Collections Ninja | Simplifying AR | Turning CPG Invoices into Cash Flow

At Collections Ninja, we redefine the way high-growth CPG brands manage their Accounts Receivables. 

Our mission is to convert your invoices into a robust cash flow, fueling the growth and success of your brand. 

We are not just advisors; we are partners in your journey, committed to safeguarding your financial health and amplifying your potential.

Welcome to Collections Ninja, where we blend financial expertise with a passion for CPG brands. 

Our team, led by Raffy Garcia, is dedicated to transforming the Accounts Receivables process, turning a routine financial function into a strategic asset.

We specialize in optimizing AR processes, safeguarding against losses, and ensuring that invoices translate into tangible cash flow. 

Our approach is tailored to each brand's unique needs, ensuring solutions that are not only effective but also resonate with your company's vision and mission.

Our values of support, integrity, and perseverance are at the core of everything we do. 

We engage with CPG founders as more than service providers; we are loyal customers, advocates, and partners in your growth. Connect with us to explore how we can turn your financial challenges into opportunities for success.

As the Founder and Chief Advisor at Collections Ninja, I provide strategic guidance and expert advice in transforming Accounts Receivables for Leaders in high-growth CPG brands.

Founder & Chief Advisor

~Pourri

Revolutionizing Pourri's Financial Landscape: $9.4M Recovered and Over 90 Days Past Due Reduced to Under 5%!

Introduction:
Our eight-month journey with Pourri marked a true financial transformation. We overcame challenges, achieved monumental results, and empowered their AR team for lasting success. Here are the biggest wins:

Biggest Wins:

    1. Massive Recovery: Closed invoices totaling $9.4 million, constituting a staggering 92.44% of total AR.
    2. Over 90 Days Past Due Triumph: Reduced from 21% to under 5%, saving potential losses.
    3. Doubled Cash Flow: Achieved by doubling the average weekly AR Aging.
   4.  Empowered Team: AR team is now well-prepared to maintain the progress and drive consistent cash flow.
    5. Billing Precision: Addressed billing and invoicing errors for long-term stability.

This partnership exemplifies the power of effective AR management, showcasing how collaboration can drive transformative results. 

Pourri is now primed for continued success in their AR operations. 💼📊

Case Study: Transforming Accounts Receivable for Pourri

Kitsch

Beyond Boundaries: Kitsch's Accounts Receivables Revolution – Learn How I Skyrocketed Collections and Banished Past-Due AR Blues!

As an AR Collections & Clean Up Consultant, I've successfully collaborated with clients like Kitsch. 

During this time, I spearheaded the restructuring of their Accounts Receivables Department, implementing standardized processes, improving collection rates, reducing past-due AR, and enhancing AR aging balances. 

My expertise extends to managing AR for E-commerce businesses, reconciling customer names across systems, and training teams for more efficient AR management. 

With a proven track record, I can bring these accomplishments and skills to benefit your business as well.

Restructured and rebuilt the Account Receivables Department. 

Created SOPs for new processes, the standardized Cash application process, and proper remittance backup and storage management.

Oversight and focused on AR Collections and multi-year-old past due open invoice cleanup. 

Developed and created internal controls within AR and EOM closing and reporting.

Increased Collections rates and decreased past-due open AR across all accounts.

AR Customer Name management and reconciliation across two separate systems.

Oversight and management of Cash application for E-commerce Faire.com businesses.

It increased AR Aging Balances to over 75% current from a low 50% in under six months.

Decreased Past Due AR over 60 days and greater to below 10%

Transitioned team members and crossed trained them to more efficient AR management & collections standards.

Oversight over Faire.com Billing & ALL AR customer Billing for accurate Monthly revenue reporting and recording.

Manganed Invoice Creation and revenue billing for E-commerce businesses.

Cash Boost: Kitsch's AR Transformation Unveiled!

Speedo

As the Accounts Receivable (AR) Collections Supervisor, I am part of the regional Finance structure in North America. In addition to serving as a primary contact to our customer base for all cash collections in the US and Canada, I play a part in setting up the function of SAP operating procedures. 

l am “hands-on” at both operational and business levels, with a shrewd focus on understanding and explaining the story behind the customer’s open debt with a focus on converting sales to cash.

HOW I MAKE A LONG TERM IMPACT:
•	Full ownership of the AR ledger to optimize the sales to cash conversion for our brands within North America
•	Lead team of 3 collection Specialists 
•	Responsible for monitoring and maintaining assigned accounts – customer calls, reconciliations, prepayments and if necessary, assisting clients with discrepancies and resolving short payments
•	Collection calls and/or correspondence (emails) in a fast-paced goal orientated collections department
•	Providing customer service regarding credit & collection issues, process credit cards, refunds if necessary, submit and review account adjustments
•	Accountable for maintaining aged debt targets at or above our target
•	Enlist the efforts of sales when necessary to accelerate the collection process
•	Ensure all invoices are properly transmitted to customers (virtual mailroom, customer portal or print to post)
•	Support in opening new customer accounts
•	Processing Credit Card Payments
•	Assist in month-end close duties (e.g., bad debt & charge-back reporting, month end aging with comments)
•	Daily run of the credit hold report – release credit worthy customers and send out reporting to brand managers to be reviewed
•	Weekly and Monthly Reporting of collection and credit issues to the wider business 
•	Support in reviewing the B2B forward order book report on a quarterly basis to address potential credit issues

AR Collections Supervisor

Cremo Company

During my tenure at Cremo Company, overseeing Accounts Receivable Team operations, we addressed key financial challenges:

Challenges:
Cremo faced overdue accounts receivable, inefficient billing, and cash flow issues. My role aimed to optimize AR operations.

Roles and Responsibilities:
My multifaceted responsibilities included:

    Team Leadership: Guiding daily AR Team activities aligned with our objectives.
    Financial Forecasting: Ensuring accurate cash flow through daily AR cash forecasts.
    Reporting Excellence: Producing vital reports, disseminated to Sales, Finance, and Operations Teams.
    Collections Mastery: Overseeing collections, cash application, and account reconciliation.
    Chargeback & Bad Debt Management: Minimizing financial losses by managing chargebacks and bad debt.
    Process Optimization: Implementing efficient process improvements across AR operations.
    Collaboration: Ensuring billing accuracy and revenue recognition through close collaboration with the Operations Team.
    Account Analysis: Conducting comprehensive account analyses for AR, bad debt, and open AR credits.
    Policy & Procedure Development: Creating and maintaining department policies and procedures for compliance.
    ERP System Enhancement: Identifying and implementing efficiency opportunities within the ERP system.
    Financial Auditing: Completing required AR audits and supporting Controller in financial audits.
    Controls & Compliance: Developing and maintaining company controls and ensuring financial compliance.

Results:
Our collaborative efforts delivered:

    Reduced outstanding AR, enhancing cash flow.
    Minimized chargebacks and bad debt, preserving stability.
    Improved process efficiency and accuracy, reducing operational costs.
    Strengthened compliance and controls, mitigating financial risks.
    Streamlined financial reporting, providing critical insights.
    Enhanced cross-functional collaboration, fostering shared responsibility.

 Case Study: Optimizing Accounts Receivable As the AR Supervisor

-Key team member in Collections of one key account: Past Due AR Aging of $1.1MM down to $94K in under 4 months
-Key team member in collections with one of our top accounts: researched, compiled, analyzed, sorted remittance detail with thousands of data rows
-Payment of over $900K received was tasked with cash application and disbursement of funds across several hundred partially open invoices

-Collections Overall: Cleaned up several accounts with AR Aging dating back to 2017, 2018, was successful in collecting and resolving partially paid invoices

-Ownership of Key accounts from an AR Collections to Disputes cycle - Matching Tradespend and payments with proper backup documentation through several portals and formats.
-Build and Manage AR Directory
-Clean up of Accounts: Researched and validated Partially and 100% open Outstanding AR, created  Credit Memos (CM) to clean up partially open invoices that had valid deductions and trade spend related chargebacks, previously not cleared and applied

-Collections with OPS/Billers: working with Ops to get contacts and EDI invoices for collections that resulted in us collecting on our receivables
-Increased check deposits from once a week to twice a week, getting paid faster.
-Decrease DSO
-Daily posting of payments from customers along with the new process for Payment Application and CM creation and Process Flow
-Compiled list of customers that we are ready to start changing to ACH project
-Updating Remittance Address for all customers to HQ streamlining this process
-AR/Ops working together – making sure EDI invoices are showing up in Customer’s Portal for Timely Payments
-Researching OTIF/Compliance & Shorts/ filing claims, creating processes and finding efficiencies within current customers under my care
-Assist with Company and bank Audits
-Setting up new SOPs for current tasks and obligations 
-Weekly Reporting of Sales & related business standing reports

AR Collections Specialist 

Sambazon

In charge of managing and reconciling key account deductions and bring them to a resolution. Also, hands-on with all collections and keeping accounts to current balances. I ensure DSO for the company improves over time and implement the proper procedures to help run the department efficiently and with a high level of customer satisfaction. I have the primary responsibility for the management of receivables for Sambazon.
 
Key Responsibilities:
• A/R Collections related to all Natural Channel accounts, and other key accounts, as assigned.
•Processing of all cash receipts sent to Sambazon's Lockbox via check, wire, and ACH, as well as processing of cash and credit card payments, and the periodic deposits made direct to our local branch.
•Analysis and validation of chargebacks from assigned customers, and application of their corresponding credit memos into SAP system. On occasion, will require refuting of invalid deductions.
•Verify the credit history of new customer accounts, and enter new accounts into SAP.
•Work closely with Operations staff, as necessary, to obtain POD documentation; resolve any invoicing issues related to assigned customers; and to cut off shipments to non-paying accounts, when applicable, upon approval by A/R Manager.

Deduction Management:
•Managing and reconciling open chargebacks/disputes/short payments on accounts receivable 
•Resolving customer disputed deductions pertaining to pricing, bill backs, damages/shortages claims, etc. 
•Full understanding of customer’s and company’s operations (i.e. customer’s portals, company’s process/procedure etc.) to efficiently resolve authorize or un-authorize deductions 
•Following credit memo coding guidance to record proper account on credit 
•Work closely with Customer Service and Sales to set up new customers, credit limits, and ensure proper finance documentation loaded into the system 
•Proactively manage credit holds, and communicate effectively with Customer Service, Sales, and Customers

Accounts Receivable Specialist

As the Accounts Receivable Clerk I have primary responsibility over the monitoring and processing of collections, deposits, and deductions for key customers that Sambazon conducts business with.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
•	Collections and processing of payments from key customers in SAP. Includes, but not limited to, the negotiation of payment schedules when necessary.
•	Analysis and validation of chargebacks from key customers. On occasion, will require refuting of invalid deductions.
•	Conduct customer credit checks
•	Monthly AR related reports
•	Perform other duties as needed or directed by AR Manager.

-  key team member in maintaning our Natural Trade Spend Report for deduction validation and Monthly Trade Spending Reporting to Sales Directors, along with the Marketing Department and Head of Sales Team

- Natural Trade Spend Report cut our Deduction validation process from 3-4 hours down to 1 hour
- Natural Trade Spend Report is an ever growing Excel database Based reporting system, built from scratch consisting of (formulas, functions, and pivot tables) very comfortable working with Excel
- Key Natural Channel Accounts were cleared and brought up to date in Outstanding open Invoices by validating and clearing $300k+ in open deductions that were pending verification  

- Full ownership for payment processing and application to customer accounts received via LB,ACH, Wire transfers to all company customers.

- Analyzed and processed request for trade references and credit checks for new customer setups and payment terms, very comfortable evaluating credit worthiness of potential new customers 

-Maintained Customer Database in the ERP System along with setting up new customers

- Responsible for Cash Applications the complete cycle of payments and deduction validation for Key Accounts in our Natural Channel of business.

- Helped Streamlined and make more efficient our Deduction process in terms of organization and easy access to backup when needed

Accounts Receivable Clerk

As the Trade Shipping Coordinator I was accountable for handling and managing the shipping of company materials and products to the Sambazon Sales & Marketing team, Coordinate Trade events, setup and delivery of  as well as all consumer orders taken over the internet or phone in accordance with the guidelines, policies and procedures outlined by the company.


•	Meet/exceed internal and external customer expectations for shipments of company materials (samples, POS, etc) and company products to internet and phone customers.
•	Create the Monthly Internet Sales Report for Hector to Process and Invoice correctly
•	Process Sales Samples & POS Resquests in SAP for Cost Consumption
•	Actively look for Better Rates on Shipping Supplies: Uline,Delta Styrofoam Boxes 
•	Help The Warehouse Manager unloading product for warehouse placement
•	Manage and Ship Amazon.com Orders, Create PDF Files for East & West Coast Shipping
•	Update Both Internet and Amazon Tracking numbers
•	Process Consumer Shipments
o	Process order data into process spreadsheet
o	Internet & Phone order fulfillment – package shipments
o	Coordinate and prepare East Coast orders
o	Print Packing list
o	Provide tracking information to customers
o	Shopping Cart Reconcile process
o	Credit Card processing/Refunds/cancellations
•	Process Internal Sales/Promotional/Marketing Shipments
o	Process and the Fulfillment of all POS requests
o	Prepare, pack and ship Sales/Marketing Kits and Packages – POS, New Store, Broker, Direct Sales, PR and Demo kits
o	Fulfillment of products as samples to various sales/industry persons
•	Respond/Resolve customer service shipping issues on a timely basis (within 24 hours) via the phone or e-mail.
•	Process returns within company guidelines.
•	Provide International shipping quotes – assuring that customer is responsible for any and all importation fees or duties.
o	Provide shipping quotes
o	Prepare invoices and other required shipping documents
o	Coordinate shipment pick-up

Promoted: - Trade Shipping Coordinator

As the Shipping Coordinator I was accountable for handling and managing the shipping of company materials and products to the Sambazon Sales & Marketing team as well as all consumer orders taken over the internet or phone in accordance with the guidelines, policies and procedures outlined by the company.

- Grew revenue from our PayPal international customers by $10297
- Increased conversion of international product quotes to 8 out of 10 converting into sales
- Increased international customer Retention and reorders resulting in $4327 in additional sales
- Key member in team for reducing shipping supply cost by $2358 yearly
- Increased our Address verification & shipping Accuracy by 4% to 99% accurate deliveries
- 99% shipping accuracy resulting in $1123 savings from UPS Address Correction  Fees
- Accountable for the shipping of all consumer orders taken over the internet & phone
- Provide international shipping rates and fulfillment of international samples.
- Effectively ship all company materials and product request for the sales & marketing teams
- Process all sales request via Sales Force and POS request
- Sort customer orders into spreadsheets for East & West Coast Shipping Fulfillment

Shipping Coordinator

Imaging Plus, Inc

• Experience in Distribution Center configuration with Warehouse Management software
• Certified Industrial Truck Operator License (sit-down, stand/Up, Electric Pallet Jack)
• Responsible for the organization/maintenance of Warehouse and storage areas
• Administer the Drop Ship program
• Manage relationships, process inbound invoices and negotiate discounts with all carriers (Allstates World Cargo, UPS, U-line etc.)
• Manage physical inventory process (counts, cycle counts, etc.)
• Coordinate, administer, and monitor all outstanding POs and inbound shipments from vendors/suppliers
• Responsible for overall movement of merchandise-receiving and transferring
• Develop and implement strategic goals and action plans for the Warehouse Department
• Responsible for maintenance of office and packing supplies
• Completed projects within the requested time frame
• Responsible for processing/shipping phone orders
• Administer back-orders to maximize fill upon arrival
• Responsible for processing/shipping orders through FedEx & UPS
• Worked closely with management to ensure adequate inventory levels were maintained

Shipping & Receiving

Paragon Luggage Inc

• Responsible for All Inventory &amp; Equipment in a 56,100 SF Warehouse &amp; Office Building
• Experience in Distribution Center configuration with Warehouse Management software.
• Completed projects within the requested time frame
• Certified Industrial Truck Operator License (sit-down, stand/Up, Electric Pallet Jack)
• Responsible for organization and maintenance of Warehouse and storage areas
• Responsible for overall movement of merchandise-receiving and transferring
• Manage relationships, process inbound invoices and negotiate discounts with all carriers (FedEx, UPS, U-line etc.)
• Coordinate, administer, and monitor all outstanding POs and inbound shipments from vendors/suppliers.
• Administer the Drop Ship program
• Manage physical inventory process (counts, cycle counts, etc.)
• Develop and implement strategic goals and action plans for the Warehouse Department.
• Responsible for maintenance of office and packing supplies
• Administer back-orders to maximize fill upon arrival
• Responsible for processing/shipping phone orders
• Responsible for processing/shipping orders through FedEx &amp; UPS
• Works closely with management to ensure adequate inventory levels are maintained.

Assistant Warehouse Manager

BabyStyle, Inc

• Help customers select their purchases
• Knowledge of retail merchandising and product flow techniques
• Build loyalty with customers.
• Decrease store shrinkage by researching inventory discrepancies, and reporting suspicious activities to loss prevention specialists
• Organize the stock room &amp; warehouse, and ensure that accurate labeling, logical placement, neat arrangement, and cleanliness were maintained
• Assist in other store functions as needed
• Other duties include cashier
• Provided outstanding customer service
• Kept all stations clean, stocked and organized
• Willingness to learn and take direction.
• Adhere to all Company policies, procedures and practices.
• Unpack received goods; placement of product on selling floor.
• Verify accuracy of shipment.
• Ensure that each customer receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every customer 
• Maintaining solid product knowledge and all other aspects of customer service.
• Maintain an awareness of all promotions and advertisements.
• Assist in floor moves, merchandising, display maintenance, and housekeeping
• Assist in processing and replenishing merchandise and monitoring floor stock.
• Aid customers in locating merchandise.
• Communicate customer requests to management.
• Assist in completing price changes within the department.
• Participate in year-end inventory and cycle counts.
• Assist in ringing up sales at registers and/or bagging merchandise.
• Any other tasks as assigned from time to time by any manager.

Stock & Sales) Associate

Wahoo's Fish Taco

• Supervise Working Conditions in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Train and coach employees.
• Conduct employee performance reviews.
• Responsible for shift schedule to include: work station assignments/rotations, employee training, employee vacations, 
employee breaks, overtime assignment, back-up for absent employees, and shift rotations.
• Coordinate Operation startups, shutdowns, and changeovers.
• Coordinate with Human Resources for appropriate staffing levels.
• Schedule and conduct shift meetings.
• Responsible to meet shift production goals.
• Responsible for quality control. Make adjustments as necessary during shift to best provide best Customer Service 
• Communicate with other Shift Supervisors and Manager.
• Ensure a clean and safe work area.
• Complete shift paper work.
• Assist in Customer Service as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Setup work station
• Counted and balanced register at beginning and end of shift
• Helped guests with placing their orders
• Provided outstanding customer service
• Kept all stations clean, stocked and organized

Server Cashier

Converting Invoices to Cash for CPG Leaders: Your AR, Our Expertise

I'm Raffy Garcia. 

Passionate about CPG brands, I specialize in Accounts Receivables transformation to drive growth. 

In my tenure, I've overseen cash flow management for companies with revenues from sub $30M to over $500M, playing a crucial role in their financial scaling and success.

My Approach:

Beyond managing invoices, I build strategic financial solutions aligned with CPG brand visions.

Core Values:

At the core of my professional ethos are the values of support, integrity, and perseverance. 

Testimonials:
🗣️ What industry experts say about working with me:

    Matt Kowalec, COO, CFO, CEO Advisor & Board Member:
    "Extremely pleased with the results...Raffy makes significant progress quickly."
    A journey of impactful learning with Matt.

    Arin Beltran, Accounts Receivable Specialist at ~Pourri:
    "Raffy's adaptability and positive attitude stand out."
    Showcasing adaptability and teamwork with Arin.

    Brett La Tourette, Accounting, Leadership & Operations:
    "An extremely talented person with a unique team-oriented approach."
    Gained invaluable insights under Brett's leadership.

    Oliver Kirya, Collaborative Financial Business Partner:
    "Raffy was eager to take on new challenges...a star in Accounts Receivable."
    Instrumental growth with Oliver's perspective at Sambazon.

    Matthew Biggins, CEO & President at Cremo Company:
    "Raffy stepped up to the challenge...an invaluable team member."
    Pivotal career experience with Matthew's guidance.

    Jim Harrington, Entrepreneurial CMO:
    "Raffy is a collections ninja...improved our company's profitability and cash flow."
    Masterclass in finance and brand strategy with Jim.

    Eric Munsayac, Strategic Category Management Expert:
    "Raffy helped me understand their business...very easy to work with."
    Fulfilling knowledge-sharing experience with Eric.

    Kadeem Hinton, MS, CFS, Food Scientist:
    "If passion and tenacity are what you're looking for, look no further."
    Inspiring journey in dedication with Kadeem.

    Ly Ung, Advisor:
    "A consummate professional and tireless learner...the best hire I have made."
    Ly's mentorship at Sambazon was a cornerstone in my growth.

    Mary Martinez (Morris), Balanced Financial Leader:
    "Raffy: responsible, dedicated, detail-oriented, passionate."
    Shaped my financial leadership under Mary's guidance.

Connect With Me:

CPG Founders & Stakeholders ready for transformative growth: Connect with me to align your financial strategies with integrity, support, and perseverance.

Rafael Garcia

Insurance Advisor For Startups & High-Growth Businesses

Most CFOs and founders don’t think about insurance until something goes wrong,  a claim, a renewal surprise, or a carrier change that no one saw coming.

That’s where I come in.
I’m a Risk Manager at Fields Group Insurance Services, helping companies simplify complex coverage, eliminate gaps, and avoid costly surprises.

Too many programs are built to check boxes, not protect growth.
I audit every policy line by line (General Liability, Professional Liability (E&O), Cyber, Property, D&O, EPLI, Workers Comp, Umbrella) to make sure they work together instead of against each other.

My clients are high-growth companies across tech, consumer products, manufacturing, and professional services. They rely on me to explain what’s changing in the market, how it affects them, and where they can reduce risk without overpaying.

Insurance shouldn’t be a guessing game or an annual fire drill. It should be a strategic advantage.

If you haven’t had a true review in over a year, you're overdue- I'll take a look- even if we don’t work together,  and show you where the blind spots are.

📞 845-721-0744
✉️ cfischer@fieldsgroup.com

Let’s make your insurance program work as hard as you do.

Cory Fischer

"I'm having three brokers quote this to make sure I get the best rate."

This is one of the worst things you can do- seriously 

I know it sounds smart. More competition = better pricing, right? That's how it works when you're buying a car or negotiating a salary.

Insurance doesn't work that way.

My favorite analogy is the athlete and his agent: When Michael Jordan needed a contract, he didn't hire three agents to go pitch him to NBA teams. They'd just get in each other's way. Teams wouldn't take any of them seriously. "Wait, who actually represents this guy?"

Instead, he interviewed agents, picked the one he trusted, and let that person go to market for him. One voice. One strategy. One person fighting for the best deal.
Insurance works the same way.

When you send three brokers to the same carriers, here's what happens:

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆. "Wait, who's the broker of record? Who do we actually talk to?" Three different submissions for the same risk? They're not prioritizing any of them.

𝗜𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲. First broker to submit to a carrier "blocks" it for everyone else. So now instead of thoughtful, strategic submissions, you've got brokers rushing to get there first. Speed over quality. That's not how you get the best rate.

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴. Why would someone spend hours crafting the perfect submission and building relationships with underwriters if two other brokers are doing the same thing? The best brokers won't even play that game.

𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. The best rates come from a broker who knows your business cold and can sell your risk to underwriters. That takes time and trust. Three brokers racing to submit? Nobody's telling your story. They're just throwing apps at the wall.

Want the best rate? Interview brokers. Pick the one you trust. Let them go to work.

One agent. One strategy. That's how you win.

How many brokers are you currently working with? 
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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about why more brokers doesn't mean better rates.

Risk Manager | Helping CFOs & Founders Reduce Risk, Control Cost, and Build Predictable, Insurable Growth

No alternative text description for this image

A new client told me how his old agent never explained how workers comp works with 1099s. It cost him six figures. If you hire 1099s, keep reading.

One of his 1099 contractors got hurt on a job site. Broken arm. Out of work for weeks. Medical bills piling up.

He assumed since the guy was a 1099, it wasn't his problem.

His insurance agent never told him otherwise.

It was his problem- in most states you're required to have workers comp coverage for 1099 contractors. Doesn't matter what you call them on paper. If they're doing work for you and they get injured, you're liable.

Nobody told him. And now he was staring down a six-figure claim with no coverage.

This story came up during our first risk mgmt meeting - which he apparently never had with his old agent. He never wanted to be blindsided like that again.

Here's what I walked him through:

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭: The contractor carries their own workers comp policy. Get a certificate of insurance. Every single time.

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: The contractor files an LLC owner exemption form with the state. Get a copy of that form.

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟯: You add the contractor to your own workers comp policy.

Pick one. Document it. Move on.

But here's a detail that often gets missed:

The certificate has to match. If you hired "John Smith Contracting LLC" but the cert says "Main St Contractors" - that's a gap. Entity names must match exactly between your contract and their insurance cert. Sometimes the companies you're working with have different entities - make sure the one on the contract is the same one that holds the workers comp.

One mismatch = no coverage = you're exposed. And at audit time you'll have to pay WC for those workers even though they were insured because the cert was from a diff entity that you hired.

This stuff isn't complicated. But if nobody tells you, you don't know what you don't know.

That's what a good agent is supposed to do. Educate you before something goes wrong. Not after.

Have you ever learned an expensive lesson because someone didn't tell you what you needed to know?

I've said it once and I'll say it again - insurance is a service industry. We aren't just peddling a product. There's real high stakes here and one mistake can cost thousands.

----
✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about risk management and working with an agent who actually keeps you informed.

LinkedIn tip:
Support your people by liking or commenting on a friend’s post and the best part it costs you nothing.

It’s not a finite resource.
You don’t run out.

But it does help their reach.

Every post lives or dies by early engagement.

More likes and comments = more distribution.

Less engagement = the post disappears.
If you want your network to win, participate in it.

Do your people a solid.
Hit like.
Leave a comment.
Happy Friday.

"How can they just drop me?"

Had a client call me last week, furious. His carrier non-renewed him because of claims history.

Here's the thing nobody wants to hear:

Insurance is a private market. Carriers are under no obligation to offer you terms. And you're under no obligation to accept them.

That's how it works.

I get the frustration. You've been paying premiums for years. You finally have a claim - isn't that the whole point? And now they're punishing you for using what you paid for?

Yeah. Kind of.

Carriers are in the business of making money. If your claims history makes you a bad bet, they're going to pass. They're not a utility. They're not the government. They can say no.

Carriers- over the past few years are getting their asses handed to them with claims- premium money comes in and claims money goes out- when the out is more than the in- they need to rebalance

This huge storm is a great example- the more natural disasters we see the more the carriers need to rebalance and that could affect you. 

But here's what I told my client:

You had a claim. You filed it. That was the right call. You don't pay premiums just to be afraid to use them.

Now we find you a new home.

Because there's always another option. Different carriers have different appetites. What one company runs from, another will write all day. You just need a broker who knows where to look.

Getting dropped isn't the end. It's a market correction. Your job is to work with someone who can navigate it.

Have you ever been non-renewed and found a better fit somewhere else? 🎯

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about how insurance actually works and what to do when the market says no.

My daughter has been stuck on the wedge for three years.

You know the wedge. Pizza slice. Snowplow. Whatever you want to call it. The thing every new skier learns first.

She got it right away. But she couldn't get past it. Legs burning. Always fighting for control. Getting exhausted after two runs. And honestly? She wasn't enjoying skiing because of it.

This weekend I took her out. Just the two of us. One goal: learn to actually turn.

I watched a youtube video that broke down learning to turn into several parts and i was ready to teach

Literally on the first run, something clicked. She understood it. Both edges parallel. Actually in control instead of fighting the mountain. The foundation was there

We spent the rest of the day working on it. Run after run. She's not a pro. But she went from surviving to skiing.

The girl who was toast after two runs- lasted an entire day- we skied from 10am to 3pm with one short lunch break

And watching her face when she realized she could do it? That's what it's all about.

Three years stuck. One focused day. and boom- we had a breakthrough.

Sometimes when you're stuck, you don't need to try harder. You need to try different.

What's something that you changed your approach and made progress on?

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about growth, learning, and figuring it out as you go.

How to be the person everyone loves being around. 

It's easier than you think. 

1. Lift people up. The world has enough negativity. Give genuine compliments. Be the source of positivity people need. 

2. Be excited to see people. Bring that energy. "Hey! Great to see you!" It sounds small. It's not. 

3. Leave nobody behind. Every group has a leader. Most of them are exclusionary. Be the person who makes sure everyone feels included. The one who brings people along instead of leaving them out. 

4. Be yourself. You know who everyone actually likes? The person who's authentic and isn't afraid to show it. None of this is complicated. But most people don't do it. 

Which one do you need to work on? 

---- Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about showing up, being real, and building relationships that matter.

Spent Christmas break skiing with my 6 and 8 year old. Beautiful day. Friends. Kids are getting better with every turn. No agenda. Just enjoying the moment

And I realized something about this past year.

I stopped trying so hard.

For years I was chasing. Chasing deals. Chasing introductions. Chasing the next thing. Always feeling like I needed to prove something.

This year was different. I joined some great networking groups. Did more educational sessions. Met a lot of new people. But the energy shifted.

I wasn't trying to close anyone or anything. I was just trying to help.

And people can feel that. They really can.

When you're genuine, when you actually care about solving someone's problem more than winning their business, something clicks. People start introducing you to other people. Not because you asked, but because they trust you.

After years in this industry, I finally feel like I know what I'm doing. Not because I have all the answers. But because I stopped pretending I needed to have them all at once.

The confidence didn't come from closing more deals or selling more stuff. It came from just being myself and letting the work speak.

So if you're grinding into 2026 feeling like you need to hustle harder, try something different.

Stop trying so hard. Help people. Be yourself. The rest follows.

What's one thing you're going to do differently this year? 🎯

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about insurance, business, and figuring out what actually matters.

Pic of my beautiful wife and (grumpy) daughter on the mt for the algo

Somewhere out there, someone less talented than you is winning.

Not because they're smarter. Not because they have better connections. Not because they got lucky.

Because they started.

While you're still planning. Still researching. Still waiting until you're "ready."

They're out there making mistakes, learning, and getting better. Every single day.

The gap between you and them isn't talent. It's reps.

Stop thinking. Start doing.

What are you waiting for? 🎯

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about taking action and building a life you actually want.

Picture from the top of a really high mt i climbed earlier this year because i started it and finished it

Personal Insurance rates are brutal right now. We all know it.

But here's the thing. There are discounts hiding in plain sight that most people never ask about.

Fire hydrant near your house? Discount.
Security system? Discount.
New roof? Discount.
Bundling policies? Discount.
Driver's Safety course? Discount

The problem is nobody tells you about them. You have to ask. Or better yet, work with an agent who actually looks for them.

I made this silly video a couple years ago to prove the point. It's ridiculous. But the message is real.

Talk to your agent. Ask the questions. The savings are out there if you know where to look.

What's a discount you didn't know existed until someone told you about it?

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about insurance, discounts, and not overpaying for coverage.

Don't be afraid of risk.

Don't be afraid to change. To pivot. To grow.

If you don't start something, you're never going to get anywhere. You're just going to be in the same place.

But here's the thing - when I took risks in my personal life, I did my due diligence first.

I figured out what it was going to take. I researched it. I made sure the risk was worth the effort.
I do the same thing with my clients.

If you're going to make a move, you have to take risks to grow your business. That's just the reality.

But you don't have to do it blind.

That's where risk management and insurance come in. They're the guardrails. The safety net. The thing that lets you take the leap knowing that if something goes wrong, you're not losing everything.

Taking risks doesn't mean being reckless.

It means being smart about which risks are worth taking - and protecting yourself on the ones that could hurt.

What's a risk you took that paid off? And what did you do to protect yourself before you took it?
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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about taking smart risks and building guardrails that let you grow.

You're not going to feel ready. Start anyway.

That thing you've been putting off? 

The career change. The hard conversation. The business idea. The breakup. The move. The new hobby. The personal brand. The Posting on Social Media. The prospecting. Whatever it is.

You're waiting for the right time. The right feeling. The right conditions.

They're not coming.

I've changed careers. Moved across the country. Built a business from nothing. And I can tell you with 100% certainty, I wasn't ready for any of it.

But I started anyway.

And that's the only thing that matters.

Because progress doesn't come from planning. It comes from doing. One awkward step at a time. One uncomfortable conversation. One small win that leads to another.

The people who seem like experts? They just started before you did. That's it. They weren't smarter. They weren't more prepared. They just got moving while everyone else was still thinking about it.

Complacency feels safe. And I know this firsthand. But it's actually the most dangerous place to be. You're not avoiding risk by staying still. You're just guaranteeing you'll be in the same place a year from now.

A year from now, you'll wish you started today.

So whatever you've been putting off, stop waiting for confidence. Confidence comes after you start, not before.

Take the step. Make the call. Send the message. Apply for the thing.

You don't need to see the whole staircase. You just need to take the first step.

What's one thing you've been putting off that you're finally going to start this week/month? 

For me, it's getting back to playing the piano- I stink, and you know why because I never stuck with it- maybe this round is my time to shine

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about taking action, building a life you actually want, and figuring it out as you go.

Remember when a typo felt like the end of the world? Now it's proof you're actually human.

AI made everything perfect. And now perfect feels fake.

Perfect emails. Perfect headshots. Perfect posts. Perfect bios. AI can generate all of it in seconds.
And it feels like nothing.

Because perfect is boring. Perfect is forgettable. But most importantly, Perfect doesn't connect.

You know what connects? That run-on sentence you wrote with emotion. The opinion that might piss someone off. The lowercase letters, the missed comma- The email that sounded like you actually wrote it. 

We're drowning in polished crap everywhere right now. Every inbox. Every profile. Every feed. Every Emdash, i literally dont even know where to find one of those long dashes on my keyboard

Your imperfection? That's what makes you, you.

In a world where AI can fake perfect, being real is the move.

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about showing up real in a world full of polish.

"Just sign here and we'll get you the keys."

My client sent me a lease last week before signing. Smart move. 

Buried on page 14 was an indemnification clause requiring Primary and Non-Contributory coverage plus a Waiver of Subrogation on his umbrella policy.

Sounds like legal gibberish. Let me translate:

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 means if something goes wrong, YOUR insurance pays first. The landlord's policy sits on the sidelines while yours takes the hit. Even if it's partly their fault.

𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 means after your insurance pays a claim, they can't go after the landlord to recover any of it. Normally if someone else is at fault, your carrier can sue them. Not anymore. You just signed that right away.

Here's what that actually means for you:

By agreeing to this, you're letting the landlord use your insurance as their first and sometimes only line of defense- even when they're partly at fault. And you're giving up your insurer's ability to recover from them. That puts more claims, more dollars, and more long-term cost on your policy instead of theirs.

Here's the kicker: most standard umbrella policies don't include these endorsements automatically, for a reason. You have to request them. And some carriers won't even offer them.

So I told my client: push back. Ask them to remove the PNC and WOS requirements on the umbrella. Keep it on the GL if they insist, but the umbrella is overkill and shifts way too much risk onto you.

The landlord agreed. Contract revised. Crisis avoided.

This happens constantly. Landlords, general contractors, anyone hiring you for a job. They slip language into contracts that transfers their risk onto you. It's not illegal. It's just business. They're protecting themselves.

The problem is nobody's protecting you.

Most people sign contracts like they're accepting terms and conditions on an app. Scroll, scroll, sign. But these aren't software updates. These are legally binding documents that can blow up your insurance program.

Here's what a risk manager does that most agents don't:

We read the contract before you sign it. We flag the insurance requirements. We tell you what's reasonable, what's negotiable, and what's a dealbreaker.

A risk manager isn't just quoting policies. They're reading the fine print you don't understand and explaining why you should or shouldn't sign, and helping to make edits that will be in your favor.

**If you took anything away from this post, it's that you should always  send your insurance agent a contract with indemnification language before signing**

When's the last time someone reviewed a contract for you before you signed? 🎯

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer real talk about why contract review is risk management, not just legal stuff.

The 5 Things Underwriters Actually Look At (That Most People Ignore)

You send in your application. You wait. Then you get a quote that makes no sense. Too high. Or worse, declined.

Here's the thing: underwriters aren't just looking at your revenue and industry code. They're building a picture of your risk. And most people hand them a blurry photo.

It's your agent's job to build a file on you and present it to the UW's

After years of submitting hundreds of accounts, I can tell you exactly what moves the needle.

𝟭. 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 (𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘁)
Everyone knows claims matter. But most people just submit the loss runs and hope for the best. Wrong move. Underwriters want context. What happened? What did you do to fix it? A $50K claim with a solid explanation beats a clean history with no narrative. Tell the story.

𝟮. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
This is the one almost nobody does. A short paragraph explaining what you actually do, how you do it, and what makes you different. Underwriters read hundreds of apps. The ones that stand out are the ones that paint a clear picture. Help them understand your business before they start assuming the worst. Think of it as a cover letter to your application

𝟯. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
New roof? Updated electrical? Modern fire suppression? Say it. Underwriters price risk based on what can go wrong. If you've invested in reducing that risk, they need to know. Most people leave this blank or say "good condition." That tells them nothing.

𝟰. 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘅 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
If you own a building, who's in it matters. "Retail" isn't enough. What kind of retail? If you hire subs, what do they do? Do they carry their own insurance? One client told me "retail" when his tenant was running a welding shop. That's a very different risk profile.

𝟱. 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
Are you shopping because you're unhappy, or just checking the market? Have you been with the same carrier for years? Did they non-renew you? Underwriters want to know why you're looking. Transparency here builds trust. Hiding it makes them suspicious.

Here's the bottom line:

Underwriters aren't trying to decline you. They're trying to price risk accurately. The less information you give them, the more they assume. And assumptions are never in your favor.

Your job and your agent's job is to make the UW's job easy. Give them the full picture. Tell the story. Help them say yes.

How many of these five things did your last application actually include? 

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about what actually gets you better insurance quotes.

I've noticed lately chatgpt is getting wonkier and wonkier by the day, and i'm considering moving to another tool. 

Gemini is leading the pack because i keep everything on google- im running out of space on my drive and the price of gemini includes 2tb on google drive. But i'm open to any tool at this point- which is best

does anyone have real world experience and can compare on contrast the diff AI toools and which are best in your experience. yes i've read all the articles but im looking for experience

i use them mostly for research, learning, going through long docs quickly and pulling out highlights. 

I'm looking for the following features- accuracy, user experience, speed, easy searchability

Linkedin network, gimme what you got, please!

Should every workers comp claim be filed???

Let's find out- I know that sounds counterintuitive. But hear me out.

Your experience modification factor (experience mod) is basically a multiplier on your workers comp premium. Everyone starts at 1.0. Good claims history? It goes down - you get a discount. Bad claims history? It goes up - you pay more.

Every claim you file impacts that number. Even small ones.

So here's the dilemma:
Someone cuts their finger on the job. Needs a few stitches. Maybe $500 in medical bills, will be back to work tomorrow. Do you file a claim?

You could. But that claim is now on your record. And at renewal time, it's factored into your experience mod. A $500 claim could end up costing you way more in premium increases over the next few years.

Sometimes it makes sense to pay small injuries out of pocket.

But here's the catch - if you do, get a signed agreement. Document everything. Make sure the employee acknowledges the injury was addressed and they're not coming back later with a bigger claim.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Some states require all workplace injuries to be reported regardless of whether you pay the medical bills out of pocket. Check with your state and your agent before making this call on any claim.

Now flip the scenario.

Someone breaks their leg and will be out of work. Could be a long-term issue. Ongoing treatment. Lost wages. Rehab.
That one? File it. Always.

If you try to handle a serious injury out of pocket and it gets worse, you're now on the hook forever. The company becomes perpetually liable. That's not a risk worth taking.

Small claims = consider paying out of pocket (with documentation + state compliance).
Serious injuries = always file.

Strategic claims management isn't about avoiding responsibility. It's about being smart with what impacts your bottom line and what protects your company long-term.

Has anyone ever had a small claim turn into a big headache?

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✚ Follow Cory Fischer for real talk about workers comp strategy and protecting your business the smart way.

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