You're Not Behind, You're Just in the Hard Market with Jesse Cruz | Business Coffee Hour

Jesse Cruz has been building Brightway Insurance, The Cruz Agency, in the middle of one of the hardest markets the industry has seen, and he didn't just survive it, he pivoted, stayed all in, and started winning. In this conversation, William sits down with his friend, fellow veteran, and mastermind group member Jesse Cruz to talk about what it really takes to build a family business from scratch. From drawing on his 401k to keep the lights on, to flipping vintage cast irons on eBay just to stay afloat. Jesse's story is raw, real, and full of the kind of grit that doesn't make it into highlight reels. But this episode goes deeper than business. Jesse opens up about a year that tested him on every front, growing a business, navigating personal loss, and finally receiving the news he and his wife had been praying for: baby Noah is on the way. What you'll hear is a man who kept driving when it would have been easier to quit, and who credits community, faith, and a good mastermind group for helping him turn the corner. Jesse's 3 Life Lessons: Don't be afraid of challenges. Reinvest in yourself and go all in. And find a support system that believes in you, because no one builds anything great alone. Ready to connect with Jesse? Search Brightway Cruz on Facebook or Google, or give the Cruz Agency a call at (346) 355-6611. Veteran-owned, family-operated, and right here in Pearland. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Business Coffee Hour 02:30 From corporate America to Brightway 06:30 What happened when his wife joined the business full-time 07:00 Drawing from the 401k, pivoting to commercial lines, and reselling on eBay 10:30 Why business insurance isn't one-size-fits-all 16:30 A year and a half in the mastermind group 20:30 How to actually work a Chamber of Commerce 28:00 A year of personal trials, grief, and the news that changed everything 31:00 Jesse's framework for getting through the hard seasons Want a room of business owners who will push you? Join the Goal-Getter Group. Fridays 9 to 10 AM at LIT Java Coffee & Books, 5018 W Broadway St, Pearland (starting Oct 23). Mondays 5 to 6 PM at Vineyard Church, 2905 Harkey Rd, Pearland (starting Oct 26). Your first visit is free. Sign up: williamgarayjr.com/goal-getter-group/ Subscribe for a new Business Coffee Hour every week:    / @williamgarayjr   Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rFl2lIFY04X... William Garay, Jr. | Leadership Coach | Exhort Leadership | Pearland, TX #leadership #PearlandTX #BusinessCoffeeHour