Media Center

  • All
  • Blogs
  • Podcast

Caring Beyond Coverage: Giving Back Through Nonprofits 

"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." – Howard Zinn  Giving back to your ...
Read More
The image features two men, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, smiling and dressed in professional attire, with a microphone graphic and the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast logo. The title "Budgeting Tips for Independent Agencies" is displayed prominently above them.

Budgeting Tips for Independent Agencies

In this holiday-themed episode of the Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition podcast, Travis and Bill discuss a timely ...
Read More
The image shows two people discussing and reviewing documents. One person is holding a tablet displaying a data graph, while the other is writing in a notebook. Both are sitting at a desk with a laptop open nearby, and a "SIA of NC Blogs" logo is visible in the lower-right corner.

The Importance of Planning with Insurance Carriers for 2025 

As the end of the year approaches, insurance carriers begin their internal planning for 2025, and agents should ...
Read More
The image features Bill Mills and Allie Padgett standing next to each other, with the podcast title "Caring Beyond Coverage: Giving Back Through Nonprofits" displayed above them. The podcast logo is visible in the lower left corner, and the background is a bright blue with orange accents.

Caring Beyond Coverage: Giving Back Through Nonprofits

In this episode, the focus shifts to the spirit of giving back during the holiday season by discussing ...
Read More
The image features the hosts of the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, standing side by side with a microphone logo. The title "Agency Planning for 2025" is prominently displayed above them.

Agency Planning for 2025

In this episode, we discuss the essential process of agency planning for the upcoming year, building on the ...
Read More
The image features a podcast banner titled "From the Carrier's View: Insights for Agencies" with hosts Travis Collier and Matt Littlejohn. Travis and Matt are smiling, with Travis wearing a blue shirt and Matt in a checked suit jacket, while the background features blue and orange colors with a microphone logo in the lower left corner.

From the Carrier’s View: Insights for Agencies

Join us for an insightful conversation with Matt Littlejohn, a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of ...
Read More
The image features a podcast banner titled "Planning with Carriers for 2025" with hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The hosts are standing next to each other, smiling, with a microphone logo in the lower left corner, and the background features a blue and orange color scheme.

Planning with Carriers for 2025

As the insurance landscape shifts, planning with carriers becomes more critical than ever. In this episode, Bill and ...
Read More
The image shows two people shaking hands in a professional setting, with one wearing a blue suit and the other in a white shirt. The background is blurred, creating a focus on the handshake. A "SIA of NC blogs" logo is placed in the bottom right corner.

Unlocking Carrier Access

When it comes to expanding your agency, one of the most critical areas to focus on is building ...
Read More
The graphic features hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier, along with guest Whitney Oliver, on the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast. The title reads "UNLOCKING CARRIER ACCESS" with the show’s logo and branding in the bottom left, and all three participants are smiling, with Bill in a blue suit, Travis in a light blue shirt, and Whitney in a white blouse. The background is a mix of blue and orange.

Unlocking Carrier Access

In this episode, Whitney Oliver discusses the importance of building strong relationships with insurance carriers to help new ...
Read More
The graphic features two hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast. The title reads "LET'S TALK ABOUT ACCESSPLUS!" and the hosts are pictured smiling, with Bill in a blue suit and Travis in a light blue shirt. The background is a vibrant blue and orange design, with a podcast microphone logo and the show’s branding.

Let’s Talk About AccessPlus!

In this episode, the hosts highlight the unique role of AccessPlus, which is designed to help agents grow ...
Read More
This features three hosts for a podcast titled "Employee Classifications: Salary, Hourly, or Exempt?" with the show branding "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition." It prominently displays a woman with long blonde hair smiling on the left, alongside two men in suits: one with brown hair and a beard and the other with short black hair, both smiling as well. The hosts are identified as Bill Mills and Travis Collier, with a guest appearance by Stefani Butschle, Esq., CIC, CPCU. The background is blue with orange accents, creating a professional yet vibrant look.

Employee Classifications: Salary, Hourly, or Exempt?

In this episode of Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition, we welcome back Stefani Butschle to address a common ...
Read More
A group of four professionals engage in a discussion in a modern office setting. A woman in a white blouse holds a tablet and speaks, while a man in a gray suit listens intently with a hand gesture, indicating he is making a point. Two other individuals, a woman and a man, look on with expressions of interest and contemplation. A laptop sits open on the table in front of them, and a logo in the corner identifies the content as part of "SIA of NC blogs."

The Producer Dilemma: W2 vs. 1099 in Insurance Agencies

When hiring producers for an insurance agency, a key consideration is how to classify them: as employees (W2) ...
Read More
Features two hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, smiling and standing side by side. The background displays the title "HOW DO I GET DIRECT CODES?" in bold white letters against a blue backdrop. The design also includes the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" logo, emphasizing the podcast theme. A footer highlights that the episode is hosted by Bill Mills and Travis Collier.

How Do I Get Direct Codes?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle a common question in the insurance world: How do I get ...
Read More
The photo shows a collaborative meeting where three individuals are engaged in discussion over paperwork on a table. One person is writing notes with a pen, while another holds a smartphone, and the third person has a device in their hand, indicating a tech-savvy environment. In the foreground, various documents and a notebook are visible, contributing to a professional setting, and the bottom right corner features the SIA of NC blogs logo.

What is the difference between Independent vs. Captive Insurance Agencies

Understanding the differences between independent and captive insurance agencies is essential for making informed decisions about your insurance ...
Read More
The graphic features a vibrant blue background with bold white text that reads, "DO I OWN MY BOOK OF BUSINESS?" Below, it includes images of hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier, both smiling. The podcast branding, "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition," is displayed prominently, along with the host names in a contrasting orange banner at the bottom.

Do I Own My Book of Business?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most common questions they receive: Do I own ...
Read More
Three professionals engaged in a collaborative discussion around a table. A woman in a white blouse smiles as she reviews documents with a man in a gray suit and another woman. The background features large windows allowing natural light to illuminate the space, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The SIA of NC blogs logo is placed in the corner, indicating branding for the blog.

Understanding Contingency: A Key Opportunity for Agencies

Contingency, often referred to in various terms like "bonus," "profit sharing," or "growth incentives," represents a form of ...
Read More
The graphic features the title "Agency Foundation: Support for Every Stage" prominently displayed against a blue background. Below the title, hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier, along with guest Whitney Oliver, CISR, CLCS, are shown smiling in a professional setting. The "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast logo is positioned in the corner, enhancing the promotional aspect of the episode.

Agency Foundation: Support For Every Stage

We’re excited to introduce Whitney Oliver, our Agency Partner Growth Coach, who will guide us through the essentials ...
Read More
A close-up of several hands engaged in a fist bump, symbolizing teamwork and collaboration. The background is softly blurred, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that emphasizes the connection between the individuals.

Top Three Questions to Ask Before Entering an Agency Partnership

Agency partnerships, clusters, and aggregators have become popular routes for insurance professionals looking to grow their businesses, leverage ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "Agency Partnerships: Who's on the Hunt?" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

Agency Partnerships: Who’s on the Hunt?

In this episode, we explore why agency owners, captive agents, producers, and entrepreneurs are turning to agency partnerships. ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "The Big Question: Why Doesn't Everyone Do What We Do?" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

The Big Question: Why Doesn’t Everyone Do What We Do?

In this episode, Bill and Travis tackle one of the most frequently asked questions: "If it’s so great, ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "Taxing Choices: 1099 vs. W-2 Decoding Employment Status" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

Taxing Choices: 1099 vs. W-2 Decoding Employment Status

In this episode, Bill and Stefani Butschle discuss what it means to be a 1099 employee and a ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "Independent or Captive? The Breakdown" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

Independent or Captive? The Breakdown

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss the major differences between independent and captive agencies. Take a listen ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "Let's Talk About Contingency" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

Let’s Talk About Contingency

In this episode, Bill and Travis discuss what contingency is, who can get it, and the significant impact ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "3 Must-Ask Questions Before You Partner Up" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

3 Must-Ask Questions Before You Partner Up!

In this episode, Travis and Bill discuss the top three questions a potential agency partner should ask before ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "From Baseball To Business: Andy Neary's Playbook" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

From Baseball to Business: Andy Neary’s Playbook

Meet Andy Neary! In this episode, Andy and Travis talk about the upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting, and ...
Read More

SIA of NC’s Annual Meeting

In this episode, Bill and Travis talk about our upcoming 2024 Annual Owners' Meeting in Durham, NC, and ...
Read More

What is SIA of NC?

In this episode, Bill and Travis answer one of their most-asked questions: What is SIA of NC? Take ...
Read More
A close-up view of a computer screen displaying a virtual meeting with nine participants, all smiling and waving. A hand from the foreground waves towards the screen, indicating engagement in the virtual interaction.

Elevate Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Webinars

At SIA of NC, we understand the importance of continuous learning and development for insurance agencies. Our Agency ...
Read More
A promotional graphic for the "Build Your Legacy: Insurance Edition" podcast episode titled "Welcome to Our Podcast" featuring hosts Bill Mills and Travis Collier. The background is a vibrant blue with bold white text, and the logo of the podcast includes a stylized microphone. Bill Mills and Travis Collier are both smiling and dressed in business attire, with Mills wearing a dark suit and Collier in a light blue shirt and blazer.

Welcome to Our Podcast

Welcome to SIA of NC's first podcast episode! Meet our hosts, Bill Mills and Travis Collier, as they ...
Read More
A close-up shot of a chessboard featuring polished black chess pieces, prominently displaying a black king piece at the center. The blurred background features soft bokeh lights, adding a warm and atmospheric feel to the scene.

Strengthen Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Programs

At SIA of NC, we are committed to supporting the growth and success of insurance agencies through our ...
Read More
Three people are smiling and engaged in a celebratory high-five, with their hands raised together in a lively and joyful moment. The setting appears to be an office or collaborative space, indicating teamwork and positive interaction.

Empowering Your Business with SIA of NC’s Growth & Development Resources

At SIA of NC, we believe in fostering growth and development for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're ...
Read More
A close-up view of a computer screen displaying a virtual meeting with nine participants, all smiling and waving. A hand from the foreground waves towards the screen, indicating engagement in the virtual interaction.

Elevate Your Agency with SIA of NC’s Development Webinars

At SIA of NC, we understand the importance of continuous learning and development for insurance agencies. Our Agency ...
Read More