Jason Cass
Owner/agent
JDC Insurance Group
Awards: IIA Illinois Young Agent of the Year

Why did you decide to start your own agency?
I decided to start my own agency because I realized, like everything else, the insurance industry is changing, and it is changing fast. Yet the owners of many agencies are understandably resistant to the change that needs to occur. I hear this from many agents. We must understand that the client's needs are demanding change. Starting my own agency was hard because the agency I was leaving was a great place, but I needed to look long term.

How do you balance work and personal life?
In my opinion this is one area that can really determine how successful you will be in your business life. All things in nature and life are balanced. I have a family with two sons. The quality of the time I spend with them is more important that the quantity of time. When I work, I work. When they want to play, I play. Very rarely do I ever mix them.