April 8, 2025 • 31 mins
Welcome to another episode of Risky Benefits! This week, we sit down with Scott Clemons and Michelle Matt, president and vice president of the Clemons Company, to discuss their recent partnership with FBMC and the unique approach they bring to employee benefits consulting. From Scott's switch from law to insurance and Michelle's 25-year journey with the company, learn about the personal services, innovative practices, and deep community involvement that set the Clemons Company apart. They share insights into the firm's history, their commitment to ethical practices, and what makes their services special for both small and large employers. Additionally, they reflect on the benefits of their partnership with FBMC, emphasizing shared values, cultural compatibility, and enhanced resources. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on delivering exceptional employee benefits solutions with a personal touch. Visit fbmc.com/podcast for more episodes.
To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:03):
Hey, thank you for listening into risky benefits, a podcast
that informs you on all thingsbenefits.
We've got a saying around here.
Benefits isn't your mainbusiness.
It's ours.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-202 (00:16):
Hey, everyone.
Thank you for listening to RiskyBenefits and welcome to this
week's episode.
Our guests this episode areScott Clemons and Michelle Matt.
Scott and Michelle are presidentand vice president of the
Clemons Company.
And the Clemons Company and FBMCpartnered together last year.
we're both thrilled for theopportunity to expand and
(00:37):
continue, to provide innovationand excellence to our clients.
And today we're going to bechatting essentially with the
Clemens company about what thatmeans.
let's just start by thanking youguys for coming on.
Super happy to have you today.
and maybe if we, if you don'tmind, let's just start by
introducing the two of you andlearning a little bit more about
(01:00):
you guys personally.
Sure, I'm, I'm Scott Clementsand, I'm married to Pat.
I have two daughters, one who'snow a psychologist, another one
is an artist, and I have twograndkids now.
And one of the greatest,opportunities for my life has
been to be able to work with mydad.
My dad started the ClemensCompany in 1957, before I was
(01:23):
born, and it wasn't until muchlater after I'd tried to step
into one other career that I gotinto the insurance business and
I had never looked back sincethen.
It's been wonderful.
That's pretty cool.
And Scott, you have a backgroundin, you're an attorney as well.
Clemons (01:39):
I am.
I practiced law, for about fiveyears.
And as I tell people, I,practiced for about three years
and realized I didn't want to dothat for the rest of my life.
It took me another couple ofyears to figure out where do I
want to be, where can Icontribute the most, and really
to be happiest.
And I've loved this.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025 (01:56):
And a history buff.
Yeah.
And a history buff.
I, so I got to travel a littlebit with Scott, and Scott and I
got to talking about likehistory books and different,
authors and some things that wehad gotten into.
And it was actually, like ifyou're ever looking to, To learn
some things about the countryand he's the guy
Clemons (02:14):
who we had some great conversations Yeah, so that was
fun so now, you know if youdidn't know now, you know And
Michelle, how about you?
Hey, good morning.
I'm, Michelle Matt.
I, uh, So we're going to givepersonal details.
Okay.
Let's see.
I don't have any children, orany children at FSU.
(02:37):
I do have a fur child who's atdaycare, much to all of our
chagrins.
I have worked.
No, she comes in the office.
She does.
She?
Yes.
Oh, what kind?
Uh, a lab retriever mix.
Aww, okay.
So what's her name?
Rena.
Aw.
The queen means the queen.
The queen.
I don't mean to interruptMichelle too long, but she
instituted a new traditional,the Clemens company dog Friday.
(03:01):
I like it.
I like it.
I like it.
She should have brought her!She's not that social.
She's great.
And it's too much peopling forher.
I get that.
She has a very busy social life.
She has a doggie daycare twodays a week.
Comes to the office.
So yeah, she has a very busysocial life.
But I went a little bitdifferent path than Scott.
(03:24):
I actually started at theClemens Company in 19 I don't
want to tell you guys.
1999.
Okay.
And I started as a bookkeeper.
And worked on the pension side.
Doing a pension administration.
And then in 2008, I came andjoined Scott.
And, we've been working togetherever since.
(03:46):
So we celebrated, Michelle's25th year with the Clemens
Company.
We had a great selection.
24.
Yeah.
It's been wonderful.
That is really cool.
So, when I go to enrollmentmeetings and I say, Well, what
is your date of birth?
And they say, Or, my mom's yourage.
I'm like, That's a really longtime.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_0 (04:03):
I mean, notice when you Fill out
something online, and you haveto like scroll for the year.
Mine is like a log, man.
You're like, man, I don'tremember having to scroll this
long.
Yep.
Yeah, I know.
I saw this thing that was like,these hockey players, and it was
a college team, and they weresome, I don't know, they were
young.
And they were getting, they weregetting pulled out, and they
(04:23):
were interviewing them, and theywere like, What year do you
think people are old?
And they were like, 1997, 1995.
I was like, what?
What?
What are you doing?
Yeah, okay, guess I'm old.
Spin the wheel, spin the wheel.
Thank you guys for coming in andlooking forward to the
(04:44):
conversation.
Yeah So FBMC and the Clemenscompany were thrilled to
announce our partnership inOctober last year Can you
explain a little bit about whatthat means to our listeners?
Clemons (04:57):
You know for us We have loved the fact that we're a
homegrown company I think thathas allowed us to provide a
certain level of personalservice.
Over the years have given sometime to consider expanding to
create new opportunities for us,new geographic, additional
geographic reach, otherresources.
(05:21):
But I resisted because I, wantedto make sure that if we did do
something like that withsomebody with a similar culture,
who valued the relationshipswith their clients the way do,
we do, and it was wonderful tobe introduced to FBMC and see
that we do share that culture.
So that's a big part of thereason that we wanted to join
together.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (05:39):
That's awesome.
And maybe as I think about it,Scott and Michelle, for the
listeners out there, they maynot be completely in tune with
all of what you guys evenprovide.
As an employee benefitsconsulting firm, I mean, what is
the kind of the depth of whatyou guys offer to the market?
Clemons (05:55):
Sure.
So for us, of course, it's allthings employee benefits.
Whether it's a two person groupor an 800 person group, it's
medical, dental, vision, life,disability.
All of the, online enrollmenttools, but I think for us, our,
one of our biggest strengths isadvocacy.
(06:16):
You know, we want to be able tohelp that small group, get the
services that maybe a largergroup would get as well.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (06:22):
Yeah.
That's perfect.
If you're listening, there youhave it.
I mean, if you're an employerthat's out there, you're looking
for help, Whether it be small,medium, or large, you need an
advocate, right?
We were talking earlier, youhear the stories about people
who feel like their voice isn'theard with a large carrier.
Possibly, a claim's, denied or asurgery is, is denied.
(06:45):
It's people like Scott andMichele who step in and
interface in between the carrierand you to make sure that you're
taken care of, amongst manyother things, but that is
conceptually one of the bigthings.
And so As I'm saying that I'mlike you guys do this now, but
how long have you been doingthis?
What's kind of the history onthe company?
When did you guys what was theyear you guys started?
Clemons (07:06):
So As I mentioned before dad started the company
in 1957 Short career in theMarine Corps didn't know a soul
in Panama City and created avery successful business.
His focus was on, lifeinsurance, individual life
insurance and disability andlater transitioned a little bit
(07:29):
into adding a retirement plan,administration as well.
So when I left my law practicein 1991, I came over with dad
and I, followed him and hisfootsteps, providing life
insurance.
For, three or four years andthen after a while, I began to
(07:49):
dabble in benefits.
And got a, you know, sometimesyou just can't really explain
it.
You just get something where youget a feel for it.
At a comfort level with it.
It was very satisfying to beable to do something where you
knew you were providing securityfor people.
And Dad resisted it for a while.
We pulled and Dad kind of movedover after a while and learned
(08:11):
to love.
Benefits, like me kind ofrealized that the things that we
were doing for people on theemployee benefits side were very
similar to what I had been to inlife insurance.
Yeah.
And you get that sense that whensomething happens in somebody's
life and you see that you'vebeen able to provide them the
protection they need, that's avery, very rewarding, experience
(08:33):
and feeling.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (08:34):
That's interesting.
Scott.
You know, I've spoken to a lotof different people.
About how they entered into theinsurance industry and while on
the servicing side.
It's always kind of All over theplace right how they got there
But a lot of times when you talkto owners of the firms a lot of
people started with the lifeinsurance And I don't know if
(08:55):
that was just kind of similar towhat you're saying.
It was like I know I want tohelp people This is a very
tangible thing that I know helpspeople.
And then you get into that, andthen you realize it's like, wow,
I'm helping this person, butthis employer helps 50 people or
5 people, and if I can helpthem, I can help all these
people.
It seems like that desire toserve and to help, it's like
(09:19):
almost like it becomes thelogical next step within, within
kind of how a company evolveswithin our industry.
Clemons (09:27):
It fits.
And I think at the time Daddidn't see it and after a while
he did.
That's interesting.
And began to love it.
That's cool.
And love the potential for, youknow, have it affecting more
people.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (09:40):
Okay.
I love it.
I love it.
So, between FBMC and Clemens, wehave a combined experience of
115 years.
That's something.
What are you, what have you guyslearned over the years?
Clemons (09:52):
I think the biggest one for, and I'll speak for Scott,
is, at the end of the day, dothe right thing.
It's always, you know, help yourclients, help your community,
you know, that helps yourself.
Always making sure at the end ofthe day, it may not always be
(10:12):
right, you know, you're nevergoing to always do the, as far
as, hey, everybody's going tomake mistakes, but at the end of
the day, do the right thing andgo that extra mile for someone
if you can.
Be it in the community, or foryour client, I think.
What do you think, Scott?
We, we do things, and uh, wewere talking before we got, we
turned the microphones on about,there have been some things that
we've done for clients that donot make financial sense for the
(10:35):
Clemens company.
But once you're engaged withthem, you just, you can't let
go.
And I have to give a lot ofcredit to Michelle.
She will, if something comes upand we feel like, she feels like
one of our, clients or theiremployees has not been treated
well in the summer long, shejust will not let go because it
becomes personal.
We know them, we know theirfamilies, and so, I think that's
(10:59):
one thing that sets us apart alittle bit.
We're fortunate that werepresent a number of not for
profits, and so sometimes it'shard to separate yourself from
providing that consultation forthem, those benefits.
And their own mission.
And so we begin to, very oftenwe adopt their mission.
(11:21):
I've been on the board ofdirectors of Goodwill
Industries.
Very active in a lot of theirinitiatives.
Life Management, which is ourcommunity mental health center.
I've been on the foundationthere.
Actually, that was my mom whostarted that relationship.
I was following her footstepsand dad's footsteps.
She was the chairman of theboard of that organization.
So that Part of our company,that's a, that's a, that's an
(11:45):
essential part of our company.
That we can have an impact onthe community in other ways.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_0 (11:51):
I love it.
I think it's interesting becauseif you're listening to this
podcast, you're most likelysomebody who has to, who has a
broker today, a consultant whohelps you with your benefits.
I don't know what kind ofrelationship you do or don't
have with that individual, butif you're kind of listening
between the lines, just withwhat Scott and Michelle just
(12:11):
said, it's almost as if to say,if I were trying to decide what
are the reasons I should hiresomebody, there's the tangible
things that, do they knowinsurance?
Are they licensed?
Like, how many years have theybeen doing this?
It's the checklist that we allhave, right?
That pretty much everybody'sgoing to be able to check.
Right, and then you kind of setthat aside, and you're like,
(12:32):
well, what are some othermeaningful factors?
And it's almost like what I hearyou saying is they're local,
they live within the communitythat they serve, they are
embedded to the degree thatthey're part of local
leadership, they're part of,local not for profits, they're
on board, they're trying to helpmake the community better.
(12:52):
Like, there's all these othercriteria, that make Somebody a
more intimate connection andmake them vested in the
community to make your businesswant to thrive that you could
throw in as additional factorsright That I find highly
valuable you guys clearly findhighly valuable and in those
(13:12):
concepts kind of lead into Iguess our next question which I
would say is Can you elaboratemore on what makes the Clemens
company unique within the spacethat you're in?
Clemons (13:26):
What about you, Michelle?
You want to tackle that?
No, right, go ahead.
Well, we've touched on that.
We feel strongly that we want toprovide very personal service.
Because sometimes in thisindustry it can be a little
impersonal.
Yeah.
We try to be ahead.
We try to look out and find outwhat are the practices that are
successful.
(13:46):
That have been done in anotherstate, in another community, and
we take time to understand thatand determine whether that's
applicable in Panama City.
in our region and whether itwould work for our clients.
So, we try to spend a lot oftime educating ourselves.
We were one of the first,agencies, this is many years
ago, one of the first agenciesthat adopted, online enrollment
(14:07):
systems.
Mm, hm.
And began to deploy them in away that not only made life
easier for the employees, butfor their staff, for the, the HR
staff.
But again, you weave thattogether with the, just kind of
a, we, you know, our personalpresence and commitment to what
we view as our neighbors.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (14:26):
That's cool.
That's really cool.
I think, probably if more peoplehad access to that, what's
happening in the market, thereason I even asked the
question, and you can kind ofhear it in the vein of the
conversation, there's companiesthat are acquiring our space.
That are massive companies,right?
And they are gobbling up smallfirms, and I use the term
(14:48):
gobbling intentionally.
That's really what's happening.
They just become a part of themorb.
And then once that takes place,the, what makes the Clemens
Company unique ends up justdissipating.
Because they then just becomelike this big machine, right?
And so if you're the consumerand that's now what you're
getting.
(15:09):
All the things they're gonnatell you is is yeah, well, we've
got the power of this bigmachine and But you lose a lot
of that intimate levelconnectivity I'm kind of back to
like the neat thing that'shappened between FBMC and the
Clemens company coming togetheris nothing has changed from that
perspective as far as thatintimacy With your clients who
(15:33):
your clients are, some big firmsout there like well if they
don't generate a certain amountand like we're not interested
and that is not what you'regetting from the Clemens
company.
It's certainly not what you'regetting from FBMC.
I think I personally love thefact that that's staying the
same.
I think I told Scott.
A few times like I just am happyto learn what you know, and
(15:55):
Michelle knows I mean the truthis like you you know There's a
lot for people to learn at FBMCfrom the knowledge that's at the
Clemmons company and at thatshared collective knowledge Is
that 115 years becomes powerfulfor our clients?
Clemons (16:12):
The beauty of being able to work with FBMC is we do
learn a lot from, from, uh, thecompany.
We learn a lot about, strategiesand technologies, there's
resources that we can bring toour clients that we couldn't
bring before.
But I do feel like we can,provide to FBMC, the rest of the
(16:32):
company some things that we'vedone that are unique about the
Clemens Company.
But What Michelle and I havetried to do is always take time
to really understand what'sunique about that client.
Everybody's different.
Some of my friends in theconsulting business think it's,
uh, it's sacrilege to do thisbut like sometimes we find that
(16:56):
there's a small company mighthave 15 employees.
They're not in a position to putthe So sometimes we recommend
going with a PEO.
We try to really understand andvet and who are the real PEOs
who, who share some of thosesame qualities that we think we
have that, commitment to servingthe, uh, our clients.
(17:20):
And sometimes that works.
So that's just an example wherewe try to look a little bit
outside of the box of whatworks.
For that particular client,
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (17:27):
right less and I'm glad you said that
less about you more about them.
Yeah, right Mike the founder ofour company always used to tell
me needs it always starts withneeds right like not my needs
What are the needs of thecustomer?
What are the what are the needsidentify the needs and then help
them resolve them?
And it's it's funny.
(17:48):
It's like it's like your dadtells you or your mom whoever
helped you when you were insports as a child right, it's
like Blocking and tackling, likethose basic fundamentals are
kind of what built the business,but people have a tendency to
forget those fundamentals, I'venoticed.
Clemons (18:06):
There was a, somebody I heard a quote that said some
people in business, andunfortunately there's a lot of
people in the benefits businesswho like to, posture themselves
and they say remember whenthey're coming in to see a
client.
And this person stressed that,wait a minute, you don't want to
be interesting.
You want them to remember thatyou were interested.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (18:28):
That's a great That is good.
I like that.
That's really good.
We're going to make a video withthat on it.
Yeah.
Put Scott's face, for sure.
No, that's awesome.
Yes, talking head.
So I think we kind of coveredthe next couple, but I guess is
there anything else that youwould say to someone who might
be interested in an agency thatwants to join with FBMC?
(18:49):
Is there any advice or anythingthat drew you to us?
I know we talked about ourvalues and things like that.
Clemons (18:56):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So.
Scott and I have been approachedby, obviously, the big houses in
the past couple years becausethat absorption is what they're,
they're really looking to do.
And we, we actually had dinnerwith a couple, couple people
and, and when you dig into, soyou know, the money's great and,
but when you dig into the coreof it, you're just being
(19:17):
absorbed.
And then six months after theyabsorb you, what you had no
longer exists.
Well, we're four months in andwhat we have.
exists and is probably strongerbecause of our relationship.
So, our door still says theClemmons Company, we still
answer the Clemmons Company, butnow we have the added benefit of
(19:38):
partnering with FBMC and I'mgonna, I hope this isn't too off
script, this past week we'vespent the week with Region 1
I've met the most interestingRegion 1 FBMC team Yeah, Region
1 for FBMC team and it was likewe've known each other for
years.
And they are amazing, competent,funny, fun, warm people that I'd
(20:00):
feel like if we went withsomeone else, we would not have
gotten.
They're our new family.
They, I mean, we know them byname.
We go out for, you know, when Isee them, I've known them three
days.
They hugged me last night.
I'm like, aww.
I mean, I don't think you wouldhave that connection and that
relationship with, with one ofthese bigger companies.
So, going with someone.
I mean, you guys are only twohours from us and you're in
(20:21):
Northwest Florida, this is whereyou started, this is where
you're going to be.
I mean, having that for us was,I mean, that really did drive
our decision of a company morelike us, bigger scale, but more
like us that we can relate toand we're comfortable with and
we can provide good services butnot be just a metric.
Yeah.
I mean, that I think for us wasthe biggest decision factor.
(20:45):
Culture matters.
It does.
It starts really good with thesesoundbites.
Do you guys know that?
Yeah, I like it.
It's like, clip, clip.
And you know, FBMC does havesome tools that we've not had
before.
Absolutely.
But we don't have anybody comingfrom FBMC breathing down our
necks saying, you need to dothis this way.
(21:07):
It's, could this work?
How can we work together to makethis A real benefit for our
employ, for our clients.
Mm-hmm And I, I detect sincereinterest on the part of FBMC and
learning from us.
Mm-hmm And I love that.
Give and take that we, that wenow share.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025 (21:30):
You know, when I was in the
consulting world for managementconsulting, one of my projects
was an oil and gas project.
And I actually, you know, I'd.
The deal that made us unique isI put on steel toed boots, fire
retardant clothing, hard hat.
Do you have pictures?
(21:50):
I have tons of pictures.
Although, on location I wasn'tallowed to take pictures because
it could, because, it couldcreate an explosion
unintentionally, depending onwhere you were in which
environment.
So I didn't have my phone, Ipromise, but, uh, but what was,
what I learned in that processwas like, I'd go out on a rig,
(22:11):
right?
And I'd be out on the rig whilewe're doing drilling, there's,
you know, There's gas pockets.
There's all these things thatyou're planning for in your
safety protocol, right?
And there's gentlemen that areout on that rig that have been
doing this for over 50 years.
(22:31):
They probably started as aroustabout on the rig with a
mop, right?
And they've worked their way upto driller, or they've worked
their way up to company person.
And the moral of the story isThose people have been doing it
for so long that what the worldperceives dangerous, they don't
even see anymore.
And we always used to have thissaying.
It was like, who's, who's theperson who's going to see the
(22:55):
danger first?
Well, within the context of theday to day life, it's probably
the person who's been there for50 years.
In that they know what they'resupposed to be looking for, and
they deal with it every day.
But the truth is, is whensomething new happens that
creates a new safety concern,they're probably not the first
(23:16):
one who's always going to seeit.
Nine times out of ten, it's thenew hire who comes on because
everything looks dangerous.
Right?
And so we always had thissaying, it was like, fresh eyes
have the best eyes.
Right?
So when somebody new comes onlocation, if they see something
You're saying something, becauseyou're going to see something
that I step over unintentionallyevery day, just because it's
(23:38):
always there, and I just gotused to stepping over it.
They're going to be like, thatdoesn't look safe, and somebody
needs to hear that and fix it.
And so, I think if you take thatsame mentality, from a, Hey,
we're speaking to us to thisfirm and we're bringing them
into the family.
If you have that new eyes, fresheyes, or the best eyes
(24:03):
mentality, you're going to learna lot.
Right?
And I think that's the coolthing is at FBMC.
You know, we do things the waywe've been doing things and
we're always trying to evolveand grow and how we're doing
things But we're bringing infresh eyes So you guys may look
at what we're doing and be like,why are you doing that?
And i'm gonna be like that's areally good question.
I probably should think aboutthat.
(24:25):
What are you thinking?
You know, and I think likethat's That is a culture thing.
I think that is, deciding to seethe world the way, a different
way.
Because I think what happens is,is in a lot of these bigger
firms, they just decide thatclearly we're big, and so we
know what we're doing.
Right?
Like, I have all the Stanfordgrads, I have all the people
(24:46):
from Yale, or I have all thepeople from wherever, Cornell,
or, whomever.
I think that's great, and,nothing but respect and
appreciation for those people.
We need those people, andthey're phenomenal, but I also
know that I have some people onstaff who don't have a college
degree that I would put upagainst any of those people in
(25:08):
the field that we're in.
For the purpose that they, that,that, that they're serving in.
And so I think, like I'velearned, I think we've learned
as a part of our culture, it's,it's, somebody can be as great
as they choose to be.
But the people that have atendency to be great are the
ones who don't necessarily lookat themselves that way, but look
at everyone else like, I've gotsomething to learn from them,
(25:29):
and I hope.
I really, truly hope that ourculture stays that way.
Because I think if we lose that,I think we're, you know, we've
lost something big.
Clemons (25:40):
People bring value in different ways.
That's right.
Think about it.
Benjamin Franklin didn't have acollege degree.
That's right.
Neither does Bill Gates.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (25:47):
That's right.
Some insanely smart people.
We just, it's funny you saythat, like my wife and I, we
just had a conversation withthis, with the kids.
The kids are sitting at thecounter and we were sitting
there having a conversationaround college and this and that
and I think, we were talkingabout the GPAs that it takes to
get into colleges these days.
So hard.
Right?
(26:09):
The kids are freaking out alittle bit about that and I
just, I looked at them and I waslike, look, it's gonna be what
it's gonna be.
But what matters is that youfind something that you're
passionate about, that you liketo learn about, and just do your
best.
If you go to a community collegefor the first two years, who
cares?
Get it out of your head thatthere's something wrong with
(26:29):
that, because you're going tosave a lot of money, and, oh by
the way, you're going to get thesame education, and, oh by the
way, you're going to be allowedinto the same four year
universities after the factthat, people, that other people
are.
So just get that out of yourhead.
And it's so interesting, just,That mentality gets taken into
the business world.
It gets taken into the M& Aworld.
(26:51):
It gets taken into, the culturesof companies.
And I think, the opportunity forall of us, especially those of
us with kids, is to, is to,like, think about what we're
teaching them and what we'reingraining in their minds
because then as adults we end updealing with it in the working
world and it is nice when youfind people who deal with it in
a healthy way.
(27:11):
Well just to round out theconversation, love the time with
you guys.
We always reserve a questionkind of for the end of these and
it's really just open ended.
I was always taught sometimesthe best thing to do is just ask
this question, what else?
Clemons (27:30):
So for me, like I said, this past week has been super
enlightening.
I would like to give such kudosto Vicky Whaley.
First off, I'm certain she needsan assistant.
I don't know how one person cando everything that she does and
still excel at everything shedoes.
(27:50):
She made us truffles.
Did you guys know that?
Have you ever had them?
She's a great baker.
I told you.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_ (27:56):
If you're listening, Vicki Whaley
is the managing principal forthe Southeast.
And she's a phenomenal humanbeing.
She's out of Crawfordville,Florida.
And what Michelle's talkingabout is, Vicki always likes to
do something special for herpeople.
And the truffles is like a laborof love for her.
Because I know, to your point,she's super busy.
And I don't know how long ittakes to make truffles.
(28:17):
I've never made them.
You've probably never eaten one.
Well, that's true.
That's true.
But that it is really kind thatyou say that.
'cause I know she'll appreciatethat.
Yeah, absolutely.
Clemons (28:27):
But for, we've appreciated that.
Like you said, nothing much haschanged, but meeting the, a lot
of the region one people justsolidifies, I think for both of
us.
What an incredible decision thiswas.
I think it's gonna be amazingthe things that we can learn
and.
for us being, we're very thinlystaffed.
So knowing that I can pick up myphone and call anyone I met this
(28:49):
past week and ask for help isincredible.
I mean, it puts both of us so atease knowing that, you know, if,
if there was an emergency andwe, anybody would help us.
Yeah.
And we didn't have, you know,that before and knowing that
they would treat our clientslike their own and just what a
great decision it was to, topartner with a company that's so
(29:11):
like ours.
And so close.
And then the people are, like Isaid, the people we've met just
this past week have beenphenomenal.
And we're really looking forwardto kind of growing and all the
things that we can learn fromyou guys.
And maybe we can teach somethings on the way.
Well, I love it.
Scott, anything else that No, Ithink Michelle summed it up very
(29:32):
well.
Thinking about Vicki and therest of the team.
They work really hard to teachus the things that are unique to
the benefits world, but thatrelationship we developed where,
you know, they could be gently,critical, say, hey, you can do
something better, but to beencouraging along the way, has
(29:54):
been, wonderful.
And we look forward tostrengthening that relationship
over time.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (29:59):
That's cool.
Well, I'll, I'll throw a plugout, so you guys have Brittany,
who's, on staff and she's outthere as a producer and
consultant trying to, bring inmore, employers into the, the
Clemens Company kind of family,if you will.
And she's out there in NorthFlorida.
So if you're listening to thisand you're looking for, employee
(30:21):
benefits, consultant, brokers,,advocate to help you with your
benefits.
You know, you can go to theClemens Company, look him up on,
you can Google that, you canfind him online.
You can find him via FBMC'swebsite online.
If you look up on LinkedIn, youcan find Scott, you can find
Michelle, you can find Brittany.
(30:42):
but reach out if you're, ifyou're in the Florida area and
you're looking for assistance.
You got to meet him personally.
Clemons (30:50):
I'm so glad you said that because I hope people will
do that because whether we getto work together or not, if you
invite Brittany into youroffice, it will be the best part
of your day.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-202 (30:59):
Yep.
That was a great hire.
That was a great hire.
Awesome.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on.
Thank you to the listeners thatare out there.
If any of you have anyquestions, please contact or
look for information on ourhomepage at www.
fbnc.
com.
Thanks.
Have a great day.
Hey, thank you for listening into risky benefits, a podcast
that informs you on all thingsbenefits.
We've got a saying around here.
Benefits isn't your mainbusiness.
It's ours.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-202 (00:16):
Hey, everyone.
Thank you for listening to RiskyBenefits and welcome to this
week's episode.
Our guests this episode areScott Clemons and Michelle Matt.
Scott and Michelle are presidentand vice president of the
Clemons Company.
And the Clemons Company and FBMCpartnered together last year.
we're both thrilled for theopportunity to expand and
(00:37):
continue, to provide innovationand excellence to our clients.
And today we're going to bechatting essentially with the
Clemens company about what thatmeans.
let's just start by thanking youguys for coming on.
Super happy to have you today.
and maybe if we, if you don'tmind, let's just start by
introducing the two of you andlearning a little bit more about
(01:00):
you guys personally.
Sure, I'm, I'm Scott Clementsand, I'm married to Pat.
I have two daughters, one who'snow a psychologist, another one
is an artist, and I have twograndkids now.
And one of the greatest,opportunities for my life has
been to be able to work with mydad.
My dad started the ClemensCompany in 1957, before I was
(01:23):
born, and it wasn't until muchlater after I'd tried to step
into one other career that I gotinto the insurance business and
I had never looked back sincethen.
It's been wonderful.
That's pretty cool.
And Scott, you have a backgroundin, you're an attorney as well.
Clemons (01:39):
I am.
I practiced law, for about fiveyears.
And as I tell people, I,practiced for about three years
and realized I didn't want to dothat for the rest of my life.
It took me another couple ofyears to figure out where do I
want to be, where can Icontribute the most, and really
to be happiest.
And I've loved this.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025 (01:56):
And a history buff.
Yeah.
And a history buff.
I, so I got to travel a littlebit with Scott, and Scott and I
got to talking about likehistory books and different,
authors and some things that wehad gotten into.
And it was actually, like ifyou're ever looking to, To learn
some things about the countryand he's the guy
Clemons (02:14):
who we had some great conversations Yeah, so that was
fun so now, you know if youdidn't know now, you know And
Michelle, how about you?
Hey, good morning.
I'm, Michelle Matt.
I, uh, So we're going to givepersonal details.
Okay.
Let's see.
I don't have any children, orany children at FSU.
(02:37):
I do have a fur child who's atdaycare, much to all of our
chagrins.
I have worked.
No, she comes in the office.
She does.
She?
Yes.
Oh, what kind?
Uh, a lab retriever mix.
Aww, okay.
So what's her name?
Rena.
Aw.
The queen means the queen.
The queen.
I don't mean to interruptMichelle too long, but she
instituted a new traditional,the Clemens company dog Friday.
(03:01):
I like it.
I like it.
I like it.
She should have brought her!She's not that social.
She's great.
And it's too much peopling forher.
I get that.
She has a very busy social life.
She has a doggie daycare twodays a week.
Comes to the office.
So yeah, she has a very busysocial life.
But I went a little bitdifferent path than Scott.
(03:24):
I actually started at theClemens Company in 19 I don't
want to tell you guys.
1999.
Okay.
And I started as a bookkeeper.
And worked on the pension side.
Doing a pension administration.
And then in 2008, I came andjoined Scott.
And, we've been working togetherever since.
(03:46):
So we celebrated, Michelle's25th year with the Clemens
Company.
We had a great selection.
24.
Yeah.
It's been wonderful.
That is really cool.
So, when I go to enrollmentmeetings and I say, Well, what
is your date of birth?
And they say, Or, my mom's yourage.
I'm like, That's a really longtime.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_0 (04:03):
I mean, notice when you Fill out
something online, and you haveto like scroll for the year.
Mine is like a log, man.
You're like, man, I don'tremember having to scroll this
long.
Yep.
Yeah, I know.
I saw this thing that was like,these hockey players, and it was
a college team, and they weresome, I don't know, they were
young.
And they were getting, they weregetting pulled out, and they
(04:23):
were interviewing them, and theywere like, What year do you
think people are old?
And they were like, 1997, 1995.
I was like, what?
What?
What are you doing?
Yeah, okay, guess I'm old.
Spin the wheel, spin the wheel.
Thank you guys for coming in andlooking forward to the
(04:44):
conversation.
Yeah So FBMC and the Clemenscompany were thrilled to
announce our partnership inOctober last year Can you
explain a little bit about whatthat means to our listeners?
Clemons (04:57):
You know for us We have loved the fact that we're a
homegrown company I think thathas allowed us to provide a
certain level of personalservice.
Over the years have given sometime to consider expanding to
create new opportunities for us,new geographic, additional
geographic reach, otherresources.
(05:21):
But I resisted because I, wantedto make sure that if we did do
something like that withsomebody with a similar culture,
who valued the relationshipswith their clients the way do,
we do, and it was wonderful tobe introduced to FBMC and see
that we do share that culture.
So that's a big part of thereason that we wanted to join
together.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (05:39):
That's awesome.
And maybe as I think about it,Scott and Michelle, for the
listeners out there, they maynot be completely in tune with
all of what you guys evenprovide.
As an employee benefitsconsulting firm, I mean, what is
the kind of the depth of whatyou guys offer to the market?
Clemons (05:55):
Sure.
So for us, of course, it's allthings employee benefits.
Whether it's a two person groupor an 800 person group, it's
medical, dental, vision, life,disability.
All of the, online enrollmenttools, but I think for us, our,
one of our biggest strengths isadvocacy.
(06:16):
You know, we want to be able tohelp that small group, get the
services that maybe a largergroup would get as well.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (06:22):
Yeah.
That's perfect.
If you're listening, there youhave it.
I mean, if you're an employerthat's out there, you're looking
for help, Whether it be small,medium, or large, you need an
advocate, right?
We were talking earlier, youhear the stories about people
who feel like their voice isn'theard with a large carrier.
Possibly, a claim's, denied or asurgery is, is denied.
(06:45):
It's people like Scott andMichele who step in and
interface in between the carrierand you to make sure that you're
taken care of, amongst manyother things, but that is
conceptually one of the bigthings.
And so As I'm saying that I'mlike you guys do this now, but
how long have you been doingthis?
What's kind of the history onthe company?
When did you guys what was theyear you guys started?
Clemons (07:06):
So As I mentioned before dad started the company
in 1957 Short career in theMarine Corps didn't know a soul
in Panama City and created avery successful business.
His focus was on, lifeinsurance, individual life
insurance and disability andlater transitioned a little bit
(07:29):
into adding a retirement plan,administration as well.
So when I left my law practicein 1991, I came over with dad
and I, followed him and hisfootsteps, providing life
insurance.
For, three or four years andthen after a while, I began to
(07:49):
dabble in benefits.
And got a, you know, sometimesyou just can't really explain
it.
You just get something where youget a feel for it.
At a comfort level with it.
It was very satisfying to beable to do something where you
knew you were providing securityfor people.
And Dad resisted it for a while.
We pulled and Dad kind of movedover after a while and learned
(08:11):
to love.
Benefits, like me kind ofrealized that the things that we
were doing for people on theemployee benefits side were very
similar to what I had been to inlife insurance.
Yeah.
And you get that sense that whensomething happens in somebody's
life and you see that you'vebeen able to provide them the
protection they need, that's avery, very rewarding, experience
(08:33):
and feeling.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (08:34):
That's interesting.
Scott.
You know, I've spoken to a lotof different people.
About how they entered into theinsurance industry and while on
the servicing side.
It's always kind of All over theplace right how they got there
But a lot of times when you talkto owners of the firms a lot of
people started with the lifeinsurance And I don't know if
(08:55):
that was just kind of similar towhat you're saying.
It was like I know I want tohelp people This is a very
tangible thing that I know helpspeople.
And then you get into that, andthen you realize it's like, wow,
I'm helping this person, butthis employer helps 50 people or
5 people, and if I can helpthem, I can help all these
people.
It seems like that desire toserve and to help, it's like
(09:19):
almost like it becomes thelogical next step within, within
kind of how a company evolveswithin our industry.
Clemons (09:27):
It fits.
And I think at the time Daddidn't see it and after a while
he did.
That's interesting.
And began to love it.
That's cool.
And love the potential for, youknow, have it affecting more
people.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (09:40):
Okay.
I love it.
I love it.
So, between FBMC and Clemens, wehave a combined experience of
115 years.
That's something.
What are you, what have you guyslearned over the years?
Clemons (09:52):
I think the biggest one for, and I'll speak for Scott,
is, at the end of the day, dothe right thing.
It's always, you know, help yourclients, help your community,
you know, that helps yourself.
Always making sure at the end ofthe day, it may not always be
(10:12):
right, you know, you're nevergoing to always do the, as far
as, hey, everybody's going tomake mistakes, but at the end of
the day, do the right thing andgo that extra mile for someone
if you can.
Be it in the community, or foryour client, I think.
What do you think, Scott?
We, we do things, and uh, wewere talking before we got, we
turned the microphones on about,there have been some things that
we've done for clients that donot make financial sense for the
(10:35):
Clemens company.
But once you're engaged withthem, you just, you can't let
go.
And I have to give a lot ofcredit to Michelle.
She will, if something comes upand we feel like, she feels like
one of our, clients or theiremployees has not been treated
well in the summer long, shejust will not let go because it
becomes personal.
We know them, we know theirfamilies, and so, I think that's
(10:59):
one thing that sets us apart alittle bit.
We're fortunate that werepresent a number of not for
profits, and so sometimes it'shard to separate yourself from
providing that consultation forthem, those benefits.
And their own mission.
And so we begin to, very oftenwe adopt their mission.
(11:21):
I've been on the board ofdirectors of Goodwill
Industries.
Very active in a lot of theirinitiatives.
Life Management, which is ourcommunity mental health center.
I've been on the foundationthere.
Actually, that was my mom whostarted that relationship.
I was following her footstepsand dad's footsteps.
She was the chairman of theboard of that organization.
So that Part of our company,that's a, that's a, that's an
(11:45):
essential part of our company.
That we can have an impact onthe community in other ways.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_0 (11:51):
I love it.
I think it's interesting becauseif you're listening to this
podcast, you're most likelysomebody who has to, who has a
broker today, a consultant whohelps you with your benefits.
I don't know what kind ofrelationship you do or don't
have with that individual, butif you're kind of listening
between the lines, just withwhat Scott and Michelle just
(12:11):
said, it's almost as if to say,if I were trying to decide what
are the reasons I should hiresomebody, there's the tangible
things that, do they knowinsurance?
Are they licensed?
Like, how many years have theybeen doing this?
It's the checklist that we allhave, right?
That pretty much everybody'sgoing to be able to check.
Right, and then you kind of setthat aside, and you're like,
(12:32):
well, what are some othermeaningful factors?
And it's almost like what I hearyou saying is they're local,
they live within the communitythat they serve, they are
embedded to the degree thatthey're part of local
leadership, they're part of,local not for profits, they're
on board, they're trying to helpmake the community better.
(12:52):
Like, there's all these othercriteria, that make Somebody a
more intimate connection andmake them vested in the
community to make your businesswant to thrive that you could
throw in as additional factorsright That I find highly
valuable you guys clearly findhighly valuable and in those
(13:12):
concepts kind of lead into Iguess our next question which I
would say is Can you elaboratemore on what makes the Clemens
company unique within the spacethat you're in?
Clemons (13:26):
What about you, Michelle?
You want to tackle that?
No, right, go ahead.
Well, we've touched on that.
We feel strongly that we want toprovide very personal service.
Because sometimes in thisindustry it can be a little
impersonal.
Yeah.
We try to be ahead.
We try to look out and find outwhat are the practices that are
successful.
(13:46):
That have been done in anotherstate, in another community, and
we take time to understand thatand determine whether that's
applicable in Panama City.
in our region and whether itwould work for our clients.
So, we try to spend a lot oftime educating ourselves.
We were one of the first,agencies, this is many years
ago, one of the first agenciesthat adopted, online enrollment
(14:07):
systems.
Mm, hm.
And began to deploy them in away that not only made life
easier for the employees, butfor their staff, for the, the HR
staff.
But again, you weave thattogether with the, just kind of
a, we, you know, our personalpresence and commitment to what
we view as our neighbors.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (14:26):
That's cool.
That's really cool.
I think, probably if more peoplehad access to that, what's
happening in the market, thereason I even asked the
question, and you can kind ofhear it in the vein of the
conversation, there's companiesthat are acquiring our space.
That are massive companies,right?
And they are gobbling up smallfirms, and I use the term
(14:48):
gobbling intentionally.
That's really what's happening.
They just become a part of themorb.
And then once that takes place,the, what makes the Clemens
Company unique ends up justdissipating.
Because they then just becomelike this big machine, right?
And so if you're the consumerand that's now what you're
getting.
(15:09):
All the things they're gonnatell you is is yeah, well, we've
got the power of this bigmachine and But you lose a lot
of that intimate levelconnectivity I'm kind of back to
like the neat thing that'shappened between FBMC and the
Clemens company coming togetheris nothing has changed from that
perspective as far as thatintimacy With your clients who
(15:33):
your clients are, some big firmsout there like well if they
don't generate a certain amountand like we're not interested
and that is not what you'regetting from the Clemens
company.
It's certainly not what you'regetting from FBMC.
I think I personally love thefact that that's staying the
same.
I think I told Scott.
A few times like I just am happyto learn what you know, and
(15:55):
Michelle knows I mean the truthis like you you know There's a
lot for people to learn at FBMCfrom the knowledge that's at the
Clemmons company and at thatshared collective knowledge Is
that 115 years becomes powerfulfor our clients?
Clemons (16:12):
The beauty of being able to work with FBMC is we do
learn a lot from, from, uh, thecompany.
We learn a lot about, strategiesand technologies, there's
resources that we can bring toour clients that we couldn't
bring before.
But I do feel like we can,provide to FBMC, the rest of the
(16:32):
company some things that we'vedone that are unique about the
Clemens Company.
But What Michelle and I havetried to do is always take time
to really understand what'sunique about that client.
Everybody's different.
Some of my friends in theconsulting business think it's,
uh, it's sacrilege to do thisbut like sometimes we find that
(16:56):
there's a small company mighthave 15 employees.
They're not in a position to putthe So sometimes we recommend
going with a PEO.
We try to really understand andvet and who are the real PEOs
who, who share some of thosesame qualities that we think we
have that, commitment to servingthe, uh, our clients.
(17:20):
And sometimes that works.
So that's just an example wherewe try to look a little bit
outside of the box of whatworks.
For that particular client,
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-20 (17:27):
right less and I'm glad you said that
less about you more about them.
Yeah, right Mike the founder ofour company always used to tell
me needs it always starts withneeds right like not my needs
What are the needs of thecustomer?
What are the what are the needsidentify the needs and then help
them resolve them?
And it's it's funny.
(17:48):
It's like it's like your dadtells you or your mom whoever
helped you when you were insports as a child right, it's
like Blocking and tackling, likethose basic fundamentals are
kind of what built the business,but people have a tendency to
forget those fundamentals, I'venoticed.
Clemons (18:06):
There was a, somebody I heard a quote that said some
people in business, andunfortunately there's a lot of
people in the benefits businesswho like to, posture themselves
and they say remember whenthey're coming in to see a
client.
And this person stressed that,wait a minute, you don't want to
be interesting.
You want them to remember thatyou were interested.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (18:28):
That's a great That is good.
I like that.
That's really good.
We're going to make a video withthat on it.
Yeah.
Put Scott's face, for sure.
No, that's awesome.
Yes, talking head.
So I think we kind of coveredthe next couple, but I guess is
there anything else that youwould say to someone who might
be interested in an agency thatwants to join with FBMC?
(18:49):
Is there any advice or anythingthat drew you to us?
I know we talked about ourvalues and things like that.
Clemons (18:56):
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
So.
Scott and I have been approachedby, obviously, the big houses in
the past couple years becausethat absorption is what they're,
they're really looking to do.
And we, we actually had dinnerwith a couple, couple people
and, and when you dig into, soyou know, the money's great and,
but when you dig into the coreof it, you're just being
(19:17):
absorbed.
And then six months after theyabsorb you, what you had no
longer exists.
Well, we're four months in andwhat we have.
exists and is probably strongerbecause of our relationship.
So, our door still says theClemmons Company, we still
answer the Clemmons Company, butnow we have the added benefit of
(19:38):
partnering with FBMC and I'mgonna, I hope this isn't too off
script, this past week we'vespent the week with Region 1
I've met the most interestingRegion 1 FBMC team Yeah, Region
1 for FBMC team and it was likewe've known each other for
years.
And they are amazing, competent,funny, fun, warm people that I'd
(20:00):
feel like if we went withsomeone else, we would not have
gotten.
They're our new family.
They, I mean, we know them byname.
We go out for, you know, when Isee them, I've known them three
days.
They hugged me last night.
I'm like, aww.
I mean, I don't think you wouldhave that connection and that
relationship with, with one ofthese bigger companies.
So, going with someone.
I mean, you guys are only twohours from us and you're in
(20:21):
Northwest Florida, this is whereyou started, this is where
you're going to be.
I mean, having that for us was,I mean, that really did drive
our decision of a company morelike us, bigger scale, but more
like us that we can relate toand we're comfortable with and
we can provide good services butnot be just a metric.
Yeah.
I mean, that I think for us wasthe biggest decision factor.
(20:45):
Culture matters.
It does.
It starts really good with thesesoundbites.
Do you guys know that?
Yeah, I like it.
It's like, clip, clip.
And you know, FBMC does havesome tools that we've not had
before.
Absolutely.
But we don't have anybody comingfrom FBMC breathing down our
necks saying, you need to dothis this way.
(21:07):
It's, could this work?
How can we work together to makethis A real benefit for our
employ, for our clients.
Mm-hmm And I, I detect sincereinterest on the part of FBMC and
learning from us.
Mm-hmm And I love that.
Give and take that we, that wenow share.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025 (21:30):
You know, when I was in the
consulting world for managementconsulting, one of my projects
was an oil and gas project.
And I actually, you know, I'd.
The deal that made us unique isI put on steel toed boots, fire
retardant clothing, hard hat.
Do you have pictures?
(21:50):
I have tons of pictures.
Although, on location I wasn'tallowed to take pictures because
it could, because, it couldcreate an explosion
unintentionally, depending onwhere you were in which
environment.
So I didn't have my phone, Ipromise, but, uh, but what was,
what I learned in that processwas like, I'd go out on a rig,
(22:11):
right?
And I'd be out on the rig whilewe're doing drilling, there's,
you know, There's gas pockets.
There's all these things thatyou're planning for in your
safety protocol, right?
And there's gentlemen that areout on that rig that have been
doing this for over 50 years.
(22:31):
They probably started as aroustabout on the rig with a
mop, right?
And they've worked their way upto driller, or they've worked
their way up to company person.
And the moral of the story isThose people have been doing it
for so long that what the worldperceives dangerous, they don't
even see anymore.
And we always used to have thissaying.
It was like, who's, who's theperson who's going to see the
(22:55):
danger first?
Well, within the context of theday to day life, it's probably
the person who's been there for50 years.
In that they know what they'resupposed to be looking for, and
they deal with it every day.
But the truth is, is whensomething new happens that
creates a new safety concern,they're probably not the first
(23:16):
one who's always going to seeit.
Nine times out of ten, it's thenew hire who comes on because
everything looks dangerous.
Right?
And so we always had thissaying, it was like, fresh eyes
have the best eyes.
Right?
So when somebody new comes onlocation, if they see something
You're saying something, becauseyou're going to see something
that I step over unintentionallyevery day, just because it's
(23:38):
always there, and I just gotused to stepping over it.
They're going to be like, thatdoesn't look safe, and somebody
needs to hear that and fix it.
And so, I think if you take thatsame mentality, from a, Hey,
we're speaking to us to thisfirm and we're bringing them
into the family.
If you have that new eyes, fresheyes, or the best eyes
(24:03):
mentality, you're going to learna lot.
Right?
And I think that's the coolthing is at FBMC.
You know, we do things the waywe've been doing things and
we're always trying to evolveand grow and how we're doing
things But we're bringing infresh eyes So you guys may look
at what we're doing and be like,why are you doing that?
And i'm gonna be like that's areally good question.
I probably should think aboutthat.
(24:25):
What are you thinking?
You know, and I think likethat's That is a culture thing.
I think that is, deciding to seethe world the way, a different
way.
Because I think what happens is,is in a lot of these bigger
firms, they just decide thatclearly we're big, and so we
know what we're doing.
Right?
Like, I have all the Stanfordgrads, I have all the people
(24:46):
from Yale, or I have all thepeople from wherever, Cornell,
or, whomever.
I think that's great, and,nothing but respect and
appreciation for those people.
We need those people, andthey're phenomenal, but I also
know that I have some people onstaff who don't have a college
degree that I would put upagainst any of those people in
(25:08):
the field that we're in.
For the purpose that they, that,that, that they're serving in.
And so I think, like I'velearned, I think we've learned
as a part of our culture, it's,it's, somebody can be as great
as they choose to be.
But the people that have atendency to be great are the
ones who don't necessarily lookat themselves that way, but look
at everyone else like, I've gotsomething to learn from them,
(25:29):
and I hope.
I really, truly hope that ourculture stays that way.
Because I think if we lose that,I think we're, you know, we've
lost something big.
Clemons (25:40):
People bring value in different ways.
That's right.
Think about it.
Benjamin Franklin didn't have acollege degree.
That's right.
Neither does Bill Gates.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (25:47):
That's right.
Some insanely smart people.
We just, it's funny you saythat, like my wife and I, we
just had a conversation withthis, with the kids.
The kids are sitting at thecounter and we were sitting
there having a conversationaround college and this and that
and I think, we were talkingabout the GPAs that it takes to
get into colleges these days.
So hard.
Right?
(26:09):
The kids are freaking out alittle bit about that and I
just, I looked at them and I waslike, look, it's gonna be what
it's gonna be.
But what matters is that youfind something that you're
passionate about, that you liketo learn about, and just do your
best.
If you go to a community collegefor the first two years, who
cares?
Get it out of your head thatthere's something wrong with
(26:29):
that, because you're going tosave a lot of money, and, oh by
the way, you're going to get thesame education, and, oh by the
way, you're going to be allowedinto the same four year
universities after the factthat, people, that other people
are.
So just get that out of yourhead.
And it's so interesting, just,That mentality gets taken into
the business world.
It gets taken into the M& Aworld.
(26:51):
It gets taken into, the culturesof companies.
And I think, the opportunity forall of us, especially those of
us with kids, is to, is to,like, think about what we're
teaching them and what we'reingraining in their minds
because then as adults we end updealing with it in the working
world and it is nice when youfind people who deal with it in
a healthy way.
(27:11):
Well just to round out theconversation, love the time with
you guys.
We always reserve a questionkind of for the end of these and
it's really just open ended.
I was always taught sometimesthe best thing to do is just ask
this question, what else?
Clemons (27:30):
So for me, like I said, this past week has been super
enlightening.
I would like to give such kudosto Vicky Whaley.
First off, I'm certain she needsan assistant.
I don't know how one person cando everything that she does and
still excel at everything shedoes.
(27:50):
She made us truffles.
Did you guys know that?
Have you ever had them?
She's a great baker.
I told you.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2025_ (27:56):
If you're listening, Vicki Whaley
is the managing principal forthe Southeast.
And she's a phenomenal humanbeing.
She's out of Crawfordville,Florida.
And what Michelle's talkingabout is, Vicki always likes to
do something special for herpeople.
And the truffles is like a laborof love for her.
Because I know, to your point,she's super busy.
And I don't know how long ittakes to make truffles.
(28:17):
I've never made them.
You've probably never eaten one.
Well, that's true.
That's true.
But that it is really kind thatyou say that.
'cause I know she'll appreciatethat.
Yeah, absolutely.
Clemons (28:27):
But for, we've appreciated that.
Like you said, nothing much haschanged, but meeting the, a lot
of the region one people justsolidifies, I think for both of
us.
What an incredible decision thiswas.
I think it's gonna be amazingthe things that we can learn
and.
for us being, we're very thinlystaffed.
So knowing that I can pick up myphone and call anyone I met this
(28:49):
past week and ask for help isincredible.
I mean, it puts both of us so atease knowing that, you know, if,
if there was an emergency andwe, anybody would help us.
Yeah.
And we didn't have, you know,that before and knowing that
they would treat our clientslike their own and just what a
great decision it was to, topartner with a company that's so
(29:11):
like ours.
And so close.
And then the people are, like Isaid, the people we've met just
this past week have beenphenomenal.
And we're really looking forwardto kind of growing and all the
things that we can learn fromyou guys.
And maybe we can teach somethings on the way.
Well, I love it.
Scott, anything else that No, Ithink Michelle summed it up very
(29:32):
well.
Thinking about Vicki and therest of the team.
They work really hard to teachus the things that are unique to
the benefits world, but thatrelationship we developed where,
you know, they could be gently,critical, say, hey, you can do
something better, but to beencouraging along the way, has
(29:54):
been, wonderful.
And we look forward tostrengthening that relationship
over time.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-2 (29:59):
That's cool.
Well, I'll, I'll throw a plugout, so you guys have Brittany,
who's, on staff and she's outthere as a producer and
consultant trying to, bring inmore, employers into the, the
Clemens Company kind of family,if you will.
And she's out there in NorthFlorida.
So if you're listening to thisand you're looking for, employee
(30:21):
benefits, consultant, brokers,,advocate to help you with your
benefits.
You know, you can go to theClemens Company, look him up on,
you can Google that, you canfind him online.
You can find him via FBMC'swebsite online.
If you look up on LinkedIn, youcan find Scott, you can find
Michelle, you can find Brittany.
(30:42):
but reach out if you're, ifyou're in the Florida area and
you're looking for assistance.
You got to meet him personally.
Clemons (30:50):
I'm so glad you said that because I hope people will
do that because whether we getto work together or not, if you
invite Brittany into youroffice, it will be the best part
of your day.
fbmc-marketing_2_02-07-202 (30:59):
Yep.
That was a great hire.
That was a great hire.
Awesome.
Well, thank you so much forcoming on.
Thank you to the listeners thatare out there.
If any of you have anyquestions, please contact or
look for information on ourhomepage at www.
fbnc.
com.
Thanks.
Have a great day.
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