California E&S Insurance

Buying an Independent Insurance Agency I am interested in purchasing my own independent agency and currently in the process of researching what that entails. Background: I currently work for a family agency where I am 3^(rd) generation. My grandfather started the business, and I work under my dad and alongside my siblings. I have been at the agency for 5 years. I thought that it was fixable, but things are not going the way I hoped. There is always a ton of family drama that spills into the workplace, and it is a very unprofessional environment that drives me crazy. I am the only one who has outside work experience (previously an engineer for 10 years). Everyone else came straight to the agency and lacks very common and important real-life skills. Managing a calendar, Microsoft office knowledge, how to communicate effectively (to carriers, customers, and co-workers), etc... I come from a sales background so managing a pipeline and working with business owners or homeowners comes naturally. I’ve also been managing marketing, accounting, and day-to-day business operations, referral commercial lines quoting, CL renewals and networking for the agency.  90% of the daily decisions are made by me and then my father just blindly signs off on them because he is the principal and checked out (ready to retire). I have transitioned the agency to a new AMS, new accounting software, and transitioned most of our book away from agency bill. I have successfully increased efficiency by taking our 8-person agency down to 3.5 people. No one was fired, we had old staff and everyone retired.  I thought we were going to be able to work together as siblings and run the agency, I was wrong. I tried a couple times to sit everyone down individually and talk about goals, dream responsibilities, and other things that would help align all our visions but am always met with “I dunno”, or “I don’t care”, or “This is stupid, stop trying to make this a corporate office”. Anytime there is a disagreement there is either a huge fight or one sibling goes to our mom who manipulates my dad into making the decision behind our back.   I am looking for guidance from agency owners or industry veterans. What mistakes did you make when starting out or how would you do it differently now. 1.      I am not interested in a captive agency 2.      I understand PE acquisitions are at an all-time high but there are a good number of small mom and pop shop agencies around with limited succession planning (Ohio) 3.      I understand getting a new carrier appointment right now during the hard market is very difficult if not currently impossible, but I will weigh the agencies current carrier selection very carefully 4.      I understand this is a HUGE undertaking and the YEARS of work it will require Thank you in advance

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