Celebrating the Successful Women Who Have Partnered with Smart Choice
Summary: Across the insurance industry, successful women are redefining what agency ownership looks like by building profitable, independent businesses on their own terms. At Smart Choice, we’ve partnered with thousands of women-led agencies that leverage carrier access, mentorship, and a capped commission structure to accelerate growth without sacrificing independence.
Smart Choice Success Stories
It would be impossible to list all of the women who have succeeded within the Smart Choice network, which includes more than 10,000 independent agencies. However, here are just a few of the agency leaders who have talked to Smart Choice about their success.
Katrina Melnic is the owner of N&K Insurance Services. She brings a strong business background to her agency, including an MBA, and serves clients across multiple languages.
Tatsiana Tarasavais the owner of American Heritage Insurance Brokers. In addition to building a thriving agency, she is also a competitive Team USA athlete, who has represented the U.S. in international aquathon competitions.
Buddi McKenzie is the owner of Buddi McKenzie Insurance. She grew her agency quickly, reaching Smart Choice’s leadership level in a remarkably short period of time, which enables her to keep 100% of commissions.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Morgan is the owner of the Castle Insurance Agency. Before launching her own business, she spent more than a decade working at a major insurance carrier.
Brittany Olson is the owner of the Brittany Olson Insurance Agency. She built a multimillion-dollar agency by combining strong insurance expertise with a people-first approach.
Letisia “Letty” Aguirre is the president of Capital Insurance Services of Florida, Inc. She has grown her business by prioritizing customer service and building long-term referral relationships.
Kim Winningham is the owner of the Altamaha Agency. She built her agency from scratch in a small community.
Erica Goltz-Ski is the owner of the Wilebski Insurance Agency. She’s grown her business by earning trust and treating her clients like family.
Rachel McRee is the owner of the McRee Agency. She launched her agency despite a challenging market and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Smart Choice Helps Women Succeed
Comparing Smart Choice to Traditional Insurance Networks
| Feature | Smart Choice | Traditional Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership of Book | 100% Agent-Owned | Often Shared or Restricted |
| Commission Structure | Capped 70/30, then 100% | Uncapped or Fee-Based |
| Carrier Access | 100+ Top Carriers | Limited or Tiered |
| Upfront Fees | No Fees | Often Required |
| Mentorship & Support | Territory Managers & State Directors | Varies by Network |
Here at Smart Choice, we’re proud of the amazing success stories of our female agency owners. They’ve earned their achievements through hard work, dedication, and smart business decisions – including the decision to partner with Smart Choice as their insurance network.
When women partner with Smart Choice, they gain access to more than 100 top carriers. They also enjoy ambitious earning potential, powerful mentorships and invaluable networking opportunities.
Ambitious Earning Potential
Smart Choice offers a capped 70/30 commission split, meaning once an agent reaches a certain level of premium, called the leadership level, they keep 100% of commissions. This can be more attractive than a higher commission split that isn’t capped. While agents may earn less initially, reaching leadership level allows them to earn significantly more over time.
Want to learn more? This article demonstrates how you can make much more money with Smart Choice over time:
Get the Truth About Insurance Networks
“I hit leadership level with Smart Choice after about 18 months,” says Brittany Olson. She needed to join a network for carrier access, but she refused to join an organization that would strip away her independence. She liked how Smart Choice offered a capped commission split with no fees, unlike some networks that charged a high fee just to join.
Powerful Mentorships
Smart Choice endeavors to give women the tools they need to run their agencies – without getting in the way.
No one is successful in a vacuum. Behind some of the greatest success stories in any industry, you’ll find mentors who provided critical insights and guidance.
Smart Choice members can turn to their territory managers and state directors for mentorship.
“If I have an issue, I know that I can get my local territory manager or somebody in Smart Choice to help me with it,” says Kim Winningham.
Networking Opportunities
Sometimes success comes down to who you know. If you’re starting out in the insurance industry with no connections, it can be discouraging. By joining Smart Choice, you can leverage powerful networking opportunities.
“I attend most Smart Choice meetings and I find them to be very informational,” says Brittany Olson. “They’re also a wonderful place to network. I’ve met some great reps and developed some key relationships.”
Success on Your Terms
Success can look different for every agency owner, whether that means rapid growth, long-term stability, or flexibility.
Smart Choice supports women with whatever their agency goals are – even if that goal means you won’t necessarily hit huge quotas.
“If you sell one policy a month they’re not going to come back and say, ‘Oh, we don’t want you to be a part of us anymore,’” says Letty Aguirre, who uses Smart Choice to access carriers without having to worry about prohibitive premium requirements. “They give you the opportunity to grow slowly at your own pace.”
Supporting Women-Led Agencies
“I needed a network that would support the direction I set – a true partner that would help me and help me achieve my plan,” says Jackie Morgan. She joined Smart Choice because she knew she’d get the support she needed without having to give up ownership of her book.
Whether you’re focused on the next year or the next decade, Smart Choice provides valuable support. “I wanted to start my own business and take control of my future and Smart Choice helped me do so,” says Buddi McKenzie. “Having an experienced Territory Manager, the ease of the contract, and the freedom to have appointments with other carriers outside the network made Smart Choice an easy choice. Hitting leadership status was a great achievement for me! I also like that I have the option to pass my agency onto my son when I retire.”
Are You Reaching Your Potential?
If growth has stalled, it may be because you don’t yet have access to the resources you need to move forward.
“To me, Smart Choice was the most helpful. They allowed me to own my own book, and I wasn’t hit with joining or marketing support fees. That’s why I went with them, and I’m glad I did, because it’s been a wonderful experience so far, and I really appreciate the help that I get with them,” says Rachel McRee.
People Also Ask About Successful Women in Insurance
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What makes women successful in the insurance industry?
Successful women in insurance combine industry knowledge, strong client relationships, and strategic partnerships. Access to carrier appointments, mentorship, and flexible growth models allows women to build agencies that align with their personal and professional goals.
Can women own independent insurance agencies?
Yes. Women across the country own and operate independent insurance agencies. By partnering with an insurance network like Smart Choice, agency owners can access top carriers while maintaining full ownership of their book of business.
How does Smart Choice support women-owned agencies?
Smart Choice supports women-owned agencies by providing access to more than 100 carriers, a capped commission structure, mentorship from territory managers, and networking opportunities—without fees or ownership requirements.
Is insurance a good career for women entrepreneurs?
Insurance can be an excellent career for women entrepreneurs because it offers scalability, recurring revenue, and flexibility. Many women build long-term, independent businesses on their own terms.