In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Aurora Mullett, Managing Partner at Sky Insurance Brokers. Teresa and Aurora talk about how insurance agents can learn about their state's fair plan, how they can help be an advocate for change and assist their communities. Key Topics: The growing role of FAIR Plans in wildfire-prone areas Why many agents struggle to properly write FAIR Plan policies How State Farm’s exit from California reshaped the market The need for ...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Joan Curtis, Co-Owner of MVP Insurance. Teresa and Joan discuss the book Who Not How by Dan Sullivan. This is part of a 3 part series. They will be doing the Gap and the Gain next. Key Topics: How the book “Who Not How” reshaped their approach to delegation and leadership The power of finding the right "who" instead of getting stuck in the "how" Why business owners should focus on their "zone of genius” The four freedoms...
Feb 12, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Ciara Gravier, Founder of The Bunker Insurance & Risk Management. Teresa and Ciara discuss the book “10X Is Easier than 2X” about leveling up as professionals. Key Topics: Reflecting on the value of decompressing and connecting with like-minded peers. How “10X Is Easier Than 2X” challenges traditional growth mindsets. Identifying and focusing on the tasks that truly move the needle. Delegating effectively to free up ...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Cheree Sauer. Cheree is a business coach specializing in high-performance women and burnout and creating balance. Key Topics: Cheree Sauer shares about her Success Without Sacrifice Coaching program. The RAMP Method creates seasons of rest for business owners. Recognizing and addressing burnout through self-awareness. Customizing self-care to individual needs for lasting growth. Authentic leadership and empowering teams ...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Carie Ann Roach of Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT). Carie and Teresa discuss how to find the resources to level up an insurance career. Key Topics: Carie Ann shares her journey from receptionist to industry leader. The value of certifications in career advancement. Building confidence and seeking mentorship in insurance. Turning CE requirements into meaningful growth opportunities. Fostering leadership and s...
Jan 22, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Meg McKeen, Founder of Adjunct Advisors. Meg and Teresa talk about being vulnerable and how we need to step over our fears to achieve our goals. Key Topics: Meg discusses the shift toward flexible, virtual work. Teresa and Meg explore meaningful connections in remote settings. Leadership’s role in fostering trust and communication. Embracing vulnerability for growth in work and life. Generational changes reshaping workpl...
Jan 15, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Lorin Montgomery, Vice President of Brown & Brown Insurance. Lorin and Teresa talk about how to build relationships, educate and build a business in this crazy market Key Topics: Lorin’s transition from Liberty Mutual to Brown & Brown Insurance. Challenges of rising costs and stricter policies in today’s hard market. Importance of client education to address market changes and build trust. Proactive strategies li...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 1
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Doris and Teresa talk about her life, her career at Vertafore, and how personal challenges have helped her to pass along her experiences to others. Key Topics: Doris shares her career journey from QQ Solutions to Vertafore Doris discusses the challenges and growth during Vertafore's acquisition of QQ Doris talks about completing her MBA while undergoing a health issue Doris highlights Vertafore’s tech solutions that simplify work for insurance agents ...
Nov 06, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 23
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens chats about how she set goals and measures them. Key Topics: Choosing a guiding theme like “discipline” to focus business and personal goals Structuring goals within four core pillars—team, money, operations, and marketing Defining measurable goals that move beyond vague aspirations Engaging your team in goal-setting to create shared ownership Using accountability partners to track progress and celebrate wins Leveraging automation and ...
Oct 30, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 22
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens discusses how to get your mind focused for goal planning Key Topics: Teresa discusses mental challenges in goal planning, like fears and self-doubt She suggests journaling techniques to confront these fears A pros-and-cons method is recommended to analyze fears and their impact Teresa emphasizes creating a yearly focus theme, like her 2025 theme, "Discipline." Teresa discusses the role of discipline in staying consistent and accountabl...
Oct 16, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 21
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, I discuss where I have been and that I know it is time for a reboot and that I am excited to get back at it!! Key Topics: Teresa discusses taking time away from the podcast to focus on overcoming challenges in her agency How work style assessments helped Teresa build a more cohesive and effective team The impact of business coaching and financial planning on the agency's restructuring process Navigating the acquisition of a commercial lines book and h...
Oct 09, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 20
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Tinsley English, Senior Vice President at Marsh McLennan Agency, and Author of Grit, Growth, and Gumption for Women. Tinsley and Teresa talk about strategies for building tenacity and how to push forward with amazing leadership initiatives. Key Topics: Transition from an international business major to an insurance professional Importance of job satisfaction and creating your own career path The significance of vulnerabi...
Aug 21, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 19
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Kaleigha Moore Fitch, Agency Owner of 212 Insurance Group. Kaleigha and Teresa about how she has built her agency through authenticity with her community, involvement and by being transparent about her challenges. Key Topics: The importance of authenticity in professional and personal interactions Navigating life and business with empathy and understanding The significance of support systems in dealing with personal chal...
Jul 24, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 18
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Stacie Cooper of Liberty Mutual Insurance | Safeco Insurance. Stacie and Teresa talk about how agencies can level up their marketing and how Safeco is partnering with agencies to make it easier. Key Topics: Evolution of Safeco's 'Bricks and Clicks' program and its impact on digital marketing. Integration of SEO and social media to improve agency visibility and client acquisition. Overview of the 'Agent for the Future' in...
Jul 17, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 17
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Dustyne Bryant, Director of Risk & Insurance Education and Research at Risk & Insurance Education Alliance. Dustyne and Teresa explore the changes that are going on at the National Alliance and how they have re-branded to be Risk & Insurance Education Alliance and how they are serving our industry with tons of options to help agents succeed. Key Topics: Transition from the National Alliance for Insurance Educ...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 16
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens interviews Elisha Cavanaugh, President of Sound Pacific Insurance. Elisha and Teresa talks about the award she won with Safeco, her being on the front cover of Rough Notes and how she is balancing family and career. Key Topics: Elisha's unexpected award and the opportunity to feature on the cover of Rough Notes The challenges of self-promotion and the importance of community support in personal and professional growth Strategies for ma...
Jun 19, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 15
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Dawn Janes-Bartley, CEO of Maverick Risk Partners. Dawn and Teresa talk about acquisitions including the mistakes they have made and the ways they really excelled. Key Topics: Dawn's unexpected journey from child psychology into the insurance industry The evolution of roles within the agency post-acquisition Challenges of integrating new teams and processes after acquiring another agency The importance of adapting roles ...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 14
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens interviews Andrea Vargas, CEO of TTC Leads. Andrea and Teresa talk about how partnering in life and business with Ryan Saridakis and then continuing to build that business after his passing has created the business of her dreams. Key Topics: Andrea's unconventional entry into the insurance industry through family connections and early influences The role of mentorship and the pivotal influence of Patrick Bet-David in her career orienta...
Jun 05, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 13
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens explores the stages and opportunities for virtual options inside an agency. Key Topics: Exploring the concept and challenges of virtual agencies Variability in virtual setups from partial to fully remote Essential tools for virtual work include VOIP and VPNs Gradual adaptation starting with flexible work policies Importance of maintaining culture and security in virtual setups Virtual teams enhance productivity and geographic diversity...
May 15, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens discusses how to lead in this market and how to make a difference in the future of this industry. Key Topics: Importance of leadership in today's challenging insurance market Broadening the definition of leadership beyond official titles The role of awareness and proactive steps in effective leadership Mental health and operational efficiency in leadership roles How to innovate and inspire within a team setting Encouragement of persona...
May 08, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In this throwback episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Rebecca Adelman, a lawyer for insurance companies defending insureds in lawsuits to talk about the legal and insurance industries and how she had made her home in that space. They also talk about how to step over challenges and show up authentically by embracing the courage to make a difference in our world. Episode Highlights: Rebecca talks about her past and how she got to where she is in her work now. (2:01)...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 11
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Treell Gorden, Partner at Premier Insurance Advisers. Treell and Teresa talked about how to be authentically you in this industry. Key Topics: Overcoming scammy experiences and finding legitimate opportunities Treell Gorden’s transition from a receptionist to agency owner The importance of authenticity in professional growth Managing work-life balance, especially when working from home The shift from captive to independent...
Mar 27, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 10
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, to close out our financial series, we talk to Chris Paradiso, Carey Wallace, and Aaron Stocks with Agency Point. Agency Point is a full-service financial service for agency owners for commissions reconciliation, bookkeeping, and other important services that help your agency run like a well-oiled machine. Key Topics: The significance of understanding and managing financials in the insurance industry The journey of agency owners from initial struggles ...
Mar 20, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 9
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Colby Allen, Consultant and Financial Analyst at AgencyFocus. Teresa and Colby discuss what is profit and how to use it to get you where you want to go in your business. Key Topics: The role and impact of financial consulting for independent insurance agencies Understanding and defining profit for your agency The importance of aligning personal values with business financial decisions Strategies for budgeting and financial...
Mar 13, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Colby Allen, Consultant and Financial Analyst at AgencyFocus. Colby shares his deep knowledge of financial statements like profit & loss and balance sheets, and they discuss how important it is to understand money matters for running a business, and why knowing your financial numbers is key for making smart choices in business and life. Key Topics: The role of financial statements in business ownership Navigating the c...
Mar 06, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Colby Allen, Consultant and Financial Analyst at AgencyFocus. Colby and Teresa talked about the mental and emotional journey of an agency owner to hire and to deliver solid compensation. We also talked from the producer conversation about what producers want and how both sides can create a great working relationship. Key Topics: The transition from individual success to agency growth and the role of agency focus Insights i...
Feb 28, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Joyce Segall. Joyce is with Pattern Insurance and they are thinking outside the box in new ways to serve our community through insurance. Key Topics: Joyce Segall's unconventional path to the insurance industry The emergence of Pattern Insurance and its role in modernizing insurance offerings Exploring embedded insurance and its impact on consumer experiences The challenges and successes of implementing technology in insur...
Feb 21, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Beth and Grayson Thompson. Beth and Grayson Thompson are an amazing couple building an agency that allows them to live life on their terms. They talked about working with your spouse, overcoming challenges, working with team members, and capitalizing on the strengths of the two to make a great symbolic relationship between work and home. Key Topics: Beth and Grayson Thompson’s journey into the insurance industry The tran...
Feb 14, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens and Kai Leach - Smith talk about her journey in insurance over the past two decades as a woman and a woman of color. She was able to help others along their journey and she is a huge inspiration for finding and being our authentic selves in this industry. Key Topics: Kai's unconventional entry into the insurance world Overcoming personal and professional challenges The transition from captive insurance to running an independent agency ...
Feb 07, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens discusses what people should consider when opening an insurance agency. Key Topics: Determining readiness to open an insurance agency Captive vs. independent insurance agency considerations The importance of knowing your business partner Strategies for successful business partnerships Understanding carrier relationships and their impact Navigating the journey of obtaining carrier appointments The reality of agency ownership and market ...
Jan 17, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 2
