Kyle Beggs

CLCS, CWCA
President
RCI Insurance Group
Claremore, Oklahoma

Age: 30
Guilty pleasure TV show: Impractical Jokers
Favorite beer: Dos Equis
Preferred social media: Facebook

Why insurance?

I graduated college in 2009 right in the middle of the recession. There were hardly any jobs available. I called a fraternity brother of mine at State Farm, and he said the claims department was hiring. I just needed a job. My brother-in-law’s nephew heard about it—he was in the State Farm Agent Aspirant Program and just opened up a State Farm agency. He called me and said, “You need to look into opening your own agency for State Farm because you’ve known me since I was little, and you’d do really well at it.” I was just like, “Selling insurance? No thanks.”

But it never hurts to listen, and the more I listened, the more intrigued I got. I started out at State Farm working for about three years and did really well there—and loved it. The dad of my best friend growing up was all over me to come to the independent side. I wanted to work for a place where I could own my own business—a mom and pop. Long story short, he got me involved with where I’m at now.

Motivator?

I’ve literally had three goals since I was 14: be a good husband, be a good father and have a successful business. I haven’t done either of the first two yet, but I’ve had that want for a long time. There’s just a fire in my belly. I love coming to work every day. I’m probably the most competitive person you’ll ever meet. I never wanted to be average at anything I do. If I’m going to put my mind to it, I’m going to put my time and talents to it, I’m going to go at it 110%. I can’t stand average.

Biggest role model?

My dad was my hero growing up and still is—he’s an entrepreneur and owns a couple businesses. Growing up, my brother-in-law was an entrepreneur as well, so those are the mentors and guys I’ve always admired. I wanted to be just like them, so I can’t think of a better profession. All I do is meet with CEOs and CFOs every day that started out of their garage and now they have a 15-person company. I meet people every day who rolled up their sleeves and achieve the American dream because they worked their rear off.

Work/life balance?

I’m very involved in my community. To me, what I do socially is my platform. Everyone I talk to needs insurance—that’s the wonderful thing about our industry. The demand will always be there, whether it’s personal lines, whether I’m meeting with a business owner, whatever the case may be, wherever I’m at, I’m able to do it. My passion is people, so to me, it’s not really working. I’m just getting to know people, and I get to say, “You’ve got a problem? I’ve got a solution.”

Most annoying millennial stereotype?

That everyone thinks we expect everything to be handed to us because everyone got a trophy growing up. That drives me nuts. When I came over to RCI, I didn’t have a book of business, I didn’t know a thing about commercial insurance and I literally made 150 cold calls a week to get to where I am today.

Millennial stereotype that fits you?

Something I try to do better than my dad is the “work hard, play hard” mentality. My dad had trouble taking vacations or being able to let go of work. And don’t get me wrong, we do too because we’re way more connected than they ever were. I’m sending emails on vacation all the time. But by the same token, I’m a firm believer that I work hard, I’m going to go on fun vacations, I’m going to go to sporting events, I’m going to do some things to unwind. It helps you realize why you do what you do.

Industry’s biggest challenge?

I think we need to do a better job of telling our story. To most people, selling insurance, just like when I got started, it’s not sexy. But if they really knew the whole story of it, I think it’s incredibly sexy. I don’t know anyone else that has the contingencies, the renewal business we have.

I’m working hard at fixing it. I’ve got a guy I just hired six months ago that I went to college with. I’ve got a list of 15 people I actively recruit that I’m just keeping in touch with. My goal is to bring on a producer who’s brand-new to insurance about every other year. It’s an easy sell when you really believe in what you’re offering.

This article is the third in a series that profiles 10 millennials in independent insurance, based on IA’s July cover story. Keep an eye on IAmagazine.com and upcoming editions of the News & Views e-newsletter for more insights into how young people are working to secure the future of your industry.

Jacquelyn Connelly is IA senior editor.