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If You Have Employees, You Have Risk | Jared Bostrom - Burnette Insurance Agency

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Beyond the Annual Renewal: How Jared Bostrom Is Transforming Employee Benefits Consulting in North Georgia

A 20-Year Insurance Veteran Proves That Risk Management Is About Relationships, Not Transactions

What separates a transactional insurance broker from a true risk management partner?

For Jared Bostrom, employee benefits and compliance consultant at Burnette Insurance Agency, the answer is simple: it’s what you do in the 364 days that aren’t renewal day.

After nearly two decades in the employee benefits space, Jared has built his practice on a philosophy that challenges the traditional insurance model: “If you have employees, you have risk.” And managing that risk requires more than an annual phone call about premium increases.

The Relationship Revolution in Insurance

In a recent appearance on North Georgia Business Radio with host Phil Bonelli, Jared outlined his approach to employee benefits consulting – and it’s a far cry from the typical broker relationship most business owners experience.

“Insurance, in and of itself, is very transactional,” Jared explained. “Nobody enjoys the process of renewals and open enrollments and rate increases, to be honest. But if insurance is transactional, insurance is also risk management.”

That’s where Jared’s model diverges from the industry standard. While most brokers engage with clients primarily during renewal season, Jared and his team at Burnette Insurance work to earn their commission every single month through ongoing value delivery.

What Year-Round Risk Management Actually Looks Like

So what does it mean to have an insurance consultant who’s actively engaged throughout the year? For Jared’s clients, it means access to services that go far beyond policy placement:

Manager Training: Regular sessions focused on developing leadership communication skills and building healthier workplace cultures. Jared recently hosted a workshop at the Gainesville Civic Center on improving communication skills in the workplace – a direct investment in reducing organizational risk through better leadership.

Employee Handbook Audits: Comprehensive reviews to ensure policies align with current Department of Labor regulations and protect businesses from compliance violations.

HR Compliance Consulting: Guidance on navigating critical thresholds and requirements, from Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) obligations when you hit 50 employees to Fair Labor Standards Act compliance.

Risk Assessment: Proactive identification of exposures and vulnerabilities before they become costly problems.

“We really go after earning that commission every month by doing manager training, by auditing employee handbooks, by doing some of those things that impact your policies and the culture of your organization,” Jared noted.

The Cost-Benefit Equation Business Owners Miss

Here’s something every business owner knows: after payroll, employee benefits are typically your next biggest expense. You’re already writing substantial premium checks every month.

But here’s what many don’t realize: most insurance brokers provide minimal value between renewals, despite collecting commissions on those monthly premiums.

Jared’s approach flips that equation. “Because there’s no fee for service – benefits are expensive – we really go after earning that commission every month,” he explained.

For the same premium investment you’re already making, wouldn’t you rather work with someone who provides ongoing HR consulting, compliance support, and leadership development?

When Compliance Thresholds Catch You Off Guard

One of the most valuable aspects of Jared’s consulting approach is helping businesses navigate the compliance landscape as they grow.

“There are certain thresholds that you cross as a business owner, as an organization, that the Department of Labor says, ‘Congratulations, you’ve crossed the 50-employee threshold,'” Jared noted. “So Family Medical Leave Act now applies. Ready or not, here we come.”

These regulatory requirements – from FMLA to wage and hour laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act – represent significant risk for growing businesses. Having a consultant who understands these thresholds and helps you prepare for them proactively can save thousands in potential penalties and litigation costs.

The Image Bearers Philosophy: Faith-Integrated Business

What truly sets Jared apart isn’t just his service model – it’s the “why” behind it. Throughout the interview, both Jared and host Phil Benelli discussed the concept of being “image bearers” in their work.

“Life is really all about relationship,” Phil opened the show. “If you think of your best experiences in life, they’re likely not by yourself. They were in relationship.”

Jared expanded on this, sharing how his discipleship group at church has been working through “The J Curve” – a book about bringing glory to God in the work we do.

“The image bearer aspect of when we’re in that spot where we get to connect well with others, where we get to shine as humans, as image bearers – that is where we can boast in a way that it’s not prideful, but boast in a way that is effectively meeting our calling in what we are called to do,” Jared reflected.

This integration of faith and business isn’t just philosophical – it shapes how Jared approaches client relationships and the value he brings to every interaction.

Raising the Bar on Professional Service Relationships

Both Jared and Phil touched on a broader issue in professional services: the low bar for what constitutes a “relationship.”

“The threshold, maybe that bar for what constitutes a relationship, is frustrating,” Jared observed. “I think there’s some redemptive work that can be done in terms of really, maybe elevating what those expectations can be.”

Phil echoed this sentiment, describing the typical client experience: “Maybe it’s like, my insurance guy just takes me to play golf once a year, takes me to lunch, and that’s it. But you might not know that there are Jared Bostroms out there in the world who are really looking to bring value.”

For business owners who have only experienced transactional broker relationships, Jared’s model might seem almost too good to be true. But it’s built on a simple premise: when you genuinely serve clients and add value throughout the year, everyone wins.

Building a Healthy Workplace Through Better Communication

One of Jared’s core beliefs is that healthy workplaces have good communicators – and that communication directly impacts organizational risk.

“I would argue that a healthy workplace oftentimes has good communicators,” he said. “You can connect those dots very easily when it comes to if your leaders practice what they preach and if they communicate well.”

This is why Burnette Insurance invests in hosting workshops and seminars on topics like leadership communication – because the quality of communication in an organization directly affects turnover, workplace culture, compliance risk, and ultimately, the bottom line.

The Burnette Insurance Difference

After almost 20 years with Burnette Insurance Agency, Jared has built a practice that proves insurance consulting can be about more than pushing paper and collecting commissions.

His clients don’t just get group health, group life, and group dental coverage – they get a risk management partner who understands that employees represent both the greatest opportunity and the greatest risk in any organization.

For North Georgia business owners looking to attract and retain qualified team members while managing compliance risk, Jared offers a model that transforms employee benefits from a necessary expense into a strategic advantage.

Key Takeaways for Business Owners:

If you have employees, you have risk – and that risk requires year-round management, not just annual attention.
After payroll, benefits are typically your next biggest expense. Make sure you’re getting ongoing value for that investment.
Critical compliance thresholds (like 50 employees triggering FMLA) can catch you off guard if you don’t have proactive guidance.
Healthy workplace culture and good communication directly reduce organizational risk.
Your insurance consultant should be a relationship-based partner, not a transactional vendor.

If you’re approaching that 50-employee threshold, you definitely want to hear what Jared has to say about FMLA compliance. Trust me on this one.

This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors

Hopewell Farms GA

Roundtable Advisors

RichLife Advisors

Cadence Bank

Highlights of the Show:

0:07 – 0:30 | Show Introduction North Georgia Business Radio theme and show positioning – “Some shows lean left, some lean right, but we lean local and business”

0:30 – 2:21 | The Power of Relationships in Business Phil’s opening monologue on how life’s best and worst experiences happen in relationships, and why this show celebrates relationship-driven business in the community. Sets up the entire theme of the episode.

2:21 – 5:27 | “If You Have Employees, You Have Risk” Jared introduces himself and lays out his core philosophy. Explains the difference between transactional insurance and true risk management. Discusses Department of Labor thresholds (50-employee FMLA trigger), Fair Labor Standards Act, and why a qualified risk management partner should add value year-round, not just at renewal. Key Quote: “Insurance is transactional. Your renewal happens once a year, but insurance, in and of itself, is risk management.”

5:27 – 6:34 | The Consultant vs. Commodity Approach Phil draws parallels to his banking career and explains why Jared’s approach is different – he’s a consultant who happens to provide insurance, not just a commodity provider. Emphasizes the value-add beyond just getting quotes.

6:34 – 8:39 | Earning Commission Every Month Jared explains how Burnette Insurance delivers ongoing value through manager training, employee handbook audits, and workplace communication workshops. Discusses the morning’s seminar at Gainesville Civic Center on improving communication skills and how good communicators create healthier workplaces that reduce risk. Key Quote: “We really go after earning that commission every month.”

8:39 – 10:00 | Raising the Relationship Bar Discussion on how low the bar often is for “professional relationships” (golf once a year) and the redemptive work needed to elevate expectations. Phil transitions to commercial break with a tease about Jared’s basketball career.

10:47 – 12:21 | Basketball Career & Life Lessons Introduction Phil returns from break calling Jared “no jive turkey” (Thanksgiving pun). Recaps the employee benefits value proposition, then asks about Jared’s high school and collegiate basketball career and what lessons helped him professionally. Phil notes Jared looks like he “can still go hard in the paint” and “wouldn’t be getting the rebound” if boxed out.

12:21 – 13:34 | Family of Five & Rebecca the Risk Manager Jared reveals he has 5 kids and has been married to Rebecca for almost 25 years. Discusses his oldest son finishing junior year soccer at Covenant College – made all-conference, just lost in championship game in penalty kicks. Talks about discipline and diligence necessary for athletic success starting at an early age. Key moment: Phil stops him to ask about Rebecca – Jared’s been talking about her “in almost every prior conversation” as “the most beautiful, amazing woman in the whole world.” Jared’s line: “I’m in risk management, but my wife, as the mother of five children who she’s home schooled throughout their school, is the real risk manager.”

13:34 – 16:18 | Good Habits, Discipline & Dependence Jared connects athletic training to business success – spending time in the gym, getting up shots, being repetitive translates to sales-facing roles. Discusses the tension between diligence and dependence as a believer – not being responsible for all blessings but depending on the Creator. Burnette is a faith-driven organization. Distinguishes between “fun things” (golf, tickets, donuts) and “valuable things” (rolling up sleeves to help with actual HR needs). Key Quote: “Those are inherently not bad things. Those are great things, but they’re not valuable things.”

16:18 – 19:15 | Ultra Marathons & David vs. Goliath Phil shares his ultra marathon experience – stopped when he got the farm but planning to run the Georgia Jewel (56 miles) in May with Logan. Discusses drawing on hard athletic experiences when facing tough professional challenges. Tells the David and Goliath story – David had confidence because of prior performance (killing the bear and lion) and dependence on God. “Confidence comes from your dependence and prior performance.” Jared’s response: The discipline came from “reps” – David’s target practice with the slingshot didn’t happen by accident.

20:05 – 22:11 | How Do You Eat an Elephant? One Bite at a Time Phil returns with “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Recaps themes of building relationships through adding value and going through reps. Shares his 100K race (62 miles) story – did 125,000 steps in a weekend, with about 80,000 being individual decisions he didn’t want to make but had to. Connects to HR implementation challenges.

22:11 – 23:43 | Small Steps Toward Compliance Jared’s advice for overwhelmed HR departments of one: don’t try to do everything at once. Start with employee handbook audit – look at policies, update them, ensure consistency in implementation and communication. Small steps in the right direction rather than wholesale changes. Key message: “You’re not going to show up on race day and just immediately run – you will get burned out very quickly.”

23:43 – 25:13 | Start Somewhere & Keep Improving Phil discusses being intimidated by process documentation, procrastinating because the task seemed overwhelming. Emphasizes: prioritize with Jared’s help, start somewhere, and have freedom knowing it’s a never-ending journey. As your business grows, your HR needs evolve. Quarterly rocks and goals – “we will never arrive.”

25:13 – 26:38 | The Complex & Ever-Changing Compliance Landscape Jared explains we live in a complex workplace environment – every presidential administration change creates a moving target. OSHA standards have changed massively (electronic records retention now mandated). Small businesses “don’t know what they don’t know” and it can be crippling. Phil’s response: Grateful for Jared’s proactive approach – insurance is reactive (mitigates risk that came to fruition), but Jared helps avoid risk and negative outcomes entirely. Jared: “You sound like you should be on my team right now” and notes he can’t believe he hasn’t used the word “proactive” yet – it’s in every conversation he has.

35:57 – 37:59 | The Joy of Serving Customers Phil’s passionate monologue: every successful business grows by serving customers better. If customers feel like a hindrance, you need self-reflection time. Discusses his joy serving businesses through Roundtable Advisors (fractional CFO and HR) – “It’s an honor to be a seat at the table with men and women out there growing our economy, presenting opportunities for image bearers of God.” Multiple enthusiastic references to Killian’s ice cream on Gainesville square – pistachio flavor is his favorite.

37:59 – 38:52 | Image Bearers in Business Jared responds to Phil’s “image bearers” term – got it from Jared originally. Shares about discipleship group studying “The J Curve” about bringing glory to God in work. Being an image bearer means connecting well with others and meeting our calling. Key Quote: “That is where we can boast in a way that it’s not prideful, but boast in a way that is effectively meeting our calling in what we are called to do.”

38:52 – 40:19 | Loving the Unlovable & Lessons from Jared Phil shares story about encountering a rude young man on the square – realization that “hurt people hurt people.” Sometimes we catch the brunt of customers’ bad days. What a blessing to bring light to those not reflecting it back.

Lessons from Jared:

Go serve your customers, be a true resource – that’s how you build relationships
Take your God-given gifts and experience to truly serve
Rebecca is the best