The Lasting Impact of the Right Start Mentorship Program
When Mel Evans, Principal Agent at Insurefit RM in Knoxville, Tennessee, first heard about the Big “I” Right Start Mentorship Program, his agency was in its infancy stage. A friend and industry peer at Insurors of Tennessee told him about the mentorship opportunity. He explained how the program paired newer agency owners with experienced agency owners to provide knowledge and insight.
At the time, Evans’ agency was less than five years old. “We were in the early phases and I didn’t have a background in running a business,” he recalled. “I’m a first‑generation agency owner—no parents or grandparents in the business—so it just made sense to learn directly from someone who had been successful at a high level.”
Starting out, Evans was looking for guidance in every area: operations, sales, human resources and client services. “Owning an agency is an adventure,” he said. “It takes so much energy to get things off the ground. I wanted to make sure I was doing things the right way and checking all the boxes.”
Through weekly meetings and online learning, Evans soaked up as much knowledge as possible. His mentor, Ron Brunell from New York, shared not only practical advice but also the perspective that running an agency is about relationships, both with carrier partners and with clients. “Ron was a great mentor and has become a friend. We still keep in touch and I know I can reach out any time,” Evans said.
The mentorship program emphasized building genuine client relationships and creating memorable experiences. That focus is now ingrained into Evans’ agency culture. After completing the program, the agency even bought a building designed with clients in mind:
- A coffee‑shop‑style lobby with free Wi‑Fi and locally roasted coffee.
- A dedicated space for hosting community and client appreciation events.
- A driving simulator to help train teen drivers or commercial fleet drivers, bringing risk management to life.
Music always plays in the office, and the agency regularly participates in festivals and community gatherings. “So much of what we do now is centered on people and personal touch points,” Evans explains. “Technology and AI [artificial intelligence] are great tools, but we use them to enhance, not replace, the human element. Our clients know they can reach us, come in, and talk to a real person.”
The mentorship program’s influence continues to show. In 2019, Mel’s agency became a Best Practices Agency. “Without the program, I don’t know if that would have happened,” he said. “Kudos to the Big ‘I’ and to Ron Brunell for helping us get here.” This year, Insurefit RM achieved their seventh-year in a row of being a Best Practices Agency.
Evans wholeheartedly encourages other aspiring agency owners to apply. “If you’re in the early stages and you want to level up, this is the program for you,” he said. “You get advice and perspective from someone who’s been there, done that. It can truly change how you approach your agency.”
His advice for new agency owners echoes the lessons from his mentorship: work hard, be ready to sacrifice, and never forget that your clients are the reason you’re in business. “Right Start helped me build an agency that lives that value every day,” he said.
Interested in learning more about the Right Start Mentorship Program? Click here to explore opportunities to grow your agency and connect with mentors who have walked the path before you.