Who’s Who: Josh Benson, CEO of Innovative Financial Group

Who’s Who of Wilmington Today: Meet Josh Benson, CEO, Innovative Financial Group

Innovative Financial Group, based in Wilmington, is one of the fastest-growing insurance brokerages in the country. Offering a diverse product portfolio from A-rated insurance companies, IFG offers life insurance solutions, retirement planning, health and Medicare, property and casualty, worksite/group benefits and debt recovery solutions. Here we meet CEO Josh Benson.

Where are you from?
I was born in Greencastle, Indiana, but I spent a majority of my life in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.

How did you end up in Wilmington?
I moved here in April of 2018 by way of Dallas, Texas, to take over as CEO for Innovative Financial Group.

What is your favorite part about living in the Wilmington area?
I’ve always loved the water so being minutes away from the beach is amazing. Plus, the downtown area gives a totally different vibe, so it’s a nice balance.

What made you decide to open your business here?
The original owners used to vacation here. It’s definitely a little slice of heaven.

What is your average workday like?
Nonstop daily from 6:30 am to 8 pm and sometimes later. We manage 8,000 insurance agents and agencies around the country, so a majority of what I do is finding solutions for any problems that are occurring or getting the appropriate tools in their hands to help them have the most success possible.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like that every day is not the same. That constantly changing environment that keeps things interesting. Working with two of my best friends since childhood doesn’t hurt either.

What is the most difficult part of your job?
Keeping up with our massive growth.

What are three words that describe you?
Assiduous, organized, competitive.

What has been most surprising and/or rewarding about your role at Innovative Financial?
Seeing someone go from a base salary to an uncapped income where they sometimes make what they previously did in a year in one month; that is life changing and fulfilling.

Do you have any goals for the company?
We plan to continue to grow into one of the largest Independent Marketing Organizations in the country.

What will you do to achieve those goals?
We work day and night to stay ahead of our competition.

How has your business pivoted during COVID-19?
A majority of our agents meet people face to face, so we have had to pivot to more telesales.

Is there anything else we should know about your business?
Innovative Financial Group was recognized by Inc. 5000 for 356% growth.

Fun Facts

• Favorite movie? Point Break
• Favorite hobbies? Spending time with my wife and two daughters
• What superpower do you wish for? To slow down time because things move so fast
• Favorite song out right now? “Lemonade” by Internet Money
• Do you have any pet peeves? Not being on time
• Favorite quote or mantra? “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

Innovative Financial Group
5101 Dunlea Court #201C, Wilmington
(888) 241-1470
teamifg.com
jbenson@teamifg.com