Tag: Advisors

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

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

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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:

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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.

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

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

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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!

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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.

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

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

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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!

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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.

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

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

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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:

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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.

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

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

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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:

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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. 

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FEATURE
Wrapping Up The Third Quarter — The Power Of The Pen (Ep. 24)

Wrapping Up The Third Quarter — The Power Of The Pen (Ep. 24)

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In January, the year ahead seems so long, but suddenly, Labor Day hits, and we look back and realize we are ready to wrap up the third quarter. 

Throughout the year, there have been some big changes to our industry, allowing advisors to hone their skills to attract prospects and secure new deals. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser explains must-know shifts in the advising industry while detailing ways you can use these to your advantage to pull in prospects and create a meaningful bond that will secure client and team loyalty.

Jeremy discusses: 

  • What types of conversations you should be having with prospects
  • The importance of adapting to different marketing tactics and strategies
  • The value in going against the grain, separating yourself from the competition
  • Ways to present yourself and your team as industry experts 
  • And more!

Resources:

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Houser Party of Four — Welcoming Baby Olivia (Ep. 23)

Houser Party of Four — Welcoming Baby Olivia (Ep. 23)

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After a long-awaited 9 months, Jeremy Houser and his wife Christina are overjoyed to welcome their newborn, Olivia. 

In this episode, Jeremy talks about everything newborn and how his lifestyle has evolved since becoming the ‘Houser Family of Four.’ Jeremy talks about his career, the steps he is taking for his children, and how he has been able to navigate his business amid the arrival of his daughter. 

Jeremy discusses: 

  • Ways he and his family have adjusted their life and work balance 
  • How he has used the help of advisors he trusts to create a sound financial plan for his children
  • His 2022 motto for keeping his advisors motivated
  • Understanding the value of a single-income household
  • What’s his future business looking like 
  • And more!

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Tips & Processes to Manage Your Practice In This Virtual Environment with Al Caicedo (Ep. 22)

Tips & Processes to Manage Your Practice In This Virtual Environment with Al Caicedo (Ep. 22)

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In the last couple of years, there has been a shift in businesses, creating an abundance of advisors working virtually. 

But it is not as easy as it may seem. To successfully manage a virtual business, you must stand out from the crowd.

In this episode, Jeremy Houser speaks with Al Caicedo, president, and owner of CKS Summit Group. Al shares different strategies advisors can incorporate when switching to an online platform and the personalization they need to create a loyal customer base. 

Al discusses: 

  • The importance of incorporating webinars and video messaging within your practice 
  • The truth about trust, ego, and commitment when it comes to building and maintaining a business in this virtual environment 
  • How to keep your clients informed without throwing them an abundance of oversaturated information
  • Ways to personalize your relationship with your clients 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Al Caicedo:

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About Our Guest:

Al Caicedo is the president and owner of CKS Summit Group. Al’s focus is to help his clients enjoy their lifestyle beyond the workplace and into their retirement years. He educates and enables them to come to understand for themselves the financial path they should follow. He has spent twenty years helping clients protect and preserve their assets. His safe money strategies helped clients save millions of dollars during the latest market collapse.



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A Mid-Year Review: Here’s How Advisors Can Continue Growing (Ep. 21)

A Mid-Year Review: Here’s How Advisors Can Continue Growing (Ep. 21)

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While gaining outreach in such a saturated market can be extremely challenging, this year has been very prosperous for advisors.  

This week, Jeremy Houser details ways to continue that growth for the remainder of this year and the years to come. 

Jeremy highlights the role of innovation, creativity, and even time off when it comes to business growth and the ever-changing and uncertain marketplace. Through the use of technology, Jeremy outlines ways you can keep your clients up to date on market trends while allowing your business to elevate its marketing efforts.

Jeremy discusses: 

  • The importance of vacation time and the value of setting realistic expectations with clients 
  • Reasons advisors shouldn’t be afraid of changes and challenges 
  • Important marketing tidbits for advisors 
  • Balancing remote work to keep up with clients 
  • And more!

Resources:

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Annexus: Your Innovative Annuities & Insurance Solutions Platform with Ron Shurts (Ep. 20)

Annexus: Your Innovative Annuities & Insurance Solutions Platform with Ron Shurts (Ep. 20)

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Advisors, it’s no secret that the annuity industry has substantially grown this year. 

So what better month to discuss annuities than June, which is Annuity Awareness Month? 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser is joined by Ron Shurts, entrepreneur and co-founder of Annexus. Ron talks about his path into the financial industry while detailing how Annexus has expanded within the annuities and insurance field. This expansion has allowed the firm to be named the “Annuity Innovator of the Year” for three years in a row.

Ron discusses: 

  • His beginnings in the financial services arena and the challenges he faced during the process
  • How Annexus provides annuities and insurance solutions to advisors and their clients
  • The secret sauce that makes the company set the standard for the industry
  • Changes and projections for the Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) space
  • And more!

Connect with Ron Shurts:

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About Our Guest:

Ron Shurts is an entrepreneur and the co-Founder of Annexus, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based company dedicated to designing and marketing innovative products that help people grow and protect their retirement savings. With his partner Don Dady, they’ve built a reputation for developing new business strategies and forging partnerships with industry thought leaders, leading insurance carriers Nationwide, Athene, and Securian, as well as some of the world’s largest investment banks, including J.P. Morgan, UBS, Zebra Capital Management, Barclays, Merrill Lynch, etc.



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