Interview with District Manager at the beginning of hiring process was standard with typical questions about what I wanted and what Farmers could offer. The entire process was rather simple, but I should have checked into things more. Starting an agency with no prior experience is not recommended. You should start as a CSR to learn the ropes and see the realistic possibilities of what it takes to open and run an agency. While Farmers offers you some subsidy money that MUST be repaid if initial quota (first 2 years) isn't met, you need more than that to effectively open and manage an agency with at least 2-3 paid staff. You need 1 staff member to handle the existing and new clients with regards to payments and claims. You need at least 1 or 2 other paid staff members to hit the phones and pavement to assist you in growing the agency. Regardless of what Farmers tells you, your "circle of influence" should be left alone. Family members and friends will become tired of you "asking for the business". You have no control over rate and while many will try to sell you on the value proposition, personal lines is rapidly becoming a "low-price" game where clients don't care about the difference between you and another company if the limits match.