Tag: Growth
Unstoppable Ascent: Rod Mims on Athene’s Rise to the Top (Ep. 92)

Unstoppable Ascent: Rod Mims on Athene’s Rise to the Top (Ep. 92)

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From launching a retail annuity business to becoming the leading annuity distributor, Athene’s journey is a masterclass in growth and adaptability.

This week, Jeremy Houser sits down with Rod Mims, EVP and Head of Retail at Athene USA, to explore the strategies and pivotal decisions that fueled their rapid ascent.

This episode pulls back the curtain on technology breakthroughs, the power of people and culture, and the “silver tsunami” driving unprecedented annuity demand. They also dive into what it truly takes to sustain growth while delivering meaningful value to clients and partners.

Rod discusses:

  • The founding story of Athene’s retail business and lessons from scaling up from $10 billion to $36 billion in annual premium
  • The role of technology, especially moving from paper applications to 90% electronic processing and piloting paperless carrier-to-carrier transfers
  • The importance of building strong strategic partnerships and maintaining operational efficiency to support exponential growth
  • The impact of demographic shifts, interest rates, and volatility on the future of the fixed index annuity industry
  • How Athene fosters a high-retention, engaged culture through communication, leadership training, and employee feedback
  • And more!

Connect With Rod Mims

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About Our Guest:

Rod Mims serves as the Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Sales at Athene USA. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing Athene’s retail annuity business and driving continued growth through the development of strong partnerships.

Mr. Mims joined Athene in 2011 and served as Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager until he assumed his current role, bringing extensive institutional experience and strategic initiative to continue the successful execution of the organization’s growth plans.

Prior to joining Athene, he was the National Sales Manager for Genworth Financial, with responsibility spanning its bank, wirehouse, and independent broker-dealer channels.

Mr. Mims received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, accompanied by a degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. He graduated from the GE Management Development Institute- Crotonville and completed Executive Education from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

About Athene:

Athene is a leading retirement services company that specializes in helping its customers retire with confidence and is a solutions provider to institutions. As a company, Athene is driven to do more and is never satisfied with the status quo. Athene strives to create innovative financial solutions and has a strong team to serve our policyholders and our communities.

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The Entrepreneur Blueprint with Mike Milligan (Ep. 64)

The Entrepreneur Blueprint with Mike Milligan (Ep. 64)

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Adopting innovative ideas and a fresh approach is a great way to transform your financial advisory career. Lets dive into an industry leading Entrepreneurs mindset!

Join Jeremy Houser as he talks with Mike Milligan, the visionary entrepreneur and Certified Financial Planner® behind Ideas by Mike. Together, they touch on the ever-evolving landscape of the financial services industry, sharing insights on thriving in a post-COVID world, leveraging technology for growth, and the importance of adapting to meet clients’ changing needs. Follow along to elevate your practice and create impactful, lasting change within the industry.

Jeremy and Mike discuss: 

  • The transition to offering virtual financial services and the advantages of reaching clients nationwide
  • Strategies for effective entrepreneurship and business growth in the financial sector
  • Embracing financial technology in the virtual world
  • The struggles and perseverance of business owners from being overworked and under-resourced to overcome issues
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the industry and how it has reshaped advisor-client interactions
  • The importance of assembling the right team to foster innovation and improve service
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect with Mike Milligan:

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Connect with Jeremy Houser:

 

About Our Guest:

Mike Milligan is the CEO of Ideas By Mike. With over 24 years of experience in guiding individuals through the complexities of finance and life, Mike is well-versed in offering support as an advisor, confidant, and mentor. He acknowledges the universal need for assistance and credits his own journey of personal growth and professional success to the invaluable guidance he has received.

Having transformed physical fitness and business acumen, Mike recognizes the power of mentorship and cognitive control in shaping one’s life choices. A lifelong learner, he channels his honed expertise to aid others, drawing from his qualifications in life and health insurance, as well as his CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designations.

Mike’s career trajectory spans stints at major financial institutions and boutique investment firms, culminating in the establishment of his own firm nearly a decade ago. His professional ethos centers on being the trusted advisor who prioritizes the best interests of every client. On a personal level, Mike aspires to excel as a devoted father to his three children—Zach, Grace, and Paige—and a supportive husband to his wife, Leigh Ana. The Milligan household is further enriched by the presence of their cherished canine companions, Lady Goos and Lady Luna.

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Elevating Advisor Productivity: Lessons from The 2024 Founder’s Club Experience (Ep. 59)

Elevating Advisor Productivity: Lessons from The 2024 Founder’s Club Experience (Ep. 59)

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Don’t just imagine your success, strategize for it and make that dream a reality. 

In the latest installment of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast, Jeremy Houser reflects on the incredible growth and success his team has experienced this year so far. From reducing the number of advisors in monthly strategy calls to fostering a hyper-focused and value-driven community, Jeremy shares insights into the dedication and progress of these advisors. Jeremy also goes on to share highlights from the most recent Founders’ Club experience in Nashville, which featured impactful speakers like Dr. Kevin Elko, Brittany Hodak, Carl Richards and more.

Jeremy discusses:

  • The continuing growth and success among top advisors on his team
  • Highlights from the recent Founders’ Club experience in Nashville
  • Impactful takeaways and quotes from guest speakers
  • Strategies for attracting Gen X clients
  • And more 

 

Resources: 

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Ascent to Greatness (Ep. 49)

Ascent to Greatness (Ep. 49)

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In our industry, to excel beyond your competitor, advisors desperately need to transform their practices into businesses and leverage technology and resources to maximize efficiency. 

In this episode, Jeremy Houser, Vice President at InsurMark discusses the growth potential of the fixed index annuity industry, and the importance of mindset and confidence in achieving success. He shares personal experiences and emphasizes the need to find your unique superpower and have the right team in place.

Jeremy discusses: 

  • The growth potential of the fixed index annuity industry
  • The importance of mindset and confidence in achieving success
  • The importance of having a vision and creating your own standards 
  • Leveraging technology and resources to maximize efficiency
  • The concept of focusing on the 20% of efforts that generate revenue and delegating the remaining 80%
  • And more

 

Resources: 

Book Time with Jeremy Houser:

Connect with Jeremy Houser:

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FEATURE
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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