ASNOA 
What are the pros and cons of a storefront vs. a home office vs. a rented “virtual” office/shared space? One of the biggest questions you’ll need to answer as you formulate plans to start your business is where you will locate it. Will you work from home or set up an office, storefront or other … Read more
There are a ton of website domain providers out there. Pick the one that offers you the best combination or price, service, and security. We have used GoDaddy, Network Solutions, and Google Domains. I am going to use GoDaddy for the visuals below, but the steps are pretty much the same for all three sites: … Read more
Once you settle on a name you like, you will need to protect it. First, you need to register your entity name at the state level. Typically, the information you will need to file with your state agency includes: a. Business Name b. Business Location c. Ownership/Management Structure (for LLCs, this is typically your Articles … Read more
Before you start registering your independent insurance agency, you want to double check that your chosen business name is even available for you to use commercially both in your state and online. State Level The first place you need to check if an entity name is available is at your local Secretary of State or … Read more
If you need help brainstorming an insurance agency name, we have a few tips and ideas to get you started. Top Tips Keep it easy to pronounce – Say the name out loud, have others say it out loud to you too. Is it easy to say and understand? Make it easy to spell – … Read more
Putting together a business plan when starting your own independent insurance agency helps you to: Think through the key planning elements as you develop your new agency Create a roadmap for how to structure, launch, run, and grow your business Get carrier appointments and set strategic goals for sustainable and successful carrier relations Communicate your … Read more
Marti Masterson and her husband Doug have been involved in the insurance industry for over 20 years, 11 of which they’ve spent as independent agents with ASNOA. Now the two are enjoying retirement after Marti sold her book for 280% of its revenue, but their journey was not an easy one. ASNOA’s Communications Supervisor Madeline … Read more
The first complete form of Twitter had its debut in 2007 at the famous South by Southwest music conference in Austin, TX, and it initially had trouble developing a revenue stream because, unlike other social media platforms, there was no opportunity for banner advertisements (Britannica.com). Fast forwarding to today, the platform boasts 330 million monthly … Read more
Millennials are obsessed with the idea of adulting (v. behaving like a responsible adult, typically characterized by the accomplishment of mundane but necessary tasks). I know this because I, myself, happen to be a millennial who works in one of the most traditionally ‘mature’ industries in the world: insurance. There’s nothing more adult than buying … Read more
It seems like almost overnight we all switched to working remotely, and some of us have seen massive spikes in productivity! Working from home (or your beach house in Florida) comes with great perks like flexible working location, anytime snack breaks, and regular cuddles from your pets, but did you know it can have some … Read more