In this episode of Insurance Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace break down a powerful agency transformation that doubled in value in just four years. Starting with $3.5 million in revenue and 27–28% profitability, this agency faced key challenges—an aging owner, outdated systems, and compensation structures that limited growth. Carey and Lindsay walk through the strategic changes that fueled its success, including right-sizing producer compensation, modernizing technology, empowering new leaders, and building an internal perpetuation plan.

You’ll hear how these steps not only boosted profitability and growth but also improved carrier relationships, culture, and long-term sustainability. If you’re an agency owner thinking about transition planning or improving your valuation, this case study is packed with practical insights you can apply today.

Sponsored by AgencyPoint

This episode is brought to you by AgencyPoint, your full-service partner for Accounting, Tax, Legal, and HR solutions built specifically for insurance agencies. AgencyPoint helps independent agencies streamline operations, stay compliant, and make confident financial decisions. Learn more at https://www.myagencypoint.com/partners/insurancerefocused

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In this special re-release, we’re sharing an episode originally featured on HawkSoft’s Insurance Perspectives podcast. Carey joins Kenny Hendricks to break down what it really takes to buy an agency—from assessing your readiness and evaluating cultural fit to spotting red flags before you sign.

They dive into the key performance indicators every buyer should understand and why communication across your team is one of the most important parts of a successful acquisition.

Originally featured on the HawkSoft Insurance Perspectives Podcast

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

Your agency might have strong revenue, solid margins, and loyal clients, but does the business truly stand on its own? The answer comes down to transferability.

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace talk with Monica Adwani of Breezy Seguros about what it really takes to build an agency that is valuable beyond the owner. Monica shares her journey from joining a startup as the fourth employee, to helping grow and sell that agency, and now to running her own consulting firm and serving a new community as a partner at Breezy.

You’ll hear about:

• Why owners themselves are often the biggest risk to agency value
• How to make your operations, book, and team less dependent on you
• The role of client communication preferences in shaping sustainability
• What it means to build a culture that supports long-term transferability

If you want your agency to thrive today and be worth more tomorrow, this conversation will give you practical ideas and inspiration to get there.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Charley Todd from Charley Insurance to explore his pivotal decision to transition from a captive agency to the independent side of the insurance industry. They delve into the motivations behind this bold move, the surprising challenges of starting anew, and the exciting opportunities it presents. Charley shares his philosophy on embracing entrepreneurship, the critical importance of customer experience, and his ambitious vision to specialize in home insurance for disaster-prone states. The discussion highlights the value of viewing industry changes not as threats, but as catalysts for innovation and creative growth.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Rob Bowen from Patriotic Insurance Group to reflect on his first-year post-acquisition. They explore the challenges and lessons learned during the transition from a paper-based system to a digital one, the importance of communication with carriers, and the human element in maintaining business relationships. Rob shares valuable insights on pacing change management, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of accurate data management. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in navigating the complexities of agency acquisitions.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Dawnyel Smink, President of the Western region at Keystone Insurers Group, about her initiatives to empower women in the insurance industry. They discuss the importance of collaboration between men and women, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the need for open conversations about leadership and wellness. Dawnyel shares insights on her WISE Talks program, which aims to cultivate confidence and support women in leadership roles. The discussion also touches on the impact of burnout in the industry and the significance of mentorship and community support.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Elizabeth Moore, co-founder of Amelia Risk, to discuss on building a specialized insurance agency in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space. Elizabeth shares how her career path shifted from advertising dreams in New York to a fulfilling journey in insurance, and why choosing a niche has been key to her agency’s growth. She explains how important for agencies to use technology to streamline operations while keeping client relationships personal, and why referrals and trust often outweigh traditional advertising.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace sit down with Lee Gaudette from Gaudette Insurance Agency. They discuss the evolution of the insurance industry, the importance of generational perspectives, and the role of community engagement. Lee shares his family's rich history in the insurance business, the significance of outside experience for family members joining the agency, and his experiences hosting a radio show focused on insurance. The discussion also touches on the future of the industry, particularly the impact of AI and the necessity of maintaining strong client relationships.

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Agency Focus is the premier resource for agents to understand their agency's value, plan for a transition of ownership, and prepare for acquisitions.

Learn more at https://agency-focus.com/