Brian Jarrells is the founder of the Brian Jarrells Agency,LLC, an Independent Agency that offers auto, home, life and business insurance. Starting as a captive scratch agency (0 policies and 0 employees) in 2006, the agency grew to 3 full time employees and had in excess of 2000 policies at the end of 2014. Being the consummate salesman, Brian wanted more. With a team, Brian decided to move onto bigger and better things and in 2015 opened a new Independent Agency representing multiple new companies that all have great reputations for coverage and rates. This would lay the foundation for their ensuing success. Today, Brian has 4 fulltime employees, 1 producer and always has an eye open for new sales talent. Brian Jarrells Agency is very passionate at assisting clients and finding them the perfect match for their insurance needs.
In your own words what do you do?
We provide our clients auto, home, life and business insurance by utilizing the multiple companies that we rep. We quote them until we find the best coverage for the best costs.
What led you to your current business?
I worked in the grocery business from 1987 to 2006. I held multiple positions in multiple companies and worked up to managing stores with sales in excess of $25 million a year. One day my wife and I were discussing about starting a family and I realized that my working hours weren’t very conducive to having a lot of time off. We worked holidays and weekends in the grocery business. I wanted to be able to have my freedoms and come and go as I please but knew my job would not allow for that so I started looking into something else. I wanted to be a family man. Just by chance I submitted a resume to an insurance company that was looking to expand in my area. Next thing I knew I was being thrust into opening my own business. My daughter Julia was born in 2006 and have been able to attend every child function that she’s had which is what I wanted to do.
Could you walk us through your process of developing your business?
Our business comes from our marketing efforts and word of mouth. We have been blessed by having great clients that love us and refer their family members and friends to us. I have learned over the years that you also have to be able to adapt to market changes. We are always looking for new and innovative ideas for marketing.
Did you encounter any particular difficulties in the beginning?
In the beginning there were lots of difficulties. Brand new agent looking to grow a business and having complete strangers trust you….yeah that’s difficult. Fortunately, when I hired Jill, my first Assistant, she kept me organized and on track for success. I hired her not because she may have been the best candidate but because she knows how to disagree with me and tell me when I’m wrong. I didn’t want a “yes” man. I wanted someone with another set of eyes to grow the business. She is the reason why we are where we are today!
What is your long term plan?
Our long term plan is to continue to grow our books of business to a point where we can expand into another market. I see us having multiple locations maybe in different states. Adding additional companies for our client base is on the agenda as well.
Could you share with us some industry insights?
Insurance is very reciprocal. One day you have the best rate and the next you don’t. Being an Independent Agency/Broker has the advantage of finding you the best rate all the time! I recommend using an Agency/Broker for your insurance. Fact is…call us! We’d love to have you!
What are some important lessons you’ve learnt about entrepreneurship?
My lessons learned would be to incorporate fun into the office and family life. The office can be very intense at times depending on what you are working on. So I involve the office staff in a lot of pictures for our face book page. Sometime we are playing darts at the office or taking pictures or ourselves while dressing up for “Hawaiian Shirt Day”. It relieves the stresses of the office environment and gives my other Office Assistants Pam and Janice an opportunity to work but have fun. Pam and Janice are more hands on as the deal with billing and policy issues. So they need a break from the phones every now and then.
Any tips for achieving success?
Tips for success: The best tip would be to treat people the way you would like to be treated. People can see right through you if you are fake. They can “hear” a smile on the phone so always smile when you talk.
Connect
Phone: 513-494-0507 or 800-653-0107
Website: www.jarrellsagency.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/click2Binsured
