Business Refocused
Helps leaders navigate the numbers, people, and strategy behind sustainable growth. Hosted by Carey Wallace and Lindsay Sexton, the show dives into what really happens when a business is changing, whether it’s expanding, merging, transitioning ownership, or rethinking operations.
Each conversation offers practical insight on analyzing your business, making data-driven decisions, and building a company built to last.
Show previously named Insurance Refocused, but changed to Business Refocused in November 2025. Business owners of all industries face the same challenges as independent insurance agencies.
Business Refocused
#181 - How Better Agency Operations Increase Business Value w/ Jessica Yarbrough
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In this episode of Business Refocused, Carey and Lindsay welcome back Jessica Yarbrough, COO and co-owner of Johnson Insurance and founder of Agency Ops Advantage, to discuss how operational excellence can increase agency value while creating a better experience for employees and clients.
Jessica shares how transforming operations, investing in technology, and building a high-performing culture helped her agency double in size and earn recognition as both a Best Practices Agency and one of North Carolina's Best Employers. She also explains why she's now helping other agency owners improve their operations through consulting.
The conversation explores how operational strategy directly impacts agency valuation, scalability, and long-term growth. Rather than focusing solely on financial metrics, Jessica explains why strong leadership, effective change management, and intentional culture are often the difference between agencies that plateau and those that continue to grow.
Key takeaways include:
- How operational improvements can increase agency value
- Why culture and leadership are competitive advantages
- The importance of change management when implementing new technology
- How better systems create scalability and reduce owner dependency
- Why operational excellence benefits agencies planning to grow, acquire, or perpetuate
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Show previously named Insurance Refocused
