Member Spotlight: Cali and Associates with Allstate

We have the greatest members at Stage2 and love to see what's behind the scenes, as we can learn so much from each other. Our most recent interview is with Tony Cali, the owner of ​Cali & Associates.

Tony Cali

Tell us a little about who are you and what business you own?
Tony Cali, owner of Cali & Associates representing the Allstate Insurance company.  We protect peoples checkbooks from life’s risk.  Let Allstate write the check, not you, specifically in the areas of loss for Home, Cars, Liability, Life, and Financial Market Risk.  Tony Cali: Protecting Today, Preparing Tomorrow

What has been the best part of owning your own business?
Working hard for many years, earning something "extra" (maybe money or maybe a promotional trip), and then taking my wife somewhere she had never dreamed of visiting. My favorite example was in 2015 when we visited China and walked a portion of the Great Wall. 

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Tony, his wife Angie and two sons, Ian and Noah

What are some of the mistakes you made along your journey as an entrepreneur?
How much space do I have?? I try my best to "fail fast" which to me has meant attempting, monitoring, and then letting go of things which do not work. This has brought success, but looking backward I also realize there has been an error by not documenting successful systems and policies for my current staff to operate from. 

At Stage2, Your Personal Vision is the cornerstone of everything we do. Would you care to share a part of your 5-year personal vision?
My entrepreneurial dream for 5-years is having moved solely into leadership with a great management structure operating the insurance business(s). Success will be seen with the proper balance, making everyone's lives better: Clients getting great service, staff having fair work, management with gratifying work/income and me with a balanced lifestyle. 

If Personal Vision is the most important thing we talk about at Stage2, the second most important thing is Business Vision. You need to build a business that supports your personal vision. What are some of your upcoming business goals for this year?
Implementation of a new staff on-boarding process, adding 4 employees selling x,xxx policies, operating on a monthly cash flow projection, and having transitioned our structure to Two Principal Agency Managers; one for each location. 

Tony and his best "mayhem" pose

What about 5 years from now?
Having reached $15 million of annual premium for Allstate, maintaining top of country client satisfaction and retention, returning as a countrywide educator for newer agencies, deciding if I'd like to expand with new office locations. 

If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what advice would you give yourself?
Build a procedure and process for each little thing I handled. 

You are a member of Stage2. What has that meant to you?
Knowing I'm going to be held accountable, in a positive way, for the things I "dream", but tend to hide from. 

Tony's farm

We saved the best for last. The most important thing; your personal life. Tell us a little about yourself outside of work?
My family, its benefit and development, have driven my decisions for 3 decades. Angie and I celebrate 29 years this fall, our boys are 25 and 22. Part of the 2 year plan is having a hobby, which for now is doing simple tasks on my small farm. Our oldest son is getting married this fall, so God willing, we will be blessed with additional family before too long.

Tony has two locations to best serve the community; one in Bellbrook and one in Kettering.

If someone wants to get in touch with you, what is the best way?
Email is the best means of initiating contact with me: TonyCali@Allstate.com. 

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Thank you Tony for being a part of Stage2 and everything you do for all your customers and the community!