In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Mohamad Momin. Mohamad is the principal and commercial insurance producer at Starr Insurance Agency. Mohamad talks about building a business on the non-standard side and the systems they use for AMS and CRM. Episode Highlights: David introduces Mohamad Momin. (1:31) Mohamad shares that he took a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering and bought into a franchise operation. It was strictly auto b...
Dec 21, 2020•54 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talk about the significance of learning the management systems and utilizing them as a tool. Episode Highlights: David doesn’t think that a lot of agencies are doing what they’re supposed to do with a management system. (2:15) David mentions that Think HR can create customized learning tracks for every client. (3:13) David shares that one of the details he likes most about Think HR is that they do the onboardi...
Dec 18, 2020•18 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Renado Robinson, the Owner of Crosswinds Insurance Agency and Crosswinds Marine Insurance. Renado talks about his start in underwriting and how that experience helped him in building his own agency. Episode Highlights: David introduces Renado Robinson. (1:30) Renado shares that he worked in Atlanta as an importer and he was responsible for shipping all of the salesman samples of area rugs and curtain...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talk about understanding the common denominators of insurance. Episode Highlights: David mentions that it is essential to understand the common denominator because that is what we don’t necessarily need. (1:59) David shares that if you want to be successful in the middle market production, you have to be uncommon in a common environment. (2:51) Kyle shares that creating an agenda requires little effort, none o...
Dec 11, 2020•20 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Nicholas Ayers, Chief Marketing Officer at Better Agency. Nicholas talks about how their product became the solution to every agency owner’s problem and how Made You Look is helping agents grow their business with video marketing. Episode Highlights: David introduces Nicholas Ayers. (2:21) Nicholas mentions that he started in the insurance industry in 2005. (3:10) Nicholas shares that he opened his f...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 32 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Joe Clevenger, the President of Clevenger Insurance Agency. Joe talks about his career in the insurance industry and the significance of having Virtual Assistants in his agency. He also shares his podcast called For Richer or Poorer. Episode Highlights: David introduces Joe Clevenger. (1:31) Joe shares that his father started the Clevenger Insurance Agency in 1995, as an independent agency. (4:10) Jo...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talk about establishing client expectations and carrier relationships with loss control. They also discuss why people hate loss of control and how they can fix it. Episode Highlights: Kyle thinks that some people probably go in with the wrong mindset on loss control from a carrier. (1:55) Kyle mentions that he would prefer to know on the front end that there are some concerns rather than being told that everyt...
Dec 04, 2020•20 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Cory Schnabel, Agency Owner at KC Insurance Group. Cory talks about how he got into the insurance industry and his transition from being an employee to acquiring his own agency. Episode Highlights: David introduces Cory Schnabel. (1:33 ) Cory mentions that he started in the insurance industry in 2008. (3:07) Cory shares that he was 23 years old when he started working with his friend at Allstate. Whe...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Erik Garcia, CFP®, President of Garcia Financial Group and Owner of Garcia Insurance Services. Erik talks about managing investments, financial decisions, and budgeting. He also shares about his podcast shows, Building Us Podcast and the Plan Wisely Podcast. Episode Highlights: David introduces Erik Garcia. (1:30) Erik shares that when he was in college at Tulane University, he began focusing on more...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 35 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talks about middle market accounts and setting them up. They also discuss why some agencies are not taking the claims adjusters to the point of sale. Episode Highlights: David thinks that the only person that’s non-likely to be invited to an appointment to onboard an account is from claims. (5:11) David mentions that he doesn’t see agencies taking claims people, claims adjusters, and VPS of claims out to the p...
Nov 27, 2020•8 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Ciara Gravier, CIC, PWCA, CPIA, Founder, and CEO of The Bunker Insurance & Risk Management. Ciara talks about her knowledge and expertise in the insurance industry and how COVID-19 has affected her business. Episode Highlights: David introduces Ciara Gravier. (1:24) Ciara shares that they started their company in January 2019. They hired their first producer in November and three telemarketers be...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Alex Toler, CIC, Workers Compensation Insurance Specialist at DeWitt Insurance, Inc. Alex shares best practices in minimizing the impact of Workers’ Compensation and saving money. Episode Highlights: David introduces Alex Toler. (1:30) Alex shares that he grew up being exposed to business because his father manages stores, while his mother was in sales. (4:21) Alex mentions that while he was in colle...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck, discuss how to build good client and carrier relationships and the significance of the audit. Episode Highlights: David mentions that they have been recording a lot of episodes since April. (1:33) David shares that he checked their podcast on iTunes and it got him thinking, maybe some people listened and they’ve made an impact on their life. (1:53) David shares one of the aspects that he learned over the cour...
Nov 20, 2020•17 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Josh Lipstone, the Vice President of Lipstone Insurance Group. Josh talks about how he transitioned from the Enterprise to the insurance industry, and he also shares why he started his podcast series called Explain This Book To Me. Episode Highlights: David introduces Josh Lipstone. (1:30) Josh mentions that he’s been in the insurance industry for about 12 years. (4:10) Josh shares that the interesti...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Craig Pretzinger, the Owner and CEO of Pretzinger Insurance Group, and Jason Feltman, the CEO of Feltman Family Insurance. Craig and Jason discuss how they started their podcast called The Insurance Dudes, and share their knowledge and expertise in the insurance world. Episode Highlights: David introduces Craig Pretzinger and Jason Feltman. (1:36) Craig mentions that he’s been a captive carrier for a...
Nov 16, 2020•54 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck discuss how to build effective carrier and client partnerships from the very beginning and how to establish credibility in the middle market. Episode Highlights: David thinks that today’s topic is the area where they missed the boat and if you’re new to the middle market, you certainly have no idea that it’s an option. (3:18) David shares that sometimes, agents don't want to involve the carrier to build the re...
Nov 13, 2020•27 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Steve Holley, CIC, Owner of Holley Insurance. Steve talks about how he got into the insurance industry and how he built his agency at a young age. He also shares his knowledge and expertise in the insurance industry and technology. Episode Highlights: David Introduces Steve Holley. (1:31) Steve shares that he started his agency from scratch in 2000. They’re considered to be a generalist type of agenc...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Scott Knowles, the CEO of Modgic. Scott talks about utilizing Modgic Software as a tool in understanding the Mod, Workers’ Compensation, and the sales process. Episode Highlights: David introduces Scott Knowles. (1:29) Scott thinks that their expectation was, they’re going to see a massive implodation of the marketplace because of COVID, and in certain different categories of business, they are seein...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck, discuss how to have the right mindset when getting into an account and closing the deal, and the benefits of being in a community that has the same goal. Episode Highlights: David shares that there’s a huge problem with agents who think that they don’t have what it takes to compete with the big ones. (2:29) David shares that if you're dealing with an agency that doesn't specialize in middle-market commercial ...
Nov 06, 2020•21 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Mike Crowley, Vice President at Crowley Insurance Agency. Mike talks about joining a legacy multigenerational insurance agency and how he changed the mindset of his traditional home town family agency to one of the most advanced small independent agencies. Episode Highlights: David introduces Mike Crowley. (1:29) Mike shares that he’s the third generation agency owner of Crowley Insurance. (1:59) Mik...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Derek Hayden, CIC, Benefits and Risk Consultant at Dansig Insurance Risk Advisors. Derek talks about working in the partially self-insured arena and their marketing strategies on social media platforms. Episode Highlights: David introduces Derek Hayden. (1:30) Derek shares that he started in the insurance industry as a door to door salesman, and he’s been working at the same agency for about 8 years....
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 21 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck continue to discuss the total cost of risk. They talk about how companies utilize the total cost of risk and how they can relay it to their clients and prospects. Episode Highlights: David shares his experience when he went to the National Alliance and received his CRM designation. (7:13) What's the certification process look like? (7:33) David shares that one of the benefits of using the total cost of risk is...
Oct 30, 2020•24 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Cameron Brown, Agency Principal at Insurance Brokers of Arizona. Cameron discusses what drives the success of his agency and how he started his independent agency. Episode Highlights: David introduces Cameron Brown. (1:31) Cameron shares his background. (2:03) Cameron shares that after three years of working in the big companies, he decided to open up his own Independent Agency in April 2005. (6:02) ...
Oct 28, 2020•48 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Erik Sjolie, the President of Sky Insurance Brokers. Erik talks about how he got into the insurance business and how he started his agency. He also shares the benefits of technology in their agency, and his podcast series entitled Refuse to Be Average. Episode Highlights: David introduces Erik Sjolie. (1:34) Erik mentions that he got into the insurance industry in 2007 and became a financial advisor....
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Power Producers podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talk about understanding the total cost of risk and some of its components and why you need to stop thinking of yourself as an insurance salesperson and start thinking of yourself as a risk manager. Episode Highlights: What is the total cost of risk? (1:38) David shares that a lot of people have been talking about the total cost of risk, but there's a huge understanding of what it is. (2:51) David mentions tha...
Oct 23, 2020•33 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Michael Fusco, President of Fusco & Orsini Insurance Services. Mike talks about his strategies on charging fees and turning it into a revenue center. He also shares his knowledge and expertise in the insurance business and the systems that he’s using in his agency. Episode Highlights: David introduces Mike Fusco. (1:30) Mike shares his background. (3:21) Mike mentions that he was 23 years old whe...
Oct 21, 2020•58 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Tony Alessandra, CIC, CWCA, Agency Principal, and President at Insurance Solutions. Tony talks about how he got into the insurance business and how he has built and navigated strategic alliances that have contributed to his success. Episode Highlights: David introduces Tony Alessandra. (1:30) Tony shares his background. (3:30) Tony mentions that his father started the agency 53 years ago. (3:31) Tony...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck talk about the Broker of Record letter, how it can be utilized as a tool in the industry, and why a lot of people see it as a devil in the insurance industry. Episode Highlights: David mentions that he loves the broker of records, but a lot of people don't. (5:38) Kyle mentions that the broker of records letter is a wonderful topic. (5:43) David explains why people don’t like it. (5:49) David shares that a sma...
Oct 16, 2020•26 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview the Co-Founders of GloveBox, Ryan Mathisen, and Sean Mulhern. Ryan and Sean discuss how they got to this point in their career and how they developed the GloveBox App. Episode Highlights: David introduces Ryan Mathisen and Sean Mulhern. (1:30) How did Ryan and Sean get to this point in their career, where they developed an app, and distributed it to agencies all over the country? (2:18) Sean shares h...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Brett Young, CEO at Erb and Young Insurance. Brett talks about his journey into the insurance industry and the path that led him to build an insurance agency. He also shares his podcast entitled, Be Extraordinary Podcast. Episode Highlights: David introduces Brett Young. (1:30) How did Brett get into the insurance industry and what’s the path that led him there? (2:06) Brett shares his background. (2...
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 4 min
