When Anais Babajanian traded in her public accounting career to take over her mom’s Houston-based independent agency, it was “a complete 180,” she says. “Now, I’m adding value, and I’m in control of how successful I am.”
Nicole Carrigan didn’t plan on building a career in insurance, but working for a family-owned business in a small tourist town gives her the opportunity to “help those I know and care about,” she says. “I have heavy roots in my community.”
Ten young agents under the age of 33 share their thoughts on the insurance industry’s appeal for the next generation of employees and clients—and what needs to happen for independent agents to thrive in the future.
Independent agents Zuri Malick, Kyle Dean and Kali DeWitt share their personal experiences with perpetuation.
Rachel Vela never even wanted a desk job. But when her mom finally convinced her to give the family agency a chance, she found out insurance is more interesting and challenging than she expected.
When Aislyn Vaughan isn’t binding small commercial policies, she’s teaching dance lessons, instructing a yoga class, and running the Vermont Young Agents Committee.
Playing college football gave Owen Thomas a competitive spirit that makes the insurance industry a perfect career: “I love the challenge and the freedom.”
Corbin Jackson, a 24-year-old agency owner, advises others in the industry to “know how you’re going to differentiate yourself.”
As a crop insurance agent in Iowa, Jaime Hopkins believes the process works best when both the Farm Service Agency and independent agents are involved.
Ashley Fitzsimmons, a fourth-generation independent agent who gets to know her clients on a personal level, says she doesn’t have time to be lazy.