Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Todd Greenbaum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Todd , thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

In 1999, as a growing company, Input 1 faced a pivotal decision: take on two large clients at once, despite concerns about our readiness. I chose to say yes, driven by the need to seize opportunities. Unfortunately, we quickly found ourselves overwhelmed, lacking the structure and training needed to handle the increased workload. It was a tough period—our team was stressed, and our clients were unhappy.

Was the risk worth it? In some ways, yes. The experience taught us valuable lessons about our limitations and the importance of preparation. It was a painful but necessary learning curve that helped shape our future success. On the other hand, the cost was high, putting our team and client relationships under strain. However, I believe that every company, at some point, faces this kind of challenge. For us, this experience, though difficult, was a turning point that made us stronger and better prepared for the future.

Todd , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At Input 1, my team and I are deeply committed to transforming the insurance industry’s billing and payment processes through innovative digital solutions. Since 1984, we’ve grown from managing $10 million in premiums with a small team to handling $16 billion annually for more than two million users across all platforms. Our focus has always been on integrating technology to modernize and streamline the premium collection lifecycle.

Our platform provides a comprehensive solution that supports multiple payment methods and includes features like broker/policyholder portals and automated digital notifications. By addressing the inefficiencies of outdated billing and payment processes, we reduce administrative headaches and enhance cash flow for insurance companies. What really sets us apart is our ability to combine billing, payments and premium financing in a single seamless platform.

With a 100% implementation success rate, I’m proud of the value and operational efficiency we bring to the table and look forward to continuing to drive innovation in the Insurtech space.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When Input 1 was just starting, it was a small operation—just me and my grandparents, who were already in their 70s and living in Palm Springs, while the business operated out of Los Angeles. One night before I was scheduled to fly to Baltimore, our main server failed. This was the mid-90s, long before cloud computing, so this failure was catastrophic.

With no immediate solution, I took the server to a tech-savvy friend. We stayed up all night troubleshooting, eventually discovering an overheating microchip. In a desperate move, we used an ice cube to cool the chip and rigged a temporary fix with a plastic bag of ice taped to the processor. It was a makeshift solution, but it kept the business running.

Despite no sleep and falling ill, I boarded my flight, barely making it through the meeting in Baltimore. Somehow, I made a good impression, secured the client, and returned home to fix the server properly. That experience tested my limits, but it also reinforced my belief that resilience is about doing

whatever it takes to keep moving forward, even when it feels like the world is caving in.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building a strong reputation in any market comes down to a simple principle: always do what you say you’re going to do. From the very beginning, I’ve made it a point to return every phone call and follow through on every commitment. It sounds basic, but the number of people who don’t do this is astonishing. Today, it’s common to hear about “ghosting,” a term often associated with social media or dating, but it happens in business too—people just disappear without a word.

I’ve never been afraid to be upfront with people. If we’re not moving forward with a deal, I’ll tell you why—whether it’s because we found a better option, or it just didn’t feel right. Honesty and transparency are non-negotiable for me. I believe this straightforward approach is what has helped me build my reputation over the years. I don’t leave people hanging, and I always deliver on my promises. That consistency and integrity have been key to earning trust and respect in the industry

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.input1.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-greenbaum-7161b0a2/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/input-1/