Success Stories - Secure American Insurance

LANCE LEIVESTAD FEATURE

8. Build A Business That Can Continue Running Without You

“I had to do all these treatments and surgeries. I was out for almost a year… because of the way the office was set up, we made it through all of that without any issues at all.”

By establishing a strong team and efficient processes, Lance’s agency was able to continue serving clients effectively during his extended absence due to cancer treatment and recovery in 2023. “When I was diagnosed, I was really worried about the business,” Lance said. “I had to do all these treatments and surgeries. I was out for almost a year. However, I created a business model and culture with staff that I trust. I’m a little OCD, but I’ve learned to trust people to do things that I’ve been doing for years. What I found is when I train them, they do a better job than I do now. So, during that time, my team had to take on extra things and make calls on my behalf, but because of the way the office was set up, we made it through all of that without any issues at all.” 9. Develop a Strong Agency Culture Lance prioritizes a robust and positive culture from the start, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment that can lead to long-term success and personal fulfillment. His approach to leadership is centered around teaching and empowering others, much like his mentor, Joe Duncan. “I love teaching people, and I love them to be successful—just like Joe does,” Lance said. “When he retires someday, we’ll all be there, and I’ll tell him, ‘This is what you did in my life. You’re very important. You took

the time to make me successful to be where I’m at.’” Attitude also plays a crucial role in Lance’s philosophy. “I’m an extremely positive person,” he said. “When I run into something, I always think, ‘Yes, we can. Let’s solve this problem.’" This positivity spreads throughout his office, creating a tension-free environment where his staff genuinely enjoy each other's company. Lance encourages fun and stress relief through initiatives like "Winesday Wednesday," where the office shuts down at 4 o'clock for a glass of wine and an opportunity to unload any concerns. 10. Make It About The Client, Not About You Previously, Lance branded his agency with his name, the Leivestad Agency, but later changed the name and marketing to Secure American Insurance. He found it essential to shift the focus from personal branding to the agency's identity to create the

self-sufficient agency he now enjoys. "Joe [Duncan] doesn’t mind if you want to have your own agency name, but you do yourself a disservice in the future,” Lance explained. “If you make it the Lance show, it's only going to be the Lance show. Anybody that calls wants to talk to Lance. For you to grow and have freedom, you must get over your arrogance. By transitioning to the unified brand of Secure American Insurance, my agency built a stronger presence, allowing for growth without relying solely on one individual.” For Lance, the insurance business is not about selling policies but about serving clients and building long term relationships based on trust and integrity. "It's not about selling. When I review our clients, I tell them, 'You know I work for you. You're in charge. If you want to make these changes, I'm just here to get it done. I've got the licenses and everything to get it done. You just let me know how you want to proceed.'" —continued on page 8

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