Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Hampton.
Hi Kenneth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve spent most of my career in insurance, on the distribution side, building and running agencies, teams, and platforms. I’ve seen what works, what breaks, and where good insurance agents get squeezed by systems that were never built for how the business actually operates today.
Envela started from a simple realization. The industry talks a lot about technology and growth, but it often overlooks the people doing the work. Insurance agents are expected to sell more, comply more, adapt faster, and absorb the friction of outdated infrastructure. Over time, I watched experienced, high-performing agents lose autonomy, income stability, and the ability to serve their clients the right way.
We didn’t set out to build another agency. We set out to build a platform. One that removes operational burden, enforces compliance the right way, and gives insurance agents the tools and support of a national organization while allowing them to stay local and independent. No brick-and-mortar overhead. No bureaucracy for control’s sake.
We started deliberately. We invested our own capital, built the core team, secured licenses, partnered with carriers, and validated the model in real markets. Today, we operate across multiple states and support a growing network of insurance agents. More importantly, we’ve shown that when you focus on execution and experience, not hype, you can build something that works for agents, carriers, and customers at the same time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building Envela hasn’t been smooth. Insurance is heavily regulated, deeply fragmented, and slow to change. That means every step takes more discipline than speed, especially when you’re building something new instead of copying what already exists.
One of the biggest challenges was saying no to shortcuts. It’s tempting to grow fast by bending rules, cutting corners, or bolting technology onto broken workflows. We chose the harder path. We built compliance into the foundation, invested early in licensing and controls, and focused on getting the operating model right before scaling it.
Another challenge was changing mindsets. Many insurance agents have been burned by past promises. New platforms often talk big and underdeliver. Earning trust took time. We had to prove, in real markets, that we would actually support agents, protect their relationships, and improve how they work day to day.
There were also moments where progress felt slower than it should. Platform work is not flashy. It’s infrastructure. But that discipline is what will allow us to scale responsibly going forward.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been intentional. And that’s the difference.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve spent most of my career working in insurance distribution and operations, helping organizations grow. My work has ranged from running large, multi-state teams to modernizing legacy systems and improving how sales, service, and operations work together.
What I specialize in is turning complexity into clarity. Insurance is a tough business. It’s regulated, fragmented, and relationship-driven. I’ve focused on building practical systems that make it easier for insurance agents and teams to perform consistently and serve customers well.
What I’m most proud of is the impact on people. Seeing others succeed is what makes me happy.
I don’t try to stand out by being flashy. I try to be steady, disciplined, and transparent about what it takes to build something that lasts.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in rural West Tennessee, in a small town called Toone. There weren’t many options for entertainment, so life revolved around church, school, and the Scouts. Those three communities shaped me in ways I still carry today. They taught me responsibility, teamwork, and the value of showing up for others. Many of the relationships I built there have lasted a lifetime.
One of my favorite memories came through Scouting, when a small group of us traveled across the country to Philmont Scout Ranch. We spent several days hiking nearly 80 miles through backcountry terrain. We carried everything we needed, ate dehydrated food, and purified our own water along the way.
That trip stripped things down to the basics. It taught me resilience, self-reliance, and the importance of relying on the people around you. I learned what I was capable of when things got hard, and that lesson has stayed with me ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://envelainsurance.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/envelainsurance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/envelainsurance/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/envelainsurance
