Founder
Talage
Type of Business: Insurance Technology
Based in: Reno
Hails from: Northern California
Years Org. has been in Nevada: 8
Years with Organization in Nevada: 2
Employees in NV: 14
How did you get into your profession?
I played football for the University of Nevada and, following our championship 2005 season, I tried to play in the NFL, but was unsuccessful in making a roster. I was looking at different career opportunities that allowed me to stay in Reno, and I was hired by Nick Rossi at what was Lucini Parish Insurance at the time. It grew from there.
What career advice would you give to someone just starting in your industry?
Insurance is a really fun industry to be a part of because it touches so many different elements and other industries. It’s an industry that is driven by relationships, and you meet people along the way that you end up working with for years. It’s an industry that will pay dividends if you are resilient and put in the time to learn and connect.
What leaders do you look up to?
A lot of coaches. Sports coaches are such an interesting experiment in leadership. You see the results faster and it’s very public. I am inspired by a lot of great coaches out there and try to apply the principles of high-level athletics to business.
How do you motivate your team?
Show them the vision and give them ownership. Ownership over their tasks and also ownership in the company. I am very proud of the fact that every single employee of Talage has stock options in the company. Our success is their success and it was important to me as we set the company up that people be able to benefit from their collective efforts- no matter their role or seniority.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“Not Made for Defeat” It’s a line from Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and I think it represents how I’ve approached life. I haven’t always been the smartest, biggest, or best, but I’ve been unwilling to quit- Sometimes long after it makes sense. That has been what’s driven me.
What do you hope future generations can learn from your professional journey?
Resiliency – if people ever look back on me, I want them to think “that guy just wouldn’t quit.” As an entrepreneur you have to have an almost insane level of commitment to your concept, because you will hear every reason why it won’t work along the way. You have to will it to fruition.
