Member Case Study: Weedin Agency Leverages ISU Steadfast To Boost Competitiveness While Maintaining Independence

Weedin Agency, a third-generation insurance agency in Loveland, Colorado, has been a pillar in the community since its founding in 1956 by Eric Weedin’s grandfather, Ken. In 1960, Ken bought out the oldest agency in Loveland, the J.W. Chesebro Agency, founded in 1915. Over the decades, the agency expanded, with Eric Weedin officially joining his father in the family business in 2002. Today, the Weedin Agency has 13 employees and a balanced book of commercial and personal business.

One guiding principle throughout the agency’s history has remained constant: independence. The Weedin family never wanted to cede control of their agency. Yet, as the industry evolved, staying independent while growing and remaining competitive against larger firms became increasingly challenging. 

At a Crossroads

As the Weedin Agency gained industry recognition, multiple networks and large insurance brokerage firms began to contact Eric.

“Everyone kept reaching out to us — wanting us to join their networks or consider selling to a brokerage,” Eric recalls. “We didn’t want to sell, and most networks required sacrificing ownership once you joined. Also, you’d end up paying a hefty price to buy your way out if you decided to leave the network.”

The loss of independence and a costly exit strategy were deal-breakers for Eric; his father, Lawrence; and his brother Mark, who also was part of the agency. “We wanted to be free to continue to make our own decisions,” Eric emphasizes. “Independence is crucial for us.”

A Network With Independence

The Weedin Agency was unaware of ISU Steadfast until a trusted industry colleague suggested they take a closer look.

“An ISU Steadfast member called me and said, ‘Have you ever thought about ISU? He told me they saved enough on ISU Steadfast’s E&O program to cover their membership fee and mentioned the benefits — carrier access, profit sharing, and the ability to be part of something bigger while staying independent. That got my attention,” says Eric.

He soon realized that ISU Steadfast offered something unique. Unlike other networks, ISU Steadfast didn’t require giving up equity or locking members into restrictive contracts.

Unlocking Growth: The Impact of Membership

Once the Weedin Agency joined ISU Steadfast in June 2022, it quickly began to reap the benefits of membership.

Greater Market Access 

“Carrier access was huge for us. As an ISU Steadfast member, the conversation with carriers changed. Instead of ‘Let’s see if you qualify,’ it became ‘Oh, you’re with ISU Steadfast? No problem,’” says Eric.

The Weedin Agency uses ISU Steadfast’s consolidated carrier codes, which allows it to qualify for carrier appointments without needing to meet individual production requirements. This has given the agency access to markets it previously struggled to reach, allowing its producers to better serve their clients, write more business, and compete against larger firms.

The agency can offer more competitive quotes to clients with access to a larger pool of carriers, helping it win new accounts and retain existing ones.

“With ISU Steadfast, we’re also able to retain clients who relocated to states where we aren’t licensed,” Eric notes. “That’s business we would have lost.”

Increased Profit Sharing

One of the most significant financial benefits the Weedin Agency gained from joining ISU Steadfast was profit sharing.

“Before ISU Steadfast, we had good relationships with a few carriers, but our premium volume wasn’t always high enough to qualify for profit sharing,” Eric explains.

Profit sharing can be a substantial revenue stream for independent agencies, but it often requires hitting volume thresholds that smaller agencies can’t always meet alone. By joining ISU Steadfast, the agency consolidated its premiums under the network’s broader book of business, immediately pushing them past those volume barriers and securing profit-sharing eligibility with multiple carriers.

“With ISU, we didn’t have to worry about missing out on profit sharing due to volume requirements,” Eric says. “We were automatically part of a larger group that already had the necessary premium with key carriers.”

Last year alone, the profit-sharing checks Weedin Agency received from ISU Steadfast’s relationships basically paid for its membership. “Keep in mind, these were checks we likely wouldn’t have received on our own,” says Eric.

Proprietary Technology & Tools

ISU Steadfast’s CL Quote & Bind Platform significantly streamlined the Weedin Agency’s workflow.

“I was an early beta tester, and the system has been a game-changer,” Eric says. “It has cut our quoting time down dramatically, especially for small-business risks. We can instantly compare rates from multiple carriers and issue policies on the spot.”

Additionally, ISU Steadfast’s Commercial Lines Placement Tool provides a valuable resource for placing hard-to-insure risks.

The Upside of a Collaborative Community

Eric also finds an invaluable resource in ISU Steadfast’s Agency Principal Forum and regional meetings. The collaborative nature of members means that the Weedin Agency has a direct line to peers across the country who have already faced and solved many of the same challenges.

“I can post a question in the ISU Steadfast member network, and within hours, I’ll have multiple responses from people who’ve been there, done that,” Eric says. “Whether it’s how to approach a tough renewal, which technology tools are worth investing in, or even just advice on day-to-day operations, there’s always someone willing to help.”

One example was when Eric revamped the agency’s digital presence. Through ISU Steadfast’s technology group, he discovered a vendor that helped him rebuild the agency’s website. “Our website traffic doubled in two months, and we’ve received 80 new online reviews,” Eric says. “It’s helped us capture more leads and increase conversions.”

The Member Advantage 

With three years of membership under his belt, Eric is happy with his decision to join ISU Steadfast.

“If you’d asked me three years ago whether joining a network was right, I would have hesitated. But ISU Steadfast is different. We kept our independence, gained resources, and became part of something bigger without giving up control.”

For independent agencies facing similar crossroads, Eric has one piece of advice: “Don’t be afraid of change. If you can harness it correctly, it creates opportunity. ISU Steadfast gave us the support we needed without tying us down. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made.”

For more information on remaining competitive and independent, visit ISU Steadfast.