In the quiet community of Canyonville, Oregon, one insurance agency has been punching far above its weight for years. Since purchasing the agency in 2017, the owner steadily grew annual revenue from $1.5 million to over $600,000 in commissions, carving out a niche in tough markets like logging and trucking. Her eight-person team some with 16 years of tenure served clients the old-fashioned way: in person, on the phone, and with heart. But success came with its own strain.
The Operational Strain
Every day I’m setting new goals for the team. But there’s always more to do HR, IT, payroll, hiring, systems management, the agency owner explained. We’re thinking about expansion, but I also don’t want to lose what makes us special. With a deeply loyal customer base, a highly experienced team, and dreams of opening a second location, she was hitting capacity not just physically, but mentally. She wasn't looking to sell, but she also knew that scaling sustainably would require help.
Keeping Control While Gaining Support
When a rep from Equity Expansion reached out, she almost didn’t take the call. I’ve been approached before, but I never felt like it was the right fit. This time, something made me stay on the line. What she learned was different. This wasn’t about selling out. It was about strategically partnering, keeping ownership, keeping her team, but gaining an operational army.
Here's what the partnership would offload:
The idea is to take 9 out of 10 hats off your head, the rep explained. So you can focus on what moves the needle, the production and retention.
Real Numbers, Real Flexibility
Beyond support, the numbers made sense with a current revenue of ~$600K, the agency might be valued around $1.5 million, based on typical EBITDA multiples. Here’s how a deal could break down:
Importantly, no commitment was required to get a mock valuation or speak with potential partners. This is true exploration, the rep emphasized. You don’t sign anything. You’re a free agent.
Aligning for the Long Haul
For the owner, culture was a major concern. I’ve heard horror stories agencies changing everything overnight, losing staff, losing clients. That’s not what I want. Equity Expansion agreed. Their A-team list includes only a handful of partners from over 40 possible matches. Each has been vetted not just financially, but ethically and culturally. She’d get to meet a fellow agency principal from her region someone who had been through the same journey. It’s not about ego. It’s about alignment. You want to lock arms with someone who respects what you’ve built and adds to it.
A Path to Grow Without Burning Out or this Canyonville-based agency, the potential was clear:
Ready to Explore What’s Possible?
Whether you’re looking to scale, simplify, or just prepare for the future, Equity Expansion offers a transparent, no-pressure approach to partnership. You don’t pay a dollar. You don’t sign away anything. And you’ll walk away smarter no matter what you decide.
Discover how a Canyonville insurance agency grew with Equity Expansion through a transparent, strategic partnership model.
Thinking about your next chapter as an agency owner? Learn how Equity Expansion helps agencies grow, get paid, and stay independent. Start with a free, no-obligation conversation.