Business Refocused

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Business Refocused

Lindsay Sexton & Carey Wallace

148 episodes

4 days ago

On this episode of Business Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Jay Mueller, an independent agency owner who lives on the Mediterranean coast of Spain while running a growing brick and mortar insurance agency in Cincinnati. He shares how he restructured a multigenerational family business, implemented EOS, and built a leadership team that allows him to be overseas without losing momentum, culture, or performance. They unpack what it really looks like to design freedom into your...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for Business Refocused is the property of Lindsay Sexton & Carey Wallace and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

On this episode of Business Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Jay Mueller, an independent agency owner who lives on the Mediterranean coast of Spain while running a growing brick and mortar insurance agency in Cincinnati. He shares how he restructured a multigenerational family business, implemented EOS, and built a leadership team that allows him to be overseas without losing momentum, culture, or performance. They unpack what it really looks like to design freedom into your...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/148)

Business Refocused

#147 - Running The Business Abroad w/ Jay Mueller

On this episode of Business Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Jay Mueller, an independent agency owner who lives on the Mediterranean coast of Spain while running a growing brick and mortar insurance agency in Cincinnati. He shares how he restructured a multigenerational family business, implemented EOS, and built a leadership team that allows him to be overseas without losing momentum, culture, or performance. They unpack what it really looks like to design freedom into your...

5 days ago

35 minutes

Business Refocused

#146 - How to Choose the Right Buyer w/ Raghav Tanna

On Business Refocused, Lindsay and Carey talk with Raghav Tanna, founder of Tarmika and cofounder of the nonprofit Little Sparks Project. Raghav shares the real story behind building Tarmika, selling to Applied Systems, and deciding when it is time to exit. He breaks down how to pick the right buyer, what it feels like to stay on after a sale, and why family and happiness should drive the decision. The conversation also spotlights the Little Sparks Gala in Boston, and how the foundation suppo...

1 week ago

32 minutes

Business Refocused

#145 - Year-End Tax Planning for Insurance Agencies w/ David Foate

On this episode of Insurance Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with tax attorney David Foate to unpack the truth about year-end tax planning for insurance agencies. From entity structure decisions to vehicle deductions, R&D credits, and home office rules, they cover what really works and what might land you in trouble with the IRS. David shares real audit stories, explains why S Corps often make sense for agencies, and breaks down how to tell the difference between smart tax s...

2 weeks ago

40 minutes

Business Refocused

#144 - Why Every Agency Owner Needs a Mastermind Group

On this episode of Insurance Refocused, Carey and Lindsay Wallace explore one of the most impactful growth tools for independent insurance agencies — mastermind groups. They discuss how these peer groups function like a “board of directors” for agency owners, providing accountability, fresh perspective, and real-world solutions that drive measurable growth. Drawing from their own experience facilitating masterminds across the country, Carey and Lindsay explain how sharing data and context cre...

3 weeks ago

23 minutes

Business Refocused

#143 - The Differences in M&A: Accounting vs Insurance M&A w/ Aaron Stocks

On Insurance Refocused, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Aaron Stocks, CEO of AgencyPoint (PFS Global), to compare accounting firm acquisitions with independent insurance agency M&A. Aaron breaks down why client transferability, systems standardization, and regulatory disclosures make accounting roll-ups very different from buying an insurance agency. He also shares hard-won lessons on cultural fit, pricing discipline, and what to review before you trust a spreadsheet. What you’ll learn Wh...

1 month ago

32 minutes

Business Refocused

#142 - Doubling Your Independent Insurance Agency's Value in Three Years

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 le...

1 month ago

28 minutes

Business Refocused

What to Know Before Buying an Agency (Carey & Hawksoft)

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...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Business Refocused

#140 - Why Transferability Defines Your Agency’s Value w/ Monica Adwani

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 ne...

1 month ago

31 minutes

Business Refocused

#139 - Transitioning from Captive to Independent w/ Charley Todd

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 speci...

2 months ago

39 minutes

Business Refocused

#138 - Inside the Acquisition: Year After Reflection w/ Rob Bowen

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 manag...

2 months ago

36 minutes

Business Refocused

#137 - Women Supporting Women w/ Dawnyel Smink

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 discus...

2 months ago

33 minutes

Business Refocused

#136 - Building a Niche Independent Insurance Agency w/ Elizabeth Moore

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 persona...

2 months ago

31 minutes

Business Refocused

#135 - Building a Generational Insurance Agency w/ Lee Gaudette

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 indu...

2 months ago

29 minutes

Business Refocused

#134 - What Banks Look for in Insurance Agency Buyers w/ Kimberly Bunce

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Kimberly Bunce from Security Financial Bank to explore the intricacies of the insurance industry. Kimberly shares her journey from accounting to banking, offering a unique perspective on lending to insurance agencies. The discussion covers the challenges and opportunities in agency acquisitions, the importance of maintaining strong financials, and the evolving landscape of interest rates and market dynamics. ///////////// Agency ...

3 months ago

40 minutes

Business Refocused

#133 - Taking Over the Family Insurance Agency w/ Taylor Garcia

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay sit down with Taylor Garcia, owner of Jackson & Jackson Insurance, to discuss his unique journey from musician to insurance leader. Taylor shares his experience taking over the family business, the challenges and opportunities of rebranding a legacy agency, and the importance of maintaining authentic client relationships during times of change. The conversation highlights how creative thinking from his music career translates to insurance leadership, whi...

3 months ago

39 minutes

Business Refocused

#132 - How Agencies Are Using AI in the Insurance Industry w/ Justin Thomas

In this episode, Carey and Lindsay Wallace sit down with Justin Thomas, CEO of YourPolicy Insurance Agency, to discuss the evolving landscape of the insurance industry, particularly about the impact of AI. Justin shares his journey into insurance, the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, and the importance of adapting to change. The discussion emphasizes the need for agencies to prepare their data and workflows for the future, while also highlighting the importance of maintaining str...

3 months ago

32 minutes

Business Refocused

#131 - The Client-Centric Approach to Agency Acquisitions w/ John Darr

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with John Darr, the president and founder of Darr Schackow Insurance, to discuss the intricacies of agency acquisitions in the insurance industry. They explore the impact of acquisitions on client relationships, the importance of communication during transitions, and the challenges of maintaining a consistent claims process. John shares valuable insights from his extensive experience in acquiring agencies, emphasizing the need for a strategic approa...

3 months ago

28 minutes

Business Refocused

#130 - Producer Compensation in Independent Insurance Agencies

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey Wallace discuss the complexities of employee compensation in insurance agencies. They explore various compensation models, the importance of aligning compensation with agency goals, and the challenges of merging different structures. The conversation emphasizes the need for accurate data and the significance of communication and transparency in fostering trust and loyalty among employees. They also highlight the importance of giving agencies time to transiti...

4 months ago

20 minutes

Business Refocused

#129 - From R&B Artist to Agency Owner w/ Jarrard "Rod" Powell Sr.

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Jarrard "Rod" Powell Sr. to share his unique journey from the music industry to the insurance sector, highlighting the opportunities within the insurance field that many overlook. He discusses the inception of his podcast, 'You Should Get a License,' aimed at educating and inspiring others about careers in insurance. The discussion also touches on the impact of the podcast on his agency and recruitment efforts, as well as reflections on persona...

4 months ago

29 minutes

Business Refocused

#128 - Exploring the Insurance Industry w/ Molly Harrigan

In this episode, Lindsay and Carey sit down with Molly Harrigan to explore her journey in the insurance industry, from working in her family’s agency to making the move to the carrier side. Molly shares insights on navigating a challenging market, the importance of clear communication, and the unique opportunities available to young professionals in insurance. She also offers valuable advice for those considering a career in the industry, particularly within family-run agencies. ///////...

4 months ago

30 minutes