Member Case Study: 25 Years of Growth for Olson Duncan With ISU Steadfast

“Joining ISU Steadfast was one of the best decisions I’ve made as an agency owner. After 25 years, I’ve never looked back.” — Mark Duncan, Principal, Olson Duncan

Torrance, California-based Olson Duncan has been serving clients since 1945, but its national growth trajectory took shape after joining ISU Steadfast in 2000. Over the past 25 years, ISU Steadfast has provided the market access, strategic collaboration, and global resources that helped the agency compete on a national stage while retaining its independent, client-focused service model.

For agencies seeking to thrive nationally without compromising independence, Olson Duncan’s experience as an ISU Steadfast member demonstrates how its long-term benefits have contributed to its success.

Key Takeaways

• Olson Duncan’s national expansion showcases how ISU Steadfast empowers independent agencies to scale without sacrificing autonomy.

• Access to leadership councils and technology groups helps agencies test strategies, avoid costly missteps, and accelerate innovation.

• With over 150 carrier relationships, ISU Steadfast enables members to deliver competitive solutions across all 50 states.

• Members gain the credibility and resources of a national brokerages while maintaining the personal touch of an independent agency.

• From licensing support to contingency opportunities, the benefits of membership extend beyond operations into long-term relationships and mentorship.

How Peer Collaboration Strengthens Strategy and Operations

Mark Duncan, principal of Olson Duncan, emphasizes that peer collaboration is one of the biggest benefits of ISU Steadfast membership. Through leadership councils, technology groups, and annual conferences, members share strategies and lessons learned. “I’ve gotten so many great ideas from other agency principals,” he says. “That alone makes it worth being a member.”

The leadership and technology councils allow agencies to test-drive ideas before making big investments. “We can avoid speed bumps along the road because other agencies or ISU Steadfast itself have already kicked the tires,” Duncan explains. This feedback loop makes it easier to confidently adopt new technology or expand into new service lines. For example, forming an employee benefits division or developing niche divisions.”

The culture at ISU Steadfast feels less like a network and more like a professional community, according to Duncan, with principals across the country sharing openly to strengthen one another.

Access to markets is another key advantage for Olson Duncan, which leverages ISU Steadfast’s relationships with over 150 carrier partners to deliver the right solutions to clients.

As Duncan puts it: “It’s given us the market access we’ve needed to provide our clients with the best insurance products available.”

Global Resources To Operate on a Larger Scale

Through ISU Steadfasts’ international reach, Olson Duncan has been able to effectively compete directly with national brokerages. “It’s given us the strength and resources of an international organization,” says Duncan, “while providing the personal service of an independent agency.”

Duncan also stresses the advantage of credibility when competing head to head with large brokerages:

“We can say, ‘Yes, so are we,’ when clients ask if we have the scale of a national firm — but they also know they’re dealing directly with the agency owner, not a junior account rep. That combination is powerful.”

Advice for Other Independent Agencies

Duncan often fields questions from peers considering whether to join a network. His advice is straightforward: “Being part of ISU Steadfast is the best decision we have ever made as an agency.”

For Olson Duncan, the benefits go beyond tactical support. From licensing in all 50 states to contingency opportunities negotiated by ISU Steadfast to the friendships and peer mentorships formed over decades, the value is both strategic and personal.

Duncan also points out that ISU Steadfast pays eligible agencies 100% commission even when they place business through the network desk. This structure makes it possible to serve clients in all 50 states without extra licensing costs or administrative headaches. “There’s no downside,” Duncan says, noting how the feature was crucial when some of his clients relocated out of state during the pandemic.

Why Olson Duncan Chose To Grow With ISU Steadfast

For 25 years, Olson Duncan has relied on ISU Steadfast for national reach, peer collaboration, and global leverage. “ISU Steadfast is really a community that you belong to where everyone is willing to share ideas and collaborate to strengthen one another and ultimately strengthen the organization,” says Duncan.