In this episode of Business Refocused, Lindsay sits down with Michael Ley, Director of Networks at HawkSoft, to talk about the career decisions that shaped his path through the insurance industry.

Michael grew up around insurance, joined his family’s agency, helped modernize the business, and eventually stepped into a larger leadership role. But after years of working in the agency, he reached a point where he knew something needed to change. That ultimately led to one of the hardest conversations he had ever had with his dad: telling him he was considering leaving the family business.

Michael shares what that transition looked like, why he waited until he had a plan before starting the conversation, and how his experience inside an agency continues to shape the way he works with agency owners today.

A few things we cover:

• What it is really like to work in a family-owned agency
• How Michael helped modernize the agency before COVID
• Why leaving the family business was such a difficult decision
• How he approached the conversation with his dad
• Why agency experience gives him a different perspective in his role at HawkSoft
• The importance of relationships, education, and client service
• Why putting off hard conversations usually makes them harder
• How to recognize when it may be time to explore a new direction

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Show previously named Insurance Refocused