Young Wholesalers on Finding Success

What advice would you give to a new recruit entering the wholesale insurance business?

“Make sure you are constantly learning,” said Jake Luddy, RT Specialty. “Even from the not-so-good experiences. “When I think of the setbacks that I have had–whether it’s a meeting that didn’t go as well as you would’ve hoped, or a deal that didn’t go as smoothly as you would’ve hoped–use those as learning lessons. I’m definitely better off for having those ‘lesson learned’ experiences.”

What has been most helpful to you in career?

“Networking has been super important, especially when I first started,” said Michelle Savarese, senior vice president, RT Specialty — Property. “This is a relationship-based industry, so making sure you’re forming those connections and relationships and being transparent to your underwriters and markets, I think is critical,” she said. “I have also been fortunate to have a great mentor in my career, so when I started, I was in the office every day, listening to conversations, hearing people talk on the phone, and having face-to-face contact and creating peer relationships, which I think helped a lot.”

Would you recommend the wholesale brokerage world as a career path for other young people?

“Yes, I think it is the best kept secret in the job market,” said Connor Lalley, AVP, Broker, at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “It’s recession proof, and while I can only speak about the wholesale side, I love how you kind of become your own company within the company, or your own boss,” he said. “And I love that the way that you form a book of business is really through relationships; there’s no ceiling … And I love how it’s nonstop. It keeps me on my toes.”