Owner / Agent
Brolo Insurance Group
Brooke Brolo studied criminal justice in college with the intention of going to law school. The death of her stepfather after a four-year battle with cancer set her on a different path.
“After he passed away, we learned that the life insurance policy he owned had lapsed, so my mother started over at age 53 with nothing,” she said. “I witnessed firsthand how not having life insurance can financially devastate a family.”
From then on, Brolo committed herself to making sure people knew the importance of insurance protection. While her formal education did not overlap much with her newfound professional passion, another piece of her background did.
“Waiting tables and working retail through my college years gave me diverse experience in sales, problem solving and multitasking, as well as in customer satisfaction, which are crucial to running a successful agency,” she said.
Brolo fulfilled her dreams of business ownership by opening Brolo Insurance Group in North Little Rock. An ingrained knack for service and sharp communication skills prove especially useful in insurance, where anxiety over dollar signs can get in the way of coverage decisions.
“It’s difficult at times because people tend to focus more on the price than the protection,” Brolo said. “What’s the purpose of insurance if you don’t have the coverage you need when you need it the most?”
One of the most important lessons Brolo has learned is the power of teamwork — not just leading a team, but trusting them to do the work, as well.
“It takes a lot of trust and willingness to let go, but delegating and hiring to my weaknesses has been a winning combo for quickly growing a scratch agency into a double-digit million-dollar agency,” she said.
Another hurdle is what Brolo called the “dual burden” between career and family. Like many entrepreneurs, she has struggled with work-life balance and has had to be intentional about making space for herself.
“I started scheduling in self-care on my calendar, just like I would an important client or appointment,” she said. “You cannot be your best self and do big things for your family and business if you are rundown and burnt out.”
Also key to Brolo’s sustained success is the network of support she has built, from a tight-knit group of fellow “boss babes” to her husband, Jason, who has helped her realize her business ambitions while raising two sons. Brolo has also always looked to her mother for advice, she said, and their close relationship has been invaluable.
That personal community has given Brolo a strong foundation from which to pour her energy and talents into others. About two years ago, she began mentoring other agents in her field.
“I’ve shared a lot of the same struggles they face, so if I can make a small difference and help them overcome a challenge or obstacle to succeed, it gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I’ve helped make the world a tiny bit better,” she said.
