner, trained over 600 financial advisors across the country. She was named as one of Long Island Business News’ 40 under 40, which honors outstanding members of the business community on Long Island, in January 2014. Katie was a finalist of the 2015 Athena International Young Professional Leadership Award. She has been quoted as a financial expert in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, NY Post and the Long Island Business News and appeared on CNBC’s “On the Money”. In 2018, she was recognized on the Forbes America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors List and identified as one of the Ameriprise Working Mother Top Advisor Moms.

Katie holds her Series 7, 66 and the New York State Life and Health Licenses, and is a CFP®, Certified Financial Planner practitioner.

Katie sits on the board of the Spencer Foundation, an organization that focuses on helping children and their families battle cancer and chronic illnesses. She is also an active member of the Ameriprise WE Network – a group of like-minded and driven female colleagues who mentor and support one another to reach their fullest potential. Most recently, Katie presented at the Ameriprise 2020 Cross Territory Women’s Summit. She continues to actively participate in local and national organizations such as the Accountants Resource Group (ARG), Ameriprise Annuity Coalition and Long Island Wonder Women.

In September 2018, Katie started her own wealth advisory practice, Coleman Financial Group. Coleman Financial Group is passionate about protecting you and your families from the unexpected. Katie and her team work to educate and empower others so that they can make sound financial decisions to best achieve their personal goals and dreams.

Katie enjoys spending time with family, reading, and traveling. She currently resides in Oakdale, NY with her husband Bob, their two daughters, Charleston and Sailor and their yellow lab, Mahi. Katie is actively involved with her local parish, St. Mary’s and participants in many of the community programs with her family. Katie spent Spring 2021 coaching her youngest daughter, Sailor, in her youth soccer league

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Welcome back to class at Agents Growth Academy! Today, our host, Jim Schubert, brings on a literal principal at Western Pacific Insurance Group (among other achievements). Guest Gabe Oh shares his 12-year journey to becoming the “sexier” agent that he is today, stressing the importance of finding and surrounding yourself with good people and the power behind well-marketed swag. 

Join Jim as Gabe teases a story about his first encounter with Jim that even our host doesn’t know about, and see why the insurance agency community is truly the right place to be.

3 Key Takeaways

• Why you should use certain non-traceable marketing techniques
• What Gabe’s successful swag boxes contain
• Gabe’s video series strategy that’s taken off in a handful of episodes

Resources

Straight to the Gut by Jack Welch

Jim's sales list: agentsgrowthacademy.com/sales

Get a free Audiobook courtesy of Jim!

Website: www.westernpacig.com

Facebook

Gabe’s Personal Facebook

Linkedin

Instagram

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Today on The Agent’s Growth Academy Show our headmaster, Jim Schubert, is so excited to bring on a nationally recognized industry leader, CEO and cofounder of RiskWell, and loving husband/father to the stage to talk about how you can use tech and smart workflows to maximize profit and minimize profanity. James Jenkins is open and ready to share the pivotal decisions from his personal experience that lead to true success (including his new podcast, Agency Freedom, but that’s not all). Tune in today and let’s get deep about the power of intention, clear visualization, and being fully engaged no matter where–or when–you are.

3 Key Takeaways

• Why you need to be 100% clear about your vision before stepping into building an agency
• The power of setting clear expectations from the get-go
• Why you should be more intentional with your activities and time

Resources

James’s Podcast: agencyfreedompodcast.com

Website:riskwell.com

Social: thejamesjenkins

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Sales EQ by Jeb Blount

Try a free Audible book courtesy of Jim! at audibletrial.com/growbig

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Welcome to a new year of Agent’s Growth Academy! Host Jim Schubert is beyond excited to start the year right with another round of incredible guests. Today, join him and his guest, Brenda Sali, who has more awards and acronyms to her name than even Jim can keep track of. Among her many achievements, Brenda is a senior advisor of Agency Brokerage and spent her first 25 years in telecommunications, advancing to senior sales and marketing positions throughout. Learn Brenda’s coaching methods now on how you can set up your agency to get an optimal, clean exit by cleanly financing and preparing up to 5 years before you sell. Find out what buyers really want and what they are looking for down to the details of your agency management system.

3 Key Takeaways

• Key factors to finance the buyer what they want to get from the agency
• When it's a good idea to have multiple locations/remotely working employees
• Why a detailed agency management system is crucial

Resources

Call the office: 321-255-1309

Email: bsally@agencybrokerage.com

LinkedIn

Epic 

AMS 360

Get a FREE Audible book courtesy of Jim!

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

Host and headmaster Jim Schubert is excited to kick off the new year with an empowering episode and guest: Kim Beach. Relentless marketer and mover from television to insurance, Kim started an agency three years ago just because it sounded like a fun challenge. Now, she’s got a second business running with her passion: empowering women in the insurance space. Learn today what Insure Women does for this niche, how you can get involved, and take a look into the best resources for tech that will produce top-notch content (Because, as we know, content is key!).

3 Key Takeaways

• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to get behind the recorder and make some content
• The power of utilizing women in the insurance agency space
• How keeping service at the core of what you do will ensure its success

Resources

Website: insurewomen.com (check out their link for agents and get involved!)

LinkedIn: @KimBeach

Alchemy by Rory Sutherland

Canva

Loom

Village Insurance

ePayPolicy 
The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments