YAC Spotlight: Joe Iten

When and why did you decide to pursue a career in insurance? 

• I'm actually a third-generation agent. As a kid, I never saw insurance as glamorous because it was always part of the conversation at the dinner table. I've known what an underwriter was since I was seven years old. While I was finishing up college, my mom reached out to me and told me they needed help in the commercial side of the agency. After graduation, I spent my first two years officially in the industry learning everything I could and eventually it became second nature. I got the thrill of the chase when I would find a hard-to-place risk solution that other agents would traditionally pass on, and here I am 8 years later.  

Who has made the biggest impact on your career up to this point? 

• Definitely my dad. He’s extremely detail-oriented and has put in his time over the years. He’s always in the office, is hands-on with everything, and knows his accounts inside and out, which has made him extremely valuable to our team and me. He's taken the time to work with me and has held me to a really high standard. It can be difficult at times working with family, but it's made me into the person that I am, and I'm grateful for that. 

Why did you choose to join the Young Agents Council? 

• At YAC events, the networking with other agents that work in relatable situations has given me countless professional and personal relationships I wouldn’t have had outside of YAC. Coming in at 23, I was probably one of the youngest guys in the room back then; But being involved early on accelerated my professional development tenfold, and I would encourage anyone, especially those just starting out, to join as soon as possible.  

What advice would you offer college students unsure of majoring in Risk Management? 

• The reward of helping someone who has had a loss is priceless. For instance, in the most recent hurricane, I had a client who had a foot of water in her business. I will never forget her appreciation when I was able to say, “Hey, let’s get a water restoration contractor out there right away and get this wrapped up for you so you can get your doors back open,” Without  skipping a beat, I sent the bill to the carrier and her doors were open again soon thereafter. Knowing that her livelihood was at stake, and that I was a small part of the recovery, was rewarding for me as an agent. You’ll learn a lot in school but actually being in the industry is so much more impactful than one might initially think reading a textbook. 

Tell us about the importance of building and maintaining relationships in the insurance community as a young agent.  

• I think it puts you a step ahead of everyone else by having those relationships. When you need something done because you're under a time constraint for whatever reason, I can pick up the phone and call one of my brokers that I do a ton of business with, and I'll get bumped right to the top of the stack. Not only am I getting my work done faster, but when I'm in a crunch situation, I can also help my clients when someone else without my connections may be unable to.  

How would you help the next generation become interested in a career in insurance? 

• A slew of positives come with the career, and I think disregarding the old stigma of what insurance looks like is one of the biggest things. You’re not just there to sell a policy; you’re there to cover your clients’ assets and ensure that you’re there for them in their time of need. It’s extremely rewarding when you have built that relationship with a client because they’re incredibly appreciative when you step up during their toughest times. It's not a bad career from a financial standpoint, either.  

In your opinion, what is the most valuable skill that a young agent can have? 

• The biggest thing I would say is don’t be afraid to be rejected or be afraid to lose deals when someone else is trying to beat you on price. There will always be completely price-driven clients, and it’s okay to pass them up. You also can’t be afraid to make the call, ask for business, and build relationships. If you don't put yourself out there, you will have a hard time succeeding. 

Who do you admire and why? 

• When I first started, I looked up to Jeff Grady because of his charismatic leadership style. It kept me interested to work with someone like him. The way he could work a crowd was incredible and is still in the back of my mind as I address a room myself.  

How would your best friend describe you? 

• I would consider myself the friend that everyone calls when they need help with something. Whether it’s a broken faucet or repairing drywall, they’ll call me and ask if I have the tools, if I can help them do it, or how to do it. I’m the handyman (endearingly called “dad” at times”) of the friend group.  

Are cats or dogs better and why? 

• I’m definitely a dog person. I’ve got two dogs, and there’s nothing like coming home to them. My dogs carry on when I come in the door, like bouncing around in circles, kind of “cooing” at you because they're just so happy that you're home. I had a roommate that had cats, and they just seemed too independent. I like the dependency a dog has on you and knowing they’re happy to see you.