Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Dunlap.
Hi Gregory, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey didn’t begin in insurance. Like many people, I started with ambition, a passion for music, and a desire to build a meaningful future. In 1995, I entered the automotive industry, where I learned the importance of communication, trust, and helping people make major financial decisions. Over time, I moved into training and development, teaching sales professionals how to understand complex products and present them with confidence.
In 2008, I became an independent life insurance agent to supplement my income, but what I discovered was a calling. I realized that many people don’t struggle because they lack options; they struggle because they lack understanding. That insight inspired me to found Dunlap Financial Services.
Today, my mission is to educate and empower individuals, families, and business owners so they can make informed decisions about protecting what matters most. Whether it’s health, life, Medicare, auto, home, or business insurance, I focus on providing clarity, not just policies. My goal has always been simple: help people understand how insurance works so it can work for them when they need it most.
That commitment is reflected in my trademarked message: “Ensuring your Health and Securing your Wealth to Protect your Lifestyle®.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of my earliest challenges came before I even entered the industry. Obtaining my insurance license required additional scrutiny because of a mistake I made when I was 18 years old. It was the first and last time I found myself in legal trouble, but it taught me a hard lesson about accountability and the lasting impact of our decisions.
Once I entered the industry, I discovered another challenge: many insurance organizations expect agents to focus on promoting a limited set of products and meeting company sales objectives. That approach never aligned with my vision. I wanted the freedom to put clients first by finding the best solutions for their specific needs, regardless of carrier. My goal was never to represent one company—it was to become a true insurance broker with broad industry access.
There were setbacks along the way. At one point, I stepped away from the business and allowed my license to lapse. When I later applied to have my Maryland insurance license reissued, the process was delayed due to a request for documentation that ultimately proved unnecessary because my circumstances had changed significantly since I was first licensed in 2008. By the time the issue was resolved and my license was reissued, I had lost an opportunity to establish a relationship with a major life insurance organization. While frustrating, the experience reinforced the importance of persistence and staying focused on long-term goals despite short-term setbacks.
Perhaps the biggest challenge was finding mentorship. Many people offered guidance, but I often found myself helping build their businesses rather than my own. Over time, I realized I needed to stay focused on my vision for Dunlap Financial Services.
Today, I believe those struggles shaped what makes my agency different. I’m an educator first. Before recommending a policy, I want clients to understand how insurance works and why they’re buying it. Then I act as a matchmaker between the client and the marketplace, searching for the companies and products that best fit their lifestyle. That client-centered approach is what I’ve worked toward since entering the industry in 2008 and ultimately what led me to establish Dunlap Financial Services as an independent agency.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dunlap Financial Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What sets Dunlap Financial Services apart is that we’re not just an insurance agency; we’re an insurance education company.
Most people buy insurance without fully understanding what they’re purchasing, how it works, or when it will actually protect them. That’s where I come in. I believe insurance should be taught before it’s sold. My role is to help clients understand their risks, identify potential coverage gaps, and learn how to use insurance properly so there are no surprises when they need it most.
As an independent agency, I’m not limited to a single carrier or a handful of products. I work across multiple insurance markets to find solutions that align with a client’s lifestyle, budget, and goals. Whether it’s life insurance, health insurance, Medicare, auto, home, business insurance, employee benefits, disability coverage, or long-term care planning, my focus is always on matching the right protection to the right person.
One thing you’ll probably never hear from another insurance agent is this: there is no such thing as a bad insurance product if it has been approved for sale in your state. However, there is such a thing as purchasing a policy that wasn’t designed for your situation. Too often, people blame the product when the real issue is that no one took the time to understand their needs before making a recommendation. That’s why I spend so much time educating clients and helping them understand the differences between products, carriers, and coverage options.
I often describe myself as an educator first and a broker second. I teach people how to buy insurance, then I go out and find the companies and products that best fit their needs and lifestyle. That approach allows me to serve as a true advocate for my clients rather than a representative of any one insurance company.
What I’m most proud of is the brand we’ve built around trust, education, and empowerment. When clients leave a meeting saying, “This finally makes sense,” I know I’ve done my job. Insurance can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. My mission has always been to simplify the process and help people make informed decisions that protect their health, wealth, and lifestyle.
At the end of the day, Dunlap Financial Services was built on a simple belief: people make better insurance decisions when they understand what they’re buying. That’s why our trademarked message is, “Ensuring your Health and Securing your Wealth to Protect your Lifestyle®.” It’s more than a slogan—it’s the foundation of everything we do.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that surprises many people is that I struggled in school and dropped out of high school at 17. It wasn’t until my professional career that I discovered I’m a hands-on learner. Once I understood how I learn best, everything changed. I went on to earn an associate degree and built a career around education and training.
I think that’s also why people often comment on my teaching and sales style. I don’t just explain products; I help people understand them in a way that fits their lifestyle. I’ve learned that people learn best when the lesson is relevant to their everyday lives, and that’s the approach I bring to every client interaction.
Pricing:
- Working with me does not have an impact on how much your insurance cost!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dunlapfs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/securewithgreg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecureWithGreg/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/securewithgreg/
- Twitter: https://x.com/SecureWithGreg
