Learn from the Best: An Executive Summary
Independent insurance agents often face the challenge of building a successful agency on their own, but Smart Choice removes that barrier by surrounding agents with the expertise of seasoned state directors and territory managers. These leaders—many of whom are former agency owners, carrier executives, or insurance industry specialists—serve as hands-on mentors who help agents navigate carrier relationships, business setup, growth strategies, and complex client needs.
Learn from the Best:
Behind Every Thriving Agency is a Great Coach Who Cares
Running an independent insurance agency is both thrilling and frightening. You’re in charge of your career, and there’s no limit to how much you can achieve – but you also have to forge your own path. Or do you? When you partner with Smart Choice, you’ll have direct support from state directors and territory managers who leverage their experience to help you succeed.
“I’m proof that Smart Choice can take a teachable agent from zero to more than $2 million in just a few years,” says Francisco Castro, Principal Agent and Managing Partner at JCC Insurance Group. “I’ll probably surpass $250,000 in commission this year, simply because I trusted Smart Choice’s guidance.”
The Advantage of Having a Proven Leader in Your Corner
Smart Choice’s state directors and territory managers serve as the first contact for independent agents in the network. If you have a question or challenge, your local field rep is ready to assist.
In addition to knowing Smart Choice processes, specialty niches and carrier appetites, these individuals have experience as former carrier representatives, agency owners and/or InsurTech professionals, so they know the ins and outs of insurance from multiple perspectives and offer the insights you need to succeed.
Meet Smart Choice’s Expert Mentors
- Michael Miller is a Smart Choice State Director working in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. Before joining Smart Choice in 2009, he worked for insurance companies as a market distribution leader, district manager and director of personal lines, so he knows the insurance industry inside and out.
- Suzanne Sansom is a Smart Choice State Director helping agents in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. She built a career as a middle school teacher, but in 2004, she gave up her teaching to start an independent agency with Smart Choice. With the network’s support, she learned the insurance business and grew her agency. Now she helps other agents do the same.
- Chris Reisdorf is a Smart Choice State Director operating in North Carolina. He has a BBA in marketing, plus hands-on experience as VP of Marketing and Agency Relationships. He joined Smart Choice in 2018 and has been helping independent agencies ever since.
- Kurt Van Sickle is the Northwest Director at Smart Choice. Before joining Smart Choice in 2009, he earned a BS in finance, business administration and management and worked as a market sales leader at a national insurance company. Now he helps agencies in the northwest grow their books.
- Joan Curtis is the Territory Manager for Oklahoma at Smart Choice. She wrote the book on insurance – literally. She’s the co-author of ReThink Everything You Know About Insurance: A Blueprint for Modern Insurance Agencies. As a licensed insurance agent, she draws on her success to help other agents develop strategies that drive growth.
For the agents who depend on Smart Choice for support and guidance, the experience these state directors and territory managers bring makes all the difference.
“Joan Curtis, Territory Manager for Oklahoma, was ready and willing to share her knowledge of the independent agency world, where I had little experience,” says Kolt Byerly, owner of Byerly Agency, LLC. “With my Smart Choice team’s advice, I was able to be efficient in how I set up my business, how I did business, and who I did business with. It helped me become successful very quickly.”
“Suzanne Sansom’s been very helpful,” says Buddi McKenzie of the Buddi Mckenzie Insurance Agency. “She possesses great wisdom. She’s owned her own agency, and sold her own agency, so having that relationship helps a lot, especially in the hard market.”
Why Not Learn from Leaders Who Have Walked in Your Shoes?
Whether you’re just starting out in insurance or you have years of experience under your belt, it helps to have a mentor. Smart Choice state directors and territory managers fill that role.
Chris Reisdorf explains that Smart Choice helps agencies grow revenue by negotiating better commissions, aggregating dollars and offering backend incentives, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. “We act as consultants for your agency without the added cost,” Chris says. “Every day, we help agencies solve problems, from finding coverage for specific clients to guiding them through complex situations.”
The Smart Choice team regularly goes above and beyond, and agents like Steph Santi, founder and CEO of Auto Mate, appreciate it.
“I just want to say thank you to Smart Choice,” says Steph. “If you’re serious about growth, it’s crucial to have a network like Smart Choice on your side. They have great people, support, software and advice – and even other agents who share their expertise.”
Key Takaways
- Smart Choice agents gain access to experienced mentors who have real industry backgrounds
- Personalized coaching helps agents grow faster and more efficiently.
- Smart Choice support extends far beyond contracts and commissions.
- New and experienced agents alike benefit from Smart Choice’s hands-on approach.
- Smart Choice fosters a community where agents learn from leaders who have “walked in their shoes.” By working with mentors who understand the challenges of independent agencies, agents gain a trusted partner committed to their long-term success.
About the Author
Olga Ivchenko, CIC, AAI, is the Colorado State Director at Smart Choice. She first joined the network as an agent before moving into the role of State Director. Since joining the organization, she has leveraged her experience as an insurance producer and agency owner to help independent agents successfully build and grow their own agencies. Olga holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI), and Accredited Advisor in Insurance–Management (AAI-M) designations. She is also pursuing her MBA at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. In addition to her professional expertise, Olga is fluent in five languages, bringing a broad, multicultural perspective to her leadership and mentorship within the Smart Choice network.
Questions to Ask When Growing an Independent Insurance Agency
Q: What makes Smart Choice different from other insurance networks?
A.Smart Choice pairs agents with experienced state directors and territory managers who provide real, personalized coaching based on their own backgrounds as agency owners, carrier executives, and insurance experts.
Q: How does Smart Choice help new or inexperienced insurance agents?
A. New agents benefit from hands-on guidance, help with business setup, carrier navigation, and mentorship from leaders who have successfully built their own agencies.
Q: Do Smart Choice mentors have real industry experience?
A. Yes. Many have decades of experience in roles such as agency principals, carrier sales leaders, marketing executives, and insurance educators.
Q: What support can agents expect when joining Smart Choice?
A. Agents gain access to mentorship, operational guidance, carrier insights, growth strategies, commission negotiation power, and help with complex coverage situations.
Q: Is Smart Choice helpful for experienced agents too?
A. Absolutely. Experienced agents use Smart Choice for expanded market access, expert consultation, revenue growth strategies, and ongoing support in a changing market.
Q:Are there success stories from agents who worked with Smart Choice mentors?
A. Yes—multiple testimonials in the blog describe significant revenue growth, streamlined operations, and fast success thanks to Smart Choice guidance.
Ready to Grow?
A. If you’re ready to plant the seeds of long-term success, connect with your local Smart Choice director today. Together, we’ll help your agency grow stronger roots — and a thriving future.