Tag Archives: Advisors

FEATURE

Athene’s Strategy for Innovation and Customer Satisfaction with Mitch Anderson, CLU®, RICP®, CSSCS® (Ep. 40)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We all know that the insurance industry is facing challenges in the current market environment, but what are the solutions, and what does the future look like?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Mitch Anderson, the VP/ Senior Relationship Manager at Athene USA. Mitch talks about Athene’s growth within the annuities space and their portfolio of volatility-controlled indexes. Additionally, Mitch shares the firm’s mission to continue providing innovative product solutions to their clients.

Mitch discusses: 

  • What you should know about Athene’s partnership with InsurMark
  • The awards that Athene won in 2022
  • The importance of volatility control indices and ways the firm selects their index partners
  • Some of the challenges Athene faced in scaling up their business and how they overcame them
  • Athene’s Roth conversion program
  • The value of educating clients on the differences between banks and insurance companies
  • What the future holds for the company
  • The importance of fixed index annuities in volatile markets and the benefits they offer for clients in drawdown situations
  • And more!

Connect with Mitch Anderson:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Mitch Anderson is a VP/Senior Relationship Manager for Athene USA and works with a number of our Key Distribution Partners.  Besides managing NMO relationships, Mitch frequently speaks at training events and helps educate advisors on the benefits of Fixed Indexed Annuities.  

For over 30 years, Mitch has worked in the insurance and financial services industry in a number of different roles, from wholesaling to sales management.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Solidifying Your Golden Years: Navigating Long-Term Care with Jeff Sather (Ep. 39)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Over the past 40 years, the team at InsurMark has been helping advisors incorporate annuities and life insurance in their clients’ retirement plans.

But that’s not everything. Did you know we also help with asset-based long-term care?

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by InsurMark’s asset-based long-term care advisor development consultant, Jeff Sather, to unveil all things long-term care. 

Advisors — listen in and explore the available holistic options to support your clients during this new phase of life.

Jeff discusses: 

  • His own experience with long-term care planning
  • The benefits of helping your clients with a long-term care option 
  • InsurMark’s approach to asset-based long-term care and ways the team can help you plan according to your client’s portfolio
  • What you should know about processing times
  • Tax-related regulations around asset-based long-term care
  • And more!

Connect with Jeff Sather:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Jeff Sather was nicknamed “The Most Successful Marketer of Hybrid LTCi.”

He is on a crusade to get people this crucial retirement coverage:

  • He served two years on the External Advisory Board for One America
  • Jeff was a key catalyst for Nationwide designing a qualified funding approach for their CareMatters II product
  • Jeff has guided hundreds of Advisors & Agents across the country to write over $100,000,000 in Asset-Based LTCi in 5 years
  • He has a proven track record for closing cases at a very high level
  • He sold over $800,000 in 4 hours over ZOOM to help multiple clients beat the Washington State LTC tax deadline
  • He has created a system for culling clients and prospects to ask about LTCi planning
  • Jeff is passionate about revealing all the secrets to his success, including the strategies, marketing tools, and sales presentations he employs to create this incredibly consistent production!

Overall, Jeff helps protect consumers against the risk of poverty and outliving their income.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

The Power of Forecasting & How To Stand Out (Ep. 38)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The first quarter of 2023 has brought nothing but success to Jeremy Houser and his team at InsurMark.

But it doesn’t stop there.

From human connections to financial technology, marketing, and coaching, in this episode, Jeremy reviews the first quarter of 2023 while giving an overview of what’s to come for the short and long term for the team at InsurMark and their advisors.

Jeremy discusses: 

  • The concept of ‘lost decade’ and the importance of protecting investment returns during challenging times
  • Ways advisors (like you!) can stay on top of technology while managing information overload and delegating tasks effectively 
  • InsurMark’s approach to helping you forecast investment opportunities
  • The importance of building long-lasting and resourceful relationships with your clients
  • What you should know about being ‘coachable’ and the ways coaches, mentors, and like-minded individuals can help you leverage time and technology 
  • The multi-generational wealth transfer that will occur in the next 20 years and the potential opportunities it carries for advisors 
  • And more!

Resources: 

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

The Roadmap To Financial Wellness with Erik Sussman, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP® (Ep. 37)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Year by year, the InsurMark team strives to make sure advisors have all kinds of systems and processes in place to grow their businesses while retaining clients and generating new prospects. 

From proven sales and marketing systems to helping you get there, advisors — you are about to discover the financial wellness resource you need for you and your clients.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by Erik Sussman, the CEO, and founder of the Institute of Financial Wellness (IFW), to unveil the firm’s approach to developing clear, unbiased, engaging, fact-based financial education, resources, and services for advisors and consumers.

Erik discusses: 

  • What you should know about the IFW Retirement Roadmap Experience
  • The firm’s bucket approach to retirement planning and how it blends in with volatile markets
  • The value of taking a step back every once in a while to work on your business instead of in your business
  • Ways the IFW can help you leverage your time effectively when it comes to marketing
  • The power of a concierge service added to your team
  • And more!

Connect with Erik Sussman:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Erik C. Sussman, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, and CEO of The Institute of Financial Wellness founded the company to provide financial education, resources, and services that help people live their best lives.

For Financial Professionals:

The Institute of Financial Wellness provides proven sales and marketing systems, state-of-the-art technology, training, and support to financial professionals nationwide. 

For Consumers:

The Institute of Financial Wellness is the most comprehensive multi-media network for financial education, resources, and services.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

A Fiduciary-Based Approach To Your Client’s Wealth Planning Needs with Terry Wheeler (Ep. 36)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In an industry as saturated as the financial one, it is easy to be another sheep in the pack and blend in based on similar services and marketing strategies. 

Thankfully, at InsurMark, the team works with a number of different individuals whose firms are not your typical cookie-cutter business but have unique tools and resources. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by Terry Wheeler from WE Alliance Wealth Advisors, Inc. Terry reveals what separates him and his practice from his industry competitors when it comes to wealth planning, including his more traditional approach to client and advisor-facing operations. 

Terry discusses: 

  • His experience at InsurMark’s Founder’s Club and key takeaways from similar advisors
  • Ways his firm approaches technological advancements and marketing solutions 
  • The value of  face-to-face meetings and in-person interactions with clients 
  • Some saving strategies his company focuses on
  • Ways his firm works on identifying the right product for advisors and their clients
  • And more!

Connect with Terry Wheeler:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Terry Wheeler is the founder, managing member, and lead portfolio strategist of WE Alliance Institutional, LLC and WE Alliance Wealth Advisors, Inc. He is an accomplished Portfolio and Wealth Strategist Planner; a Wealth, Estate, and Tax Planning Attorney; a frequent lecturer, and formerly an adjunct tax professor at U.C. Davis. 

Terry began his career in the banking and lending industries, but in 1991 he transitioned his focus to the investment world, beginning with Dean Witter Reynolds. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Planning from San Diego State University and a Juris Doctor Degree in Law from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He is also a post-doctorate graduate through the Master’s program of the Esperti Peterson institute and a participant in MIT’s blockchain and cryptocurrency course offerings.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Exploring Advisor-Focused Platforms: Introducing Kai-Zen® and ILIA with Jeremy Bickler, CLU® (Ep. 34)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As advisors, it is incredibly important to differentiate ourselves from the competition.

In 2023, that might look like finding our niche, offering a unique service, or finding a way to create meaningful connections with our clients. 

While this is a good starting point, there’s more we can do. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by Jeremy Bickler, the VP of Sales for the Central Region at NIW. Jeremy introduces Kai-Zen® and ILIA as two must-know advisor-focused platforms. Listen in as Jeremy details how these digital platforms support advisors in elevating their business and client experience. 

Jeremy discusses: 

  • Kai-Zen® as the strategy that provides advisors and their clients the opportunity to add up to three times more money to fund a cash-accumulating life insurance policy
  • What you should know about ILIA and its advantages for the preferred IMOs
  • Some advice for advisors looking to differentiate themselves in the industry
  • The benefits of his partnership with the Simplicity family 
  • And more!

Connect with Jeremy Bickler:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Jeremy Bickler is VP of Sales for the Central Region at NIW. He brings over 20 years of industry experience, working across multiple areas of the business. While life insurance is his passion and focus, he has marketed and sold annuities, asset-based LTC, and disability. Jeremy has worked as an external wholesaler for multiple top-rated insurance carriers and is the former owner of an IMO where he presided over the life insurance division. In his current role at NIW, he assists IMOs in implementing Kai-Zen® and other premium finance strategies into their business. He also trains IMO sales staff and individual agents on using leveraged IUL for estate planning and supplemental income solutions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Reflecting on 2022 & Building on 2023 with Steve Kerns, Founder and President of InsurMark (Ep. 33)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , ,

After witnessing a record-breaking year in 2022, the future of InsurMark looks brighter and more inspiring than ever.

This week, Jeremy Houser and Steve Kerns, the Founder, and President of InsurMark, sit down to talk about all things InsurMark. From starting in this industry to what’s to come in the future ahead, Steve unpacks 2022 as the firm’s 39th year in business, as well as what to look forward to during their 40th anniversary in 2023. 

Steve discusses: 

  • His and his wife Becky’s motivation to start InsurMark right out of college
  • His definition of purpose 
  • Ways the firm gives back to their loyal advisors 
  • His approach to leveraging and adapting to a more digital and online space
  • And more!

Connect with Steve Kerns:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Steve Kerns is the Founder and President of InsurMark. Steve is a visionary and coach with a keen ability to spot industry and demographic trends. This is why he functions as our chief strategic officer, in addition to his responsibilities as President. He positions InsurMark to proactively capitalize on opportunities–not just stay in the game, but stay on top of it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

The Art of Efficiency with Chad Burns (Ep. 32)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , ,

2023 is the year of speed and efficiency. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by Chad Burns, the chief distribution officer at Aspida. Chad unveils everything you need to know about him and Aspida.  He also sheds light on what Aspida does for advisors and their approach to helping you help your clients with all things annuities and retirement planning options from a technology-efficient standpoint.

Chad discusses: 

  • What makes Aspida different from other Insurance Carriers
  • Some company values that have allowed Aspida to succeed
  • How Aspida’s tech separates them from the competition
  • Some key business practices that he’s taking into the new year
  • The firm’s approach to defining the ideal advisors they want to work with 
  • And more!

Connect with Chad Burns:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser: 

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Aspida’s annuity business is led by Chad Burns, the Chief Distribution Officer. Chad joined Aspida from Transamerica, where he served as Regional Vice President overseeing annuity sales and corporate retirement sales in NC. Chad has also held roles at Prudential Financial, Axa Distributors, and PLANCO (The Hartford). Chad holds a B.A. in Business Management from North Carolina State University.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

Celebrating Big Business Wins with Tim Whisler, CRPC®, CLTC® (Ep. 27)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , ,

As the third quarter numbers are being finalized, we are excited to announce that Jeremy’s team has already surpassed 2021’s numbers, even with one final quarter left. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Tim Whisler CRPC®, CLTC® President and Founder of The Whisler Agency. After their annual advisor family reunion trip to Cabo, the advisors at InsurMark left feeling well-equipped and confident in the work that they are doing through engaging with other professionals in the industry. So, get ready to listen to Tim unveil some common business wins he has to share with Jeremy. 

Tim discusses: 

  • Key business nuggets he has gained from talking with other advisors during his  time in Cabo
  • Ways Tim has been able to double his business in a one-year timeframe 
  • Advice for advisors looking to connect with prospects online to see results
  • Reasons consistency is key
  • The power of ‘writing things down’
  • Podcasts and how they work as a tool to expand your network and build credibility 
  • Why he chose to work with InsurMark 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Tim Whisler:

Book Time with Jeremy Houser:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Tim Whisler is the president and founder of The Whisler Agency, an independent and comprehensive financial services firm. His mission statement is “to provide retirees and soon-to-be retirees with a greater sense of confidence about their retirement plan.” Tim holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation and the Certified in Long-Term Care designation. These advanced studies provide him the additional knowledge to help effectively evaluate your financial situation and design a retirement plan tailored for you.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

FEATURE

The Value of Processes & Systems To Grow Your Business Virtually with Erich Castillo (Ep. 26)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Mentorship, Wealth, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Effective management and having systems in place are some of the aspects that Jeremy Houser and his advisors value the most in their business setting. 

However, going 100% virtual when it comes to marketing is not for everyone.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by financial advisor and founder of Cornerstone Wealth Management, Erich Castillo, to unveil this year’s wins and losses when it comes to business innovation, consistency, and client connection. Erich and Jeremy also shed light on the benefits of incorporating business-oriented online and digital tools.

Erich discusses: 

  • The importance of keeping a consistent message across your business 
  • Some business challenges he has faced this year 
  • Stories and processes that are helping him this year convert prospects
  • How going virtual has allowed his business to scale and become more efficient 
  • And more!

Connect with Erich Castillo:

Book time with Jeremy Houser:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

About Our Guest:

Erich Castillo is the founder of Cornerstone Wealth Management. Originally from San Francisco, he has traveled and lived all around the world, eventually landing in Lexington, Kentucky, while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Education at the University of Kentucky. Erich had the opportunity to work as an athletic trainer for the football, basketball, soccer, women’s gymnastics, and men’s tennis teams. 

Erich began his professional career in 1997 at American Express Financial Advisors, achieving numerous accolades and awards, which inspired him to found his own business. In 2004, he founded Cornerstone Wealth Management, where he has more flexibility to provide personalized and client-centric service. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More