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Farmers Insurance Agency, Dennis Perkins
At the Outset…
Dennis Perkins came to SCORE seeking help in organizing production and marketing for his entertainment promotions business. His SCORE mentors showed Dennis how to work with project schedule templates and do cash flow projections. Dennis says, “My engagement with SCORE helped me prioritize tasks that needed to be done in a timely manner”.
The Pivot
While working with his SCORE mentors on his promotions business, Perkins’ entrepreneurial itch resurfaced. He came to his mentors with the idea of opening a local insurance agency. Dennis and his mentors pivoted to supporting this new business idea. Dennis set about doing the coursework required to pass the Connecticut Life and Property and Casualty exams. With SCORE’s support, he also began investigating insurance agency franchise opportunities — ultimately selecting Farmers Insurance as the best fit.
Perkins believes that the work to streamline the promotions business was critical to his success in getting his agency up and running. “By doing things in order, and with input from my mentors,” he says, “I stayed on task to write a solid business plan. I was able to present a detailed plan to the bank and secure the financing I needed to start my agency”.
A Successful Launch
After its first year in operation, Dennis’s Farmers Agency is now the number three new business producer in Connecticut, with five agents and a business development manager. In addition to his business success, Dennis is also proud to report that his team gives back to the community by supporting local charitable groups and organizing their own events like their very successful Flag Day celebration.
He is quick to credit SCORE for its part in his success. “My SCORE mentors have been with me every step of the way. They are great partners who listen — and I depend on them for honest feedback.”
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