Beyond numbers and statistics, FCCI’s vision emphasizes the intrinsic importance of building relationships. FCCI has established a business footprint and trust in each state by “Doing what we say we’ll do.” That means providing a financial guarantee of binding contractual promises between businesses and contractors and fulfilling these obligations.

Scott explained that FCCI was on the top 40 list of insurers writing surety business by midyear. “Most of our competitors in the top 50 have the ability to write surety business on a national basis. We made it to the top 50 surety carriers without a national presence earlier in the year. Agents are more willing to do business because they won't be worried about their account venturing into a new state that we're not in,” said Scott. Scott had projected a 10% growth for 2023 but surpassed that goal, resulting in 25% growth by year-end.

Scott explained that based on Surety’s growth, his outlook is more positive than what it was in a few years ago. Although growth in the new states has been somewhat slow, Scott isn’t worried. The driving force behind substantial growth is the commitment to forging meaningful connections. FCCI recognizes the importance of that. “We’re investing time and resources in building genuine relationships with our agents and policyholders that will pay off. Relationships that are worth building do take time. You can't enter a state and expect instant established trust,” said Scott. Scott further explained that the presence in new states means more than just writing business. The core philosophy extends beyond numbers. It’s about people.

“Understanding that being the ‘new guy in town’ requires more than just picking up the phone. We’ve taken strategic steps to hire local talent in the territories,” said Scott. Scott expanded on the idea that this planning ensures a nuanced understanding of regional needs and contributes to establishing an entrepreneurial approach. “This is a proactive and competitive plan of action, and we’re really proud of that,” said Scott. “It's the momentum we've got in our people and our service. That's all it is. The people and the service. There's no magic formula, but the most important thing we can do is be there for our customers and ensure they understand they can count on us.”

Technology upgrades are essential for operational efficiency but crucial for an improved customer experience. Scott emphasized the importance of staying current in the digital landscape to accommodate growth in an evolving market. “Because of the efficiencies that our customers might not see externally, we've benefited internally, which has allowed us to grow over 25% each year in the past two years. We’ve upgraded our IT systems because of the growth, and it’s made us more efficient,” said Scott. This allows FCCI’s Surety team to drive forward with a competitive edge and facilitate informed decision-making through comprehensive business intelligence. Ultimately, this provides the team with the proper tools for streamlined business.

Hiring the right people for the job is paramount for success, and FCCI’s Surety team hired talented individuals who bring diverse skills and expertise to the new territories. This fosters an innovative approach to problem-solving and customer service when navigating the challenges that come with growth. “We've hired new teammates that have an abundance of experience in those territories. It’s so important that we have boots on the ground in those new areas and not do it from afar. They know the landscape; they know who’s who,” said Scott. “I specifically sought individuals that know the players and have strong interpersonal skills.”

In the surety business, where trust and reliability are crucial, having a team of experienced individuals enhances FCCI’s ability to form strong relationships with agents, their customers and other stakeholders, fostering long-term growth and success along the way. “Our competitors don’t always have the capacity to listen to clients’ needs because they may be too big to give that attention to each of their clients, but with us, they have a voice. That customer relationship is super important. I feel like being smaller allows you to have more of a voice,” said Scott. “When you go to a larger carrier, you’ll be put in a queue after many other clients. Again, with us, you will feel like you have a voice and that you do matter. It's amazing how many big companies don't return phone calls or emails. It's small things; all you have to do is do your job, and you’ll succeed. So, when you hire the right individuals, they know that customer relationships are very important.”

Scott emphasized that although FCCI’s Surety team is still growing, the quality of service agents and their customers receive is what truly matters. “In the 20 states that we have already written surety, they will let you know that they prefer doing business with FCCI. In the new states that we went into, it will take longer. But the positive is that it’s nice to be the new person in town because agents and policyholders don’t know what to expect. After all, there are no negatives attached to our name,” said Scott. “Once clients have an unwanted experience, they want to see what the other competitor offers. And we will be there for them every step of the way to make sure they don’t have that experience again.”

“Everything that has come out of this growth has exceeded my expectations, and that’s pretty cool, right?” said Scott. “Everything we do to expand into new states is strategic-growth oriented. For example, I said I wanted to surpass $20 million in written premiums by 2020, and we surpassed that in 2018. Now, I’d like to say that we want to reach $50 million by 2025, and I believe we can accomplish this. Why? Because of FCCI’s support. I believe we can do that because of the support and opportunity our agents have given us. To boil it down, our product is more than just a piece of paper. And I don’t take any of this for granted.” True success transcends mere financial gains – it resonates in the strength of the relationships woven through trust and integrity. A successful company understands that its foundation lies not just in underwriting precision but also in the relationships forged along the way. FCCI’s Surety team is committed to nurturing these connections. By valuing people as much as profitability, it propels growth and recognizes that the trust cultivated today is the foundation upon which tomorrow will be built.