Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is long and has a lot of wrong turns and dead-ends, yet despite setback after setback, because I have so many people rooting for me and depending on me, I continue to show up and put clients first. Personally, I’m the son of two immigrants that came to America for better opportunities. I grew up in a Spanish speaking household with conservative values. I graduated from CSUN and studied economics.
My business actually started because I crashed out of corporate America. I have always worked for small businesses, and for the past 12 years, the bulk of that time has been spent in the insurance field as an independent broker. One day corporate America came calling to recruit me, I was curious about it having never been in that world. After a grueling interview process that believe it or not dragged out across years, I got an offer. I decided it was an opportunity that I should at least explore because the company was well known and recognized in the industry and I figured I would at least learn a thing or two in the process.
I quickly learned why I had stayed away for so long; the politics, the fake facade, the KPIs, the metrics, the meetings… The curiosity faded quickly and I increasingly grew frustrated and bored. As a result I didn’t give my best when I showed up and the results spoke for themselves. When it became painfully obvious that I had to make a change, I considered joining another small business and after talking it over with my family, the decision to start a business went from a nebulous idea to a tangible possibility. Then it became reality.
This is my second attempt at entrepreneurship. When I say the path to get here has been long and winding, that’s an understatement. Yet, it’s all been a learning process and the lessons of the past however humbling, benefit me today and make me appreciate the moment and look towards a brighter future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been far from smooth sailing… This is my second business venture. First one was a failed partnership. I crashed out of a high-paying corporate job. In thinking about my next move, I said, if I’m going to bet on something, it might as well be me and opened my agency. It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing since then either. I started a business in a heavily regulated and seemingly overcrowded space during a hard market industry wise, but despite the initial headwinds, I’m persevering. I’ve got a network of people supporting me and cheering me on, I feel like I’m not doing it alone.
The struggles have been many. For one, no one teaches you about starting a business, marketing it and getting clients to choose you over the many options available today. You have to figure a lot of this out on your own. The wise do it on someone else’s dime and I was blessed to do just that. So although things haven’t been 100% smooth, they could have been much worse had I not prepared and studied under someone else first.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Modern Era Insurance Solutions LLC?
Modern Era Insurance Solutions is a full services insurance agency for business owners. Specializing in commercial and business insurance needs for the modern era. We help with workers comp, general liability, auto liability, employee benefits and much more.
Our clients include business owners in the trades, construction, transportation, hospitality and medical industries. We differentiate by meeting our clients where they are, understanding their needs and crafting world class insurance and risk management solutions. Our deep network of professional advisors add tremendous value through affiliate partnerships; from accounting, payroll, HR and legal, if you need it for your business, someone in our network can help.
A niche that we focus on is non-emergency medial transportation, NEMT, for which we’ve secured an exclusive program that helps NEMT business owners save money on insurance premiums by using data and telematics.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve had many mentors. The most obvious ones are those that taught me the business I am in now. Shout out to Roosvelt, George and Armond. These men taught me the foundations that I’m building on. There have been many that have taught me other life lessons along the way.
I am supported by a wonderful wife that believes in me. I have a team of amazing people that look out for me and are constantly thinking of me for referrals and opportunities. I’m very fortunate to have my network of advisors. And last but certainly not least my amazing clients that put their trust in me, keep the lights on and show support by referring me or posting a 5 star review so others can see that they had a great interaction dealing with my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.modernerainsurance.com
- Instagram: @modernerainsurance
