My path to running BrokerTeam Insurance was initiated by the partners approaching me. As a group they were very well tuned to what I needed in order to take the next step in my career. In terms of preparation for my new role, I learned from Royle and James that preparation is key to success, to consider all angles, and to try to put yourself in the other party’s shoes. They helped changed my mindset to always ask questions like “Why should they accept what you are proposing?”, “Is it in their best interest to do?”, and “Are their concerns being recognized and addressed?”. BrokerTeam Group is full of true professionals who are genuine and focused on forming business partnerships that have all parties’ interest at heart.

Since taking on the role as President of BrokerTeam Insurance, I think I am learning to fully accept and embrace the responsibility. It takes a different mindset to not just be present but to make sure that mentally I have checked in and am available to those who need me. It’s always a challenge to balance day-to-day operations with our strategic plan but it comes down to the fundamentals: If we start with good people and develop them, it will naturally lead us to achieving our corporate vision.

My advice for someone that wants to open their own brokerage is to just talk to everyone in the industry and make friends: from frontline underwriters, to producers, to department managers, to adjusters, to customers. Hear what they have to say and take it all in. Everything is part of your growth and may one day enable you to achieve your goal. The thing I like most about running a brokerage is being able to offer a solution to help someone tackle their problem. I don’t have all the answers but it sure feels good when I am able to be helpful.