Aaron Blakemore

RUNNING A BUSINESS LIKE A MARATHON

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Stylish Detroit

AARON BLAKEMORE Blakemore Insurance Agency, Michigan Farm Bureau

As a previous long-distance runner, Aaron Blakemore built his business with a similar mindset as training for a marathon: He sets a goal, pushes himself every day and looks for ways to improve his performance. Additionally, he surrounds himself with accountability partners who are like-minded — each sharing a common goal and encouraging each other to be their absolute best.

Aaron, owner of Blakemore Insurance Agency, Michigan Farm Bureau, differentiates his business by providing exceptional service before, during and especially after a sale. “We work hard to reach out to our clients and offer policy reviews to keep pace with their busy lives — often changing the way they’re protected,” Aaron shared. “Over time, people’s lives and circumstances change. I feel it is our job to be their guide and offer solutions along the way. I think this is what has led to our high referral rate.”

Aaron believes how he treats others — clients, non-clients and referral sources — is a direct reflection of what will come back to him. He refers to this as “business karma” and has established dozens of trusted relationships because of it. “I am as transparent as I can be in each transaction,” he said. “I’ve had conversations where another provider is offering someone an appropriate policy — maybe even slightly better than what we could offer — and I will be honest about that. I have created great relationships from this, and eventually, we end up doing business together.”

In addition to providing customizable homeowners’ insurance, the agency offers lake estate policies for those that live on lakefront properties as well as country estate policies for people living on five acres or more. Aaron’s client portfolio ranges from homes on Torch Lake — providing coverage for docks, sea walls and boat hoists — to clients in Highland who have horses with riding arenas. “These are not standard subdivision-style homes; therefore, they do not deserve a standard subdivision-style policy,” Aaron said. “We can customize a package to fit our customers’ needs, while also educating them on the importance of their coverage.”

A typical day for Aaron may start with a meeting on a small horse farm in Milford, followed by reviewing coverage options for a client’s lake house in West Bloomfield. “In any scenario, each day is unique,” Aaron said. “I get to have conversations with people about what they enjoy and value, and then educate them about their options. The variety of people I meet and interact with is what I enjoy most about what I do.”

As part of Aaron’s team mentality, he often turns to his office group for their input on ways to improve work efficiency and client service. As a result, the agency added texting to their office phone, giving clients the ability to chat at their convenience. “As a team, we set weekly and monthly goals and then look at six-month periods,” Aaron explained. “We make it fun at our office and celebrate the small victories as we work toward something bigger.” Aaron’s years as an athlete taught him the value of encouragement, stamina, and optimism. “If you let the day-to-day activities become too stagnant, you will easily burn out from the monotony,” he said.

While the core of insurance has remained the same, Aaron’s team wants their clients to feel confident in their plans. The technology they have implemented to reach clients and help them feel at ease is constantly adjusting in accordance with the acceleration of technology.

When Aaron began his career, he was faxing and emailing items. Today, he uses Docu-Sign and texting to stay current with his clients’ needs for better communications. Currently, Aaron’s group is preparing for one of the biggest changes in Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance laws since the early 1970s. “We have been reaching out to our clients to discuss how this will impact them and review the new options that the complicated legislation will provide,” Aaron said. “This is a huge change, and we want to have all lines of communication open to our customers.”

When Aaron is not running his office or 5k races with his sons — Alex, 13, Jacob, 11, and Lucas, 6 — he is enjoying time with his wife, Jodie, and their boys. They live near Kensington Park in Milford, and together they spend time reveling in outdoor activities. Furthermore, Aaron is a volunteer coach and an agency sponsor for the Huron Valley United Mountain Bike Racing Team — his son Jacob is also a team member.

Having the ability to make an impact on other people’s lives is the most rewarding aspect of Aaron’s work. “Helping people at the time they need it the most is important to me,” Aaron said. “I want to be remembered for that — for helping others.”

Michigan Farm Bureau is a full-service agency that helps clients with home, farm, auto, commercial and life insurance. The company was started over 20 years ago by Ron Berry who retired in December 2018. Since that time, they have added more licensed agents and continue to grow.

“I believe success is when you are personally comfortable with what you have accomplished,” Aaron shared. “While I have always set goals and worked toward them, I also know how important it is to reflect on all my past accomplishments. However, I won’t let prior success get in the way of the goals still ahead of me.”

Partner Spotlight - Aaron Blakemore