On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, David Watson, executive vice president at Mappus Insurance in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, shares his story of how he went from agency entrepreneur to InsurTech founder.

Watson first got a taste for independence while working for Farm Bureau Insurance as a contractor. This inspired him to start a scratch agency in 2016 where he focused on automating as many processes as possible and generating leads from social media and search engines.

“But I was struggling as a first-time business owner," Watson says, noting that if he could turn back time, “I would focus on relationships, being part of my community, advising on coverage and making sure that I am seen as a trusted advisor."

In 2018, he merged with Mappus Insurance. There, Watson was not only able to hone his risk advisory skills, but he was also able to integrate his lofty ideas for automation. By 2020, he had founded RiskAdvisor, a smart form software program that makes the application and renewal process more efficient for independent insurance agencies.

Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform.

Watson was also featured in the June issue of Independent Agent magazine. Check out his interview here or read the full issue online.