When you take a look down Main Street with all of its picturesque door fronts, what you see are vibrant local businesses. But what you don't see is the insurance company that helps take care of those businesses. For many of those businesses in downtown Franklin and throughout the Williamson County community, the insurance company is International Insurance Brokerage, LLC, founded by Charlie Brown and Tim Kearns, alongside Matt Bowling and Cam Arnold.

A Franklin resident since the 1980s, Charlie Brown founded International Insurance Brokerage (IIB) in 2001 and was soon joined by friend and neighbor Tim Kearns. In its original location, IIB has been a part of the Franklin business community since its inception. It has continued to thrive as an insurer of longstanding Franklin businesses and institutions to this day.  Intentionally including the word "international" in its name, the company has reflected the big vision of the pair since the beginning. Upon opening, Charlie brought over two decades of insurance agency experience, including international healthcare clients located in both Panama City, Panama, and Moscow, Russia.  With an early endorsement from a multinational landscape company, IIB gained national recognition, and rapid growth ensued. Starting with a focus on healthcare, the company quickly expanded to include prominent landscape industry clients, leveraging Tim's background and experience in the landscape industry, and has experienced positive growth throughout the years. While its clients are numerous, perhaps some of its most prized clients are many of the businesses that can be considered among the crown jewels of Franklin, including community restaurants, businesses, and institutions such as the Heritage Foundation, well-loved events of the Battle of Franklin Trust, Carnton and many others. Being the insurer for these businesses has meant being there for them through unforeseen and unfortunate events, such as tornadoes, floods, and even fires.  As Tim describes it, "When people call us, it's because they need us. And it's not during an easy time, but we like to think we make it a bit easier." 

What has been the secret to the company's success? Quite simply, commitment. Commitment to core values, commitment to the community and commitment to unparalleled customer service. The company was founded on honesty and integrity, and the commitment to those core values has been unwavering since the beginning. As a business, IIB has formed and maintained business relationships with its clients. More importantly, each member of IIB has made a personal commitment and investment in the place they call home by being heavily involved in the community through participation in numerous nonprofit organizations and events over the years. And if you ask their clients, perhaps they are best known for their commitment to customer service. It's the cornerstone of who IIB is. IIB always keeps a focus on the customer, having the philosophy that the best way to gain and keep customers is simple—take care of them. 

Serving Williamson County for almost twenty-five years, the company aims to maintain its presence and commitment here for many more years to come. As Charlie and Tim have thought about not only the business they have grown, but more so their customers, they began to think about "what's next" and how they could ensure that the business continued to grow and be sustained into the future while still maintaining the customer-centric business values that are essential to who IIB is. With that in mind, Charlie and Tim partnered with Matt Bowling and Cam Arnold to continue supporting current clients while also expanding to serve new ones. Through coming together, the team is expanding not only the customer service that IIB has become known for, but also positioning itself to expand its offerings to current and new clients. 

Not out of the ordinary for the small-town sentiment of Williamson County, Charlie and Tim initially met Matt through family connections. At the time, Matt was also an independent insurance agent, which aligned with Charlie and Tim's background and approach to the business. Born & raised in Franklin, Matt has seen the growth first-hand, but what has not changed is his love for the community—"this is home, always will be home." As the business continued to grow, Matt asked Cam to join the team. Cam brings additional years of industry experience, as well as a shared commitment to the community and the longstanding values of IIB.  Thinking about "what's next," Matt and Cam share "it's nice to continue down a road that’s been paved; to be able to continue to develop the business and maintain it as a staple of our community.”

Now licensed in over thirty states, IIB continues to grow and expand to support the needs of its clients. Starting in healthcare and landscape, the company now insures across multiple industries and business segments—from construction to condo/HOA to hospitality. Service lines are expanding to now include employer group benefits, Medicare, and private client insurance (covering high-value homes, businesses, and cars). Building on its legacy, International Insurance Brokerage is well poised for the future. Bringing its traditions and care for our community to a new generation of businesses.