Why I Started My Insurance Agency at 18 — And How I Built It from the Ground Up
This blog isn’t just about my journey into the insurance industry—it’s also for anyone thinking about starting their own business, especially in insurance. I want to walk you through how I got started, why I chose insurance (even though it was my third option), and what it really takes to grow an agency from zero.
Starting Young: How It All Began
I turned 18 in January 2022, got my insurance license while still in high school, and officially started my agency—Nelson Insurance Agency—in May, right after graduating.
My first office was the same building I’m still in today. It used to be my dad’s office and took over the lease. For the first year, it was just me. One office. No employees. Long days and even longer nights.
Insurance Wasn’t My First Choice
Right after high school, I was leaning toward real estate or trucking.
But real estate requires a lot of upfront capital if you want to invest, and trucking—especially after the COVID boom—started showing signs of decline. I didn’t want to take that risk.
So I leaned into insurance. It wasn’t my first choice, but it quickly became something I truly loved. I could build something from nothing, help people solve problems, and learn the art of communication and sales—all at the same time.
The Real Reason I Chose Insurance
There are a few key reasons why insurance stuck for me:
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Freedom and Ownership: Not freedom in the “work less” way—freedom to build something on my own terms. I work 80+ hour weeks and I’m in the office from 8 AM to 10 or 11 PM some days.
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Relationships: My dad always had great relationships with his clients. Watching him visit with them, go fishing with them, or just catch up over the phone made me realize how much I valued real, personal connections.
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Opportunity: In insurance, the better you get, the more you earn. There’s no ceiling if you can speak the client’s language, simplify complex topics, and build trust.
The Early Days: Door-Knocking and Cold Calls
When I started, I had zero leads and zero clients. So I hit the streets.
I’d pull up Zillow, find million-dollar homes for sale, and door-knock the entire neighborhood. I kept track of my leads on a paper form, quoted them at night, and followed up like crazy the next day—until they either told me to stop calling or gave me a shot.
That first summer, I gathered over 300–400 leads, built a tiny book of business, and reinvested every dollar into marketing.
Finding My Niche: From Contractors to Trucking
I poured concrete throughout high school, and my dad was a contractor, so I naturally leaned toward contractor insurance at first.
But once I started exploring trucking, I was hooked.
My dad had owned a 3 unit trucking company during the COVID boom, and I was already familiar with the industry. Once I started quoting trucking risks, learning the regulations, and understanding how to explain complicated filings like the MCS-90—it all just clicked.
Today, trucking insurance is the core of our agency.
Growing the Team
For the first year, it was just me. But in June 2023, I hired my first employee, Becky.
Since then, we’ve added:
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Julien (November 2023)
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Morgan, Rob, and Tim (2025)
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Plus, a virtual assistant, Mae handling backend quoting and admin.
We’re growing fast—and it’s not always easy. When you hire, you often lose money at first. So I keep working extra hours to make sure everything stays afloat while continuing to scale.
Lessons Learned from Starting an Agency with No Experience
Would I recommend starting an agency with zero experience? Probably not.
I made it work because I had almost no expenses, lived with my parents, and could afford to make little to no money for a year. Most people aren’t in that position. If you’re starting with a family or bills, you’ll need $100,000–$150,000 saved up—especially if you’re joining a franchise or starting from scratch.
I also learned everything on weekends and late nights—studying policy forms, listening to podcasts like The Insurance Guys, and calling other agents for advice.
Straight Talk: What It’s Really Like Running an Agency
Let me be blunt—this is not a lifestyle business. Not at the beginning, anyway.
Here’s what it actually looks like:
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Cold calling and hearing NO over and over.
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2 AM client calls because a trucker’s coverage is about to lapse.
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Refunding $30,000 in commission after a carrier cancels a big account.
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Answering every single question from your team because you can’t afford a 25-year veteran CSR.
But you also get:
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The satisfaction of solving real business problems.
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The pride of watching your team grow.
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Profit sharing, renewal commissions, and long-term stability.
Commission vs. Salary: How We Pay Our Team
At Nelson Insurance Agency, we don’t pay salary for producers. We offer high commission splits because I want people who are ready to bet on themselves.
That’s not for everyone. But if you’re willing to hustle and take the risk, you can make more money than most salaried producers at bigger shops.
Final Thoughts: Why I Love This Industry
Insurance is stressful. It’s not glamorous. And it’s certainly not easy.
But I love this business because:
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Every day is a challenge.
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There’s always something new to learn.
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It rewards people who work hard and get better at their craft.
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You get to build real, long-term relationships with clients, underwriters, and your team.
If you’re curious about getting into insurance—or starting your own agency—reach out anytime. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.
💼 Thinking About Starting Your Own Insurance Career?
Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about building something from the ground up, there’s room in this industry for people who are willing to put in the work.
If you want to learn more about trucking insurance, agency ownership, or how we help clients across 35 states, feel free to contact me anytime.
