On this episode of the Massimo Show

 

Rod sits down with Skylar Romines, founder and owner of ATW Advisors in Orange County, California. Skylar is an expert in commercial real estate insurance with 15 years experience in the insurance industry. She passionately advocates on behalf of business owners, helping them secure better insurance terms and control over their programs.

Skylar described herself as a late bloomer who struggled socially in high school, but found her footing later in life. During college, she started working at Nordstrom, but later transitioned to insurance after receiving advice from a family member. She unexpectedly found success in the insurance industry while earning her social psychology degree.

Skylar discusses the challenges and changes within the insurance industry, particularly in the current hard market cycle, where there are fewer options and insurance premiums are increasing significantly. She advises investors to be proactive, working closely with their brokers to avoid pitfalls, such as shopping multiple brokers and delaying insurance considerations.

One of the key points Skylar made was that real estate investors should engage their insurance brokers early during the acquisition process to ensure accurate quotes, avoiding any surprises with coverage costs, and to fully understand any associated risks. Investors should focus on maintaining property conditions, as insurance costs often reflect the risk associated with property age, systems, and geographical factors.

Skylar shared her recent success and expereience using social media platforms, like Twitter and LinkedIn, to connect with professionals and grow her network in the real estate industry. She notes how Twitter (X) can foster a sense of community and engagement across industries, unlike LinkedIn, which is more formal.

Additionally, Skylar mentions her upcoming book relesased this July, So She Did: Stories, Stats & Strategies to Help Women Win, which focuses on the underrepresentation of women in high-paying roles in the insurance and real estate industries. Drawing from dozens of interviews, she shares compelling statistics, actionable advice, and the collective wisdom of women who are challenging norms and inspiring women to claim their own seats at the table of leadership, ownership, and equity. Skyler hopes to empower women to rise, thrive, and lead in their own unique and inspiring ways.

Overall, the episode provides insights into Skylar’s journey from a college student with a side job to a successful commercial insurance expert. It also touches on broader themes in commercial real estate, the state of the insurance industry, and the importance of networking in business.

Note: These highlights are designed to provide an overview of this episode’s content. Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the full episode for a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered.

At the Massimo Group we have 15 years of experience helping the most dedicated brokers, like you, build the CRE business and life they have always desired. If you’d like to learn more visit https://massimo-group.com/

Skylar Romines

Skylar Romines, CPCU, ARM, CRIS, Founder and Owner of ATW Advisors

Skylar is the founder and owner of ATW Advisors in Orange County California. Her commitment to transparency and integrity is the cornerstone of ATW Advisors, which she founded to fill a critical gap in the market. Under Skylar’s leadership, the firm has grown into a trusted partner for businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of insurance and risk management with confidence and peace of mind.

Skylar’s deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset have helped countless businesses secure better insurance terms and control over their programs. By focusing on the unique needs of each client and negotiating directly with internal and external stakeholders, Skylar ensures that every client has an advocate working solely in their best interest, while keeping their bottom line in mind.

Skylar has held previous roles at Baldwin Risk Partners and DLD Insurance Brokers. Skylar Romines holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. Outside of ATW, Skylar authored the book So She Did: Stories, Stats and Strategies to Help Women Win, is an American MENSA member, and co-chair for CREW [Commercial Real Estate Women] of Orange County.

In her free time, she volunteers with local charity organizations and posts insurance related memes & painfully honest motivational content on social media.

 

  • Currrent challenges and changes in the commercial insurance market.
  • The importance of building a strong relationship with an insurance broker, common pitfalls to avoid, and the importance of proactive risk management.
  • The value of networking through social media and learning from others in different fields. 
  • The underrepresentation of women in high-paying roles in the insurance and real estate industries.