📢 Wondering how to make digital marketing actually work for your insurance agency? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down what a strong digital marketing strategy looks like—and how agents can avoid common pitfalls while boosting online visibility and lead generation. ✅ Learn how to identify your ideal client and tar…

How Much Should Insurance Agency Owners Pay Themselves? How do independent insurance agency owners decide what to pay themselves? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we dive into insurance agency compensation—how much to pay yourself, when to adjust your salary, and why stability matters more than spikes in income. ✅ Producer v…

Is your agency truly stable—or are you just hoping for the best? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we dive into how insurance agency partnerships offer the financial and carrier stability that every established agency needs. ✅ Guaranteed Contingencies – Build a stable revenue stream with quarterly payouts ✅ Market Access – Ho…

Thinking about partnering with a network like SIAA? In this episode, we sit down with Don Mills, President of SIA Group, to explore why SIA Group chose to partner with SIAA—and how it helped grow the agency from 40 to 120 employees without losing independence. ✅ Learn the financial benefits of agency partnerships ✅ Understand how partnerships prote…

#Insurance #SalesStrategy #IndependentAgency 🚨 Not all business is good business. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we explore when it's time to walk away from a prospect—and why it’s often the smartest move an agency owner can make. ✅ When “helping” actually hurts your agency ✅ The trap of quoting midterm policies ✅ How to r…

#Insurance #AgencyNetworking #CarrierRelationships 🎯 This episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition gives a sneak peek into SIA of NC’s revamped annual meetings and how they're creating unmatched opportunities for insurance agency networking. ✅ Two regional locations—Charlotte and Durham ✅ Business insights + informal relationship building ✅ …

Title: Thinking About Buying an Insurance Agency? Start Here Description: 📌 Buying an insurance agency is a big decision—and not one to rush. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the essential questions to ask before making the leap. ✅ What to know about revenue and carrier relationships ✅ How to evaluate fit with …

#Insurance #AgencyPartnership #BuildYourAgency 💡 Ever wondered why there's a cost to partner with SIA of NC? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down what that investment really means—and why it’s one of the most valuable moves you can make for your agency’s future. ✅ Tailored Onboarding – Why every new agency gets a c…

#InsurancePerpetuation #AgencySuccession #InsuranceLegacy 🧩 Is your insurance agency ready for the future? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we unpack the essential steps to creating a smart perpetuation plan—before it’s too late. ✅ Why agencies fail to plan—and how that costs them ✅ Key factors that determine your agency’s t…

#AgencySuccessionPlanning #IndependentAgencies #BuildYourLegacy 🔒 Who takes over your agency if something happens to you? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we explore why succession planning is essential for every independent insurance agency. ✅ Solo Owner Considerations – What happens if your spouse doesn’t work in the busin…

#Insurance #AgencyFailure #InsuranceSuccess 🚨 Thinking about starting an insurance agency? Many independent agencies struggle to stay afloat—and some fail entirely. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the top reasons why insurance agencies fail and how you can avoid common pitfalls. ✅ Financial Preparedness – Cash…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we sit down with Hunter Runnels, Regional Vice President at MIA (Mississippi Insurance Alliance), to discuss the key characteristics of successful agency owners and how they drive growth, profitability, and lasting client relationships. ✅ Relationships Matter – Success starts with strong conn…

💰 Is your agency maximizing every revenue opportunity? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the 5 Pillars of Compensation that SIA of NC partner agencies can access—and why they matter for your bottom line. ✅ Commission – The foundation of agency earnings, but how do partner agencies earn even more? ✅ Quarterly Ove…

Unlocking Growth: Why Existing Agencies Should Consider Partnerships Is your agency maximizing its potential? In this episode, we dive into why existing insurance agencies should take a closer look at agency partnerships—and how the right collaboration can drive revenue, improve market access, and enhance client service. ✅ Access to Markets – More …

Success in the insurance industry isn’t just about clients—it’s about building strong relationships with carriers, underwriters, and industry reps. In this episode, we break down how networking and relationship-building can give your agency a competitive edge: ✅ Carrier & Underwriter Relationships – Why they matter just as much as client connection…

Essential Insurance Coverage for Independent Insurance Agencies | Protect Your Business Running an independent insurance agency? Make sure you have the right insurance coverage to protect your business from costly claims and operational risks. In this episode, we break down the must-have policies every agency needs: ✅ Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insur…

As an independent insurance agent, you have access to multiple carriers—but how many do you really need? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we dive into why less can be more when it comes to independent insurance agency carrier relationships. We discuss: ✅ How carrier selection impacts your agency’s bottom line ✅ When to expan…

How much money do you really need to start an independent insurance agency? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the key financial considerations—licensing, technology, and insurance. With many agencies now operating remotely, startup expenses are lower than ever, but having enough capital to cover at least three t…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss who should start their own independent insurance agency. Whether you’re already in the property & casualty industry, in real estate, or a small business owner looking to partner with a producer to start an agency, there are several ways to get started. Tune in as…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, hosts Bill and Travis discuss the transition from personal lines to commercial lines, offering practical advice for agents looking to grow their expertise. They emphasize starting small with simpler accounts, building strong relationships with carriers, and leveraging training resources to de…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Travis and Bill dive into a common question for insurance professionals: should agents focus on personal lines or commercial lines? They discuss the importance of leveraging strengths, highlighting how personal lines often offer faster sales cycles and cash flow advantages, while commercial l…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Bill Mills is joined by Brandon Mills from SIA Group’s Employee Benefits team. Together, they discuss practical insurance solutions for agency owners, including group medical considerations under the Affordable Care Act, voluntary benefits like life and disability insurance, and innovative st…

In this episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis dive into the dynamics of the insurance industry, focusing on the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on independent agents. They discuss how industry disruptions create opportunities for talent recruitment, agency perpetuation, and client acquisition. Highlig…

In this holiday-themed episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Travis and Bill discuss a timely topic for independent insurance agencies: budgeting- with or without contingencies and profit sharing in mind. They explore considerations such as historical data, guarantees, and loss ratios, and offer practical advice while emphasi…

In this episode, the focus shifts to the spirit of giving back during the holiday season by discussing the vital role insurance agencies play in supporting their communities. The conversation highlights how agencies can contribute not just financially but also by volunteering their time or setting up community drives. The discussion emphasizes the …

In this episode, we discuss the essential process of agency planning for the upcoming year, building on the concept of carrier planning from a recent episode. We emphasize the importance of setting realistic goals to ensure the owner sets their year up to be as successful as possible. The conversation covers balancing new business growth with reten…

Join us for an insightful conversation with Matt Littlejohn, a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of experience. In this episode, we dive into the process of carrier appointments, including how agencies can stand out to carriers and guidance for succeeding in the insurance industry. Matt shares valuable advice for agents looking to …

As the insurance landscape shifts, planning with carriers becomes more critical than ever. In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss how agents and agencies can align with carrier strategies to thrive in 2025. From adapting to understanding what the carriers are looking for when planning with insurance agencies, we unpack the tools and tactics neede…

In this episode, Whitney Oliver discusses the importance of building strong relationships with insurance carriers to help new network members secure carrier access and appointments, a key value for members. Whitney emphasizes the need for understanding carrier appetites and adapting to market conditions, highlighting the weekly Carrier Corner sessi…

In this episode, the hosts highlight the unique role of AccessPlus, which is designed to help agents grow and move towards direct carrier contracts. AccessPlus enables members to build strong relationships and demonstrate their value to carriers, giving agents access to competitive carrier options and helping them establish a compelling value propo…

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we welcome back Stefani Butschle to address a common question for agency owners: how do I classify internal staff correctly? Stefani and Bill break down the distinctions between salaried and hourly employees, diving into why the choice between these two can impact an agency’s operations and f…

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle a common question in the insurance world: How do I get direct codes from carriers? They discuss basic approaches for agents, like contacting carriers directly, and the benefits of the Access Plus program, which helps streamline the process. The hosts emphasize the importance of focusing on the right carrier p…

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most common questions they receive: Do I own my book of business? Take a listen as they dive deep into the nuances of ownership in the insurance industry. The conversation covers the motivations behind why agents and producers ask this question, the challenges they face, and what it truly means to …

We’re excited to introduce Whitney Oliver, our Agency Partner Growth Coach, who will guide us through the essentials of starting and running your own agency. In this episode, we tackle key questions like: How do I get started? What do I need to run my agency effectively? Whitney shares her 17 years of experience and explains our Agency Foundation P…

In this episode, we explore why agency owners, captive agents, producers, and entrepreneurs are turning to agency partnerships. Market challenges and industry shifts are pushing professionals to seek growth, ownership, and diversification. We discuss how captive agents are looking for more options and ownership, and how producers are navigating cha…

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most frequently asked questions: "If it’s so great, why doesn’t everyone do it?" They break down the barriers, from costs to ROI, offering clear and valid reasons behind their approach. Tune in as they explore the challenges and give insight into why their strategy hasn’t gained widespread traction…

In this episode, Bill and Stefani Butschle discuss what it means to be a 1099 employee and a W-2 employee, and the differences between the two. Listen as they talk through and "decode" the IRS expectations for employers regarding each type of employee, as well as what penalties are involved if employees are misclassified. Looking to build your own …

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss the major differences between independent and captive agencies. Take a listen as they talk about location, technology and commission differences! Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow b…

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss what contingency is, who can get it, and the significant impact it can make regarding your agency's success. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but you want to grow bigger and build your legacy? Stick ar…

Short, sweet and to the point as the saying goes! In this episode, Travis and Bill discuss the top three questions a potential agency partner should ask before signing on the dotted line of any agreement. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your own insurance agency, but …

Meet Andy Neary! In this episode, Andy and Travis talk about the upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting, and what Andy has in store for those in attendance. Listen as Andy discusses how he went from pitching baseballs for the Milwaukee Brewers to helping others pitch their business successfully to clientele! Looking to build your own insurance agency…

In this episode, Bill and Travis talk about our upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting in Durham, NC, and why the Annual Meeting is important. Take a listen as they discuss past meetings, as well as who the special keynote speaker is for the Annual Meeting this September. Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start?…

In this episode, Bill and Travis answer one of their most-asked questions: What is SIA of NC? Take a listen, as they explain who SIA of NC is and why it is a great choice for agents who are looking to start their own insurance agency and start building their legacy! Looking to build your own insurance agency, but you're not sure where to start? Thi…

Welcome to SIA of NC's first podcast episode! Meet our hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, as they walk you through who they are, what the overall goal of this podcast is, and what to expect from them (and others) in the future! Looking to build your own insurance agency and you're not sure where to start? This is the podcast for you! Have your o…