According to Rick Demko, being a successful life insurance agent requires knowledge, communication skills, persistence, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. By following these tips, you can build a successful career in the industry while providing invaluable protection to your clients and their families. 

According to Laurie Adams, success as an advisor is attainable with the right mindset and approach. One of her fundamental pieces of advice is to engage in continuous education. Even though there are many resources available, she recommends joining a community like NAIFA to help sharpen your skills. She now shares her journey to success in the financial services industry. 

Laurie is a Financial Advisor of COUNTRY Trust Bank®️

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Tom Cothron, an agency manager for a multi-line insurance company, to discuss how advisors can thrive in the industry. Tom talks about the struggles he had to overcome as an insurance agent, his involvement with NAIFA and its importance in the financial services industry, the challenges advisors, NAIFA advocates, and NAIFA ambassadors face, and his advice for advisors.

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Harry Hoopis, an entrepreneur and industry leader in the insurance and financial services space. Harry explains why he’s committed to the insurance and financial services industry, his strategies for promoting healthy business growth, tips for agents' and advisors' development, and his experience receiving NAIFA's prestigious John Newton Russell Memorial Award.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Scott Blake, a Wealth Management Advisor, to discuss his successful journey in the financial services industry. Scott shares the lessons he learned from his political career and being an athlete that he leverages in the financial service industry, the value of having a financial advisor, the challenge he had to overcome in his business career, and tips for getting clients as a financial advisor.

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Rith Nou to discuss how to thrive in the financial services industry. Rith shares the struggles she had to overcome as a financial advisor, time management tips, how she incorporates different cultures in the market, and the impact the industry has on future generations.

On this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Joe Jordan to discuss the evolution of financial services and products. Joe talks about the genesis behind his book, why longevity is a woman’s issue, and the challenges of providing housing for the elderly.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Larry Holzberg to discuss how insurance agents and financial advisors can thrive as members of an association. Larry talks about how NAIFA has evolved, the importance of implementing diversity in your organization, the value of being an engaged NAIFA member, and the mission of NAIFA's grassroots advocacy.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Joey Davenport, Co-founder and President of Hoopis Performance Network (HPN), to discuss the impact continual learning and self-development have on your professional life. Joey talks about HPNs introduction to the financial industry, the use of digital content as a recruiting strategy, and his thoughts on the future of career distribution.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Lara Galloway, SVP of Channel Management at White Glove, to discuss how financial advisors can leverage workshops to grow their clientele. Lara shares how White Glove serves financial professionals, knowing when to incorporate development coaching and the mistakes financial advisors make when organizing a workshop. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, Suzanne Carawan sits down with Andrew Holt, Government Relations and Grassroots Manager at NAIFA, and Cody Schoonover, PAC Manager at NAIFA. They talk about advocacy and why it's essential for businesses, how NAIFA's advocacy folks differentiate themselves in the industry, the typical issues NAIFA represents, and tips for using political advocacy to stand out from the competition as a business.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Marques Ogden, former NFL player and keynote speaker, to discuss how to succeed in the insurance and financial services industry. Marques shares his experience in the NFL and the insurance and financial services industry, actionable tips to help you thrive in your profession, what to expect from the Get Authentic With Marques Ogden podcast, and his advice for young professionals.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Kathleen Owings, Principal and Financial Advisor of Westbilt Financial Group, to discuss how women can gain financial confidence. Kathleen talks about her introduction to the financial services industry and the obstacles she had to overcome, advice for upcoming financial advisors, why she wrote "Put Your Money to Work: A Woman's Guide to Financial Confidence," and the discrepancies between men and women in the industry. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Diane Boyle, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for NAIFA, to discuss the importance of engaging in the legislative process. Diane talks about opportunities for insurance agents to get involved with their local government, lobbying for legislation, and how familiarizing yourself with local government can bring awareness and acceptance to your community.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Martha Underwood and Shella Sylla of Prismm to talk about securely storing end-of-life documents. Martha and Shella discuss centralizing documents, the wealth gap and education between cultures, and familiarizing advisors in end-of-life conversations.

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Suzanne Carawan and Ike Trotter, a Financial Professional at Ike Trotter Agency, to talk about appreciating insurance agents through the NAIFA Quality Award. Ike discusses the importance of community, keeping the focus on best practices for your clients, and maintaining focus and quality in your work.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan are joined by Joe Templin, Co-founder and CEO of The Intro Machine, to discuss why coaching is beneficial for professionals. Joe shares what inspired him to start coaching, why discipline and consistency are key to growth, and how a coach can guide you to reach your goals.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down with Bryon Holz, President of NAIFA, to discuss embracing the change of technology. Bryon talks about the value of mentorship, building authenticity through social media marketing, and the importance of partnerships. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan sit down to discuss the year in review. Chris and Suzanne talk about connecting through conversations, why holistic listening will resonate with your audience, and how NAIFA is leading the way for extraordinary knowledge in the industry.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy sits down with Jamie Hopkins, Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions at Carson Group, to discuss retirement planning in a crowded industry. Jamie talks about evolving to meet client needs, being an advocate for retirement planning, and increasing your footprint within the industry through credibility.

Join Chad Franzen of Rise25 in this episode of Advisor Today as he talks with Jeff Levin, Vice President of Sales for Care Solutions at OneAmerica, about how insurance holders can benefit from long-term care coverage. Jeff discusses why everyone should have a conversation about long-term care, factors to consider before making a decision, how long-term care products have evolved, and more.

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Suzanne Carawan and Chris Gandy as they sit down with Carroll Golden, Executive Director of the Specialty Centers at NAIFA, to discuss how advisors can help families prepare for extended care. Carroll talks about the resources available to help with future planning, navigating the sensitive topic of aging and long-term care planning, and the framework to use for facilitating decision-making.

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan as they sit down with Paul Dougherty, former president of NAIFA, to discuss coaching a team of advisors to shape the future. Paul talks about strengthening your career arc through mentorship, engaging with organizations to inform and educate lawmakers, and generating conversations about insurance with clients so they make the best possible decisions. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, Suzanne Carawan and Chris Gandy sit down with Brian Ashe, President of Ashe and Associates, Ltd., to discuss compiling the foundation of life insurance based on mutual trust and commitment. Listen as Brian talks about steps to erasing the negative perception and impact that haunt the insurance industry, creating a sustainable future for your clients, and enhancing your commitment to your community through acts of giving.

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Chris Gandy and Suzanne Carawan as they talk with NAIFA Immediate Past President, Tom Michel, about his inspiring journey as a leader in the insurance industry. Tom discusses why everyone needs accountability, the difference a strong mentor can make, and the importance of solid leadership during uncertain times.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Suzanne Carawan and Chris Gandy welcome Brian Haney, Founder and CEO of The Haney Company. Brian’s expertise in the financial sector sheds light on how to build meaningful community relationships for mutual value and financial success. They talk about association commitment, leveraging resources for successful and competitive business growth, understanding mentorship perspectives, and managing leadership opportunities. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, Suzanne Carawan and Chris Gandy sit down with Kevin Mayeux, CEO of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors). Kevin is a longtime executive, entrepreneur, and community volunteer who actively advocates for building a better tomorrow. Suzanne, Chris, and Kevin break down advanced strategic methods for advisors, enhancing community engagement, and the upcoming opportunities for new and tenured thought leaders.

In this episode of Advisor Today, Chris Gandy is joined by Suzanne Carawan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), to discuss cultivating your professional development and the benefits of NAIFA membership. Suzanne talks about attracting consumers to your brand through authentic connections, effectively setting your brand above the competition to attract clients, and the characteristics and core values that encompass NAIFA members. 

In this episode of Advisor Today, host Chris Gandy and co-host Chad Franzen of Rise25 welcome Andrew Holt to the show. Andrew is the Government Relations and Grassroots Manager for NAIFA, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Andrew shares his thoughts on what “grassroots” means, discusses how business and politics interrelate, and reflects on the importance of making connections with your elected officials.

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Chad Franzen of Rise25 as he hosts a conversation with Chris Gandy, Founder of Midwest Legacy Group LLC. Chris explains the struggles in the career path of a financial advisor, how a financial advisor makes a living, branding yourself and attracting clients, building a circle of influence, and more! 

In this episode of Advisor Today, join Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 as he joins Chris Gandy, Founder of Midwest Legacy Group LLC, to talk about understanding the financial environment and building a better future. Chris discusses how the financial services industry brings value to businesses and families, why a healthier work environment is crucial for attracting more professionals, and creating improved strategies and conversations to become a great leader.

Caleb Guilliams is the Founder and CEO of BetterWealth, a company that helps people gain control over their money today while maximizing their future wealth potential. At an early age, Caleb read every financial book he could get his hands on. Now, he’s one of the youngest leaders in the industry and is quickly becoming “the new face of finance.” Caleb is the Author of The AND Asset, hosts the BetterWealth podcast, and is on a mission to impact as many lives as possible.