President
Coreprime
Type of Business: Employee Benefits
Brokerage Based in: Las Vegas
Hails from: Las Vegas
Years Org. has been in Nevada: 11
Years with Organization in Nevada: 11
Employees in NV: 8
How did you get into your profession?
It was 2008 during the Great Recession. I had recently moved back to Las Vegas after college and was recruited to join a local employee benefits brokerage as a sales rep. I immediately had success and found the industry to be a hidden gem.
Who has been instrumental to your success?
My wife has been the key. [She is] always encouraging me to keep going and chiming in with great judgement for all of the major decisions.
What career advice would you give to someone just starting in your industry?
Focus on relationships. As with many businesses, ours is all about the people. Close relationships with our employees, clients and carrier partners have led to success.
What is an issue facing your industry an outside observer might not be aware of?
Our industry has done a terrible job communicating how great of a business commercial insurance brokerage is, which leads to a lack of new talent coming into the industry in Nevada.
What is your favorite business book?
“Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight. The biggest thing I took from the book is the importance of resilience in the face of the constant obstacles that running a business will throw at you.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“Lone Wolf” (I have 4 amazing daughters & live with all women!)
What is an assumption people make about you that is wrong?
That I’m an extrovert. I’m happiest just laying low at home with my family and no plans.
What was the most difficult experience you encountered as a leader?
The hardest decisions have been around funding the business in the early days, which for us, meant bootstrapping and minimizing personal expenses as much as possible while the business grew.
What do you hope future generations can learn from your professional journey?
The importance of betting on yourself. You’re going to be working really hard for long periods of time anyway, so you might as well be working for yourself.
