Ten questions with an agent: Michael Cruz, Foresight Insurance, LLC

In our “Ten questions with an agent” series, we chat with ClientCircle users around the U.S. to learn more about them, their business and their take on the industry.

Just outside our nation’s capital, is the beautiful, urban community of North Bethesda, where Michael Cruz owns and runs Foresight Insurance, LLC. Michael started his career in the insurance industry when he was just 19 years old. After getting more experience in the industry, he founded Foresight Insurance, LLC in 2015. The agency caters to English and Spanish-speaking clients throughout Maryland, offering personal, commercial and life insurance from a variety of carriers. Learn more about Foresight Insurance, LLC here.

Without further ado, let’s hear what Michael has to say about running an insurance agency.

Q: Why did you choose a career in insurance?

A: I kind of fell into it, like a lot of people in this industry. But what kept me here is the mix of problem-solving, relationship-building and the upward mobility. Insurance seems boring to a lot of people on the surface, but once you're in it, you realize it’s an amazing career with so many different paths you can take. It’s all about what you do with that opportunity.

Q: How do you build strong relationships with your clients?

A: One of the best ways I’ve found to build relationships with clients is by turning everyday conversations into opportunities to build rapport. It’s as simple as asking about a hobby, their kids, or their work—every question can turn into a real conversation. For example, if you ask about their occupation during the quoting process and they mention owning a business, congratulate them on it. If they’re buying a nice car or a new house, compliment them on the purchase. At the end of the day, people want to do business with people they like and trust. Be likable, be human, be yourself.

Q: What is a goal you have for your agency in the next five years?

A: I want to build a stronger commercial and life insurance side of the business while keeping our personal lines book solid. Another big focus is creating a learning management system (LMS) that lets me onboard multiple employees without chaos while giving them the best support to succeed. I’ve been steadily building out standard operating procedures for every area of the agency and turning them into courses in our LMS to teach and test those processes. The goal is to make training seamless, scalable and a real driver of growth for the agency.

Q: What’s a perk your agency offers that your employees love?

A: The four-day workweek. Hands down. We started piloting a 32-hour, four-day workweek in May 2024, and it’s been one of the best benefits I could offer my team. Almost no one else in the industry is doing this—or is crazy enough to try. But I truly believe that with all the advancements in technology, especially AI, we’ll be able to do more with less. The traditional five-day, 40-hour workweek just isn’t necessary anymore. It’s the future, and we’re ahead of the curve.

Q: If your team had a superpower, what would it be?

A: The power of clarity: We take complicated insurance jargon and break it down into plain, easy-to-understand language. No confusion, no headaches, just clear, straightforward answers so clients know exactly what they’re getting.

Q: What’s one of the best comments/testimonials you’ve received from a policyholder?

A: The best testimonials we get aren’t about saving a few bucks, they’re about the level of service we provide. Here’s one from Mr. Winter that really stood out:

"I recently switched to Foresight Insurance, hoping for better customer service, and I couldn’t believe the difference compared to my previous Erie agency! The team was courteous, answered all my questions, and helped me with pricing and policy changes in a way that was easy to understand. I ended up making several adjustments to my existing policies, and both Mr. Cruz and Christina provided outstanding follow-up and clear confirmations of every change. Simply superb service—hard to find in this day and age."

This is exactly what we aim for, making insurance simple, clear and hassle-free for our clients.

Q: Are you active on social media? What has worked well for your social media strategy?

A: Yes, I’m active on social media, but I have a love-hate relationship with it. On the one hand, it’s a necessity if you’re in business today. On the other hand, I don’t always want to be vulnerable or constantly post about my life. So, I try to find a balance—sharing business insights, a little personal stuff, and engaging through comments more than just posting. What works best for me are short reels on different topics. It’s always funny how the videos I least expect end up getting the most views.

Q: What book has made a big impact on you?

A: “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber. It really changed the way I think about building a business—working on the business, not just in it.

Q: What’s your go-to lunch or snack at the office?

A: I didn’t always meal prep, but it’s something I’ve been trying to do more to save time and money. I keep it simple—usually a protein with veggies and water. For snacks, I like an apple. Nothing fancy, just something that keeps me going.

Q: What’s something you’ve recently discovered that has made your life more enjoyable?

A: Time-blocking. It’s helped me stay focused, cut out distractions and actually get deep work done without constantly feeling like I’m behind.

If you’d like to learn more about Michael’s perspectives on the insurance industry and managing an agency, you can connect with him on LinkedIn here.

Would you like to be featured in our “Ten questions with an agent” series? Please email us at brand@clientcircle.com.