Morgan Orlando | Get Involved — The Importance of Community and Relationship Building
On this week’s episode of Around Flower Mound, we speak with special guest Morgan Orlando. Morgan is a third-generation insurance broker for IMA Financial Group whose expertise includes constructing personal risk-management strategies designed for successful individuals and families. She also has a degree in Health, Sports, and Exercise Science from the University of Kansas, is an outdoor enthusiast, and has a passion for local dining and shopping.
When asked about getting involved with the Flower Mound community, Morgan said, “I approached it the only way that I knew how: getting involved with your chambers. Look at what you're passionate about, and get involved with groups. Go on Google and look up horse rescues or water ski groups and when inquiring about how to get involved and the steps to get involved, it’ll just flourish into meeting not only new friends and new business partners, but you'll learn about the community that you're serving.”
We chat about Morgan’s favorite parts about Flower Mound, as well as:
Her career as an Insurance Advisor and who she aspires to be a hero to
Her decision to focus her business on Flower Mound and the importance of building relationships within the community
The unique challenges and advantages of being self-employed as a millenial
And more
Mentioned in this episode:
Transcript
Nicole Smith Woodard: Thank you for tuning in to the Around Flower Mound Podcast today. As you know, Around Flower Mound is all about bringing light to community leaders, business owners, parents and charities within our fantastic community. We in Flower Mound are so blessed to have a relatively new neighbor who is already making a positive impact in our community. Welcome, Morgan Orlando.
Morgan Orlando: Hi, Nicole. Thank you again for having me. This is gonna be so neat.
Nicole: I know. I'm so excited to have you. Well, I am so grateful to have been introduced to Morgan and I found her to be one of the friendliest, most genuine and truly interested in serving other individuals that I know. She and her husband have been in the Dallas area for the past couple of years. And just a little bit about Morgan before we jump into the questions.
Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Morgan is a third-generation insurance broker for IMA Financial Group. Her expertise includes constructing personal risk management strategies designed for successful individuals and families. Her clients appreciate the personalized service that she provides and take comfort in knowing that she is looking out for their insurance needs.
She has a degree in health, sports and Exercise Science from the University of Kansas and after graduation, she spent some time in Vail, Colorado where she worked for a local youth nonprofit and managed a fitness club. Morgan is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for local dining and shopping. She is excited to be part of this community and to see what the future of Flower Mound holds. So thank you so much for sharing your time with us today. We were so lucky to have you here. So thank you. Okay. First question. So what is your favorite thing about Flower Mound?
A Wonderful Trail System
Morgan: Oh, gosh, where to start? So I would say my number one favorite thing about Flower Mound is going to be the trail system here. I mean, there are, you can pretty much walk on a trail through trees from one end of Flower Mound to the other. And yeah you'll kind of come in and cross some roads here and there, but for the most part, you're, you know, you're on this beautiful windy trail system. And then they're spin-off trails and then you've got the trails on the lake, on the boat trails, you can go mountain biking, you can go hiking. I would say that is the one thing that keeps drawing me back here, you know, time and time again.
Nicole: Well, it's not exactly Colorado so, but I love how you found that. And I also see some pictures of y'all on the lake. So that's a big part of your life too, right?
Morgan: Oh yes. Big water skiers. So having Great Vine Lake, you know, 10 minutes from our house has been a blessing. So being able to get up in the morning when the water's calm, drop the boat in and then, you know, water ski into that little Cobra Lakeside power strip and then all along that shoreline is just amazing. It's beautiful.
Nicole: How fun. Well, and we were talking just a few minutes ago, you're finding a way to not only to enjoy the trail system and also use that as a way to introduce yourself to others and also your business. So talk a little bit about how creative that was.
Morgan: Yeah, so I take, well, when we were in Vail, we did things that were called chairlift meetings. And so as we kind of come out of this COVID-19, you know, a situation that we're in right now, and like, what a neat way to at least begin a relationship, you know, with an individual, when going to walk. Like, it's just a walk. Very informal, and, you know, no notepad, and you're just building a relationship. You're getting to know that person or getting to know you in kind of a non-threatening way. And I think it's, people like it, honestly. I've had a couple of them and they've gone really well,
Nicole: Well, I can imagine so. And that kind of leads me to a question where, you know, as we mentioned, you're relatively new to our community. And certainly, some members of our audience may be considering moving to Flower Mound.
So for someone who, like you, finds themselves in a situation where just a few short years ago, you didn't know anybody here, what are some tips that you would give them about how to get involved so quickly in this community. And certainly, this community primarily, because that's what we're talking about. But even if you want to share some tips on how you approached the process of getting involved in your community.
How Morgan Got Involved in the Flower Mound Community
Morgan: Yeah. So I approached it in kind of the only way that I knew how. I'm getting involved with your chambers. Like looking at what you're passionate about, and getting involved with groups. Like going on Google and googling, you know, horse rescues or waterski groups or the local chamber and then inquiring about how to get involved and the steps to get involved.
And then from there, it will flourish into, you know, meeting not only new friends and new business partners, but you'll get to learn about the community that you're serving. And that you're, you know, that your prospecting that you're, you know, building business relationships. So you get to kind of be in the heart of it and know truly what's going on. And that's how I've approached it.
Nicole: Well, it's definitely been very effective for you. So speaking of business, so you're a businesswoman as well. So tell us about what you do professionally and who you want to be a hero to.
Morgan: Yeah, so I am kind of as you introduced me, I'm a private insurance advisor with IMA Select. And, you know, I have this mission to change the way people think and feel about insurance. Because the way I think about insurance is kind of like a parachute. Yeah, if it failed the first time, you probably won't need it again. You know, I truly believe that individuals and families deserve to be educated in the terms that they understand, you know, when it comes to protecting your assets and your wealth because I mean, it's important. So that's kind of, you know, where I stand in regards to how I run and operate my business.
And then who I would like to be a hero to, I mean, number one is I always want to be a hero to my client, but looking at the bigger picture, it's really the community that I serve and that I work in. I think that it's important to be able to give back to those communities that you're not working in, that you're doing business in because again, you know at that point, the heart of the community and what's going to work and what's not gonna work. And so being able to know that knowledge is I think, key across the board.
Nicole: Yes, well, and you, I know that you're a third-generation insurance broker. And when I say insurance, I know just to clarify we're talking, you write insurance for homeowners insurance, for auto insurance or personal liability insurance, right? What, are those the primary lines that you carry?
Where Morgan Focuses Her Profession
Morgan: Yeah. So I focus on the, I mean, in better words property-casualty side of insurance. I know there's health and there's life, and I don't mess with that side of it. I am solely like your home, auto, your, you know, your collections, maybe you've got a jewelry collection you inherited or, you know, maybe you've got a yacht or a plane. Like we really take those programs and we're able to streamline them.
And what that means is, you know, you might have one home with this insurance advisor, you have, you know, your investment person and you've got your autos over here. You don't need to do that anymore when you come to us because we have the relationships that can fully encompass that. So then you only have one point of contact.
Nicole: Very cool. So, and that's one of the things that as folks who are new to Texas and not and also new to Flower Mound, but sometimes new to Texas are always a little surprised at our insurance rates. And so people I know are, especially those who are moving, are looking for a new relationship. Somebody that can help them with all of it.
And it sounds like definitely somebody that I would recommend, you are definitely who I would recommend that people reach out to and connect with in that case. And being a third-generation insurance broker, I know you and I've had a quick conversation about what led you to your current role with IMA Select. Would you mind sharing that with us?
Morgan: Yeah. Oh, man. How much time do we have?
Nicole: As much as you need.
What Led Morgan to Join IMA Select
Morgan: Yeah, third-generation IMA. And, you know, my grandpa, he got started with IMA Financial Group. As you know, in their benefit section he really kind of helped. He helped kind of pioneer this benefit section of IMA Inc. and IMA Financial Group. And then later down the line, my dad joined IMA as an insurance broker for their big commercial property-casualty side.
And so some of his main clients were, you know, like your Sonics and your Pizza Huts, even not being, like with my dad and my grandpa being involved in IMA, we never really talked about it much. It wasn't dinner table talk. I think that generation, that small talk really isn't there. Unless you're talking about, you know, stories or, you know, how we did on a school test. We just really didn't talk much about work.
And then just the last year my granddad passed away and I got to learn so much about IMA in the stories they told, and I got to learn about the culture of the office and how they treat their clients and just kind of got this whole real world that I've always been a part of, kind of open back and got to learn a lot more about it. So I'm at a spot in my career where I would like to learn more.
And so I reached out to a couple people I had kind of met in passing via LinkedIn and just asked who was in mind, you know, expanding on IMA. I just, you know, just very intrigued about what, who this company is and where it's gone, where it's going, or where it's been and where it's going. And by the second exploratory interview, I guess, that I had, I was like, sign me up. I'll work front desk. Whatever you have, I want to be here. This is where I want to be. And it has just been an amazing journey since then. I landed on the IMA Select team where we focus, you know, on your personal lines and their small commercial business, and it's just been a blessing.
Nicole: I love it. Well, I feel very fortunate based on, you know, here we are in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex and there are, you know, 14 communities with populations of over 100,000. So literally within this huge Metro, we have all these other communities to compete against in order to get somebody like you, Morgan, to really focus your energy and effort on Flower Mound. So what was it about Flower Mound that appealed to you in such a way as you made the decision to focus your business energies and your servant's heart here in this community?
Morgan: Oh, easy. The people. The people of Flower Mound are so lovely. I, you know, we've lived here for two years now and I have not come across a community that's been as welcoming as Flower Mound. Whether it be your chamber members, whether it be rotary. I remember my first meeting at rotary and I didn't know anybody that, you know, my person was on consignment.
So I just sat down at a table and not a beat, you know, didn't miss a beat with people just coming up and introducing themselves and welcoming. It wasn't like, Who is this girl? I've not once felt that way. It has been, oh my gosh, I just, I'm smiling right now just thinking about all the relationships I've made in just this community. They support each other no questions asked and you can truly feel it.
Nicole: Well, I totally agree. And this may or may not be obvious to our audience yet, but those who know you know that you're a millennial. And with that, you mentioned rotary, and you mentioned the chamber and just, those are just a couple of organizations we're in together. But I'm curious. So talk about what it's like to be self-employed, in business for yourself as a millennial, and what you would see, what you might see or perceive as either unique challenges and or how do you use your being a millennial as an advantage?
Morgan: Oh, gosh, you know, I don't see age. And it's funny. We were talking about this the other day, and I just, you can't think of it that way. Like, I think when you approach it like that, it's more of you're putting yourself in a box, where it is like, and then you're missing out on relationships you could be having.
And I've just been, you've got to be able to go with the flow and adapt to the situations you're in. And I think that's really been key in how I've become successful in this community. And, you know, you just, you've got to be adaptable. It's like the biggest thing I want to say is you've got to just, it's not the age, not the color, not see, you know, not see any of that. I mean, that's kind of, I don't know if that answers your question or not.
Nicole: Well, it does because you, I've found you to be just completely genuine and completely present in all scenarios. And so that's why I was just curious if you saw that as an advantage or as a challenge. But clearly, you're blind to all that. And I think that's, I mean, that's, I think that's part of what makes you you. And I think it's also indicative, you know, what I've seen of how you show up in these organizations and how you show up in this community is you're an expert in your business and you're an expert at building business by being of service and building relationships. So why do you think that's so important?
The World of Sales Has Changed
Morgan: Okay, people do business with people these days. Like, it's not transactional. And as much as, you know, especially in insurance world, it sometimes feels transactional but it's not. I mean, what I mean, go to your, or whether your selling instruments or you're selling a home. It is, it's personable now. It's relationship, sales is relationship-driven at this point, I think.
I mean there is going to be times where there is a need, but that's going to be transactional, that's going to transpire into like a one-time deal and maybe you'll get it, maybe you won't. But when you create that relationship and then it comes down to, you know, maybe it's price, maybe it's services, they're going to look to that relationship first. And I think that's important, you know, in any industry,
Nicole: I love it. Well, you've had some real successes personally and professionally. And so what is it that you believe makes some successful while others struggle?
Morgan: Yeah. I would say knowing your why. Like, why am I doing this? If you don't have that, then I feel like you can get a, you know, you can get a little lost. You know, it could be as simple as, you know, having a picture of your family on the desk and like being able to kind of look over at that and be like, that's why I'm doing it. You could be completely, you know, it could be a passion project of yours. But like truly knowing your why I think that's going to, that has given me more success in the last couple years than anything.
Nicole: Yeah, most definitely. Well, are you a book reader, a podcast listener, or all the above that you might want to recommend some to others?
Morgan: Yeah, I've got a couple of books that I'm reading right now. One is called New Sales Simplified by Mike Weinberg. And this is just, I mean, if you're in sales, you really need, if you're a sales manager, if you're, you know, if you're just, if you're a sales associate, if you're a broker, if you're, you know, whatever it might be, you've got to read this book. And it's, on the front page, it says the Essential Handbook for Prospecting and New Business Development. And it is, this guy, he is so blunt to the point we just can't take it. I mean, take it personal because it's true. I have just marked this book all up.
Nicole: I love that kind.
Morgan: So that one's amazing. And then one that's just kind of true to my heart that I reach back for is called The Four Agreements. Have you heard of that book?
Nicole: I absolutely have. Keep talking.
Morgan: Yes. So this one is just a good check-in with myself. And it's, you know, maybe notice some kind of issue. I always kind of refer back to this and it's, you know, be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions and always do your best. And I think it's good check-in, you know, person personally and in the business world.
Nicole: That further illustrates my connection with you. In its course there, what is it? It's simple but it's not easy. You know, and how nice it is when you engage with someone that you can tell is also driven by those same values. So, how cool. Awesome. Any other books or podcasts you want to throw out there?
Morgan: Just this one. Around Flower Mound.
Nicole: I love it. I love it. I love it. Well, that is so wonderful. Well, I just appreciate you and your time so much today. I've enjoyed getting to know you in person and I just was honored that you would take the time to come online today. So if folks are interested in learning more about you and the businesses that you, or the business that you do, how would they connect with you?
Morgan: The best is going to be email, I would say. And my email is going to be morgan.orlando@imacorp.com. Or my cell phone. Really easy, 316-648-8928. I'm just happy to answer any questions and just be a resource for anyone that needs, you know, whether it's insurance needs or needs to know what direction to go on the trail, I'm here.
Nicole: Well, I love that. You are a giver and just a wonderful, wonderful person. And I feel so, so fortunate to know you. So thank you again for joining us today.
Morgan: Thank you, Nicole, this was great.
