Agency Ascend

Coverica
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Biweekly

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by CEO, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency Owners turn their business into a major asset.

  1. 2d ago

    Why 90% of Insurance Agency Hires Fail (Avoid This)

    Hiring the right person takes more than finding someone with an impressive résumé. In this episode of Agency Ascend, Chad Brumit sits down with Jared Wyatt to explore how lessons from college football, coaching, and recruiting translate into building a stronger insurance agency. Jared explains why he digs beneath résumé claims, uses open-ended questions to uncover how candidates really operate, and looks closely at technical ability, soft skills, coachability, and cultural fit before making a hire. They also discuss behavioral assessments, the cost of putting someone in a role that forces them to operate outside their natural tendencies, and why a selective hiring process can be healthier than simply filling an empty seat. For independent agency owners trying to build a team without sacrificing the business they want to own, the conversation offers a practical framework for approaching recruiting more intentionally. Want support building and growing your independent agency? Connect with CoVerica Agency Alliance to learn how supported independence can help you build the agency you want. About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  2. Oct 22

    He Left the Military and Went into Insurance

    What does a 25-year military career have to do with running an insurance agency? For Vic, quite a lot. After leaving the military and stepping into the agency his father-in-law had spent nearly four decades building, he quickly discovered that the discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous learning that served him in uniform translated directly into insurance. In this episode of Agency Ascend, Vic joins the team to talk about becoming a risk advisor rather than simply a salesperson, preserving decades of institutional knowledge, and building the systems necessary to take a traditional agency into its next generation. They also discuss the value of mentors, why experienced agents have lessons the next generation needs to hear, how proactive loss prevention can change the relationship between an agent and a client, and why an agency's standards only matter if leaders are willing to enforce them. If you're building, inheriting, or preparing to grow an independent insurance agency, this conversation is a reminder that sustainable growth requires more than production. It requires processes, people, mentorship, and standards that remain intact when they're tested. Learn more about Agency Ascend and how independent agencies can access the relationships, resources, and support they need to grow. Connect with Vic Website: https://smains.com/our-sma-insurance-team Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-lauersdorf About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  3. Aug 26

    Why Generic Insurance Marketing Does Not Work

    AI is changing insurance marketing, but it is not a substitute for a real brand. In this episode, the Agency Ascend team sits down with Tiany Rodriguez and Sir Isaac to discuss what agencies need to do to stand out in an increasingly crowded, automated content landscape. They explore why better stories beat generic insurance posts, how to build a recognizable brand voice, what makes marketing feel authentic instead of artificial, and why your value proposition has to come before your colors, logo, or slogan. The conversation also gives practical encouragement to agency owners, producers, and service staff who know they should market themselves—but are not sure where to start. If you want to build a more human, memorable insurance brand, this episode gives you a practical place to begin. Shares Tiany: Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller Isaac: Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn Chris: Giftology by John Ruhlin Chad: How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  4. Aug 6

    David Allen on: Fear vs. Faith in the Pseudo Soft Market

    Artificial intelligence isn't coming to insurance—it has already arrived. In this episode of Agency Ascend, Chad Brumet, Chris Sterlacci, Jessica McBurney and returning guest David Allen explore one of the biggest questions facing the insurance industry today: What happens when AI changes the business model of insurance? David introduces the idea of a "pseudo soft market," explaining why today's improving carrier appetite may actually be preparing agencies for a much larger transformation. The conversation examines how carriers like State Farm, Farmers, Progressive and Goosehead are each taking very different approaches to AI, agency distribution and technology adoption. The discussion then shifts toward what independent agents must become if they want to thrive over the next decade. Rather than competing on price alone, successful agencies will increasingly differentiate themselves by becoming trusted risk advisors who deliver consultative value, stronger relationships and proactive guidance that technology alone cannot replace. Whether you're an agency owner, producer or insurance leader, this episode offers practical insights into where the industry is headed—and how to prepare before the next wave arrives. Connect with David Allen: https://icainsuranceeducation.com/about-us-2/ Check out The Shift. It’s a resource that helps agencies evaluate the overall health of their business and identify opportunities for growth: http://theagencyshift.com/ About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  5. Jul 16

    Do You Actually Own Your Insurance Book? Independent Agent's most Frustrating Problem.

    Getting carrier appointments can create a frustrating chicken-and-egg problem for independent agencies: carriers may want proof of production before offering a direct appointment, but agencies need access before they can build that production history.  In this episode of Agency Ascent, Chad Brumet, Chris Sterlacci, and Jessica McBurney break down their solution to help agencies navigate that gap ... its called AccessPlus. They also discuss how to evaluate whether you truly own your book, what to look for in MGA and network agreements, why mentorship matters when moving from captive to independent, and how service center agreements can support growth. Want to know more, give us a shout! visit https://www.covericaaa.com/ About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  6. Jun 24

    How To Stop Wasting Time on Bad Insurance Opportunities

    Commercial insurance isn’t just a bigger version of personal lines—it’s an entirely different process. In this episode, Amanda Hightower of Hightower Insurance Group joins Agency Ascend to discuss the operational changes required to grow a successful agency. From navigating a difficult market to implementing procedures, managing remote teams, and building better broker relationships, Amanda shares the lessons she learned scaling her agency. She also shares why complete submissions, clear expectations, and protecting your team’s time can make the difference between growth and burnout. What systems have you implemented that changed the way your agency operates? About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  7. Jun 3

    The Math Behind Going Independent (as an Insurance Agency)

    Richard Johnston joins Agency Ascend to share one of the most transparent conversations we’ve had yet about leaving the captive insurance model and rebuilding independently. Richard walks through the realities of operating a captive agency, including shrinking bonuses, staffing requirements, storefront overhead, and aggressive rate increases that eventually pushed him to reconsider his future. He also shares the emotional side of the transition — including being told his book “wasn’t attractive,” navigating anxiety during the sale process, and supporting his family while preparing to start over from zero. The conversation also dives into how Richard researched aggregators and networks, why he ultimately chose CAA, and how Access Plus helped bridge the gap while waiting for direct appointments. Richard explains how independence dramatically improved his close ratios, accelerated growth, and allowed him to build an agency model that aligned with his long-term goals and family priorities. If you are a captive agent considering the independent path, this episode provides both the emotional and operational realities behind making the jump. Richard's shares Favorite book: The Bible Favorite TV show: The Office Favorite movie: Old School Favorite quote: 1Co 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

  8. May 13

    The Hidden Cost of Staying Captive

    The captive agency model has helped many agents enter the insurance industry, build discipline, and learn how to sell. But in 2026, the model is facing new pressure. In this episode of Agency Ascend, Chad Brumit, Chris Sterlacci, and Jessica McBurney break down the biggest issues impacting captive agents right now, including reduced commission structures, moving compensation targets, rising business expenses, staffing requirements, and limited control over how the agency operates. The team also explores when the captive model still makes sense, especially for agents who are new to insurance, and when it may become too restrictive for business-minded owners who want more control, stronger resale value, commercial opportunities, and long-term independence. If you’re a captive agent wondering what comes next, this episode is for you. Movie Quotes from the Team: Chris "May the Force be with you" Chad "the very things that hold you down- are going to lift you up" Jessica "I don't want to be the product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me" About the Show Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by Managing Partner, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency owners turn their business into a major asset. CoVerica Agency Alliance is a strategic master agency of SIAA, the fastest growing agency partnership in the country. Our “integrator” model combines the best aspects of each partnership model — clusters, aggregators, franchises — to create a one-of-a-kind partnership that enhances distribution and drives organic growth. As a top insurance agency strategic partner in Texas, we offer solutions to greatly strengthen your agency’s position in the market.   New episodes drop triweekly on Wednesdays. Please drop us a line if you have a question or suggestion; you can reach us at podcast@coverica.com. Finally, if you like the podcast, we encourage you to subscribe and leave us a review. Visit us at www.covericaaa.com

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About

Agency Ascend is a podcast for insurance agents and agency owners who are looking for resources to scale their business. The show is hosted by CEO, Chris Sterlacci, and other staff members of CAA to bring you tools and guidance on how they help Agency Owners turn their business into a major asset.

Information

  • Creator
    Coverica
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Agency Ascend
  • Show Website
    Agency Ascend