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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
How's this for bootstrapping a company? Dixie Leavitt took a part-time job in the summer writing insurance policies. The people he worked for liked him so much, they suggested he look into working the insurance business full time. So, he started the Leavitt Group in 1952 with one company appointment and no clients. Just 10 years later, he incorporated his insurance agency and had thousands of clients throughout Southwestern Utah and Southern Nevada.
In 1984, Dixie's company entered the second generation of family ownership. Today the Leavitt Group has grown to around 120 locations in 14 states with the corporate headquarters in Cedar City. With around 1,300 employees, it's now the second largest privately-held insurance broker in the United States under the leadership of Dixie's sons, Dane, chairman and CEO, and Eric, president. The Leavitt Group specializes in selling insurance and risk management services to businesses and individuals.
Dane says many of the opportunities that have come to the Leavitt Group are because insurance is something everyone needs. So, they work hard to provide it in the best way they can, developing long-term relationships with clients. With 60 years of experience in the business, they have expertise and sophistication.
Their business model is unique because it's set up so each affiliate is its own independent insurance agency, and the Leavitt Group owns a minority interest. This is smart because it's helping build independent insurance agencies with resources they wouldn't have otherwise. Across the nation there are around 40,000 independent agencies that are an important force in the economy, since they function as small and medium-sized businesses. Small business is essential for the U.S. economy.
Being connected to an organization like the Leavitt Group provides Leavitt agencies with unique services. They can still be independent which gives their clients access to multiple insurance companies and products, while also having national resources and expertise.
Interested in learning more about starting your own business? Visit the Zions Bank Business Resource Center online at www.zionsbank.com to get you started. Member FDIC.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
The Leavitt Group 435-586-6553 www.leavitt.com
