Episode 13 - Being a Business Owner and Revenue Generator with Geoffrey Harris

Traversing Entrepreneurship

Geoffrey Harris is the Vice President of Medicare Sales at Michigan Planners, a full-service insurance agency specializing in employer group benefits. For over 60 years, Michigan Planners has assisted groups and individual customers with unparalleled service. Geoffrey graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration. He has been serving in the insurance and financial services industry for over four decades and has been involved in every layer of business ownership from start-up to exit. He worked as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual for over 25 years before founding Harris Insurance Agency, an insurance firm he founded and operated until its merger with Michigan Planners.

Geoffrey joins us today to discuss how he began his career in the insurance and financial services industry. He explains how he started his insurance agency after working for several years as an employee and describes how his business merged with Michigan Planners. He highlights the importance of educating clients on Medicare and discusses how he manages the “business side” of business. He also underscores the importance of planning for exiting your business and the value of work ethic.

“Having a good work ethic, understanding your daily responsibilities, and getting at them every day help out a lot in business.” - Geoffrey Harris

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• What attracted Geoffrey to the insurance and financial services world
• Geoffrey’s favorite parts about working in the insurance and financial services industry
• Harris Insurance Agency’s collaboration and merger with Michigan Planners
• How the fluctuations of the economy have affected the insurance industry
• The importance of educating people on Medicare
• Juggling the responsibilities of being a business owner and revenue generator
• Prioritizing different aspects of business
• How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Harris’s business

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: The One Minute Salesperson by Spencer Johnson and Larry Wilson

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “I tend to be an early adopter of technology. Whenever I find something that could make my and my clients’ lives easier, it’s a no-brainer.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Not everything is a priority. Being able to separate the noise from the “shoulds” and “musts” is huge for everybody in business.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “You want to be able to leave a legacy where the business’s operation can continue whether you’re there or not. You want to have staff and associates who can duplicate what you do without the oversight.” - Geoffrey Harris

Connect with Geoffrey Harris:

• Michigan Planners
• Michigan Planners on LinkedIn
• Geoffrey Harris on LinkedIn
• Email: [e-mail]

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall’Olmo at [e-mail] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

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