In July 2014, I was informed by Freedom Equity Group, an Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO) with whom I'm had a partnership, that a new program was being introduced to agents that would allow us to establish a relationship with a major national small business resource (I will keep that organization nameless). This relationship would allow us the opportunity to help hundreds of business owners in need and, in turn, would help us build our businesses in a quicker, more efficient way.
Excited by the opportunity, I chose to participate in the "Area Manager" program on July 31, 2014. In order to participate in the program, I was required to sign a reciprocal agreement/contract and pay a $595 fee to reserve the "territory". At that time, the decision was a no-brainer because the opportunity presented to me would surely enable me to recoup my investment several times over.
Once accepted in the program, I was given access to training materials, as well as weekly webinars, explaining the program and the process of building the relationship. Despite all the training and information, there was never any word on when "Area Managers" would begin to work their "territories". In September 2014, we were informed that due to the actions of a few "rogue agents", the program would be temporarily put on hold while BVB attempted to re-establish the relationship with the organization.
For several months, I stayed patient and positive, attended every meeting, and believed BVB management when they told us this was being resolved. Little did I know at the time, they were simply using this as a tactic to pacify us and, in essence, stalling us from questioning things, and eventually, asking for our money back.
In March 2015, we were finally told that we can visit the centers we were assigned to, but cautioned that some states, including mine, did not receive full approval for our partnership.
So why would we go there???
Fed up with all the false promises, in April 2015, I emailed Jim Bland, the head of BVB, to express my concerns, and to politely ask him either to resolve the issues and live up to his contract, which includes the following language...
In July 2014, I was informed by Freedom Equity Group, an Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO) with whom I'm had a partnership, that a new program was being introduced to agents that would allow us to establish a relationship with a major national small business resource (I will keep that organization nameless). This relationship would allow us the opportunity to help hundreds of business owners in need and, in turn, would help us build our businesses in a quicker, more efficient way.
Excited by the opportunity, I chose to participate in the "Area Manager" program on July 31, 2014. In order to participate in the program, I was required to sign a reciprocal agreement/contract and pay a $595 fee to reserve the "territory". At that time, the decision was a no-brainer because the opportunity presented to me would surely enable me to recoup my investment several times over.
Once accepted in the program, I was given access to training materials, as well as weekly webinars, explaining the program and the process of building the relationship. Despite all the training and information, there was never any word on when "Area Managers" would begin to work their "territories". In September 2014, we were informed that due to the actions of a few "rogue agents", the program would be temporarily put on hold while BVB attempted to re-establish the relationship with the organization.
For several months, I stayed patient and positive, attended every meeting, and believed BVB management when they told us this was being resolved. Little did I know at the time, they were simply using this as a tactic to pacify us and, in essence, stalling us from questioning things, and eventually, asking for our money back.
In March 2015, we were finally told that we can visit the centers we were assigned to, but cautioned that some states, including mine, did not receive full approval for our partnership.
So why would we go there???
Fed up with all the false promises, in April 2015, I emailed Jim Bland, the head of BVB, to express my concerns, and to politely ask him either to resolve the issues and live up to his contract, which includes the following language...
Introduction and access to at least one SBDC location, in which the AM shall
be designated as the official representative of BVB to build relationships in the
location and promote BVB products and FEG insurance services, per the
instructions, guidelines, and procedures as directed by BVB.
...or refund my money. I CC'd Mr. Al Cardi, head of Freedom Equity Group, who partnered with BVB to offer this program to its agents. I received the same generic response from Bland that they are working hard to resolve everything. I told them this was not acceptable, and that I wanted to have a phone call from Mr. Bland. That call never came.
I've done everything possible to resolve this issue with them internally before I took this action. But 4 emails over a 30 day period, and no phone calls from BVB left me no choice. BVB collected tens of thousands of dollars from FEG agents, failing to live up to the terms of their contract, then refusing to refund monies collected from agents when they realize they could not live up to their contract. FEG is equally responsible, because they are endorsing this company, and refusing to take steps to protect their agents. Its a disgrace. I hope more agents step up and speak out against what turned out to be a complete scam.
Business Value Builders Reviews
In July 2014, I was informed by Freedom Equity Group, an Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO) with whom I'm had a partnership, that a new program was being introduced to agents that would allow us to establish a relationship with a major national small business resource (I will keep that organization nameless). This relationship would allow us the opportunity to help hundreds of business owners in need and, in turn, would help us build our businesses in a quicker, more efficient way.
Excited by the opportunity, I chose to participate in the "Area Manager" program on July 31, 2014. In order to participate in the program, I was required to sign a reciprocal agreement/contract and pay a $595 fee to reserve the "territory". At that time, the decision was a no-brainer because the opportunity presented to me would surely enable me to recoup my investment several times over.
Once accepted in the program, I was given access to training materials, as well as weekly webinars, explaining the program and the process of building the relationship. Despite all the training and information, there was never any word on when "Area Managers" would begin to work their "territories". In September 2014, we were informed that due to the actions of a few "rogue agents", the program would be temporarily put on hold while BVB attempted to re-establish the relationship with the organization.
For several months, I stayed patient and positive, attended every meeting, and believed BVB management when they told us this was being resolved. Little did I know at the time, they were simply using this as a tactic to pacify us and, in essence, stalling us from questioning things, and eventually, asking for our money back.
In March 2015, we were finally told that we can visit the centers we were assigned to, but cautioned that some states, including mine, did not receive full approval for our partnership.
So why would we go there???
Fed up with all the false promises, in April 2015, I emailed Jim Bland, the head of BVB, to express my concerns, and to politely ask him either to resolve the issues and live up to his contract, which includes the following language...
In July 2014, I was informed by Freedom Equity Group, an Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO) with whom I'm had a partnership, that a new program was being introduced to agents that would allow us to establish a relationship with a major national small business resource (I will keep that organization nameless). This relationship would allow us the opportunity to help hundreds of business owners in need and, in turn, would help us build our businesses in a quicker, more efficient way.
Excited by the opportunity, I chose to participate in the "Area Manager" program on July 31, 2014. In order to participate in the program, I was required to sign a reciprocal agreement/contract and pay a $595 fee to reserve the "territory". At that time, the decision was a no-brainer because the opportunity presented to me would surely enable me to recoup my investment several times over.
Once accepted in the program, I was given access to training materials, as well as weekly webinars, explaining the program and the process of building the relationship. Despite all the training and information, there was never any word on when "Area Managers" would begin to work their "territories". In September 2014, we were informed that due to the actions of a few "rogue agents", the program would be temporarily put on hold while BVB attempted to re-establish the relationship with the organization.
For several months, I stayed patient and positive, attended every meeting, and believed BVB management when they told us this was being resolved. Little did I know at the time, they were simply using this as a tactic to pacify us and, in essence, stalling us from questioning things, and eventually, asking for our money back.
In March 2015, we were finally told that we can visit the centers we were assigned to, but cautioned that some states, including mine, did not receive full approval for our partnership.
So why would we go there???
Fed up with all the false promises, in April 2015, I emailed Jim Bland, the head of BVB, to express my concerns, and to politely ask him either to resolve the issues and live up to his contract, which includes the following language...
Introduction and access to at least one SBDC location, in which the AM shall
be designated as the official representative of BVB to build relationships in the
location and promote BVB products and FEG insurance services, per the
instructions, guidelines, and procedures as directed by BVB.
...or refund my money. I CC'd Mr. Al Cardi, head of Freedom Equity Group, who partnered with BVB to offer this program to its agents. I received the same generic response from Bland that they are working hard to resolve everything. I told them this was not acceptable, and that I wanted to have a phone call from Mr. Bland. That call never came.
I've done everything possible to resolve this issue with them internally before I took this action. But 4 emails over a 30 day period, and no phone calls from BVB left me no choice. BVB collected tens of thousands of dollars from FEG agents, failing to live up to the terms of their contract, then refusing to refund monies collected from agents when they realize they could not live up to their contract. FEG is equally responsible, because they are endorsing this company, and refusing to take steps to protect their agents. Its a disgrace. I hope more agents step up and speak out against what turned out to be a complete scam.