IA Forward

Hosted by Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

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Episodes

331

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Independent Insurance Agency Playbook: The insurance business is all about playing an infinite game. Shane, Tonya, and Mike discuss how to play the long-term game of being a successful agent and creating a culture of freedom for yourself. Learn more at www.integrapartnernetwork.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 11, 2026Episode 3291 hr 1 min

Would You Buy Your Own Agency? Stay Ready to Sell, Even If You Never Do

You may have no plans to sell your agency. But if someone wanted to buy it tomorrow, what would they find? We look at what makes an insurance agency valuable: from clean financials and organized customer data to documented processes, carrier concentration, policies per customer, and an agency that can operate without everything living in the owner’s head. When you break down the things a potential buyer would notice, your agency will run more profitability and efficiently. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

August 4, 2026Episode 32856 min

It's Not the Chicken: The Chick-fil-A Model for Agency Success

What can an insurance agency learn from Chick-fil-A? From the owner-operator mindset to servant leadership, we'll discuss how agency owners can build a business that earns loyalty, empowers employees, and creates clients who never want to leave. If you're looking to grow an agency that stands out in a crowded marketplace, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond insurance products and focus on what truly builds lasting relationships. Because in the end, it's not the chicken - it's the experience. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

July 28, 2026Episode 32757 min

What It Takes to Win Is Simple (But Not Easy)

What does Hall of Fame football coach Marv Levy have to teach insurance agents? As it turns out, quite a bit. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of the Buffalo Bills legend, the IA Forward team explores how some of the greatest leadership lessons from the football field apply directly to building a successful agency. From embracing difficult challenges and staying persistent through setbacks to leading with character, adapting to change, and creating a winning culture, this episode is packed with practical insights every agency owner can use. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

July 21, 2026Episode 32651 min

Ignore the Noise: Why Every Agency Owner Needs Fewer Outside Opinions

Everyone has an opinion. Your mentor. Your competitors. Social media. Industry Facebook groups. Even well-meaning friends and family. The challenge isn't finding advice. It's knowing which voices deserve your attention. We discuss why asking too many people for advice can actually make decision-making harder, which causes agency owner to get stuck searching for "perfect." Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

July 14, 2026Episode 32552 min

The Hidden Cost of Chasing Everything

Every week, agency owners are faced with another opportunity. A new product. A new carrier. A new technology. A new revenue stream. The question isn't whether you can pursue it, it's whether you should. In this episode of IA Forward, the team explores why some opportunities build stronger agencies while others quietly steal your time, create unnecessary risk, and keep you from reaching the next level. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

July 7, 2026Episode 32434 min

Why Agency Owners Dread Mondays (And How To Change It)

If Monday feels more like survival than opportunity, this conversation will help you identify what's really causing the frustration and give you practical ways to build an agency you're excited to lead every single week. Shane and Tonya discuss the habits that create unnecessary stress, how procrastination fuels overwhelm, why systems matter more than working harder, and simple mindset shifts that can transform the way you approach your business. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

June 30, 2026Episode 32354 min

Halftime Adjustments: Winning the Second Half of 2026

As rates begin to stabilize, competition heats back up, and carriers return to growth mode, agency owners face a new challenge: balancing retention and new business, without losing momentum. If you're ready to finish 2026 stronger than you started it, this episode is your halftime strategy session. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

June 23, 2026Episode 3221 hr 0 min

Who Makes the Rules? The Great State Farm Shakeup

For decades, State Farm represented stability. Then one of the industry's largest carriers announced sweeping changes to contracts, benefits, compensation, and retirement programs. We explore the State Farm shakeup and what it means for the independent insurance channel. We discuss ownership, choice, customer loyalty, talent shifts, and why the ability to adapt may be the most valuable asset an agency owner has. This conversation is bigger than one company. It's about control, resilience, and what happens when the landscape changes beneath your feet. Because in insurance, the most important question may not be who writes the policy. It's who makes the rules. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

June 16, 2026Episode 3211 hr 5 min

Don't Put Your Logo on That: Why Cheap Marketing Can Cost You

One of the most overlooked parts of building an insurance agency brand is the giveaways, promotional items, and marketing materials that represent your business long after you've left the room. We discuss why cheap giveaways can damage your brand, why most promotional items end up in the trash while a few stay on desks for years, and why "everyone is doing it" is a terrible marketing strategy. Because sometimes the best branding advice is simple: Don't put your logo on that. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

June 9, 2026Episode 32058 min

How Customers Really Find an Insurance Agent

Everyone knows how to find Flo, the Geico Gecko, or Jake from State Farm. But how do customers actually find an independent insurance agent? One of the biggest challenges (and greatest opportunities) for independent agencies is visibility. We discuss online reviews, referrals, community involvement, referrals, social media, authentic relationship-building, and the real ways customers discover and choose independent agents. T If you've ever wondered why some agencies seem to attract customers effortlessly while others struggle to get noticed, this episode offers practical ideas you can implement right away. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.