Power Producers: Throwback: Ringing the Bell with Mariah Davis

In this throwback episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Mariah Davis, President and Owner of Oakview Insurance Services, Inc. Mariah talks about her journey from being a captive agent to an independent insurance agency owner and how she built her agency. She also shares the struggles she faced that made her stronger and better. Episode Highlights: How did Mariah get into the insurance business? (2:54) Mariah mentions that when she was a captive, she didn’t know what profit-sharing was. (5:07) What is it like for Mariah, working with her father? (5:17) How long has Mariah been an independent insurance agent? (9:19) What led Mariah to be an independent insurance agency owner? (9:24) Mariah thinks that it’s essential to have district managers in the insurance industry. (10:04) What was Mariah’s biggest challenge during her transition? (13:39) Mariah mentions that it’s common in the insurance industry to start as a captive, then be independent. (15:25) Mariah shares that some groups like the Mastermind and IAOA, are vital to getting the independent channel to talk to each other. (20:17) David thinks that there’s a tipping point where people finally, were raised in a way where collaboration made more sense than it did a long time ago. (20:49) Has Mariah’s growth been organic over the 10 years? (22:52) Mariah mentions the Shiny Object Syndrome. (29:15) Mariah mentions that it’s vital to change your workflow. (30:39) Mariah shares that in December of 2019 she was diagnosed breast cancer. (35:52) Mariah mentions that she has her struggles, but the nation is also struggling with the pandemic and the ramifications of it. (42:23) Kyle shares a story about his newborn baby. (43:41) How many treatments does Mariah still have to undergo, before she can ring the bell? (47:16) What makes Mariah’s agency unique? (48:20) What does Mariah’s strategy look like? (51:54) Mariah mentions the Susan G. Komen Foundation. (57:23) Tweetable Quotes: “I feel like I know every position in our agency because I’ve had to be every position in our agency at one point or another. That just gives me a better understanding of what our team goes through with their chair.” – Mariah Davis “I’ve had wonderful support, I have a wonderful spouse, and I have a wonderful support system of friends and the community. And everybody just rallied around me and so I can’t help but be positive. I am such a practical person that it was the only thing I can do. Having doubts being upset, you know, being depressed is just not that productive.” – Mariah Davis “Everybody has a trial and tribulation. And so either we can pick up and we can keep going. Or we can just fall apart and wallow in it. And I just chose not to do that. And it’s a choice. I’m going to be positive about it. And I’m going to be this and we’re going to continue with life.” – Mariah Davis Resources Mentioned: David Carothers LinkedIn Kyle Houck LinkedIn Florida Risk Partners The Extra 2 Minutes Mariah Davis LinkedIn Oakview Insurance Services, Inc. Susan G. Komen Foundation