Skill Stacking, Core Teams, and Culture with Brett Young
What does it really take to scale an insurance agency without staying trapped in production?
In this episode of the Agent Leader Podcast, Brent Kelly sits down with Brett Young, co-founder of Erb & Young, to break down the leadership and development model that helped his agency grow to more than $100 million in premium across multiple states.
Brett shares how shifting from selling policies to building people became the ultimate growth lever—and why skill stacking, curiosity, and a strong core leadership team are the real drivers of scalable revenue.
If you’re an agency owner stuck in production, a producer who wants to build a team, or a leader trying to create culture that actually performs, this conversation delivers a practical blueprint.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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The difference between selling insurance and building a scalable agency
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Why skill stacking is the meta-skill that increases income and impact
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How to develop a 5-person core team that drives culture and execution
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Why most agencies stall at the million-dollar mark—and how to break through
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The shift from accountability-based management to inspiration-based leadership
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How curiosity and continuous learning create a long-term competitive advantage
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Brett’s philosophy: solve bigger problems, earn bigger income
Key Takeaways:
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Growth comes from developing people, not just producers
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Culture is built through shared experiences, not slogans
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Leadership requires alignment behind closed doors and unity in public
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The ability to learn, apply, and repeat is the ultimate business skill
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A strong core team eliminates friction and accelerates execution
Who This Episode Is For:
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Independent insurance agency owners
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Growth-minded producers
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Agency leaders building teams and culture
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Organizations focused on valuation and scalability
Connect with Brett Young:
Learn more about Brett and his work with Erb & Young
Follow Brett Young on LinkedIn for leadership insights and agency growth strategies.
Ready to Build a High-Performance Agency?
If you want to move from production-driven growth to a scalable, team-based model, schedule a conversation with a Sitkins coach and start building your agency’s next stage.
