Declaration of Independents

Anson Ross Thompson

Insurance Ninja
The Thompson Group
Parker City, Indiana

His vibe is rock-star confident. His agency’s promo item is a purple guitar pick, imprinted with the phrase “We pick our clients.” The flip side bears a Foo Fighters-style agency logo. “We don’t look like most other insurance agencies,” Anson Ross Thompson says of the business his father started in 1973, which he now co-owns with majority owner Jenny Dils Durr.

What makes you different?

We’re very selective about our clients. It might not be a good fit, and we’re not afraid to say that. But for every client, we live our mission: Find the pain, heal the pain, show the love.

How do you find employees who fit?

For each prospective hire, we have to get a thumbs-up from everyone. If not, we won’t hire. We prefer you not have an insurance background to get into our company.

Best agency owner perk?

It’s the greatest job in the world. It allows so many freedoms, like the ability to travel, working and playing anywhere. And to try things I’ve always wanted to try. I’ve written two books, and now I’m signed up for improv training at The Second City in Chicago.

What else is distinctive about your business?

We focus on aspects of doing business that some others don’t. We understand our balance sheet, our income and cash flow statements. Our revenue is about $2 million. At minimum, we throw 25% to the bottom line, and it’ll be more this year. Also, we’re a Women’s Business Enterprise. Jenny is our CEO. She’s the boss. We’re there to write business for the contractors and municipalities required to do a certain percentage of work with women-owned businesses, and our customers get Indiana state tax credits.