Agency Profile: Retro Works

Barrett & Associates Insurance Group

Indianapolis
Founded: 1984
Employees: 3

The old-fashioned house call is the signature of this tiny agency tucked into the southeast side of Indy. The brother-and-sister producer team, Joe Barrett and Julie Bryndal, serves 803 personal lines and 101 commercial lines customers, giving each one personalized, down-home attention. Their father, Bill Barrett, founded the agency and retired three years ago.

Gross revenues have increased 5% over the last two years, and the business mix is 45% personal and 50% commercial.

JULIE BRYNDAL, AGENT

We are a relatively young agency. Joe has about 14 years in the industry, I have three and Jeanie has two. We don’t rely on any programs to drive our business, but we do write many contractors and subcontractors because Joe and I both have years of experience in the construction trades. Referrals are a big part of our business and something we truly appreciate. Networking with local trade associations gives us exposure to like-minded people with whom we have things in common. We can speak the lingo with our common backgrounds—and best of all, they’re great people!

JOE BARRETT, OWNER

We go to our clients. We sit at their kitchen table or in their office where it’s comfortable for them, on their terms, evenings and weekends, whenever. Most new clients are surprised by that in a good way. We know it’s an old-school approach, but it works well for us. Knowledgeable, likeable and accessible—that’s who we are. If clients prefer to text, we do that. If they prefer to come to our office, fine. If they want to use our website to communicate, great. We will accommodate them to the best of our ability.

JEANIE WESTON, CSR

We aren’t the most innovative, high-tech agency, but that hasn’t hurt us. We retain about 92% of our clients. We do not use an agency management system. Instead, we maintain a simple database for client information that houses personal tidbits and referral history, allowing us to see a snapshot of the client relationship. We use it every day. We never want anyone to feel forgotten. We focus on ease of doing business, and we believe it sets us apart.