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Name: Jorge and Rey Martinez
Title: Co-owners
Brands: Estrella Insurance
Units: 20
Years in franchising: 10
We chose Estrella Insurance because of the local community brand equity and our familiarity with the brand. Estrella is recognized as the premier insurance brand in our area. We loved the model and support they provide, so it made perfect sense for us.
We got involved in the insurance industry because it is compulsory while providing a much-needed service to the local community. It’s a win-win for everyone. We specifically selected a high-demand space to capture the most market share possible and help the most people possible.
The key skills for franchising with a service brand are strong people skills, being personable, and understanding clients’ needs. Excellent customer service is essential, especially since clients often come to us in stressful situations, like a suspended driver’s license or a major insurance rate hike. Our role is to acknowledge their challenges and provide solutions that ease their stress.
The advantage is the arm’s length touch with the customer. Having the opportunity to be close to the consumer creates trust and a bond. It increases the chances of earning their business.
The most important element is to have the big-picture vision to scale as quickly as possible. It really is a mindset approach. If you believe in yourself and follow the process, everything falls into place.
The best marketing is good customer service. We love referrals, so we ask for them after every sale. The majority of our customers are happy to send their friends and family to us. Word-of-mouth endorsements are everything.
I recommend choosing a volume-based service brand to maximize client interactions and business opportunities. While niche and boutique brands have their advantages, they can be too narrow in scope, limiting growth potential.