Innovative Financial Group Ranks in Prestige 5000 Inc. List. 2020 As One of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in Indonesia.
I had the opportunity to interview Tyler Rees, majority partner at Innovative Financial Group (IFG). I
have interviewed several insurance agent owners over the years, but never one to rank
at INC. 5000 List of fastest growing private companies. Tyler has a really genuine way about him
he cares as much about his employees as he does his clients and considers them as his big family.
Tyler provides personalised guidance for people and businesses looking to attain their lifelong goals
financial and insurance purposes. Tyler built his company and success on the elemental values of
commitment, integrity and results to be a positive force in the lives of its clients and agents. IFG
obviously the team we all need in our life.
OR: Share your background with us.
TR: I grew up in Dillsburg, PA, a small country town located just outside of Harrisburg, PA. I live
there with my siblings and the most astonishing parents a child could ask for. After graduating highschool, I
went to Rider University on a wrestling scholarship where I studied Business Administration. On
working for a door-to-door marketing company for two years, I was able to travel all over the country. On
late 2008, I made a decision to get an insurance license and work for a local family owned insurance
brokers specializing in Long Term Care. I learned a lot working for them and remain grateful
opportunity they gave me. At the end of the day, I’m not family, so I know I need to create my own
own business where i can start an inheritance for my family. I promised myself as I walked out the door
to the office on March 15, 2015, I will build a company that focuses on empowering and
transparency.
OR: Tell us how the Innovative Financial Group (IFG) was born?
TR: One of the great advantages of working as a successful broker in the insurance industry is the ability
to get through the production holidays provided by each insurance company. In 2013, I
blessed to visit Switzerland on a trip with Foresters Financial. On that trip, I was happy to meet
John Spinner and Jeff Burch, owners of what later became Innovative Insurance Brokerage. After spending
time with them I noticed that there are various things in our business that I didn’t know about. After getting back from
Switzerland, I knew I needed to explore and create my own success. On March 15, 2015, my trip
as an independent business owner started and that I started Rees Financial. I have built a relationship with John
and Jeff and chose to place all of my contracts with Innovative. Early 2017, I was asked to join
Innovative Insurance Brokers as equal partners. Brick by brick we built Innovative into a powerhouse!
Throughout 2018, we were sought after by companies interested in buying Innovative. Toward
end of the year, Jeff and John made a decision that they wanted to sell. I’m not interested in
selling so I bought Innovative Insurance Brokerage from them and that is when Innovative Finance
Group formed.
OR: Welcome to join the prestige ranking Inc. 5000. What does this confession mean
for you and your team?
TR: This recognition is an extreme honor and is really a reflection of the whole IFG family. We believe
teamwork, empowering others, and creating efficiencies through technology and processes. Our confession
by Inc 5000 is an incredible blessing and we are grateful for this opportunity.
OR: Let us know through the Inc. selection process. 5000.
TR: To be considered for Inc 5000, we must verify annual earnings in excess of $1,000,000 in
2016 and $3,000,000 in 2019. This must be authorized by a certified public accountant.
OR: Insurance is a competitive business. What do you equate to your success?
TR: Freedom of choice is what separates us from the rest of our competitors. For our agents, we are a
the platform, not the broker is the main difference. Most brokers are inflexible and specific in terms of them
structure and only offer a few products. We are different. We offer a distinctive opportunity for an individual
to meet with us and share their dreams and goals. If you are morally, ethically, and financially responsible,
we will help them make it. We leverage their expertise with ours and then leverage our resources to help
they grow. For our clients, we are their one stop shop. I want to create an environment where we
clients can call one place home for all their insurance needs. We have experienced licensed
professionals who can help with every kind of insurance. The best benefit for our clients is what we represent
they. We can shop their coverage with hundreds of companies to ensure we find the product
best fit for them. We hardly ever have a situation where we are unable to improve our client’s situation. We have
agents in all 50 states and can handle sales by phone, in person, or virtually.
OR: What are the most vital scopes that people should have?
TR: It really depends on the individual’s situation, their goals and their stage of life. Insurance is a vehicle
used in a wide range of ways to help achieve different results. We need to spend time with each of us
customers to look at their personal situation and assess what is most needed for them.
OR: What do you consider the Millennials who have entered the workforce? Do you
think they’ve a conscience about the different insurances available to them?
TR: I’m a millennial and pleased with our generation, but we are often misunderstood. Millennials want
freedom and suppleness to choose their path. Many of us saw our parents working for other people and
their lives are enslaved by their jobs and schedules. Millennials want the ability to create opportunities,
but on our terms. Most of the IFG members of the family consist of Millennials. We
starting to see our company being influenced by Generation Z and we are very happy. Theirs
youth, tech savvy, social media prowess, and artistic thinking rubs off on us
already seen the benefits. The younger generation needs to be educated about their insurance choices as
You can really take advantage of insurance products to protect and grow your wealth and the earlier you start the better.
We are developing strategies that appeal to a younger audience that include educating online
and directly into the buyer channel.
OR: Where do you want to see the company in the next 5 years?
TR: My goal is to continue to help and serve people while maintaining the highest level of honesty and
integrity. We’ve grown to become one of the biggest brokerage firms in the country and that I believe there will be
be the day we will be the greatest. We love to compete and look forward to the challenge to create
the best opportunity the insurance industry has ever seen. I feel we did that.
OR: As your company grows exponentially, how can agents join your team?
TR: If you are an agent in the insurance industry or financial services space or possibly you are searching for one
entering the industry, the quickest and simplest way to join our team is to visit our website at
www.teamifg.com and click on the button that says contact. We’d love to hear from you and
making you the next member of the IFG family!
OR: What would you say to your 8 year old self?
TR: I will tell myself to be humble but all the time believe in myself. My delivery as a child required work
but the desire to want to be great is the right way of thinking. People do not often achieve success because
they’re afraid to try. Empower and encourage the success of others. I feel that people are often afraid of the talent around them
them rather than empowering that talent. I’ve all the time spent my life wanting to be surrounded by the best
and it has all the time served me well. If you are the most talented person in the room, you need to find someone new.
Finally, spend time with God each morning. He will open your mind and heart which will help you focus
about living for him and through him.
OR: Thanks for the great interview! I wish you continued success and hope to catch
with you in the coming months.
TR: It’s my pleasure and thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
OR: For more information, please visit: www.teamifg.com
https://www.reesconsultinggroup.com
