Lessons from a Legacy: Growing Up in Insurance
In the rapidly evolving world of insurance and HR compliance, this week’s guest, Chrissy Myers, CEO of Associated Underwriters Insurance (AUI), stands out as a resilient leader. Steering this third-generation business, she has embraced the challenges of maintaining its legacy while innovating to meet the modern needs of clients. Let’s delve into her journey and how she leverages her wealth of experience to serve businesses across Ohio and beyond.
Founding Legacy and Early Lessons
Founded in 1974 by her grandmother, AUI was initially a response to financial needs. While her grandfather pastored a church in a poor community, Chrissy’s grandmother sold insurance to support the family. Eventually, her parents took over the business, buying it from Chrissy’s grandmother and expanding its reach and service offerings.
Chrissy’s early involvement in the company exposed her to various facets of insurance. From teaching employees how to use email to managing customer service, she honed her skills in every role. This comprehensive understanding later became crucial when she took the reins of the business.
A Reluctant Leader Steps Up
After earning her MBA, Chrissy was initially hesitant to join the family business, opting to seek opportunities with Fortune 500 companies instead. However, her father’s promise of providing a dynamic role that suited her skills convinced her to give AUI a chance. She quickly proved herself by bringing in new technology and streamlining policies. Her father recognized her strengths and gradually gave her more control, eventually stepping back around the time the Affordable Care Act was being implemented, leaving Chrissy to lead the business.
In 2019, Chrissy bought the company from her mother, becoming the CEO of this resilient, three-generation enterprise as since acquiring it, she’s also involved her own children in the business.
Empowering Business Owners with Solutions
AUI’s offerings have evolved under Chrissy’s leadership. With the addition of Clarity HR, their human resources consulting arm, they support businesses navigating HR complexities like compliance, hiring, and benefits administration. Chrissy emphasizes the importance of coaching business owners to be both coachable and open to change, helping them grow without fear of compliance pitfalls.
The insurance and HR worlds are littered with complex regulations. Whether it’s FTE calculations or navigating new rules from the Department of Labor, Chrissy understands that business owners just want to focus on what they do best. Her teams at AUI and Clarity guide clients through these challenges, ensuring compliance and empowering growth.
A Vision for the Future
Chrissy’s leadership embodies resilience. Leading a third-generation family-owned business as a woman in the predominantly male insurance industry wasn’t without its struggles. In her book Reluctantly Resilient, she reflects on the hurdles she faced while guiding AUI as a woman-owned company. Often the only woman in the room and the youngest voice at the table, she had to break through stereotypes and prove her competence by embodying persistence and adaptability.
As she mentions in her book, Reluctantly Resilient: One CEO’s Journey to Thriving in Leadership and Life, she may not have sought out the role of CEO initially, but she has embraced it with gusto. Her story is one of adapting to unexpected challenges and finding opportunities in adversity.
AUI continues to grow, reaching new clients with its customized insurance and HR solutions. Chrissy and her team are committed to simplifying the complex for small businesses, ensuring they thrive in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
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