Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition
Looking to build your own insurance agency and 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 around, as our hosts give you tips and tricks to make that happen!
Episodes
72 episodes
Episode #72: What Elite Independent Agencies Do Differently in 2026
Elite agencies don't succeed by accident—they succeed because they are intentional. In today’s episode of the Build Your Legacy Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis break down the specific traits, behaviors, and system...
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Season 3
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Episode 72
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11:31
Episode #71: How to Transition from Captive to Independent in 2026
Thinking about leaving the captive model and becoming an independent insurance agency in 2026? This episode breaks down the realities of that transition — what’s changing in the market, what you need to prepare for, and how to build a foundatio...
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Season 3
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Episode 71
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14:35
Episode #70: What We’re Thankful For: An Insurance Thanksgiving Message
In this Thanksgiving edition of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Bill and Travis take a moment to reflect on the people and partnerships that make the insurance industry what it is. Instead of talking about market condit...
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Season 3
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Episode 70
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5:05
Episode #69: Insurance Market Trends Shaping 2026 and Beyond
Just like our kids latch onto trends like “6, 7,” the insurance world has its own trends that are shaping how the industry moves. One of the biggest? Technology. From automated tools to smarter data tracking, tech is influencing how agencies op...
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Season 3
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Episode 69
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9:17
Episode #68: How Insurance Agencies Should Prepare for 2026: AI, Strategy, and Growth
The insurance industry is shifting fast — and 2026 will look completely different from today. In this episode, we break down what agency owners, principals, and producers should be doing right now to get ahead.We cover the pract...
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Season 3
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Episode 68
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9:02
Episode #67: Insurance Agency Growth Strategies: How Organic Growth Wins
What started as a laugh about the latest kid craze — “67!” — quickly turned into a deeper conversation about what really fuels energy inside an independent insurance agency: organic growth.In this episode, Bill and Travis...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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11:19
Episode #66: SIAA NXT: How AI Is Transforming Independent Insurance Agencies
In this episode, Bill and Travis recap their time in Boston at the annual SIAA meeting and share insights about the launch of SIAA NXT, a groundbreaking AI-driven platform built to help independent insurance agencies operate more efficie...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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8:12
Episode #65: How Agency Growth Coaching Helps Independent Agencies Thrive
In this episode, we welcome Tracy Goodman, Agency Growth Coach at SIA of North Carolina. She discusses her role in helping independent agencies identify growth opportunities, strengthen carrier partnerships, and implement strategies for ...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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12:46
Episode #64: Protecting Your Income: Why Every Owner Needs Disability Insurance
What would happen if you couldn’t work tomorrow?In this episode, Bill and Josh Harward break down why disability insurance for business owners is critical for income protection and business stability. Learn how disability coverage...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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6:03
Episode #63: Protecting What You’ve Built: How Life Insurance Powers Perpetuation
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Bill and Josh Harward discuss why every agency owner should prioritize life insurance planning. From buy-sell agreements to policy funding and disability protection, they ...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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11:20
Episode #62: Can SIA of NC Partner Agencies Write with Non-Network Carriers?
Can independent agencies work with non-network carriers? In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Bill and Travis explain how carrier access flexibility strengthens growth and builds better relationships.✅...
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Season 3
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Episode 62
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7:46
Episode #61: Beyond Access: The True Value of Partnering with SIA of NC
This episode explores how the strongest independent agency partnerships differentiate from simple aggregation. Listeners will hear how consultative support, carrier strategy, layered compensation, and transparent onboarding combine to help agen...
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Season 3
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Episode 61
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24:34
Episode #60: Why Join SIAA? The Benefits of Partnership for Independent Agencies
In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we talk with Jack Calabrese, Chief Growth Officer at SIAA, about the evolution of the network and how it drives growth for independent agencies nationwide.Learn how SIAA c...
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Season 3
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Episode 60
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16:14
Episode #59: How Do Insurance Agents Get Paid? Commissions Explained
#Insurance #AgencyCompensation #IndependentAgenciesWhat does it mean to earn 100% commissions as an independent agency? Bill Mills and Travis Collier explain how SIA of NC partners get paid faster, build equity through direct carr...
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Season 3
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Episode 59
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6:18
Episode #58: Beyond Direct Codes: Why Partnership Still Matters
Why do independent agencies stay with their network partners? Bill and Travis explore the real reasons behind long-term loyalty—from ongoing consulting support and evolving market access to shared financial rewards through the five layers of co...
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Season 3
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Episode 58
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10:29
Episode #57: Succession Planning: Protecting Your Agency's Legacy
Thinking about the future of your agency? In this episode, Bill and Travis break down perpetuation planning—how independent insurance agencies can transition ownership to family or key employees while protecting long-term grow...
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Season 3
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Episode 57
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5:58
Episode #56: Beyond Your State Lines: Where Can You Sell Insurance?
Independent insurance agents can write business across state lines—but how? In this episode, we explain how to expand your reach through licensing, carrier alignment, and Access Plus support.Topics covered: • Licensing and compl...
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Season 3
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Episode 56
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8:04
Episode #55: Key Focal Points for Ownership Success
Are you ready to make the leap from producer to agency owner? In this episode, we explore how to determine your readiness for insurance agency ownership. From building strong mentor relationships to generating your own business opportunities, t...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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4:54
Episode #54: From Why to What: The Cost Behind Partnering with SIA of NC
Curious about what it really costs to partner with a network like SIA of NC?In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we answer one of the most asked questions from agency prospects—“How much does it cost?” Spoile...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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4:13
Episode #53: Are Carriers Giving Out Direct Appointments?
Are carriers still offering appointments in 2025? The short answer: yes—but strategically.In this quick solo episode, we break down the state of the current carrier appointment process, how profitability is driving growth again, and what...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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4:32
Episode #52: A Strategic Choice: The Road to SIA of NC
Brent Farley didn’t set out to be an insurance agency owner—but once he discovered the path, he never looked back. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, Brent shares how he went from selling life insurance and working in clai...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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7:21
Episode #51: Hard Market Pressure: Disruption of Captive & Direct Writers
Captive and direct writers are feeling the pressure. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we break down the growing disruption in the captive space—and why so many agents are making the move to independence. From co...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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5:23
Episode #50: Costly Clicks: The Claims Driving Cyber Insurance Rates
Cyber intrusions are up 72%—and small businesses are feeling the heat. In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we explore the latest cyber insurance trends with Adam Connor of RPS. From social engineering scams to card...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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10:35
Episode #49: What New Agency Owners Should Know
🎙 Thinking about starting your own insurance agency? Before you leap, it’s critical to understand what it really takes to succeed.In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we talk about the expectations vs. reality of launchi...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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9:28
Episode #48: Tips for Growing Your Commercial Book of Business
Thinking about growing your commercial book of business but not sure where to begin? In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Thacker, Director of Commercial Lines Development at SIAA, to discuss how independent agents can confidently break into...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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15:20