Outskirts Press, INC.

For forty years I was a Farmers Insurance Agency owner. I started my career in 1974 and if I’m honest I was not an over night success. My first six or seven years I was my own worst enemy. Even though I worked hard, my bad attitude stopped me from taking responsibility for my poor results. My poor results were never my fault. Rates that were always too high, unreasonable underwriters and really crazy company decisions were always the cause of my problems. Sound familiar? When I had a problem, which I often did, that problem could ruin my whole day and many times my whole week.

Thankfully, a great district manager convinced me it was time to look at myself in a mirror. It was also time to take responsibility for my own poor results and to let go of problems I had no control over. Slowly my improved attitude helped me become very successful. I share this with you because since I was not an over night success, I am in an unique position to share not only my successes but also my failures.

During my forty year career as a Farmers agent I was invited to eleven President councils, seven Championships and about thirty Toppers Clubs. When I retired four years ago my district manager, Mike Susee asked me to share my experiences with his eighty plus agents in District 22 in Oregon. I've been both local and state president of NAIFA, which gave me valuable insight into how agents from our competition managed their agencies. I also participated in Michael Gerber's Gerber Institute. Those of you who have read, The E Myth Revisited will recognize Michael Gerber's influence in my work.