Kudzu

13/05/2026

1,000+ RSVPs in 30 days. 🎉

Two years ago, we were grinding out hundreds a month — not thousands.

Nobody sees the 700+ days of showing up before a number like that is possible.

The plateaus. The "is this even working?" moments. The months where the needle barely moved while we kept believing in the mission.

We help agents run free educational Medicare seminars at libraries to help people make one of the most important decisions of their lives — without the confusion or pressure.

And this month? 1,000+ people said yes to learning more.

But here's what I'm most proud of:

We started with just a handful of agents and built up to 60 agents across just 33 exclusive territories.

I don't call them customers. They're partners. And that word means something.

I've turned away more agents than I've signed. Exclusive territories are the backbone of this model — and protecting them has never been the easy path. It would have been far simpler to say yes to everyone.

But the agents who are in — they're in. And they've become our loudest cheerleaders.

When the people you serve believe in what you're building enough to champion it to others, you know you've built something real.

To every partner who's been in the trenches with us from the beginning — this milestone belongs to you too. Thank you. 🙏

The compound effect is real. Keep going.

01/05/2026

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24/04/2026

A lot of people I talk to in their early-to-mid 60s are still working, still on employer coverage, and doing all the right things, like contributing to an HSA.

Then Medicare comes into the picture… and this is where things can get confusing.

Here’s the part that surprises most people:

Once you enroll in **any part of Medicare**, you’re no longer allowed to contribute to your HSA.

Even if:

* You’re still working
* You still have a high deductible health plan
* You don’t plan on “using” Medicare right away

👉 The moment Medicare starts, HSA contributions have to stop.

And if you keep contributing without realizing it, it can lead to tax penalties later on, which is the last thing anyone wants heading into retirement.

Another piece that often gets overlooked:

When you sign up for Medicare Part A, it can be **backdated up to 6 months** (as long as you were eligible). That means you may need to stop HSA contributions *before* you even enroll, depending on your timing.

The good news is this:
✔️ The money already in your HSA is still yours
✔️ You can still use it tax-free for qualified medical expenses, even in retirement
✔️ It can actually be a really helpful tool alongside Medicare

This is just one of those small details that can turn into a big issue if it’s missed.

If you’re getting close to 65 and still contributing to an HSA, it’s worth taking a step back and making sure everything lines up properly before you make any decisions.

A little planning here can save you from headaches later on.

22/04/2026

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17/04/2026

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Turning 65 soon? This is something a lot of people don’t realize until the last minute.

If you currently have your health insurance through GetCoveredNJ, it’s been a great option, but it’s meant for people under 65.

Once you hit 65, things change.

At that point, Medicare becomes your primary coverage, and you can’t keep a GetCoveredNJ plan as your main insurance anymore.

I’ve had many conversations with people who assumed they could just stay where they are… only to find out they needed to make a switch, and fast.

The good news is, you can plan ahead.

You’re allowed to start your Medicare enrollment process about 3 months before your 65th birthday, which gives you time to:
• Understand your options
• Avoid any gaps in coverage
• Make a decision that actually fits your needs

This isn’t something you want to figure out at the last minute.

Everyone’s situation is a little different, your doctors, prescriptions, and budget all play a role in what the “right” plan looks like.

If you’re getting close to 65 and currently on GetCoveredNJ, it’s worth having a quick conversation to map things out ahead of time.

A little planning now can save you a lot of stress later

16/04/2026

At the end of the day, it’s about people not policies. 🤝

Medicare can feel complicated.

There are plan options, enrollment periods, compliance rules, and endless paperwork.

But behind all of that complexity is something simple: people trying to make the right decision for their health and retirement.

Every seminar represents a room of individuals who want clarity.

A couple preparing for retirement.

A grandparent trying to understand coverage options.

Someone navigating Medicare for the first time.

Agents who take the time to educate rather than simply sell often build the strongest relationships.

And those relationships are what turn a one-time seminar into a long-term client base.

Thinking about hosting your next seminar?

See what territories and locations may be available near you:
https://trykudzu.com/

14/04/2026

Love how this brings it back to what really matters most in the end 💙

I was talking to a friend the other day, and somehow we got on the topic of “what really matters.”

Not work. Not money. Not all the busy stuff.

It always comes back to family.

And it made me realize—protecting them isn’t just a “someday” thing… it’s something we do because we love them right now.

If you’ve been thinking about it too, you can start here:
https://app.back9ins.com/apply/SharonGray

13/04/2026

Growing your agency shouldn’t feel chaotic. 🧠

Running one seminar is manageable.

Running multiple events across different locations can quickly become complicated.

RSVPs arrive through different channels.
People call with questions.
Reminders need to be sent before the event.

Without a system, things can easily slip through the cracks.

One lesson we’ve seen repeatedly is that organization becomes more important as agents grow.

When RSVPs, confirmations, and event communication are centralized in one place, scaling becomes much easier.

Instead of juggling multiple lists and sticky notes, agents can see exactly who registered and who confirmed attendance.

And that clarity makes every seminar easier to manage.

See how agents are organizing their seminar systems:
https://trykudzu.com/

09/04/2026

You ever have one of those quiet moments where you look at your family and think… “I 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆, 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁.”🤍

That’s really what life insurance is about.

It’s not paperwork or policies—it’s making sure the people you love are taken care of, even on the days you can’t be there for them.

It’s one of those things we don’t always think about… until we realize how much it actually matters.

If it’s been on your mind lately, you can check your options here:
https://app.back9ins.com/apply/SharonGray

09/04/2026

Let’s settle the debate: Digital leads or seminars? 🗳️

Every Medicare agent has a preferred strategy for finding new clients.
Some prefer digital leads.

Others focus on educational seminars.

Both can work but many agents report different outcomes when it comes to closing ratios and long-term relationships.

Digital leads often provide volume.

Seminars tend to create face-to-face trust earlier in the process.

We’re curious what agents are seeing this year.

Are you seeing stronger results from:

A) Digital Leads
B) Educational Seminars

Drop your answer in the comments and tell us why.

Curious how seminars are working in different markets?
Take a look here: https://trykudzu.com/