Agents Growth Academy

Jim Schubert
  • 5.0 (27)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Agents Growth Academy

Have you ever wondered what the top agency owners are doing to grow their book of business exponentially each and every month? I’ve personally grown my own agency to multiple locations and dozens of agents over the past 10 years learning from the industry’s leading experts and applying what they teach to my own agency, and now I’ve invited these same experts to share these industry-leading secrets...with you! My name is Jim Schubert and welcome to The Agents Growth Academy

  1. 104. Building Tech-Enabled Insurance Products for Agents

    MAY 6

    104. Building Tech-Enabled Insurance Products for Agents

    Send us a text In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim sits down with Bobby Touran, co-founder of Rainbow, a tech-enabled MGA transforming how insurance is delivered for niche businesses like restaurants. Bobby explains how Rainbow blends automation and underwriting expertise to improve efficiency without removing the agent from the process. He shares how his team uses real-time data, continuous underwriting, and a strong service mindset to simplify restaurant insurance and support agency partners. Takeaways Rainbow is a tech-enabled MGA focused on providing restaurant insurance through independent agents.Bobby explains how public data and POS systems improve underwriting speed and accuracy.Agents can quote and bind restaurant policies in minutes using Rainbow’s digital platform.Continuous underwriting helps detect risk changes throughout the policy term.The platform supports agents with human underwriters and responsive service.Rainbow has grown rapidly through word of mouth and state association involvement.Bobby emphasizes patience, partnership, and openness to evolving how insurance is delivered. Resources From Bobby Website LinkedIn About Bobby With 7 years in the insurance industry, Bobby is co-founder of 2 insurtech companies in the P&C space, both with a focus on retail agents and small commercial insurance. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    33 min
  2. 103. Building Purpose-Driven Brands

    APR 29

    103. Building Purpose-Driven Brands

    Send us a text In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim welcomes Dani Kimble, founder of Azelie Studio and a specialist in building purpose-driven brands. Dani shares how growing up in a family business shaped her storytelling mindset and explains the core elements of creating a brand rooted in authentic purpose. She offers valuable advice for insurance agency owners looking to deepen their brand impact. Takeaways Building a purpose-driven brand starts with understanding and articulating your backstory.Dani’s branding process focuses on authentic storytelling, not quick marketing tactics.Brand strategy involves core values, purpose, vision, and long-term positioning.Insurance agencies often struggle with balancing short-term wins and long-term brand growth.Brand work leads to stronger retention, internal culture, and deeper client relationships.Dani doesn’t push marketing without a solid brand foundation first.Storytelling creates meaningful differentiation in competitive markets. Resources From Dani Website LinkedIn Difference by Bernadette Jiwa About Dani Dani Kimble empowers small businesses to create purpose-driven brands grounded in authentic story and strategy, positioning their brand for growth. She’s the Founder of Azelie Studio, a boutique brand consultancy focused on brand strategy, brand identity, and brand story. Former Chief Marketing Officer for a growing independent insurance agency, Dani transformed the brand identity to center around its story, its people, and its culture. This led to supporting growth across the organization from talent attraction and retention, client retention, new business opportunities, and referrals. Dani is now sought for her branding approach that puts storytelling and differentiation at the forefront. Dani has been featured in business publications, podcasts, and articles for her work in brand positioning, messaging, storytelling, and marketing. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    33 min
  3. 102. Life After the Sale

    APR 22

    102. Life After the Sale

    Send us a text In this episode of Agents Growth Academy, Jim reconnects with Gabe Oh, a returning guest and friend who recently sold his insurance agency. Gabe opens up about the personal and professional reasons behind his decision, the options he explored, and the mental and emotional impacts of selling. He reflects on life after the sale, how it has affected his family, his work, and his mindset, offering honest advice for agency owners considering the same path. Takeaways Selling an agency is a deeply personal decision based on timing, goals, and life circumstances.Gabe’s reasons included new opportunities, family security, and simplifying the future.There are many deal structures—full sale, partial sale, or partnerships.Gabe chose fit and vision over the highest offer when selecting a buyer.Post-sale life offers more time with family and a shift away from day-to-day operations.Mental health and identity shifts are common after selling a business.Gabe advises agency owners to seek guidance from those with no financial interest. Resources From Gabe LinkedIn The Great Money Reset by Jill Schlesinger   About Gabe Gabe Oh is a former agency owner who sold his independent agency to a national brokerage backed by private equity. With nearly 200 flight hours as a pilot and new ventures on the horizon, Gabe continues to support other agency owners navigating growth, acquisition, and post-sale transitions. A proud father of two and Pacific Northwest resident, Gabe values faith, family, and helping others succeed. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    42 min
  4. 101. The Hidden Power of Agent Advocacy

    APR 15

    101. The Hidden Power of Agent Advocacy

    Send us a text In this episode, Jim sits down with John Barbour, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG), to explore the vital role that independent agents play in driving real change during one of the hardest markets the insurance industry has seen. John shares his background as a lobbyist and explains how agents can use their relationships and voices to influence critical legal reforms, especially around tort and judicial issues. The conversation offers a powerful look at the importance of grassroots advocacy and the tools now available for agents to make a lasting impact. Takeaways John Barbour is the CEO and lobbyist for IIAG, serving as a key advocate for independent insurance agents across Georgia.John emphasizes the value of relationships in his journey from the State Senate to representing agents at the Capitol.Legal reform is a top priority as Georgia faces skyrocketing rates, increased exclusions, and mounting underwriting challenges.The Big I of Georgia has helped secure major wins on tort reform and protected homeowners market stability through advocacy.Georgia’s status as a "judicial hellhole" drives nuclear verdicts and rate increases, sparking urgent grassroots action.The Agents Action Center equips agents with tools and resources to educate clients and influence legislators.John encourages agents to recognize their influence, build relationships with lawmakers, and authentically advocate for change. Resources from John IIAG Website Agents Action Center Justice Not Jackpots Campaign All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby About John Barbour John Barbour is the CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG) otherwise known as the Big "I". he manages all aspects of our association as well as serves as our association lobbyist at the State Capitol. He has worked 22 years at the State Capitol. 5 sessions for the Georgia State Senate, 9 sessions as a lobbyist for the Georgia Association of REALTORS, and now 8 sessions for IIAG. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    42 min
  5. 100. Unlocking the Art of Insurance

    APR 8

    100. Unlocking the Art of Insurance

    Send us a text To celebrate the 100th episode of the Agents Growth Academy podcast, our guest is one of the most dynamic agency owners in the insurance space, Chris Paradiso. With 25 years of experience, Chris shares how InsurTech, process-driven leadership, and client-focused innovation are revolutionizing the independent agency model. From redefining the customer experience to investing in your team and technology, Chris delivers actionable insights for agents ready to work on their business, not just in it. Takeaways Chris shares how a pivotal 2009 conference changed his mindset from working in the business to working on the business.Emphasizing client experience, Chris believes InsurTech tools must be built for how clients want to engage.The importance of AI and tools like Donna and ClientCircle to proactively assess client sentiment and retention risk.Why owning mistakes and practicing radical transparency builds stronger customer loyalty.Investing in technology is meaningless without processes and procedures to support it.Chris outlines how voicemail drops and automated follow-ups increase touchpoints without exhausting team resources.Agents must engage with InsurTech platforms and carriers to influence future innovation in the industry. Resources from Chris Website Facebook Instagram Twitter/X Pinterest LinkedIn Donna by Aureus Analytics ClientCircle HawkSoft Traction by Gino Wickman Relentless & Winning by Tim Grover About Chris Paradiso Chris Paradiso is one of the most passionate and dynamic agency owners in the insurance industry today. Within his 25 years as a licensed Insurance agent, Chris’s unwavering dedication to exemplary customer service has led him to build and grow his own agency to the 50+ employees that it is today. Established in 2006, Paradiso Insurance recently won Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s National Agent for the Future Award in 2019 and is currently licensed in 44 states with plans to be licensed in all 50 within the near future. Chris’s clear vision has helped hundreds of other insurance agencies to push the envelope and find their own success as well through his coaching work with Paradiso Presents. Chris currently sits on the advisory board of both Rough Notes, an Insurance Publication ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    46 min
  6. 99. Building Products with Your Customers

    APR 1

    99. Building Products with Your Customers

    Send us a text Building Products with Your Customers In this episode, Jim interviews Mark Engels, CEO of ePayPolicy, a modern payments platform built for insurance carriers, brokers, and agencies. Mark shares insights on why businesses should build products with their customers rather than for them. He explains how ePayPolicy collaborates with agencies to streamline payments, automate reconciliation, and improve efficiency. The conversation dives into digital transformation in insurance, the importance of customer-driven innovation, and the evolving landscape of financial technology. Takeaways ePayPolicy is a modern payment platform designed for the insurance industry, helping agencies streamline transactions.Mark emphasizes the importance of building products with customers to solve real problems efficiently.The insurance industry still heavily relies on paper checks, creating operational bottlenecks.ePayPolicy developed solutions for automating check reconciliation and outbound carrier payments.The introduction of CheckMate and Payables Connect simplifies financial workflows for agencies.AI-driven automation is helping agencies reduce manual work and improve accuracy in payment processing.Mark advises agencies to map out their digital transformation journey to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Resources from Mark ePayPolicy - Finance Connect ePayPolicy LinkedIn Microsoft Power BI Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge About Mark Engels Mark Engels is the CEO of ePayPolicy, a leading payment platform built specifically for insurance agencies, brokers, and carriers. With over 25 years of experience in the payments industry, Mark has held leadership roles at HyperWallet (acquired by PayPal) and PayPal, overseeing sales and growth initiatives. His expertise in digital transformation and financial technology has made him a key player in modernizing payments within the insurance industry. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    33 min

  7. 04/16/2024

    98. Focus On What Matters With Winston Smith

    Send us a text In this episode, Jim interviews Winston Smith, CEO of Bridge, a customer communications management software designed for independent insurance agents. Winston discusses the importance of agency owners working on their business rather than in it, and how Bridge can help them achieve this. He highlights the bottleneck that agency owners often face and explains how Bridge streamlines operations and provides tools for sales, marketing, and customer communication. Winston shares success stories and feedback from Bridge users, emphasizing the increase in revenue per employee as a key metric. He also discusses the role of Bridge as a companion to agency management systems and the importance of customer satisfaction. The episode concludes with Winston's advice to be true to oneself and the opportunities available in the insurance industry. Takeaways Bridge is a customer communications management software designed for independent insurance agents, helping them work on their business rather than in it.Agency owners often become bottlenecks in their own businesses, hindering growth and scalability.Bridge provides an all-in-one solution for sales, marketing, and customer communication, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.Bridge offers features such as video recording, marketing automation, and personalized communication to enhance customer relationships.Success stories from Bridge users include increased revenue per employee and improved customer satisfaction.Bridge serves as a companion to agency management systems, focusing on communication and customer relationship management.Resources From Winston  Website  LinkedIn Google Calendar Think-Cell How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clay Christensen About Winston Winston Smith is the CEO of Bridge, a customer communications management software designed just for independent agents. Winston came to Bridge after a decade on the carrier side of P&C. Prior to Bridge, Winston ran his own micro-Private Equity fund, Hammersmith Capital. While on the carrier side, Winston was a general manager responsible for P&Ls across multiple states for the Safeco and Liberty Mutual brands (but he takes no responsibility for the 'LiMu Emu') and spent a LOT of time in the field with Safeco-appointed agencies (and is lucky enough to count many of them as friends). He started his insurance career at AIG on Water Street in Lower Manhattan as an underwriter of Executive Lines for Financial Intuitions during the Great Recession. Winston holds the CPCU and API designations, has an MBA from NYU Stern and his undergrad degree from Princeton. He lives in Johns Creek, GA with his wife and two kids. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments

    29 min

  8. 10/04/2023

    97. Content Is King With Chris Greene

    Send us a text Chris Greene from Flood Insurance Guru shares what he's learned about creating the most robust library of content that is selling flood insurance like hotcakes. In fact, he created 1,500 videos in 1,500 days! He also discusses the importance of perfecting your processes so you can free up your time to "Wow" your customers. 3 Key Takeaways The most effective way to create content that sells insurance for you while you sleep is answering questions your clients and prospects constantly ask you.Creating consistent content positions you as an expert in your field.You need to perfect your processes so you can keep your customers engaged without you having to exert extra effort.Resources From Chris Website YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Munch AI HubSpot Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller About Chris Chris Greene is the owner of the Flood Insurance Guru where they provide "Coverage For Now and Education for the Future." After buying a house in a flood zone 12 years ago and having a terrible experience with it Chris has spent the last 12 years helping property owners, real estate agents, real estate investors and business owners avoid the same thing he had to go through. ePayPolicy The simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH payments ePayPolicyThe simplest solution for insurance agents to collect credit card and ACH paymentsDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    54 min
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Have you ever wondered what the top agency owners are doing to grow their book of business exponentially each and every month? I’ve personally grown my own agency to multiple locations and dozens of agents over the past 10 years learning from the industry’s leading experts and applying what they teach to my own agency, and now I’ve invited these same experts to share these industry-leading secrets...with you! My name is Jim Schubert and welcome to The Agents Growth Academy

Information

  • Creator
    Jim Schubert
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Agents Growth Academy
  • Show Website
    Agents Growth Academy

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