Episode 295: Building an AI-First Agency with Erik Jensen

The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s AI-first. In this powerful conversation with Erik Jensen, I uncover what it really takes to build an agency from the ground up with automation, bots, and agentic AI at the core. Erik, a seasoned executive leader and founder of InsureCor and Hatteras Insurance, brings over two decades of experience in operations, M&A, and technology strategy, making him one of the most forward-thinking voices in insurance tech today.

Diving into how he’s reimagined every aspect of his operations by starting with AI first, building workflows where bots do the heavy lifting and humans step in only where truly needed. From native AI and robotic process automation (RPA) to team leadership and scalable tech stacks, this conversation is a masterclass in building an optimized, future-proof agency. If you’re ready to multiply your team’s capacity, increase revenue per employee, and truly operate with a growth mindset, this is the blueprint.

Highlights:

  • Understand the difference between native AI, agentic AI, and RPA—and how to use each strategically in your agency.
  • Learn how starting with AI-first operations can increase revenue per employee to $400K–$600K or more.
  • Discover why listening to your team is the critical first step to identifying what should be automated.
  • Explore real-world examples of AI intake bots, quoting bots, and multi-layered automations working together.
  • Learn how to create a “tech brain” hierarchy with multiple bots feeding into a central AI system.
  • Get inspired by the agency-as-a-lab model that tests, learns, and adapts in real time to stay ahead of the curve.

 

About Erik P. Jensen:

Erik P. Jensen is a tech-forward insurance strategist with over 20 years of experience across sales, operations, and executive leadership. As founder of Holistic Business Consultants, he leads a suite of interconnected companies transforming how independent insurance agencies grow, compete, and scale through technology.

Erik is the creator of:

  • InsurCore – A consulting and implementation firm focused exclusively on modernizing independent agencies.
  • ZoInsure – A full-featured, customizable AMS/CRM built on Zoho One with native AI agents, workflow automation, and real-time insight tools.
  • Hatteras Insurance – His own Florida-based agency, operating as a living case study for modern tech-enabled growth.
  • IO – A lead gen platform using AI to qualify, route, and nurture leads automatically.

He and his team have developed one of the industry’s most comprehensive and intelligent ecosystems, including a proprietary AI-enhanced knowledgebase with thousands of carrier profiles, SOPs, training scripts, and service workflows—powering both agency staff and automated AI agents.

With voice-based learning tools and native AI support rolling out soon in ZoInsure, Erik continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the insurance space—helping independent agencies thrive without adding overhead.

Websites:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikpjensen

[email protected]

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Live Events: http://uppmastermind.com/

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

If you want to learn more about our Coaching & Mastermind Programs and how they can help you grow your agency business, schedule your private Agency Growth Session with Mike Stromsoe Now (click here)!

Episode 294: Accelerating the Speed of Trust with Ryan Hanley

When trust becomes your agency’s fastest growth lever, the game changes—and Ryan Hanley is here to prove it. In this episode, I talk with Ryan about his journey from agency owner to tech innovator and how his new venture, Linqura, is transforming the way commercial insurance agencies build trust more efficiently.

We dive into the rising importance of data privacy in AI tools, why most agents are still overwhelmed by fragmented tech stacks, and how Linqura is creating a secure, AI-powered solution that makes every agent a commercial expert, without needing to reinvent the wheel. Ryan shares how agency teams can reduce 15 tabs down to 3, win more business by identifying policy gaps, and finally give CSRs the time and space to upsell, cross-sell, and serve at a higher level. If you’re serious about operational excellence and lasting client relationships, this conversation is packed with insight.

Highlights:

  • Why agentic AI will reshape commercial insurance—and how it differs from traditional large language models.
  • How to win more business by shifting your focus from speed-to-bind to speed-to-trust.
  • A simple strategy to reduce systems from 15 to 3 and save hours on every submission.
  • Ways to automate coverage gap analysis and use it to create better client conversations.
  • The real reason CSRs don’t upsell—and how better tech can free them up to do so.
  • How to ethically harness client data with privacy-first AI and still deliver unmatched insights.

About Ryan Hanley:

Ryan Hanley is the Chief Growth Officer of Linqura, the only agentic AI growth engine for commercial insurance profitability, and the founder of Finding Peak, a leadership coaching company. Ryan previously founded Rogue Risk, a first-of-its-kind digital commercial insurance agency, and held executive leadership positions across the technology, fitness, and insurance industries. In addition, Ryan is a sought-after keynote speaker on leadership, growth, and technology, bestselling author of Content Warfare, and producer of the Apple Top 20 podcast, The Ryan Hanley Show.

https://ryanhanley.com/hanley/

https://lnk.to/ryanhanleyshow

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Live Events: http://uppmastermind.com/

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

 

If you want to learn more about our Coaching & Mastermind Programs and how they can help you grow your agency business, schedule your private Agency Growth Session with Mike Stromsoe Now (click here)!

Episode 289: AI – Tech and More – NO Decision is a Decision with Rob Bowen

Twenty years ago, I was figuring out how to go paperless, and today, technology is revolutionizing our industry—but too many agencies are still stuck in the past. My guest, Rob Bowen, founder of Patriotic Insurance Group, has embraced automation, bots, and AI to eliminate manual work, improve efficiency, and free his team to focus on what really matters. In this episode, we break down why most agencies struggle with tech (hint: messy data), how automation isn’t about replacing people but enabling them, and why no decision is a decision—if you’re not moving forward, you’re choosing to fall behind. Rob shares practical steps to clean up your data, implement automation without overwhelm, and shift your mindset so you can future-proof your agency.

Highlights:

  • Avoiding automation and AI won’t keep your agency safe—it will leave you behind. Adapting to new technology is essential to staying competitive.
  • Automation is only as good as the data it runs on. If your AMS or CRM is a mess, AI will only make things worse. Clean, accurate data is key.
  • Empower your team to think and act, not just follow orders. This creates a stronger, more efficient workforce and reduces micromanagement.
  • Let technology handle repetitive tasks so your team can focus on clients and strategy. Automation is a tool, not a threat.
  • Stop wasting time collecting basic info manually. Use tools like Canopy Connect and JotForms to speed up the process and reduce errors.
  • Don’t get overwhelmed. Identify your biggest inefficiencies, automate one process at a time, and refine as you go.

About Rob Bowen:

Rob Bowen is the proud owner of Patriotic Insurance Group, a seasoned veteran, and a cornerstone of his community. With a wealth of experience spanning a decade in the insurance sector, Rob is dedicated to delivering tailored solutions that protect his clients’ interests.

Having served his country with honor, Rob brings a disciplined approach and strong values to his work. His military background instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to service, which he translates into ensuring his clients receive top-notch insurance coverage and personalized attention.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Rob is actively involved in community initiatives. He volunteers his time and resources to support local causes and organizations, demonstrating his passion for making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

As the founder of Patriotic Insurance Group, Rob combines his expertise in insurance with his community-minded approach to provide trustworthy and reliable service. His dedication to excellence and genuine care for his clients make him a respected figure in both the insurance industry and his local community.

With the acquisition of Burkhard-Evans in Inlet NY he has expanded the ability to serve clients all over NY state and surrounding states.

Instagram

Patriotic Insurance Group – Personal and Business Insurance

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

If you want to learn more about our Coaching & Mastermind Programs and how they can help you grow your agency business, schedule your private Agency Growth Session with Mike Stromsoe Now (click here)!

Episode 227: Your Next “A” Team Member via AI

Today we bring the latest insights and strategies to help you thrive in your business using AI. I am joined by a special guest, Joel McKinley, to discuss the power of artificial intelligence in recruiting and hiring top talent. From creating an ideal candidate avatar to crafting compelling recruitment ads, we unveil the secrets to building a world-class team. While also exploring the role of culture in organizational success and how AI can be leveraged for interviewing and identifying the right fit. So, get ready for an inspiring conversation that will revolutionize the way you approach talent acquisition. Let’s dive in and discover how AI can be your secret weapon in finding your next A-team member.

Be sure to check out our upcoming 2023 Be Unstoppable Bootcamp, October 19-21, 2023 www.beunstoppablebootcamp.com

Highlights:

  • Embrace change; it’s crucial for success.
  • AI-generated summary for recruiting and hiring a top-performing producer in the insurance agency business, based on the characteristics, skills, and daily work habits needed.
  • Using AI to identify the necessary skills and track records for high-performing insurance agency employees.
  • Customers will love a company when employees love it first.
  • The importance of adopting AI to succeed in the market.

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984
Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Email [email protected]

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

Virtual Training: http://uppfaststart.com

In Person Training: http://beunstoppablebootcamp.com

Episode 212: Inside The Circle

All things AI today as I speak with Torey Maerz the co-founder of Rocket Referrals turned Client Circle. We explore how AI can be used to better personal communication for companies while still keeping the human touch. Torey shares with us his personal story and how it shaped their company’s values, emphasizing the importance of putting people at the forefront. We also dive deeper into the evolution of Rocket Referrals to Client Circle and their comprehensive communication platform for the entire client experience. Join us as we explore the future of AI and creating a fully automated hands-off process from website form to sold policy.

 

Highlights: 

  • Torey shares about his company’s ten-year journey with their brother, wanting to make a big difference.
  • Rocket Referrals name change to Client Circle to reflect their evolution from a referral generation platform to a comprehensive communication platform for the customer experience.
  • Client Circle built a Journeys product to help visualize and define customer paths, and also integrated their website-building process to work with Journeys product.
  • Referral algorithm branded as Circle AI uses AI to find people likely to recommend. OpenAI combined to create something unique. Excited and nervous about it.
  • AI will continue to grow and be a tool to bring out greatness. It won’t replace human interaction. 

 

About the Guest:

Torey co-founded ClientCircle with his brother, Carl Maerz. Throughout his career, Torey has spent 20+ years building software and leading technology teams in a variety of businesses across a range of industries—from education to asset management.

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984
Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Email [email protected]

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

Virtual Training: http://uppfaststart.com

In Person Training: http://beunstoppablebootcamp.com

Episode 204: Endless Opportunities with LeO

“Say goodbye to the time-consuming and costly prospecting and cross-selling workflows of the past!”

This week I am very excited to sit down with Liri Halperin Segal, the CEO and Founder of Le0 and her VP of Sales, Scott Angel.  Listen as we delve into the next generation of insuretech that incorporates AI in order to allow you to quickly and intuitively generate prospect lists, onboard new producers and even run cross-selling reports in seconds.  Looking to up-level your technology? Then you are not going to want to miss this episode.

 

Highlights:

  • LeO is prospecting tool with over 40 million prospects combined with insurance data intelligence.
  • LeO builds you a list of prospects that are relevant for you, according to your book of business or according to your latest searches.
  • Integrated with Natural Language Processing, LeO can be used as a mobile approach to quickly search areas and connect with prospects on the go.
  • Although the ROI can vary per size of agency, there has been an average of $30,000 per year per producer.
  • New features in development are knowing your referral relationships in the market at a prospecting level, and taking pictures of building to find out what companies are in there while generating your prospect list.
  • Producers don’t like entering data into a system. As you use LeO it produces that data for you so that you don’t have to type anything and you don’t have to go looking for it.

 

About our Guests:

Liri Halperin Segal is a successful entrepreneur and insurtech leader, currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder of LeO. Her company LeO offers an AI-powered platform that automates sales for the insurance industry.

Liri has extensive experience in the insurtech space and is a frequent writer for leading publications and a speaker at industry events. She was recognized as a top insurtech leader by ACORD. Liri is also the co-founder of P51 forum, which aims to promote and increase diversity in workplace environments. She was invited to speak about her work at the United Nations and in the library of Congress in Washington D.C.

 

Scott Angel is a highly experienced sales professional with a successful track record in building and restructuring sales teams and improving business processes over the course of a 25-year career.

He has also gained extensive knowledge of the insurance industry through his work, including a seven-year stint at Vertafore, and comes from a family with a background in brokerage services.

Scott is passionate about helping others achieve organic growth within their agencies, which makes him a valuable resource for others looking to expand their businesses or improve their sales strategies.

Interested in LeO?  Request a demo at https://www.meetleo.com

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984
Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Email [email protected]

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

Virtual Training: http://uppfaststart.com

In Person Training: http://beunstoppablebootcamp.com

Episode 94: What You Don’t Know Will Cost You Millions

 

Ron Shroyer believes in helping agencies adopt better ways to manage and grow their business. I have been in conversation with Ron about what his newest product, DONNA, an artificial intelligence and data analytics platform for independent agencies.  I knew that I had to share this information with all of you.

Highlights:

  • Starting his career with a focus on technology and professional services
  • How DONNA came to be
  • Artificial Intelligence and how it can work for you
  • Integrating with other systems such as HawkSoft, NowCerts, and many more
  • The Use of SentiMeter® to provide a customer experience score
  • Utilizing DONNA to either increase new sales to customers or even solving retention challenges

 

About Our Guest:

Ron is a former producer turned insuretech sales leader. He has leveraged 15+ years’ experience in technology and insurance to help independent agencies and carriers invest in and adopt better ways to manage and grow their business. He spends his spare with his wife and two kids, grinding away at the gym and playing golf at mediocre levels.

www.donnaforagents.com

https://www.aureusanalytics.com/ron-shroyer-joins-aureus-analytics-as-vice-president-of-sales

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-shroyer-69185b11/

 

 

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

 

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984
Email [email protected]

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