We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ben Rathbun a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?
Creating a workplace that values diversity and fosters inclusion is essential for cultivating a positive and productive environment. Our agency strongly believes in advocating for diversity within the independent agency system and are getting better at living that out in action.
Getting the next generation of leaders in our industry requires building talent starting in high school. I am a part of the Insurance BFF Mentorship program that pairs high school seniors with insurance professionals for short -biweekly mentorship meetings. I have seen firsthand the power of mentorship through this program. My mentee, Miguel Solis, from Lansing School District, became our intern this summer after going through the Insurance BFF Mentorship Program. My other mentee, Kenwon Simpson, joined our team a few weeks ago as an account manager – only a few short months after graduating high school. I firmly believe in investing in the next generation of insurance leaders.
Our agency launched a Minority Internship Program this summer that exclusively is sourcing interns from Lansing. Our intern is guided by the Internship Passport, and immersive onboarding tool that teaches our intern how to be a professional as well as learning multiple aspects of both our agency and the industry.
Our agency’s commitment to charitable initiatives, such as the “Quotes for a Cause” program, has allowed us to direct resources towards diverse nonprofit organizations and establish meaningful partnerships. This approach shifted our engagement from simple donations to active support, including event promotion, volunteering, and collaboration. By engaging deeply with the community, we realized that inclusivity extended beyond internal practices and encompassed external relationships as well.
Inclusivity and education also intertwine within our agency’s values. Recognizing the potential for transformation through education, we’ve focused on both employee development and community engagement. By considering ourselves an “education company that happens to sell insurance,” we’ve embraced a dual role of adviser and educator when interacting with clients. This philosophy extends to community initiatives that aim to improve educational resources and access for all.
My professional journey has also included moments where our industry lacked inclusivity, leading to missed opportunities for growth and innovation. I firmly believe in the value of diverse perspectives in driving creativity and adaptability. By nurturing an environment where every individual’s strengths are celebrated, we ensure a dynamic workplace that thrives on unique contributions.
Creating an inclusive workplace demands ongoing commitment and continuous improvement. Diversity enriches our industry and opens doors to new perspectives and ideas. While concerns about making mistakes are valid, it’s crucial not to be deterred by past missteps. Instead, we should use them as learning opportunities to build more inclusive and equitable communities.
Recently, my Chief Administrative Officer, Laura Stoken, and I have taken steps to extend the impact of inclusivity beyond our agency. We’ve spreading the reach of our onboarding process and introducing the “Intern Passport” program to help other businesses foster diversity by bringing in interns in a meaningful way. Sharing tools and knowledge can drive meaningful change on a broader scale.
My journey has taught me that diversity and mentorship aren’t merely buzzwords—they are integral components of a thriving and innovative workplace. By valuing mentorship, engaging with the community, and promoting education, we can build an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are cherished and contribute to the success of the agency, the industry, and the community at large.
Ben, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hello, I’m Ben Rathbun, and I’m the President of Rathbun Insurance. My journey into the insurance industry has been shaped by a deep-rooted family legacy and a strong passion for community engagement. My connection to the world of insurance began at age seven, given my families involvement at the agency runs three generations deep.
Driven by this heritage, I pursued higher education with a focus on finance, and later obtained my MBA in Risk Management & Insurance from Olivet College. This educational foundation, coupled with my family’s industry experience, prepared me to take on leadership roles within Rathbun Insurance. I joined the agency in 2014 and became a Partner in 2019. After my fathers sudden passing in 2021, I took over the role as President of Rathbun Insurance.
At Rathbun Insurance, we provide a comprehensive range of insurance and risk management solutions, spanning personal lines, commercial markets, and specialized sectors such as nonprofits, construction and restaurants. Our approach is centered around creating tailored solutions that address the unique needs of our diverse clientele. We’re not just selling insurance; we’re acting as trusted advisers, guiding clients through complex decisions and helping them manage risks effectively.
We value continuous community engagement. We’ve shifted all of our advertising and marketing efforts to direct donations to nonprofit organizations through our “Quotes for a Cause” initiative. This change not only supports diverse charitable organizations but also enables us to foster closer partnerships with them. We’re proud to be actively involved in our community, both through financial contributions and active participation in events and volunteering.
Education is another pillar of our agency’s ethos. We believe that education empowers both our team members and our clients. As an agency, we’ve embraced the role of educators, ensuring that our clients understand their insurance needs and risk management strategies thoroughly. Additionally, we’ve extended our commitment to education through initiatives like the “Insurance BFF Mentorship Program,” which pairs high school seniors with insurance professionals, guiding them towards careers in the industry.
Recognizing the power of diverse perspectives, we’re actively working to build a team that reflects the vibrant communities we serve. We’ve gone from having one “diverse” team member to four in a short span, showcasing our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
Eight years ago, we embarked on a journey to completely overhaul our marketing strategy at Rathbun Insurance. We realized that traditional advertising methods were not resonating as effectively with our audience and weren’t aligning with our core values. We were determined to create a marketing approach that not only promoted our services but also made a positive impact on our community.
With this vision in mind, we decided to take a bold step: removing all advertising and marketing efforts that weren’t directly tied to nonprofit donations. We were treading uncharted waters and questioning the conventional wisdom of how agencies typically approached marketing.
We redirected the resources we would have used for traditional marketing campaigns and started funneling them directly into nonprofit organizations through our “Quotes for a Cause” program. This program allowed us to donate a portion of every new policy sold to a local nonprofit. We continued to sponsor and attend numerous charitable functions throughout the year with a goal of raising awareness of all the great work already being done in our local community.
The turning point came when we started witnessing the impact of our efforts. Clients were drawn to our genuine commitment to social responsibility. They appreciated that their insurance purchases were directly contributing to local nonprofits, and this resonated deeply with their values. Word of mouth began to spread, and we started attracting clients who were not just seeking insurance, but also wanting to be part of something meaningful.
Our calculated risk had paid off in ways we couldn’t have predicted. We had successfully turned our marketing approach into a catalyst for community engagement and support. In this pursuit, we have become a trusted insurance advisor to several local nonprofits.
This experience taught us a valuable lesson: authenticity and a genuine commitment to social responsibility can be powerful marketing tools. By focusing on making a positive impact, we were able to build a loyal client base that aligned with our values. Today, we’re not just remembered as an insurance agency; we’re recognized as a partner in driving positive change within our community.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Certainly, I’ve had to do a significant amount of pivoting since my father’s passing.
Since my father’s departure, I’ve discovered that amidst the pain of loss, life continues to unfold with moments of joy and triumph. The realization that I’m creating a path that he would be proud of has provided me with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Internally, our agency’s structure underwent a significant transformation that empowered key team members to step into leadership roles. This reshaping allowed us to enhance our service offerings, with Ashley leading our finance division, Jennifer overseeing operations, and David driving our sales efforts. Laura’s appointment as Chief Administrative Officer further solidified our commitment to a future that’s both visionary and actually implemented.
Embracing diversity and inclusivity, I immersed myself in initiatives like the Black Friday event of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA). Witnessing the power of fostering conversations and forging connections, I played a role in bringing the event to Detroit, catalyzing a movement that’s reshaping the industry. We launched a Minority Internship Program and crafted an Internship Passport, which has allowed young talents like Miguel Solis and Kenwon Simpson to thrive within our agency, turning mentorship into tangible success stories.
Beyond the professional realm, my personal journey has also flourished. I obtained Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) designations.
Each step of this journey has been underpinned by the quiet guidance of my father’s legacy. I feel his presence in every achievement and his voice of reason echoes through every challenge. What started as an unexpected and deeply painful pivot has transformed into a journey of growth, resilience, and impact.
My journey through grief, change, and resilience is a testament to the remarkable capacity we have to pivot and embrace the unexpected. I’m reminded that amidst challenges, blessings continue to unfold, and my father’s spirit remains an ever-present guide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rathbuninsurance.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rathbunagency/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrathbun/