In this episode of the Small Strides Big Business podcast, host Krystal Small and Tiffany Peak interview Charley Tinsley, managing partner of TIG Thomas Insurance Group. Charley shares his journey from a family farming operation to building one of the largest Medicare agencies in the country, with over 1000 FA and P&C agents (Medicare agents and Employer Benefits agents). He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, education, and service in business, and discusses how technology has played a crucial role in managing growth and improving efficiency. Charley also offers valuable advice for new agents and those looking to scale their businesses, highlighting the significance of building strong relationships and finding a center of influence in the industry.

In this eye-opening episode of Small Strides, Big Business, hosts Crystal Small and Tiffany Peak sit down with Ted Reardon—a 40+ year insurance veteran, owner of Reardon Insurance (founded in 1920 by his great-grandfather), and managing partner of Virtual Agent Consultants.

Ted shares how he transformed his traditional brick-and-mortar agency into a fully virtual, service-center-driven model—eliminating payroll headaches, slashing overhead, and freeing up time to focus on what really matters: clients and growth.

💡 You’ll learn:

✅ Why hiring qualified staff is nearly impossible—and the bold solution Ted implemented

✅ How shifting client service to carrier service centers increased retention to 93%+

✅ The exact moment he “pulled the trigger” in November 2020—and why it was the best business decision of his life

✅ How operating costs dropped from $2,000/month to just $325

✅ His 4 non-negotiable tips for new agents entering the insurance industry

✅ Why Google reviews and modern tech are non-optional in today’s market

Whether you're an insurance agent, agency owner, or entrepreneur looking to streamline operations and future-proof your business, Ted’s story proves that sometimes, the bravest move is stepping off the ledge—and trusting the net will appear.

What if the key to massive business growth wasn’t selling more… but selling less? In this episode of Small Strides Big Business, we sit down with Jeff Arnold — entrepreneur, founder of two highly successful insurance companies, and acquirer of 40+ agencies — to unpack the mindset shifts that transformed his career. Jeff didn’t start in insurance with a grand vision. In fact, he calls himself a “failed actor.” But through mentorship, discipline, and strategic thinking, he went from self-employed salesperson to true business builder. This conversation is packed with practical insights on delegation, recurring revenue, leadership, and leveraging AI the right way. 🎙 Interested in being a guest on Small Strides BIG Business? Apply here: https://forms.gle/38sFcC6E8TE1ci7t5

Welcome to Small Stride BIG Business Podcast — a podcast where we talk about the ups and downs, what has worked, and what has been great learning experiences, and talks about the trends over the past decade, and what is to come in the world of insurance.

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