How a Marketing Entrepreneur Saved a Family Business

What happens when the business you never planned to join becomes the one you're called to protect?In this episode of Living Your Legacy, Cheri Martinen, owner of Bancorp Insurance, shares the journey from running a successful marketing company to stepping into a family business that spans multiple generations. She opens up about entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and the responsibility that comes with carrying forward a legacy built by her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Along the way, she challenges common misconceptions about insurance, explains why financial education matters, and reveals how putting people first has shaped both her business and her mission. From sales and customer service to community impact and long-term business growth, this conversation delivers practical lessons for entrepreneurs looking to build something that lasts.Key TakeawaysWhy understanding insurance as a financial product changes everything.How a strong company culture leads to better customer experiences.The role sales skills play in entrepreneurial success.What motivated Cheri to take over her family's insurance agency.Why education and trust are critical in building long-term client relationships.Notable Quotes"Insurance is a financial product.""People aren't educated on the insurance product, so you don't know what you're buying.""My staff is extremely important to me in taking care of them so that they can take care of our customers.""Ideally, they never use my product.""If it's a brand new business, man, you got to sell stuff."