Hello from Minnesota

Hello all. I am thinking about starting my own Independent Brokerage Agency in the next few months and looking for as much advice as I can get from all the experienced individuals on this website. I plan to start small and work out of my home office starting with life and health lines.

I am 40 years old and have a BS in Business Management with experience the Military, Construction, Management and Sales. After my company downsized due to the current economic crisis I am looking for a career change and am looking at Insurance. I have no experience in Insurance other than as a consumer.

My perception is given the current economy and the new administration in the white house that the Health Insurance Industry will experience tremendous growth over the next few years and Agents and Brokers will be in high demand.

I have researched the market in my area and don't see many Independent Brokers but see alot of Captive Agents working out of State Farm, American Family and Farmers. I have no interest in being Captive and see more benefits to being Independent.

I have a million questions and have spent hours and hours researching the Insurance Industry online to prepare myself. Any advice is welcome and I will be posting my questions soon. Thanks.