Become a Better Insurance Professional

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heath Shearon, Host of Insurance Town Podcast, located in Maumelle, AR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I began a podcast during the pandemic to reach out to insurance professionals and have an interview-style podcast with other insurance professionals and help out during a tough time, and it quickly grew to multiple sponsors and, eventually, agency consulting. Currently, I have a podcasting business as well as a consulting practice. I run my consulting as a 1099 contractor through a company called Agency Performance Partners. My ideal client is Insurance Agency owners looking to improve or grow their practice. I also do some public speaking at industry events.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in the insurance business my entire adult life. My wife and I are second-generation insurance professionals. I love helping agency owners and their staff to improve and get better. I love this industry and just want to give back as much as humanly possible to it. I spent half of my career in sales on the agency side and the other half in sales and marketing on the carrier side. I feel as if I have a great balance of experience. My podcast is to highlight and discuss that.

However, I don't want my podcast to just be some boring podcast about insurance. We try to make it more interesting. We change up the topics, the guests, and even the format from time to time. We try to engage with the audience on social media and through emails. I also release video clips on social media, including TikTok and Youtube. I love to have a good time and laugh, but I also care about giving back to this industry.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have been featured in Rough Notes magazine, a nationally recognized industry publication. I have been interviewed on over a dozen podcasts as an industry influencer; I've also been on several podcasts outside the industry as an advocate for the industry. I have been recognized as an industry speaker, podcaster, and member of the media. I have grown year over year.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Some of the hardest things about being a business owner are when you’re a business leader, you have to be “on” 24/7. For some, this is one of the most difficult aspects of being a CEO. Even if you’re sick, you still have to answer those business calls and show up for important meetings. Even if you’re at a wedding or on vacation, you need to be available when emergencies arise. One of the other big ones is handling the unknowns that come up from week to week.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

First and foremost, focus your business on something that you have a passion for, something you have a why established for, and something you have the capacity for.
Conduct market research, know the industry challenge you are looking to solve, the client you are looking to serve, the competition you are competing against, and know how you are going to do that with your company.
Be organized. Have a plan, think of all the angles, have a group of people to bounce ideas off of, be thorough, have processes, timelines, goals, etc.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://insurancetownpodcast.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hshearon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathshearon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heathwshearon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heath-shearon-66b37424/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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