August 31, 2022 • 48 mins
In this interview, Samantha shares her story of leaving a well-paying corporate job to pursue her dream of being an entrepreneur. She explains how she was able to build a successful business that feeds her soul, and allows her the flexibility to raise her kids, build community, stay active in her church, tend to her marriage, all while running her business. This interview was close to my heart, as Sam is my cousin and we have both been in the insurance industry.
Sam's story is one many professional women can relate to. She was climbing the corporate ladder and doing very well financially. However, it came a steep cost and that was time away from her family. There was a moment at my grandfather's funeral (her great uncle) that changed her direction and life. Sam and her husband decided to make a massive change and build a business. This was a decision reached over her deep prayers and faith, and involved her husband Rob and kids. She left that high paying corporate job and started an independent insurance agency with Goosehead Insurance.
The timing of starting the agency also came at a difficult time. Within the first 6 months of starting her business, there was a major medical issue with her daughter and a global pandemic. Not the optimal time to start a new venture. In typical fashion, Sam moved forward with commitment, passion and her deep faith.
Sam shares some of the lessons and benefits that she was gained over the first three years in business. There are challenges and moments of joy. Rob switched from his stay at home dad responsibilities and went back into his profession of trucking. Rob and Sam set the goal that Rob would be able to able the agency in 3 years. They accomplished this. The importance of prayer, community, meditation and family support comes through in her actions and results.
Sam continues to share her wisdom, faith and infectious smile with so many. She started the "Wherever You Go" podcast. You can find her online at https://www.goosehead.com/agents/pa/saxonburg/samantha-bauer/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Josh Meeder (00:00):
Welcome to the great things LLC podcast. I'm
your host, Josh Meeder.
Welcome to the podcast. Intoday's episode, I'm really
excited because it's going backto the roots. It's actually
going back to my family's roots.
My guest today is SamanthaBauer, who is my cousin, Sam,
welcome to the podcast. Thanksfor having me, Josh. I'm excited
to be here.
(00:24):
I have a great, great affinityfor this story because one,
it's, it's my cousin. She isabsolutely amazing. And just to
put it in perspective, we areconnected through her great
grandfather to a Kennedy. So onthe Kennedys and Demeter side.
They was Western Pennsylvania,big farm family and DeWitt
Kennedy was a lot of things. Hewas a farmer. He was a cattle
(00:45):
trade, or he was a pool hustler.
He was a great man. But we havea very, very large connected
farm family and our familyreunions, Uncle Bob and Joe and
you they could be 150 people.
And I remember those days reallyfondly say I'm with swimming in
the pool and doing the egg tossand water balloons over the
house. Yeah, yep. Some of myfavorite memories. Think about
(01:09):
it and not smile. No. In DeWittKennedy, he was my great
grandfather. I was the firstborngreat grandchild, child. So I
actually got his middle name andwas born on Father's Day. So had
a real connection with a great,great pap, and we'll get back to
that. Butjust put in perspective, we've
come from a long line ofentrepreneurs and self made
people. I know your folks werereal estate agents, and your
(01:33):
dad's done a lot like our familyhas a big community presence in
a long history ofentrepreneurialism.
Samantha Bauer (01:42):
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, pastors, farmers and small
business owners. Right.
Josh Meeder (01:48):
Right. And so one of the things that really
excited me to share your story.
So let's just talk about whatyou were going because in a way,
you represent a lot of things,professional women, moms, wives,
church and community members.
And let's start with sharing alittle bit about where you were
(02:11):
in kind of what made this changeto bring you where you're at
today.
Samantha Bauer (02:14):
Yeah, I'm glad you kind of shared that
backstory, because I think ourroots are definitely, they're
deep, right. And so they've kindof led me where I am today. But
I was climbing the corporateladder. And that was where I
thought that God wanted me to beI thought, you know, for sure,
okay, I'm going to break theglass ceiling. And I'm going to
be the president of some bigcorporation, and I'm gonna show
(02:37):
my kids that Mommy can do that,too. And that it's not just a
place for you, no old white men.
And so I was climbing thecorporate ladder, and I was
getting pretty close to the top,and I realized it's pretty
stinky up there. Maybenot conducive to the life that I
wanted to have. And one of my,probably one of my biggest
(02:58):
turning points that helped merealize that it was time for a
change was whenever I was atUncle Howard's funeral. So my
uncle Howard is Josh's grandpa.
Andhe lived a really long life when
he was 101. When he passed away,he made it to 101. Yeah, yeah.
So so my grandfatheruncle Howard passed, and I think
(03:39):
Uncle Tom passed after. Soanyway, it was just like this,
this couple years span where Ilost a whole generation. Yeah,
that ration. It was a big thingfor your family. Yeah, it just
in there. They were to Josh'spoint when you have a big family
like that the big farm familybig, big close knit, I mean that
you lose kind of like the rockright? They kind of kept
(04:05):
everybody together. And theChristmases you know, I remember
Christmas spending at my mygrandparents house, but I also
remember being at Josh'sgrandparents house, like we just
kind of traveled around and itwas literally over the hill to
Yeah, yeah, like it was lessthan a football field away.
And so, so anyway, so that hadkind of all happened in this
(04:29):
period of time. And then when Iwas sitting in uncle Howard's
funeral, though, or Yeah,funeral service, though. I mean,
it was beautiful is very similarto my grandfather's where
everybody was just telling theseamazing stories about like these
memories that they had withuncle Howard and things that he
had done and ironically, he hadown an insurance agency in his
(04:53):
life and it gave him theopportunity to serve his
community really well and toserve his church. She very well
and to be so present not only inhis children's lives, but in his
grandchildren's lives and in hisgreat grandchildren's lives. And
just sitting there hearing allof these stories is so
heartwarming, but at this time,right, I'm working a corporate
(05:15):
job, I hadn't really seen mykids, I mean, grow up from age
zero to three or four, becausethat's
Josh Meeder (05:23):
about it. And let's talk about that corporate job to
put it in perspective, becauseit wasn't insurance. So if you
talk about glass ceilings in atypically predominant, old white
man field, that's, that's reallywhere it was, in my background
is I also took over my dad'sagency, and I was licensed to
sell. So we have, you know, alot of similarities there. So
you were in a pretty bigcorporate insurance operation.
(05:46):
And you were, I mean, just shareabout like, the hours you were
putting into, because this isimportant. A lot of people grow
in the lab are going up theladder, put in a lot of time.
Samantha Bauer (05:55):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I was working 10 hour
days, Monday through Friday, andthen Saturday is about, you
know, eight to three, becausethat's when the, the agents that
I manage, were working, and Ineeded to be there for them. So
I managed a team of atinsurance, sales agents, and
five, insurance, sales managers,that all kind of reported
(06:17):
through me. And so it was a lotof hours, it was a lot of time,
I was expected to be on all thetime, and I traveled a lot. So I
mean, it was a lot. And itwasn't an environment where I
could like, bring my kids in andhave lunch with them, I probably
I don't even I can't evenimagine the looks on their face.
You know, had done that onSaturday, sometimes, because I
(06:39):
was the only one in the officethat day. We'd bring them in,
and that worked out really,really well. But you know, my
husband was a stay at home dadat the time, which was a huge
blessing. But it still didn'thelp me to get to spend more
time with my family. So sothat's the setting I was at. And
so I'm sitting at Uncle Howard'sfuneral listening to these
(07:01):
beautiful stories, and it was asthough I mean, people talk about
these moments where they feelGod speaks to them. And it might
sound crazy, but I felt in thatmoment that God is like, KCM,
what are they going to say aboutyou at your funeral. And, I
mean, I sat there and cried,because I was like, this is not
the path that I'm supposed to beon. Like, God didn't give me
(07:23):
kids, so that I never see them,like me kids so that I can help
be a part of their lives. And soit was then that I realized I
really needed to make a shift.
You know, I wasn't active in ourchurch, we went to church, but
Sunday was my only day off. So Iwasn't able to, like, volunteer
or, you know, I really wanted tosing as part of the choir or
whatever, at my church. And Iwasn't able to do that, because
(07:46):
I couldn't go to practice, like,it just was, it was not fun. But
I thought I was there, you know,and I thought I thought that
maybe that's what God was usingme was to, like, you know, show
my kids that this was okay, so Iwould justify it. Go and making
a lot of money. You know, myhusband gets to stay home with
the kids. So they're having agood, comfortable life. But I'll
(08:06):
tell you what, since I've madethe change, and went from a
really big fat salary to likenothing overnight, I would take
no money and time with my familyagain, over and over and over
again.
Josh Meeder (08:22):
It's amazing, those big shifts that we'll get into
the process of going throughthat, but those big shifts, just
break your your patterns andyour assumptions. Like, oh, you
got to do this, you can get byon so little. And while we all
strive for abundance, it's notthe end of the it's not the end
all be all, like having thepriorities and the quality of
(08:43):
life is where you really moveto. And you did it really
quickly. So let's jump into thisstory. Because this is really,
really impressive. One not justfrom doing it, but to have like
the faith and the trust and howthe way you unfolded it
involving the entire family insupporting abuse. So you have
(09:05):
this little aha moment. And whathappens next, like how do you go
from there to starting your ownagency?
Samantha Bauer (09:15):
Yeah, so a lot of prayer. And a lot of looking
into different opportunities.
You know, it's it's Josh wasalso a part of this, because
I've always admired you for yourbusiness sense and your ability
to you know, find successwherever you've gone even when
it's been hard for you. And so Iwas thinking about buying a bed
(09:37):
and breakfast and I met withJosh and he was like, yes, yeah,
um, you'll make like, if I theyforget what the numbers were,
but it was like if it was like80% occupied, I would make $400
At the end of each month orsomething like that. And I was
like, okay, that's notsustainable.
Josh Meeder (09:55):
Also, we're, you know, the funny thing was in
like the hospitality or thoseindustries It's just as much
time and that was one of yourbig things you're like, I want
more time, I'm like probablywrong business to start,
Samantha Bauer (10:07):
possibly don't want to be in a business that
you have to live in. And and soit was you like at the end of
that dinner that we had you werelike Sam, why don't you just
opened an insurance agency? Likethat's what you know, that's
what you're good at. It'slucrative, long term, it's a
great, you know, thing to investbecause of residual income. And
(10:31):
I was like, I want to beinsurance agent for the rest of
my life. And then continuedprayer, right, if things started
to line up, so I own a franchiseof a large and the biggest
independent insurance agency inthe country. And they have been
reaching out to me actually, forlike, a year before this. Me
(10:53):
being me, I was like, oh, cool,I'm recruiting to for my
corporate position. So let's befriends. And then if people
don't work out for what you'relooking for, you can refer them
my way. And if people don't workout for what I'm hiring, they
can refer them your way. And,you know, maybe we can work out
that way. So I kept thisrelationship with the lady that
was trying to recruit me. Andafter you and I met, and Rob, I
(11:14):
reached back out to her andsaid, Hey, what is this
opportunity, because I've neverheard of this company before.
I've been an insurance for areally long time. So it's odd
that I hadn't heard of thembefore. But it was because
they're pretty new. I mean,Goose has been around for, I
don't want to say for sure. Butit's been like, within like 15
(11:35):
years, like it's not an inPennsylvania, I think for less
than 10. None of
Josh Meeder (11:40):
the things to help just bring the awareness a
little bit to the audience to ininsurance, there's exclusive
carriers. And then there'sindependent agents. The
difference is like the exclusivecarriers are the ones you might
know is like an all state or aState Farm. So when you're an
agent, you can only sell theirproducts, and an independent
agent can represent a lot ofdifferent companies and give
(12:02):
your customers differentchoices. There's pros and cons
to each the one big challenge,starting an independent agency,
because I went from an exclusiveto an independent agency. The
one big challenge is actuallygetting the appointments,
because you have to bring enoughflow of business to justify them
putting you into their systems,and given you all the licenses.
(12:24):
And it's, it's a and that is apretty big barrier to entry for
a lot of people going intoinsurance. So this company that
you found, already did all that,and they take on. The other part
is staffing an insurance agency,because you have to have someone
to take all the calls and do allthe policy changes. So those are
the two big ones, this companygoose head, actually solved that
(12:45):
for you where they have thecarrier appointments, and they
do the service servicing, soyou're really just allowed to
sell. And that's how you set itup.
Samantha Bauer (12:53):
It's an amazing business model. And quite
honestly, had I been 25, I wouldhave just started a scratch
agency on my own and done it bymyself. But being 38. And going
from $150,000 salary to zero, Ineeded to figure out what was
going to help me grow thefastest. And get me back to, you
(13:15):
know, something that we can liveon, and help my husband then
move because Robin back to work.
When I opened my agency, he wasa truck driver by trade, he went
back to work. And we knew thatwe didn't want to do that long
term we wanted to work together,which I know sounds crazy to
like, probably 75% of the peopleout there. But for us, it's it's
a blessing that we've been kindof like looking working towards.
(13:37):
And so this, I mean, I gottatell ya, you know, in just over
three years, we're almost at a$2 million book of business and
there is no way that that wouldhave happened if I would have
started from because I wouldhave had like, like you said, I
would have had like twocompanies to sell. You know, I
have 56 companies that I cansell for. It allows me to work
(13:59):
for my clients, which is cool.
Yeah.
Josh Meeder (14:03):
So it's been three years. So you started and you
got rolling. Let's talk aboutsome of those challenges in
those startups because I mean,that's quite a transition and to
put it put it in perspective towith the whole global pandemic
in child care I mean you you notonly jumped into like you dove
(14:24):
off the deep end in in faiththat it'd be okay but you got
you got hit with some big familythings you got hit with the
global pandemic, you had a youknow, career change and now
you're doing it all and inthrough this you and Rob and the
kids are all working togetherbecause you had an understand it
so let's talk about those thatfirst starting it up, not the
greatest timing.
Samantha Bauer (14:45):
Yeah, so I was doing this for about six months
before. Well, so my daughtergot, like, deathly ill at the
end of 2019. She got acomplicated pneumonia. that
quite honestly Almost killed orwe were in children's hospital
for 14 days over Christmas. Sowe weren't home for Christmas
that year. But this happenedwhen my business was six months
(15:09):
old. So my business was the babywas just starting to like, get
leads and really starting tolike, become something
substantial. And she got sick.
And I mean, even though we wereonly in children's for two
weeks, this was like a threemonth ordeal because she was
sick before we went in. And thenonce we went in, and she had
(15:29):
three tubes put in her chest toget the drainage out. And so
like we had a long recoveryafter that. And then right after
I can I'm laughing not becauseit's funny, but because I
sometimes you don't know whatelse to do. Right after we got
out of the hospital, I had amiscarriage. So we just thought
like, well, we saved you. We'vegot, you know, God allowed Andy
to have her life. And then wethought we're out of the woods.
(15:53):
And then we actually lost ababy. And it was just like what
is happening. But during thistime, and then so and then that
was January, the beginning ofFebruary 2020. March 2020 is
when the kids came home fromschool and never went back. So
yeah, it was crazy. But I willsay like, I was able to work
(16:16):
when Andy was in recovery in thehospital, I was selling
policies, like I was going sawpolicies while she was in there.
I was bedside with her theentire time, you know, Robin, I
would trade off nights sleepingthere. But had I bet at my
corporate career, I can't evenimagine the stress that I would
(16:37):
have felt. During that time. Idon't know if I would have had a
job to go back to in allhonesty. And so this, this shift
came, it had I waited, you know,and I can't even imagine so. So
then COVID happened, my kidswere home. And I worked from
home. And you know, we justfigured it out. And they did
(17:00):
school and I did work. And Ithink while the rest of the
world kind of went on autodrive. And I decided that I
wasn't going to do that Iactually read an article on
Facebook that somebody hadposted. And it was talking about
how women can't do both theyduring a pandemic, I mean, no
different than what they say outof a pandemic, right. You have
(17:23):
to choose your family, or yourcareer and women are having to
quit their career because ofCOVID. And with the kids and it
infuriated me like it takes alot to get me riled up. But I
was so mad at this articlebecause like, why would you post
an article that people can't dosomething what you know, we
should be rallying each other,supporting each other and
(17:44):
telling each other how you cando it, you know, it might be
hard, might be ugly. But if youreally want to do this, you can.
And so I drove my I mean, mybusiness grew 90% year over
year, obviously it was my firstyear. So that's not like a huge
bar that was into year two. Andthen the next school year, when
they came back and said the kidshave to wear masks all day, I
(18:07):
just wasn't ready for mydaughter who had lung surgeries
a few months prior to be in amask all day to restrict her
breathing even more than so wejust prayed on it again, because
that's what we do and decidedecided to homeschool them. So
that second year of COVID. Idon't know how we like put a
(18:27):
timeframe. But that's fine,because I guess we're still kind
of, I don't know it. But thatsecond year of COVID I
homeschool them in my office. SoI would teach them from eight
until 10 every morning. And thenthey would do like independent
work for most of the day while Iwas in here on the phone and
selling policies. And it wascrazy. But like, I could have
(18:48):
never done any of that.
Josh Meeder (18:52):
And at the end of the year you shared with me when
we were speaking like at the endof the year, the performance,
you know, those kids had to betested and share about how they
did with it too.
Samantha Bauer (19:03):
Yeah, so I'm not a teacher. I am also not God did
not make me to be a stay at homeparent like the way that I was
built. So I was super nervousabout it. And I had no clue what
I was doing. I bought thisMontessori program that actually
is amazing. I never even reallyknew anything about it. And
that's what we use. But duringthe year I'm thinking like, I
(19:25):
think we're really learninganything. Are we just having fun
because it definitely felt likewe were just having fun. We did
science experiments and playedgames and I turned math lessons
into like nerf wars and like wejust had a good time doing it.
But yeah, at the end of theyear, it was amazing to see how
much they had learned. And weput together these folders to
show the evaluator and we hadall kinds of photos in there and
(19:48):
it was just really neat to lookback and see like wow, we
accomplished a lot you know andeven then to look at my business
numbers and to see like, youknow, I never got out of the
town. About 10 in the state formy franchise that whole time,
and it was just like, Okay,
Josh Meeder (20:09):
you're doing the thing? You're Yeah.
Samantha Bauer (20:13):
Yeah. So, huge blessing and again, had I not
taken that leap of faithentrusted, you know, what I felt
God was calling me to do. And Idon't know I, I'd still be
miserable at that corporate joband not very present.
Josh Meeder (20:31):
One of the things that's really impressed me about
you is, first off, you come froma very rock solid understanding
and guidance with your own faithand your connection to your
faith. And you've, you and Robhave cultivated that in your
relationship in your family.
When we were talking earlier,the thing that I absolutely
(20:52):
loved is I'm gonna take a quickaside here, like the, the the
image that's put out there,especially on women, that you
can be professional and this oryou have to pick between home
and family. It's not about it.
Oh, for for the stay at homedads as well. Yeah, it's not
about picking, it's actuallyfinding the right balance. And
(21:14):
it's the choice but you you asyour family unit really did that
together, you know, can youshare some of those discussions,
because I know, three years,going back to the earlier point
is, you made the commitment, youhad the agreements, Rob picked
up what he needed, went backinto his work. But the goal was
to get back to working togetherand building this together. And
(21:37):
so talk a little bit about howyou worked out with your family,
because that's beautiful. Andthen, you know, also what's
happening today with Rob and hisshift.
Samantha Bauer (21:45):
Yeah, yeah. So definitely, I will say to in the
last three years, since I'vedone this, my faith has grown
exponentially, I've grown closerto God. And it's just been, I
think, when you take theseleaps, and you trust Him, you
see that he's like, really goingto support you. It allows you to
trust him more. So taking, youknow, taking the small leaps,
(22:09):
and then like, Whoa, this isworking out doors are opening
the right people, you know, arecoming into my life, and then
you continue to trust more, moreof that comes like it just and I
don't I don't know that it'slike a reward because I got
doesn't really work that way.
But I do think that when youstart to really lean in your
faith and trust that you'regonna get caught in that you're
kind of listening to the HolySpirit inside of you to guide
(22:31):
your steps. And you take actionon it. It just, I mean, it just
works. So one of the things thatwe do constantly as a family is
we pray together, that's just,you know, what we've always
done. And when we made thisleap, the kids were pretty
little they were? Well, it wouldhave been five and six. Whenever
(22:52):
I opened the agency, and weRobin, I had prayed about it a
lot before we kind of made thedecision. And then once we made
the decision, we prayed with thekids. And we talked about the
differences. You know, daddy wasa stay at home dad. And now he's
going he's going back totrucking. Like he's gonna be
gone a lot. It's gonna be mommy.
And we clearly have differentI'll never forget the first time
(23:14):
I stayed home with them. Andthey have like, it was breakfast
and they had come in and gottenthese like powdered sugar donuts
and went and sat on my brownlike couch in the living room to
eat them. And I was like, what'shappening right now? One that's
not breakfast to you're eatingpowdered sugar donuts on my
couch. And they're like, Daddy,let us do it. Like, oh, and not
(23:36):
that Rob is not I mean, he.
Josh Meeder (23:38):
He's an excellent dad. It's just the funny like,
the little things that you don'tsee when you were worth it. You
know?
Samantha Bauer (23:45):
I'm like, This is why we have a table. So
anyway, just certain things thatwith kids that little like it's
important to eat at the tablebecause they need to get used to
eating at the table and havinggood manners. But my husband is
also very structured, and I amnot so like I swing by the seat
of my pants. Rob like literallysets timers to like take out the
trash and like whatever it is heneeds to do. And so it's it's a
(24:09):
huge difference having mommyhome versus daddy home because
we're like polar opposites. Butthey they did great with it.
Andy probably want to get thehardest she She's emotional. So
she miss Daddy every day. Andshe also liked to tell me what
he liked it better than me. And
Josh Meeder (24:28):
he does little reminders as you're stepping
into that.
Samantha Bauer (24:31):
Yeah. But I mean, the cool thing is, I run
this business so far and I planto continue to run this business
this way that it is a familybusiness and my kids are a part
of it. And they're welcome here.
And it's their second home. I'mso sorry. I thought I turned
this off but apparently not. Butso they in my office they have
(24:52):
if I could like turn the screenyou'd see there's a futon in
here. You're there's all kindsof like markers and kids, I
mean, I homeschool them in here.
So all that stuff's in heretheir games in here, because
they spent a lot of time here.
But they also helped me dothings like they'll help me with
my social media marketing, I'msure you've seen posts with them
(25:14):
in it. They helped me puttogether goodie bags that I take
out when I meet with lenders,they, they are a part of this
business. And it's kind of aneat, because I'm transparent
with them, you know, we've hadto shift our budgeting for our
household based on our income.
And so my kids understand like abudget doesn't mean you're poor.
(25:36):
A budget just means that we knowhow we're spending our money.
And so like, I've had thosetalks with them, because I never
want them to feel like oh, we,you know, I never want them to
feel worried about money, I wantthem to understand, mommy and
daddy have control of our money.
And we're making decisions as afamily. And we're choosing not
to, you know, go to Disney Worldthis year. And we're gonna go to
Deep Creek and set like,whatever, you know, those
(25:59):
different levels of things arethat we've had to do over the
last three years, they've been apart of that decision making.
And they know that we're growingbecause they're seeing a
difference in our budget. Andthey know what our goals are for
long term. And we talk about bigdreams we talk about, you know,
I lived in Japan for a yearafter college and I talked to
them about I can't wait till weI'm taking you guys there and
(26:22):
we're gonna eat ramen in thestreets under a tent, like buy
ramen, Chuck. And so they knowthat stuff is coming. But they
know it takes a lot of work anddedication to get there and
they're watching it happen
Josh Meeder (26:33):
to see it happen.
That's such a that's such agift. And, you know, we do have
so many parallels in our lives,big family and in the same
industry at different times.
Yeah, and I remember one of thebig lessons that was so
important to me is dad was aninsurance and he sold
investments and, and he talkedabout talked about the
(26:54):
investments with me, I reallyappreciate how you shared the
process. And in teaching yourkids that hard work and savings
and having a plan will get himthere. But the gift that I got
from Dan, was I knew from dayone, that when I went to
college, I had to pay for halfof it. So he's like he can get
scholarships. I'm like, notgetting athletic or academic for
(27:15):
sure. You can take loans or youcan save. And I started in
seventh grade, and I clean hisoffice, you know, talk about the
family business, right? So I goin and he's like, Okay, you
gotta take half of whatever youmake and put it in a mutual
fund. I'm like, Oh, I was reallybummed that I had to give up
this money. But it was in the80s, when the market was doing
(27:35):
really well. And I saw itgrowing he she taught me about
investment. So then I saw how itworked. And I'm like compounding
interest. I'm like this littleeighth grade investor and I'd
put my birthday money and myChristmas money and, and
literally from seventh grade to12th grade, I was able to save
and invest enough to pay forhalf my school. And I had $770
(27:57):
left over which I bought myfirst two suits. So instilling
like the not just work ethic,but the financial awareness and
budgeting and, and showing howsacrifice at one time can lead
to bounty later is such a such agift. And I think a lot of our
kids out there don't get thatopportunity to see basic money
(28:21):
skills or finances. So whatyou've done there is amazing.
Now Now you also mentioned threeyears ago, you know, Rob went
back to work. And the goal wasto bring him back in. So let's
share a little bit of excitementacknowledgement for what you and
Rob have done together.
Samantha Bauer (28:37):
Yeah. So our goal was that at the three year
mark, he would be able to quithis job and join the agency. And
so I open in May of 2019, may 31of 2022. He quit his job. And so
he took the summer off, I mean,off, he was really getting
relicense because he he actuallyhad been license and insurance
like years and years ago, butlet it lapse. So he had to get
(29:00):
re license. So he got relicense. And then he was home
with kids all summer, which wasI think more than he bargained
for. But um, but yeah, they wentwith they went back to school a
couple weeks ago. He's in theoffice with me now, you know,
all the time. And we're startingto build together, which is
(29:20):
really exciting. Because when weset that goal, we kind of, you
know, when you're startingsomething new, you're kind of
like, well, I hope this happens.
And we're going to work hard.
And you know, when you setgoals, you put down the numbers
and I need to do this, I need todo this much action to get this
many leads to sell this manypolicies and get us there. And
when I realized that it washappening, I was like, Oh my
(29:43):
god. This is really cool,because that was our first big
hurdle. Like that was our firstbig goal was him coming into the
agency. And then our next biggoal is scaling. So over the
next you know, 10 years I wantto hire two producers a year and
you know, get to a point whereAre we're able to share this
with other people, so that theytoo can have a life that they
(30:05):
really love. Maybe, you know,help some people get out of
those corporate positions wherethey, they do have to choose
Josh Meeder (30:14):
just to show them that there's option there. And
you've done some really coolthings on on on your marketing
and how you've gotten yourbusiness to grow. But without
going into the real specifics,one thing that you've always
been amazing at is yournetworking and your literally
love of people. In so part ofthe great things podcasts is
(30:37):
dream, collaborate, create. Soyou, you had the dream, you've
created it. But let's talk alittle bit about the
collaboration. Because you workyou found markets, that would be
good referral sources, you know,you got into this business
because of those relationships.
And what I'm going to tie thisinto what you're doing with
(30:58):
wherever, your your yourpodcasts now. So Sam has started
a podcast, wherever you gopodcast. And this really, I
think talks to the spirit of whoyou are, because you want to
show and share the gifts and theblessings that you have and show
people that there was otherother options out there and ways
to do it. So talk a little bitabout that place. And there's
(31:20):
the other thing I'm gonna throwI know, just throwing like 80
things at you. But you've doneit in a way with some grace, you
know, you have the importance ofself care. And while there's
still anxiety and challenges,you have a daily regiment,
there's meditation and prayer,and like, those are the things
that I think are just amazing.
(31:42):
So let's talk a little bit aboutyour collaboration. You've
involved different mortgagebrokers, you've been active in
the community. Let's just touchon that a little bit. And then
how are you bringing yourmission forward to with
collaboration with others?
Samantha Bauer (31:56):
Yeah, so I love people, I think you hit the nail
on the head, it drives myhusband, sometimes crazy how
much I love people because like,can't get me out of a room. But
I just I love hearing theirstories. I love helping them
grow. I love figuring out, youknow, what can we do for each
other that will result insuccess for everybody. And so
this business model is sonatural to me, because it's a my
(32:21):
whole business is built onpartnering with loan officers
and realtors. And as they haveclients that come through their
buying a home and they needhomeowners insurance, they have
them call me and then I helpthem out, you know, save money
on their home and autoinsurance. It's actually quite
simple. But I think I've had somuch success with these
partnerships, because I don'tjust like ask them to send me
(32:41):
leads. Like that's not to me,that's not fun, you know, and I
don't ever want to be like thatperson is just always asking for
things but not being able togive back. So I've really built
partners with people that Ilike, first of all, like I'm
pretty picky about. I mean, Iwouldn't say pretty picky
because I do generally likeeverybody, but if I get that
feeling from somebody that maybethey don't do business the same
(33:03):
way that I do, or maybe theirvalues aren't the same, that
might not be a good partnership,right. So I've, I've, I've been
blessed by a whole bunch ofpartners who are just amazing
people, they want to grow intheir business. And so I think
in any business that you're in,you need other people, like you
(33:23):
can't know anybody who saysthey're like self made. And
that's Baloney, right, we've alla product of like the
relationships that we have andthe people that we choose to
associate with. So I've reallylooked for ways to help them
network. So I've found out thatI'm kind of a freak, and that I
totally have no problems walkinginto a business, introducing
(33:43):
myself and trying to makefriends with people. Most people
hate that. And I've learned thatthrough my franchise because I
train actually new franchiseowners on how to do this, and
they're all terrified of it. Butmy lenders also don't like it,
and they, how they build theirbusiness as they build
relationships with realtors. Sothey're super uncomfortable
(34:05):
doing this and it's somethingthat I love to do. So I now do
it with them. Like I'll call melenders and be like, Hey, you
want to go visit realtors andwe'll go do it together. I did
trainings last year for them onhow to goal set because I'm
finding out that a lot of themdon't have structure within
their organizations that helpthem set their goals you know I
share their stuff on socialmedia I do everything that I can
(34:27):
for them and it's not justbecause I get something out of
it it's just because like that'sthe right thing to do right
Josh Meeder (34:32):
where you love educating I mean even in your
marketing which is brilliant isyou're sharing information and
it's not about like hey successor buy this or save this it's
about the people and what you'redoing for them which is you know
a little piece of advice fromdad he's like never worry about
Commission's if you do the rightthing, success follows and it's
(34:54):
the greatest greatest adviceI've ever gotten and and you're
doing that in also Unlike thepiece that you had, with the
clarity of not all partnershipsare going to be aligned and it's
okay. Doesn't have to bejudgment around it. It's just
just not a match and you move on
Samantha Bauer (35:12):
realizing that was a game changer for me
because I'm not gonna lie likemy first few like months, I
would get like, butthurt ifpeople didn't want to work with
me and like, what, I'm reallygood at my job, and I'm really
nice. Like, why wouldn't youwant to work with me? But then I
realized that the sooner I letthat go, and I'm like, okay,
that's not my person. God'sgonna put 10 more people in my
(35:33):
path that are my people. And soyou know, if you sit around
dwelling on that relationshipthat like, That person doesn't
want to work with you, orthere's something that doesn't
jive, right? that's holding youback from what is for you. So
the faster you can let that goand move on. Like, I learned it,
and it's so much less stressful.
Right? That person's not myperson, I'm gonna move on and
find the next person here withmy person.
Josh Meeder (35:56):
That's, that's right, because they're waiting
out there for you to find them.
The The other thing let's touchon this, because it's really
important is you do have, Iknow, you said, you don't have a
routine, or you're not good atstructure. But there are some
things that are important to youin big on the daily habits and
the rituals that we create thesuccess for our days. So what's
a day look like in Sam's world?
(36:20):
Yeah, so
Samantha Bauer (36:21):
I definitely this is another thing I've
learned. I'm telling you, I'dlike found myself in the last
few years. I really have had tofigure out what what's important
to me and make sure that I maketime for that for myself,
because that's how people getburned out. Right? And we kind
of talked about the stress offeeling like you need to do self
(36:41):
care. And like, Well, does thatmean I have to like go, I don't
know, do something special. Butfor me, self care is just making
sure. Every morning I get up, Ido my Bible study, I do some
yoga, you know, stretch my body,eat a healthy breakfast. And I
just maybe spend I try to I tryto meditate for at least two
(37:02):
minutes. And I know that soundsridiculous, because it's a very
short time.
Josh Meeder (37:05):
But for you just sit still for two minutes really
is a monumental achievement.
You're going
Samantha Bauer (37:11):
and there are days that I'm like, sitting
there. And in my head. I'm like,Man, I still get this. Again,
and again. This is not whatmeditations like not to tell you
yourself that you stink in
Josh Meeder (37:24):
a competition.
Yeah, exactly.
Samantha Bauer (37:26):
Exactly. And so but when I do when I do all
those things, which I have nowmade, it's just part of what I
do. You know, I get up, I dothat Bible study, I spend those
silent moments. I stretch mybody. I make sure I eat
something healthy in themorning. It gets me going and it
gives me that me time. You know,it's probably only 30 minutes
(37:49):
total, maybe 40 in the minute inthe morning. But it gets my day
started off right. So I'm in agood headspace, you know, going
into the day. And every time youknow, when I sit there and
meditate. That really is my timeof silent prayer. I know
different people believedifferent things and So
(38:09):
meditation is different foreverybody but for me that's kind
of like alright, I said myprayers God I told you what I'm
grateful for and I'm gonna sithere and listen, see if you tell
me anything. In some days, hedoes some days like it's very
clear that like oh yeah, this isthe direction I need to be going
or whatever it is. Some days itis crickets. And those are the
days usually that my mindwanders and maybe I'm not in the
(38:30):
right headspace for it but itdoes I you know, I used to think
that stuff was like so woowooand so out there. But it's
really made a difference in mylife. And it's given me like I
said even those two minutes likethat's my time for me before my
kids are awake. For the dogslike breathing right in my face.
(38:50):
You know, the stuff that happenswhen the House wakes up. I do
all that in the morning and Ijournal too and journaling has
been huge for me.
Josh Meeder (39:00):
You're doing all the right things. I mean so such
such a game changer if you canget into that morning routine
and a lot of people just fallinto it. And I've single dad
essentially and like I know someof those routine mornings like
oh gosh, you got to get up gottaget everything done. Got them
get them out to school, but itdoesn't take that much time or
(39:20):
commitment even taking 10minutes to start with in the
morning for yourself to havethat quiet reflection. Really
really is a game changer. Solisteners out there if you're
not good on your morningroutine, pick one out it can be
anything you know I like walkingyou know you talking about
moving your body like that isthe quiet time and reflective
(39:41):
reflective time for me. So yeah,good on you for that morning.
And you talking about you know,the big things in self care a
lot of people like well thatlooks like a vacation or a spa
and we talked about that whichis really kind of funny. So you
stress yourself out for half theyear to save up the money to
pack everything up to go for Fora week of intense relaxation,
(40:02):
then you're stressed to comeback to the stuff that you
didn't get done for the lastweek where the daily in the
small things are where the selfcare really comes in. Yeah, and
Samantha Bauer (40:11):
I mean, we haven't done a big vacation for
a few years, just because youknow, of our financial situation
with opening up a business. Andwe actually love weekend trips,
like, we'll go to OB for theweekend, or we'll go to southern
springs for the weekend, orwe'll just go up north, you
know, and, you know, maybe campor just for a day, you know, we
might just go fishing orsomething like that. And like,
(40:34):
that stuff is so filling foryour soul, that and it's not
stressful, because you just didit. And so we have a lot
Josh Meeder (40:42):
of other things you can do. affordably, too. Yeah,
there's so many state parks,there's all these things. So
getting away, doesn't have tostress the household finances
out, you can get real creative.
Samantha Bauer (40:54):
Yeah. And it's like, like you said, you're not
saving up forever, and thenspending and then like, all the
stuff, and when you get back,it's only been a day, you just
feel refreshed. So it has beenit's been really, I've enjoyed
this journey so far. And I'm,I'm excited, you know, to keep
it going. See where it goes?
Josh Meeder (41:16):
Well, I'm excited to watch you in kind of wrapping
this up with with the journeyand where it's going. So your
business is growing. You gotyour family, you know, on on
board with the new doing that.
Well, what is next? You'vestarted a podcast, you're
getting back to active in thechurch. So what has all this
created? And what's next forSam?
Samantha Bauer (41:37):
Yeah, so I a couple things, I guess growing
my business is super dear to myheart. Like you said I, I feel a
responsibility that once youfigure something out, you share
it with others, right. And so mygoal for my business is to have
20 producers on board, includinga babysitter that's here all the
time. So people can bring theirkids to work because that's what
(41:57):
I did. And I don't want to notgive that opportunity to the
people that work for me becauseit it was such a game changer.
So So working on the culture andthe environment is huge. For me,
we kind of talked the last timeyou and I spoke about the whole
like, quiet quitting thing. Andas a business owner, that's
(42:19):
terrifying to me. Like, I do notwant to create a culture that
people don't want to work theirhardest in or that don't want to
come in and be a part of it,
Josh Meeder (42:29):
and feel valued for their commitment and know that
they're doing it for a reason.
Samantha Bauer (42:34):
Yeah, yeah. And so I've been thinking a lot
about that lately. And what arethe things that we're going to
make sure we do that make peoplewant to work here, and Rob and I
both have worked forcorporations and work for
places. And we've learned a lotabout what we did not like about
those places. And so I weactually started writing them
down, because we're like, we'renever going to make people feel
(42:56):
this way. And so, so anyway,that's kind of where my business
growth is going. I did feelcalled to start this podcast
about a year ago. And I had noclue where it was going, or what
I was going to do with it. Andthen one morning in my Bible
study, that's Joshua, one ninepopped up, and I was like, Oh,
(43:16):
this is perfect. You know, Godis with you, wherever you go,
you know, don't be afraid. Don'tbe dismayed. You know, don't and
and it was just like, theperfect thing I'm like, this is
exactly what I want to encouragepeople to do is follow the dream
that's in their heart that mightbe hiding under there, tucked
away, covered up with selfdoubt, or every person that's
ever told you that you're notsmart enough, you're not man
(43:38):
enough, you're not you know,you're to mom enough, or to mom,
whatever the whatever, all thosethings that the world has told
you why you can't do it, thatdream is still tucked under
there. And it's in there for areason it didn't, you know, it
didn't. It's not there fornothing, you know, God put
dreams in our hearts so that wewould pursue them. And I really
want to encourage people mumsand dads, you know, I I lean
(44:02):
towards female because I am oneand I've experienced in that,
but I definitely don't discountmen. And I think that, sadly,
society has just accepted thatmen are gonna work and not be as
as big of a part of the family.
And I think that's almost worsethan telling women that they
have to choose. It's theacceptance that like, well men
are going to like so. I want mento feel empowered to to follow
(44:24):
the dreams that are in theirhearts, because I know, you
know, for my husband workingthose 12 hour days for the last
three years, it was hard for himnot to be part of things. And so
anyway, so the podcast is isgrowing. I just kind of do it
and they're, you know, 20minutes long and it could be a
(44:45):
tip on goal setting. It could bea tip on growing your business.
I just did a series on boundarysetting. Because back to that
whole quiet quitting thing Ithink if we can teach people how
to set boundaries. Me Maybethey'll have more integrity
about not quite quitting, butactually setting boundaries and
working really hard on the hoursthat they're working. And from
Josh Meeder (45:09):
the employment side, you're also creating that
container or that space whereyou're not putting anyone past
their boundaries, like, hey, wewant you to work hard and be
successful here. And you alsorespect the downtime. I think
that's the backlash is from thatcorporate culture where you're
just expected to be on call allthe time. And then employees
(45:31):
can't set boundaries. So it's,it's kind of a two part there.
And you guys are taking care andownership from the other side,
say, Hey, we're gonna give youan environment where you can be
really successful, we want thebest from you. And when you're
not here, that's your time. So Ilove that it's that two part
connection with it.
Samantha Bauer (45:46):
Yeah, yeah, in teaching them like, Don't give
your cell phone number out. Likewe have Office phones, like
that's what you use, becauseotherwise, your clients aren't
going to respect yourboundaries. And they're going to
be texting you at on Sundayafternoon. And it's going to
drive you bonkers. So we reallylike that's one of the things I
really am going to beimplementing as we hire is like,
here's how you set boundaries.
And I actually just started withRob yesterday, sharing some of
the things with him. So anyway,that's that. And then my next
(46:11):
thing is, I want to write abook. And so that's kind of,
hopefully in the next year ortwo shouldn't say hopefully, in
the next year or two that willhappen.
Josh Meeder (46:24):
I know when you say hopefully it means it's, it's
just on its way. So you'vegotten you've gotten some time
for yourself to your yoursinging or you're active in the
church again.
Samantha Bauer (46:34):
Yeah, so this, this is just, you know, goes
back to that funeral service,right, like thinking like, Man,
I would, God gave me a gift,and, and a voice to use, and I
hadn't used it. And so I haveI've been singing in our praise
band at church and in the choir.
And that's me time too. So whenyou talk about things that that
(46:55):
are self care, or whatever, Ilove singing, I love practicing
with the band at church, I lovebeing a part of that. And so for
me, that's like a hobby that Iallow myself to do. And Rob
knows, like, Sam's got practiceat eight o'clock on Thursday
nights at the church. And that'swhat she does. And that's
awesome. And he has his stuff,too. He does karate. And we know
(47:16):
what nights he does that. And ifI can find somebody to play
tennis with me, you betterbelieve I'm out on the tennis
courts playing tennis. So it's,it's making sure you're doing
things you love to because it'sso easy as a mom or a dad to get
sucked into your kids lives. Andyou kind of lose yourself,
right? And unfortunately,they're gonna be around forever,
(47:36):
they're gonna get if you'redoing it, right, they're gonna
grow up and move out and become,you know, contributors to
society. And when that happens,you know, you want to still know
who you are,
Josh Meeder (47:50):
ya know who you are, have the health and the
vitality and the connection andrelationship to enjoy that so
well, I will check back with youhere the next year and be
looking for your big bookrelease party. I'm sure that is
already in the works. Sam, thankyou for taking the time today.
If you are if you're interestedin learning more about Sam or
(48:13):
you're in western Pennsylvaniafor insurance needs, check out
the links in the bio anddefinitely check out her podcast
so it's always great talking toyou cuz thanks for being on and
we will see you again soon.
Samantha Bauer (48:25):
Thanks for having me on Josh. I appreciate
it.
Josh Meeder (48:31):
Thank you for watching. If you liked what you
saw, be sure to hit that likeand subscribe button right now.
Stay tuned and check out thechannel for other interesting
and informative videos.
Welcome to the great things LLC podcast. I'm
your host, Josh Meeder.
Welcome to the podcast. Intoday's episode, I'm really
excited because it's going backto the roots. It's actually
going back to my family's roots.
My guest today is SamanthaBauer, who is my cousin, Sam,
welcome to the podcast. Thanksfor having me, Josh. I'm excited
to be here.
(00:24):
I have a great, great affinityfor this story because one,
it's, it's my cousin. She isabsolutely amazing. And just to
put it in perspective, we areconnected through her great
grandfather to a Kennedy. So onthe Kennedys and Demeter side.
They was Western Pennsylvania,big farm family and DeWitt
Kennedy was a lot of things. Hewas a farmer. He was a cattle
(00:45):
trade, or he was a pool hustler.
He was a great man. But we havea very, very large connected
farm family and our familyreunions, Uncle Bob and Joe and
you they could be 150 people.
And I remember those days reallyfondly say I'm with swimming in
the pool and doing the egg tossand water balloons over the
house. Yeah, yep. Some of myfavorite memories. Think about
(01:09):
it and not smile. No. In DeWittKennedy, he was my great
grandfather. I was the firstborngreat grandchild, child. So I
actually got his middle name andwas born on Father's Day. So had
a real connection with a great,great pap, and we'll get back to
that. Butjust put in perspective, we've
come from a long line ofentrepreneurs and self made
people. I know your folks werereal estate agents, and your
(01:33):
dad's done a lot like our familyhas a big community presence in
a long history ofentrepreneurialism.
Samantha Bauer (01:42):
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, pastors, farmers and small
business owners. Right.
Josh Meeder (01:48):
Right. And so one of the things that really
excited me to share your story.
So let's just talk about whatyou were going because in a way,
you represent a lot of things,professional women, moms, wives,
church and community members.
And let's start with sharing alittle bit about where you were
(02:11):
in kind of what made this changeto bring you where you're at
today.
Samantha Bauer (02:14):
Yeah, I'm glad you kind of shared that
backstory, because I think ourroots are definitely, they're
deep, right. And so they've kindof led me where I am today. But
I was climbing the corporateladder. And that was where I
thought that God wanted me to beI thought, you know, for sure,
okay, I'm going to break theglass ceiling. And I'm going to
be the president of some bigcorporation, and I'm gonna show
(02:37):
my kids that Mommy can do that,too. And that it's not just a
place for you, no old white men.
And so I was climbing thecorporate ladder, and I was
getting pretty close to the top,and I realized it's pretty
stinky up there. Maybenot conducive to the life that I
wanted to have. And one of my,probably one of my biggest
(02:58):
turning points that helped merealize that it was time for a
change was whenever I was atUncle Howard's funeral. So my
uncle Howard is Josh's grandpa.
Andhe lived a really long life when
he was 101. When he passed away,he made it to 101. Yeah, yeah.
So so my grandfatheruncle Howard passed, and I think
(03:39):
Uncle Tom passed after. Soanyway, it was just like this,
this couple years span where Ilost a whole generation. Yeah,
that ration. It was a big thingfor your family. Yeah, it just
in there. They were to Josh'spoint when you have a big family
like that the big farm familybig, big close knit, I mean that
you lose kind of like the rockright? They kind of kept
(04:05):
everybody together. And theChristmases you know, I remember
Christmas spending at my mygrandparents house, but I also
remember being at Josh'sgrandparents house, like we just
kind of traveled around and itwas literally over the hill to
Yeah, yeah, like it was lessthan a football field away.
And so, so anyway, so that hadkind of all happened in this
(04:29):
period of time. And then when Iwas sitting in uncle Howard's
funeral, though, or Yeah,funeral service, though. I mean,
it was beautiful is very similarto my grandfather's where
everybody was just telling theseamazing stories about like these
memories that they had withuncle Howard and things that he
had done and ironically, he hadown an insurance agency in his
(04:53):
life and it gave him theopportunity to serve his
community really well and toserve his church. She very well
and to be so present not only inhis children's lives, but in his
grandchildren's lives and in hisgreat grandchildren's lives. And
just sitting there hearing allof these stories is so
heartwarming, but at this time,right, I'm working a corporate
(05:15):
job, I hadn't really seen mykids, I mean, grow up from age
zero to three or four, becausethat's
Josh Meeder (05:23):
about it. And let's talk about that corporate job to
put it in perspective, becauseit wasn't insurance. So if you
talk about glass ceilings in atypically predominant, old white
man field, that's, that's reallywhere it was, in my background
is I also took over my dad'sagency, and I was licensed to
sell. So we have, you know, alot of similarities there. So
you were in a pretty bigcorporate insurance operation.
(05:46):
And you were, I mean, just shareabout like, the hours you were
putting into, because this isimportant. A lot of people grow
in the lab are going up theladder, put in a lot of time.
Samantha Bauer (05:55):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I was working 10 hour
days, Monday through Friday, andthen Saturday is about, you
know, eight to three, becausethat's when the, the agents that
I manage, were working, and Ineeded to be there for them. So
I managed a team of atinsurance, sales agents, and
five, insurance, sales managers,that all kind of reported
(06:17):
through me. And so it was a lotof hours, it was a lot of time,
I was expected to be on all thetime, and I traveled a lot. So I
mean, it was a lot. And itwasn't an environment where I
could like, bring my kids in andhave lunch with them, I probably
I don't even I can't evenimagine the looks on their face.
You know, had done that onSaturday, sometimes, because I
(06:39):
was the only one in the officethat day. We'd bring them in,
and that worked out really,really well. But you know, my
husband was a stay at home dadat the time, which was a huge
blessing. But it still didn'thelp me to get to spend more
time with my family. So sothat's the setting I was at. And
so I'm sitting at Uncle Howard'sfuneral listening to these
(07:01):
beautiful stories, and it was asthough I mean, people talk about
these moments where they feelGod speaks to them. And it might
sound crazy, but I felt in thatmoment that God is like, KCM,
what are they going to say aboutyou at your funeral. And, I
mean, I sat there and cried,because I was like, this is not
the path that I'm supposed to beon. Like, God didn't give me
(07:23):
kids, so that I never see them,like me kids so that I can help
be a part of their lives. And soit was then that I realized I
really needed to make a shift.
You know, I wasn't active in ourchurch, we went to church, but
Sunday was my only day off. So Iwasn't able to, like, volunteer
or, you know, I really wanted tosing as part of the choir or
whatever, at my church. And Iwasn't able to do that, because
(07:46):
I couldn't go to practice, like,it just was, it was not fun. But
I thought I was there, you know,and I thought I thought that
maybe that's what God was usingme was to, like, you know, show
my kids that this was okay, so Iwould justify it. Go and making
a lot of money. You know, myhusband gets to stay home with
the kids. So they're having agood, comfortable life. But I'll
(08:06):
tell you what, since I've madethe change, and went from a
really big fat salary to likenothing overnight, I would take
no money and time with my familyagain, over and over and over
again.
Josh Meeder (08:22):
It's amazing, those big shifts that we'll get into
the process of going throughthat, but those big shifts, just
break your your patterns andyour assumptions. Like, oh, you
got to do this, you can get byon so little. And while we all
strive for abundance, it's notthe end of the it's not the end
all be all, like having thepriorities and the quality of
(08:43):
life is where you really moveto. And you did it really
quickly. So let's jump into thisstory. Because this is really,
really impressive. One not justfrom doing it, but to have like
the faith and the trust and howthe way you unfolded it
involving the entire family insupporting abuse. So you have
(09:05):
this little aha moment. And whathappens next, like how do you go
from there to starting your ownagency?
Samantha Bauer (09:15):
Yeah, so a lot of prayer. And a lot of looking
into different opportunities.
You know, it's it's Josh wasalso a part of this, because
I've always admired you for yourbusiness sense and your ability
to you know, find successwherever you've gone even when
it's been hard for you. And so Iwas thinking about buying a bed
(09:37):
and breakfast and I met withJosh and he was like, yes, yeah,
um, you'll make like, if I theyforget what the numbers were,
but it was like if it was like80% occupied, I would make $400
At the end of each month orsomething like that. And I was
like, okay, that's notsustainable.
Josh Meeder (09:55):
Also, we're, you know, the funny thing was in
like the hospitality or thoseindustries It's just as much
time and that was one of yourbig things you're like, I want
more time, I'm like probablywrong business to start,
Samantha Bauer (10:07):
possibly don't want to be in a business that
you have to live in. And and soit was you like at the end of
that dinner that we had you werelike Sam, why don't you just
opened an insurance agency? Likethat's what you know, that's
what you're good at. It'slucrative, long term, it's a
great, you know, thing to investbecause of residual income. And
(10:31):
I was like, I want to beinsurance agent for the rest of
my life. And then continuedprayer, right, if things started
to line up, so I own a franchiseof a large and the biggest
independent insurance agency inthe country. And they have been
reaching out to me actually, forlike, a year before this. Me
(10:53):
being me, I was like, oh, cool,I'm recruiting to for my
corporate position. So let's befriends. And then if people
don't work out for what you'relooking for, you can refer them
my way. And if people don't workout for what I'm hiring, they
can refer them your way. And,you know, maybe we can work out
that way. So I kept thisrelationship with the lady that
was trying to recruit me. Andafter you and I met, and Rob, I
(11:14):
reached back out to her andsaid, Hey, what is this
opportunity, because I've neverheard of this company before.
I've been an insurance for areally long time. So it's odd
that I hadn't heard of thembefore. But it was because
they're pretty new. I mean,Goose has been around for, I
don't want to say for sure. Butit's been like, within like 15
(11:35):
years, like it's not an inPennsylvania, I think for less
than 10. None of
Josh Meeder (11:40):
the things to help just bring the awareness a
little bit to the audience to ininsurance, there's exclusive
carriers. And then there'sindependent agents. The
difference is like the exclusivecarriers are the ones you might
know is like an all state or aState Farm. So when you're an
agent, you can only sell theirproducts, and an independent
agent can represent a lot ofdifferent companies and give
(12:02):
your customers differentchoices. There's pros and cons
to each the one big challenge,starting an independent agency,
because I went from an exclusiveto an independent agency. The
one big challenge is actuallygetting the appointments,
because you have to bring enoughflow of business to justify them
putting you into their systems,and given you all the licenses.
(12:24):
And it's, it's a and that is apretty big barrier to entry for
a lot of people going intoinsurance. So this company that
you found, already did all that,and they take on. The other part
is staffing an insurance agency,because you have to have someone
to take all the calls and do allthe policy changes. So those are
the two big ones, this companygoose head, actually solved that
(12:45):
for you where they have thecarrier appointments, and they
do the service servicing, soyou're really just allowed to
sell. And that's how you set itup.
Samantha Bauer (12:53):
It's an amazing business model. And quite
honestly, had I been 25, I wouldhave just started a scratch
agency on my own and done it bymyself. But being 38. And going
from $150,000 salary to zero, Ineeded to figure out what was
going to help me grow thefastest. And get me back to, you
(13:15):
know, something that we can liveon, and help my husband then
move because Robin back to work.
When I opened my agency, he wasa truck driver by trade, he went
back to work. And we knew thatwe didn't want to do that long
term we wanted to work together,which I know sounds crazy to
like, probably 75% of the peopleout there. But for us, it's it's
a blessing that we've been kindof like looking working towards.
(13:37):
And so this, I mean, I gottatell ya, you know, in just over
three years, we're almost at a$2 million book of business and
there is no way that that wouldhave happened if I would have
started from because I wouldhave had like, like you said, I
would have had like twocompanies to sell. You know, I
have 56 companies that I cansell for. It allows me to work
(13:59):
for my clients, which is cool.
Yeah.
Josh Meeder (14:03):
So it's been three years. So you started and you
got rolling. Let's talk aboutsome of those challenges in
those startups because I mean,that's quite a transition and to
put it put it in perspective towith the whole global pandemic
in child care I mean you you notonly jumped into like you dove
(14:24):
off the deep end in in faiththat it'd be okay but you got
you got hit with some big familythings you got hit with the
global pandemic, you had a youknow, career change and now
you're doing it all and inthrough this you and Rob and the
kids are all working togetherbecause you had an understand it
so let's talk about those thatfirst starting it up, not the
greatest timing.
Samantha Bauer (14:45):
Yeah, so I was doing this for about six months
before. Well, so my daughtergot, like, deathly ill at the
end of 2019. She got acomplicated pneumonia. that
quite honestly Almost killed orwe were in children's hospital
for 14 days over Christmas. Sowe weren't home for Christmas
that year. But this happenedwhen my business was six months
(15:09):
old. So my business was the babywas just starting to like, get
leads and really starting tolike, become something
substantial. And she got sick.
And I mean, even though we wereonly in children's for two
weeks, this was like a threemonth ordeal because she was
sick before we went in. And thenonce we went in, and she had
(15:29):
three tubes put in her chest toget the drainage out. And so
like we had a long recoveryafter that. And then right after
I can I'm laughing not becauseit's funny, but because I
sometimes you don't know whatelse to do. Right after we got
out of the hospital, I had amiscarriage. So we just thought
like, well, we saved you. We'vegot, you know, God allowed Andy
to have her life. And then wethought we're out of the woods.
(15:53):
And then we actually lost ababy. And it was just like what
is happening. But during thistime, and then so and then that
was January, the beginning ofFebruary 2020. March 2020 is
when the kids came home fromschool and never went back. So
yeah, it was crazy. But I willsay like, I was able to work
(16:16):
when Andy was in recovery in thehospital, I was selling
policies, like I was going sawpolicies while she was in there.
I was bedside with her theentire time, you know, Robin, I
would trade off nights sleepingthere. But had I bet at my
corporate career, I can't evenimagine the stress that I would
(16:37):
have felt. During that time. Idon't know if I would have had a
job to go back to in allhonesty. And so this, this shift
came, it had I waited, you know,and I can't even imagine so. So
then COVID happened, my kidswere home. And I worked from
home. And you know, we justfigured it out. And they did
(17:00):
school and I did work. And Ithink while the rest of the
world kind of went on autodrive. And I decided that I
wasn't going to do that Iactually read an article on
Facebook that somebody hadposted. And it was talking about
how women can't do both theyduring a pandemic, I mean, no
different than what they say outof a pandemic, right. You have
(17:23):
to choose your family, or yourcareer and women are having to
quit their career because ofCOVID. And with the kids and it
infuriated me like it takes alot to get me riled up. But I
was so mad at this articlebecause like, why would you post
an article that people can't dosomething what you know, we
should be rallying each other,supporting each other and
(17:44):
telling each other how you cando it, you know, it might be
hard, might be ugly. But if youreally want to do this, you can.
And so I drove my I mean, mybusiness grew 90% year over
year, obviously it was my firstyear. So that's not like a huge
bar that was into year two. Andthen the next school year, when
they came back and said the kidshave to wear masks all day, I
(18:07):
just wasn't ready for mydaughter who had lung surgeries
a few months prior to be in amask all day to restrict her
breathing even more than so wejust prayed on it again, because
that's what we do and decidedecided to homeschool them. So
that second year of COVID. Idon't know how we like put a
(18:27):
timeframe. But that's fine,because I guess we're still kind
of, I don't know it. But thatsecond year of COVID I
homeschool them in my office. SoI would teach them from eight
until 10 every morning. And thenthey would do like independent
work for most of the day while Iwas in here on the phone and
selling policies. And it wascrazy. But like, I could have
(18:48):
never done any of that.
Josh Meeder (18:52):
And at the end of the year you shared with me when
we were speaking like at the endof the year, the performance,
you know, those kids had to betested and share about how they
did with it too.
Samantha Bauer (19:03):
Yeah, so I'm not a teacher. I am also not God did
not make me to be a stay at homeparent like the way that I was
built. So I was super nervousabout it. And I had no clue what
I was doing. I bought thisMontessori program that actually
is amazing. I never even reallyknew anything about it. And
that's what we use. But duringthe year I'm thinking like, I
(19:25):
think we're really learninganything. Are we just having fun
because it definitely felt likewe were just having fun. We did
science experiments and playedgames and I turned math lessons
into like nerf wars and like wejust had a good time doing it.
But yeah, at the end of theyear, it was amazing to see how
much they had learned. And weput together these folders to
show the evaluator and we hadall kinds of photos in there and
(19:48):
it was just really neat to lookback and see like wow, we
accomplished a lot you know andeven then to look at my business
numbers and to see like, youknow, I never got out of the
town. About 10 in the state formy franchise that whole time,
and it was just like, Okay,
Josh Meeder (20:09):
you're doing the thing? You're Yeah.
Samantha Bauer (20:13):
Yeah. So, huge blessing and again, had I not
taken that leap of faithentrusted, you know, what I felt
God was calling me to do. And Idon't know I, I'd still be
miserable at that corporate joband not very present.
Josh Meeder (20:31):
One of the things that's really impressed me about
you is, first off, you come froma very rock solid understanding
and guidance with your own faithand your connection to your
faith. And you've, you and Robhave cultivated that in your
relationship in your family.
When we were talking earlier,the thing that I absolutely
(20:52):
loved is I'm gonna take a quickaside here, like the, the the
image that's put out there,especially on women, that you
can be professional and this oryou have to pick between home
and family. It's not about it.
Oh, for for the stay at homedads as well. Yeah, it's not
about picking, it's actuallyfinding the right balance. And
(21:14):
it's the choice but you you asyour family unit really did that
together, you know, can youshare some of those discussions,
because I know, three years,going back to the earlier point
is, you made the commitment, youhad the agreements, Rob picked
up what he needed, went backinto his work. But the goal was
to get back to working togetherand building this together. And
(21:37):
so talk a little bit about howyou worked out with your family,
because that's beautiful. Andthen, you know, also what's
happening today with Rob and hisshift.
Samantha Bauer (21:45):
Yeah, yeah. So definitely, I will say to in the
last three years, since I'vedone this, my faith has grown
exponentially, I've grown closerto God. And it's just been, I
think, when you take theseleaps, and you trust Him, you
see that he's like, really goingto support you. It allows you to
trust him more. So taking, youknow, taking the small leaps,
(22:09):
and then like, Whoa, this isworking out doors are opening
the right people, you know, arecoming into my life, and then
you continue to trust more, moreof that comes like it just and I
don't I don't know that it'slike a reward because I got
doesn't really work that way.
But I do think that when youstart to really lean in your
faith and trust that you'regonna get caught in that you're
kind of listening to the HolySpirit inside of you to guide
(22:31):
your steps. And you take actionon it. It just, I mean, it just
works. So one of the things thatwe do constantly as a family is
we pray together, that's just,you know, what we've always
done. And when we made thisleap, the kids were pretty
little they were? Well, it wouldhave been five and six. Whenever
(22:52):
I opened the agency, and weRobin, I had prayed about it a
lot before we kind of made thedecision. And then once we made
the decision, we prayed with thekids. And we talked about the
differences. You know, daddy wasa stay at home dad. And now he's
going he's going back totrucking. Like he's gonna be
gone a lot. It's gonna be mommy.
And we clearly have differentI'll never forget the first time
(23:14):
I stayed home with them. Andthey have like, it was breakfast
and they had come in and gottenthese like powdered sugar donuts
and went and sat on my brownlike couch in the living room to
eat them. And I was like, what'shappening right now? One that's
not breakfast to you're eatingpowdered sugar donuts on my
couch. And they're like, Daddy,let us do it. Like, oh, and not
(23:36):
that Rob is not I mean, he.
Josh Meeder (23:38):
He's an excellent dad. It's just the funny like,
the little things that you don'tsee when you were worth it. You
know?
Samantha Bauer (23:45):
I'm like, This is why we have a table. So
anyway, just certain things thatwith kids that little like it's
important to eat at the tablebecause they need to get used to
eating at the table and havinggood manners. But my husband is
also very structured, and I amnot so like I swing by the seat
of my pants. Rob like literallysets timers to like take out the
trash and like whatever it is heneeds to do. And so it's it's a
(24:09):
huge difference having mommyhome versus daddy home because
we're like polar opposites. Butthey they did great with it.
Andy probably want to get thehardest she She's emotional. So
she miss Daddy every day. Andshe also liked to tell me what
he liked it better than me. And
Josh Meeder (24:28):
he does little reminders as you're stepping
into that.
Samantha Bauer (24:31):
Yeah. But I mean, the cool thing is, I run
this business so far and I planto continue to run this business
this way that it is a familybusiness and my kids are a part
of it. And they're welcome here.
And it's their second home. I'mso sorry. I thought I turned
this off but apparently not. Butso they in my office they have
(24:52):
if I could like turn the screenyou'd see there's a futon in
here. You're there's all kindsof like markers and kids, I
mean, I homeschool them in here.
So all that stuff's in heretheir games in here, because
they spent a lot of time here.
But they also helped me dothings like they'll help me with
my social media marketing, I'msure you've seen posts with them
(25:14):
in it. They helped me puttogether goodie bags that I take
out when I meet with lenders,they, they are a part of this
business. And it's kind of aneat, because I'm transparent
with them, you know, we've hadto shift our budgeting for our
household based on our income.
And so my kids understand like abudget doesn't mean you're poor.
(25:36):
A budget just means that we knowhow we're spending our money.
And so like, I've had thosetalks with them, because I never
want them to feel like oh, we,you know, I never want them to
feel worried about money, I wantthem to understand, mommy and
daddy have control of our money.
And we're making decisions as afamily. And we're choosing not
to, you know, go to Disney Worldthis year. And we're gonna go to
Deep Creek and set like,whatever, you know, those
(25:59):
different levels of things arethat we've had to do over the
last three years, they've been apart of that decision making.
And they know that we're growingbecause they're seeing a
difference in our budget. Andthey know what our goals are for
long term. And we talk about bigdreams we talk about, you know,
I lived in Japan for a yearafter college and I talked to
them about I can't wait till weI'm taking you guys there and
(26:22):
we're gonna eat ramen in thestreets under a tent, like buy
ramen, Chuck. And so they knowthat stuff is coming. But they
know it takes a lot of work anddedication to get there and
they're watching it happen
Josh Meeder (26:33):
to see it happen.
That's such a that's such agift. And, you know, we do have
so many parallels in our lives,big family and in the same
industry at different times.
Yeah, and I remember one of thebig lessons that was so
important to me is dad was aninsurance and he sold
investments and, and he talkedabout talked about the
(26:54):
investments with me, I reallyappreciate how you shared the
process. And in teaching yourkids that hard work and savings
and having a plan will get himthere. But the gift that I got
from Dan, was I knew from dayone, that when I went to
college, I had to pay for halfof it. So he's like he can get
scholarships. I'm like, notgetting athletic or academic for
(27:15):
sure. You can take loans or youcan save. And I started in
seventh grade, and I clean hisoffice, you know, talk about the
family business, right? So I goin and he's like, Okay, you
gotta take half of whatever youmake and put it in a mutual
fund. I'm like, Oh, I was reallybummed that I had to give up
this money. But it was in the80s, when the market was doing
(27:35):
really well. And I saw itgrowing he she taught me about
investment. So then I saw how itworked. And I'm like compounding
interest. I'm like this littleeighth grade investor and I'd
put my birthday money and myChristmas money and, and
literally from seventh grade to12th grade, I was able to save
and invest enough to pay forhalf my school. And I had $770
(27:57):
left over which I bought myfirst two suits. So instilling
like the not just work ethic,but the financial awareness and
budgeting and, and showing howsacrifice at one time can lead
to bounty later is such a such agift. And I think a lot of our
kids out there don't get thatopportunity to see basic money
(28:21):
skills or finances. So whatyou've done there is amazing.
Now Now you also mentioned threeyears ago, you know, Rob went
back to work. And the goal wasto bring him back in. So let's
share a little bit of excitementacknowledgement for what you and
Rob have done together.
Samantha Bauer (28:37):
Yeah. So our goal was that at the three year
mark, he would be able to quithis job and join the agency. And
so I open in May of 2019, may 31of 2022. He quit his job. And so
he took the summer off, I mean,off, he was really getting
relicense because he he actuallyhad been license and insurance
like years and years ago, butlet it lapse. So he had to get
(29:00):
re license. So he got relicense. And then he was home
with kids all summer, which wasI think more than he bargained
for. But um, but yeah, they wentwith they went back to school a
couple weeks ago. He's in theoffice with me now, you know,
all the time. And we're startingto build together, which is
(29:20):
really exciting. Because when weset that goal, we kind of, you
know, when you're startingsomething new, you're kind of
like, well, I hope this happens.
And we're going to work hard.
And you know, when you setgoals, you put down the numbers
and I need to do this, I need todo this much action to get this
many leads to sell this manypolicies and get us there. And
when I realized that it washappening, I was like, Oh my
(29:43):
god. This is really cool,because that was our first big
hurdle. Like that was our firstbig goal was him coming into the
agency. And then our next biggoal is scaling. So over the
next you know, 10 years I wantto hire two producers a year and
you know, get to a point whereAre we're able to share this
with other people, so that theytoo can have a life that they
(30:05):
really love. Maybe, you know,help some people get out of
those corporate positions wherethey, they do have to choose
Josh Meeder (30:14):
just to show them that there's option there. And
you've done some really coolthings on on on your marketing
and how you've gotten yourbusiness to grow. But without
going into the real specifics,one thing that you've always
been amazing at is yournetworking and your literally
love of people. In so part ofthe great things podcasts is
(30:37):
dream, collaborate, create. Soyou, you had the dream, you've
created it. But let's talk alittle bit about the
collaboration. Because you workyou found markets, that would be
good referral sources, you know,you got into this business
because of those relationships.
And what I'm going to tie thisinto what you're doing with
(30:58):
wherever, your your yourpodcasts now. So Sam has started
a podcast, wherever you gopodcast. And this really, I
think talks to the spirit of whoyou are, because you want to
show and share the gifts and theblessings that you have and show
people that there was otherother options out there and ways
to do it. So talk a little bitabout that place. And there's
(31:20):
the other thing I'm gonna throwI know, just throwing like 80
things at you. But you've doneit in a way with some grace, you
know, you have the importance ofself care. And while there's
still anxiety and challenges,you have a daily regiment,
there's meditation and prayer,and like, those are the things
that I think are just amazing.
(31:42):
So let's talk a little bit aboutyour collaboration. You've
involved different mortgagebrokers, you've been active in
the community. Let's just touchon that a little bit. And then
how are you bringing yourmission forward to with
collaboration with others?
Samantha Bauer (31:56):
Yeah, so I love people, I think you hit the nail
on the head, it drives myhusband, sometimes crazy how
much I love people because like,can't get me out of a room. But
I just I love hearing theirstories. I love helping them
grow. I love figuring out, youknow, what can we do for each
other that will result insuccess for everybody. And so
this business model is sonatural to me, because it's a my
(32:21):
whole business is built onpartnering with loan officers
and realtors. And as they haveclients that come through their
buying a home and they needhomeowners insurance, they have
them call me and then I helpthem out, you know, save money
on their home and autoinsurance. It's actually quite
simple. But I think I've had somuch success with these
partnerships, because I don'tjust like ask them to send me
(32:41):
leads. Like that's not to me,that's not fun, you know, and I
don't ever want to be like thatperson is just always asking for
things but not being able togive back. So I've really built
partners with people that Ilike, first of all, like I'm
pretty picky about. I mean, Iwouldn't say pretty picky
because I do generally likeeverybody, but if I get that
feeling from somebody that maybethey don't do business the same
(33:03):
way that I do, or maybe theirvalues aren't the same, that
might not be a good partnership,right. So I've, I've, I've been
blessed by a whole bunch ofpartners who are just amazing
people, they want to grow intheir business. And so I think
in any business that you're in,you need other people, like you
(33:23):
can't know anybody who saysthey're like self made. And
that's Baloney, right, we've alla product of like the
relationships that we have andthe people that we choose to
associate with. So I've reallylooked for ways to help them
network. So I've found out thatI'm kind of a freak, and that I
totally have no problems walkinginto a business, introducing
(33:43):
myself and trying to makefriends with people. Most people
hate that. And I've learned thatthrough my franchise because I
train actually new franchiseowners on how to do this, and
they're all terrified of it. Butmy lenders also don't like it,
and they, how they build theirbusiness as they build
relationships with realtors. Sothey're super uncomfortable
(34:05):
doing this and it's somethingthat I love to do. So I now do
it with them. Like I'll call melenders and be like, Hey, you
want to go visit realtors andwe'll go do it together. I did
trainings last year for them onhow to goal set because I'm
finding out that a lot of themdon't have structure within
their organizations that helpthem set their goals you know I
share their stuff on socialmedia I do everything that I can
(34:27):
for them and it's not justbecause I get something out of
it it's just because like that'sthe right thing to do right
Josh Meeder (34:32):
where you love educating I mean even in your
marketing which is brilliant isyou're sharing information and
it's not about like hey successor buy this or save this it's
about the people and what you'redoing for them which is you know
a little piece of advice fromdad he's like never worry about
Commission's if you do the rightthing, success follows and it's
(34:54):
the greatest greatest adviceI've ever gotten and and you're
doing that in also Unlike thepiece that you had, with the
clarity of not all partnershipsare going to be aligned and it's
okay. Doesn't have to bejudgment around it. It's just
just not a match and you move on
Samantha Bauer (35:12):
realizing that was a game changer for me
because I'm not gonna lie likemy first few like months, I
would get like, butthurt ifpeople didn't want to work with
me and like, what, I'm reallygood at my job, and I'm really
nice. Like, why wouldn't youwant to work with me? But then I
realized that the sooner I letthat go, and I'm like, okay,
that's not my person. God'sgonna put 10 more people in my
(35:33):
path that are my people. And soyou know, if you sit around
dwelling on that relationshipthat like, That person doesn't
want to work with you, orthere's something that doesn't
jive, right? that's holding youback from what is for you. So
the faster you can let that goand move on. Like, I learned it,
and it's so much less stressful.
Right? That person's not myperson, I'm gonna move on and
find the next person here withmy person.
Josh Meeder (35:56):
That's, that's right, because they're waiting
out there for you to find them.
The The other thing let's touchon this, because it's really
important is you do have, Iknow, you said, you don't have a
routine, or you're not good atstructure. But there are some
things that are important to youin big on the daily habits and
the rituals that we create thesuccess for our days. So what's
a day look like in Sam's world?
(36:20):
Yeah, so
Samantha Bauer (36:21):
I definitely this is another thing I've
learned. I'm telling you, I'dlike found myself in the last
few years. I really have had tofigure out what what's important
to me and make sure that I maketime for that for myself,
because that's how people getburned out. Right? And we kind
of talked about the stress offeeling like you need to do self
(36:41):
care. And like, Well, does thatmean I have to like go, I don't
know, do something special. Butfor me, self care is just making
sure. Every morning I get up, Ido my Bible study, I do some
yoga, you know, stretch my body,eat a healthy breakfast. And I
just maybe spend I try to I tryto meditate for at least two
(37:02):
minutes. And I know that soundsridiculous, because it's a very
short time.
Josh Meeder (37:05):
But for you just sit still for two minutes really
is a monumental achievement.
You're going
Samantha Bauer (37:11):
and there are days that I'm like, sitting
there. And in my head. I'm like,Man, I still get this. Again,
and again. This is not whatmeditations like not to tell you
yourself that you stink in
Josh Meeder (37:24):
a competition.
Yeah, exactly.
Samantha Bauer (37:26):
Exactly. And so but when I do when I do all
those things, which I have nowmade, it's just part of what I
do. You know, I get up, I dothat Bible study, I spend those
silent moments. I stretch mybody. I make sure I eat
something healthy in themorning. It gets me going and it
gives me that me time. You know,it's probably only 30 minutes
(37:49):
total, maybe 40 in the minute inthe morning. But it gets my day
started off right. So I'm in agood headspace, you know, going
into the day. And every time youknow, when I sit there and
meditate. That really is my timeof silent prayer. I know
different people believedifferent things and So
(38:09):
meditation is different foreverybody but for me that's kind
of like alright, I said myprayers God I told you what I'm
grateful for and I'm gonna sithere and listen, see if you tell
me anything. In some days, hedoes some days like it's very
clear that like oh yeah, this isthe direction I need to be going
or whatever it is. Some days itis crickets. And those are the
days usually that my mindwanders and maybe I'm not in the
(38:30):
right headspace for it but itdoes I you know, I used to think
that stuff was like so woowooand so out there. But it's
really made a difference in mylife. And it's given me like I
said even those two minutes likethat's my time for me before my
kids are awake. For the dogslike breathing right in my face.
(38:50):
You know, the stuff that happenswhen the House wakes up. I do
all that in the morning and Ijournal too and journaling has
been huge for me.
Josh Meeder (39:00):
You're doing all the right things. I mean so such
such a game changer if you canget into that morning routine
and a lot of people just fallinto it. And I've single dad
essentially and like I know someof those routine mornings like
oh gosh, you got to get up gottaget everything done. Got them
get them out to school, but itdoesn't take that much time or
(39:20):
commitment even taking 10minutes to start with in the
morning for yourself to havethat quiet reflection. Really
really is a game changer. Solisteners out there if you're
not good on your morningroutine, pick one out it can be
anything you know I like walkingyou know you talking about
moving your body like that isthe quiet time and reflective
(39:41):
reflective time for me. So yeah,good on you for that morning.
And you talking about you know,the big things in self care a
lot of people like well thatlooks like a vacation or a spa
and we talked about that whichis really kind of funny. So you
stress yourself out for half theyear to save up the money to
pack everything up to go for Fora week of intense relaxation,
(40:02):
then you're stressed to comeback to the stuff that you
didn't get done for the lastweek where the daily in the
small things are where the selfcare really comes in. Yeah, and
Samantha Bauer (40:11):
I mean, we haven't done a big vacation for
a few years, just because youknow, of our financial situation
with opening up a business. Andwe actually love weekend trips,
like, we'll go to OB for theweekend, or we'll go to southern
springs for the weekend, orwe'll just go up north, you
know, and, you know, maybe campor just for a day, you know, we
might just go fishing orsomething like that. And like,
(40:34):
that stuff is so filling foryour soul, that and it's not
stressful, because you just didit. And so we have a lot
Josh Meeder (40:42):
of other things you can do. affordably, too. Yeah,
there's so many state parks,there's all these things. So
getting away, doesn't have tostress the household finances
out, you can get real creative.
Samantha Bauer (40:54):
Yeah. And it's like, like you said, you're not
saving up forever, and thenspending and then like, all the
stuff, and when you get back,it's only been a day, you just
feel refreshed. So it has beenit's been really, I've enjoyed
this journey so far. And I'm,I'm excited, you know, to keep
it going. See where it goes?
Josh Meeder (41:16):
Well, I'm excited to watch you in kind of wrapping
this up with with the journeyand where it's going. So your
business is growing. You gotyour family, you know, on on
board with the new doing that.
Well, what is next? You'vestarted a podcast, you're
getting back to active in thechurch. So what has all this
created? And what's next forSam?
Samantha Bauer (41:37):
Yeah, so I a couple things, I guess growing
my business is super dear to myheart. Like you said I, I feel a
responsibility that once youfigure something out, you share
it with others, right. And so mygoal for my business is to have
20 producers on board, includinga babysitter that's here all the
time. So people can bring theirkids to work because that's what
(41:57):
I did. And I don't want to notgive that opportunity to the
people that work for me becauseit it was such a game changer.
So So working on the culture andthe environment is huge. For me,
we kind of talked the last timeyou and I spoke about the whole
like, quiet quitting thing. Andas a business owner, that's
(42:19):
terrifying to me. Like, I do notwant to create a culture that
people don't want to work theirhardest in or that don't want to
come in and be a part of it,
Josh Meeder (42:29):
and feel valued for their commitment and know that
they're doing it for a reason.
Samantha Bauer (42:34):
Yeah, yeah. And so I've been thinking a lot
about that lately. And what arethe things that we're going to
make sure we do that make peoplewant to work here, and Rob and I
both have worked forcorporations and work for
places. And we've learned a lotabout what we did not like about
those places. And so I weactually started writing them
down, because we're like, we'renever going to make people feel
(42:56):
this way. And so, so anyway,that's kind of where my business
growth is going. I did feelcalled to start this podcast
about a year ago. And I had noclue where it was going, or what
I was going to do with it. Andthen one morning in my Bible
study, that's Joshua, one ninepopped up, and I was like, Oh,
(43:16):
this is perfect. You know, Godis with you, wherever you go,
you know, don't be afraid. Don'tbe dismayed. You know, don't and
and it was just like, theperfect thing I'm like, this is
exactly what I want to encouragepeople to do is follow the dream
that's in their heart that mightbe hiding under there, tucked
away, covered up with selfdoubt, or every person that's
ever told you that you're notsmart enough, you're not man
(43:38):
enough, you're not you know,you're to mom enough, or to mom,
whatever the whatever, all thosethings that the world has told
you why you can't do it, thatdream is still tucked under
there. And it's in there for areason it didn't, you know, it
didn't. It's not there fornothing, you know, God put
dreams in our hearts so that wewould pursue them. And I really
want to encourage people mumsand dads, you know, I I lean
(44:02):
towards female because I am oneand I've experienced in that,
but I definitely don't discountmen. And I think that, sadly,
society has just accepted thatmen are gonna work and not be as
as big of a part of the family.
And I think that's almost worsethan telling women that they
have to choose. It's theacceptance that like, well men
are going to like so. I want mento feel empowered to to follow
(44:24):
the dreams that are in theirhearts, because I know, you
know, for my husband workingthose 12 hour days for the last
three years, it was hard for himnot to be part of things. And so
anyway, so the podcast is isgrowing. I just kind of do it
and they're, you know, 20minutes long and it could be a
(44:45):
tip on goal setting. It could bea tip on growing your business.
I just did a series on boundarysetting. Because back to that
whole quiet quitting thing Ithink if we can teach people how
to set boundaries. Me Maybethey'll have more integrity
about not quite quitting, butactually setting boundaries and
working really hard on the hoursthat they're working. And from
Josh Meeder (45:09):
the employment side, you're also creating that
container or that space whereyou're not putting anyone past
their boundaries, like, hey, wewant you to work hard and be
successful here. And you alsorespect the downtime. I think
that's the backlash is from thatcorporate culture where you're
just expected to be on call allthe time. And then employees
(45:31):
can't set boundaries. So it's,it's kind of a two part there.
And you guys are taking care andownership from the other side,
say, Hey, we're gonna give youan environment where you can be
really successful, we want thebest from you. And when you're
not here, that's your time. So Ilove that it's that two part
connection with it.
Samantha Bauer (45:46):
Yeah, yeah, in teaching them like, Don't give
your cell phone number out. Likewe have Office phones, like
that's what you use, becauseotherwise, your clients aren't
going to respect yourboundaries. And they're going to
be texting you at on Sundayafternoon. And it's going to
drive you bonkers. So we reallylike that's one of the things I
really am going to beimplementing as we hire is like,
here's how you set boundaries.
And I actually just started withRob yesterday, sharing some of
the things with him. So anyway,that's that. And then my next
(46:11):
thing is, I want to write abook. And so that's kind of,
hopefully in the next year ortwo shouldn't say hopefully, in
the next year or two that willhappen.
Josh Meeder (46:24):
I know when you say hopefully it means it's, it's
just on its way. So you'vegotten you've gotten some time
for yourself to your yoursinging or you're active in the
church again.
Samantha Bauer (46:34):
Yeah, so this, this is just, you know, goes
back to that funeral service,right, like thinking like, Man,
I would, God gave me a gift,and, and a voice to use, and I
hadn't used it. And so I haveI've been singing in our praise
band at church and in the choir.
And that's me time too. So whenyou talk about things that that
(46:55):
are self care, or whatever, Ilove singing, I love practicing
with the band at church, I lovebeing a part of that. And so for
me, that's like a hobby that Iallow myself to do. And Rob
knows, like, Sam's got practiceat eight o'clock on Thursday
nights at the church. And that'swhat she does. And that's
awesome. And he has his stuff,too. He does karate. And we know
(47:16):
what nights he does that. And ifI can find somebody to play
tennis with me, you betterbelieve I'm out on the tennis
courts playing tennis. So it's,it's making sure you're doing
things you love to because it'sso easy as a mom or a dad to get
sucked into your kids lives. Andyou kind of lose yourself,
right? And unfortunately,they're gonna be around forever,
(47:36):
they're gonna get if you'redoing it, right, they're gonna
grow up and move out and become,you know, contributors to
society. And when that happens,you know, you want to still know
who you are,
Josh Meeder (47:50):
ya know who you are, have the health and the
vitality and the connection andrelationship to enjoy that so
well, I will check back with youhere the next year and be
looking for your big bookrelease party. I'm sure that is
already in the works. Sam, thankyou for taking the time today.
If you are if you're interestedin learning more about Sam or
(48:13):
you're in western Pennsylvaniafor insurance needs, check out
the links in the bio anddefinitely check out her podcast
so it's always great talking toyou cuz thanks for being on and
we will see you again soon.
Samantha Bauer (48:25):
Thanks for having me on Josh. I appreciate
it.
Josh Meeder (48:31):
Thank you for watching. If you liked what you
saw, be sure to hit that likeand subscribe button right now.
Stay tuned and check out thechannel for other interesting
and informative videos.
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