Clay Shirk, SFD Commercial Insurance

09/01/2026

Did you know that every business with employees and Worker's Compensation has their payroll hours allocated to different job class codes? And did you know that class codes have different price rates based on their risk exposure?

When is the last time you reviewed how your payroll hours are classified, and how much they are costing you?

Reach out today and I'll do a full review of your business and policies.

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/25/2026

It’s officially back-to-school season! 📚✏️ Between school supplies, sports schedules, activities, and getting everyone back into a routine, there’s a lot happening this time of year.

For business owners, it’s also a great reminder to check in on your business insurance. Are your coverage limits, vehicles, equipment, employees, and operations still accurately reflected in your policies?

A quick review today can help prevent surprises down the road. Give me a call and make sure your coverage is keeping up with your business. 🏫➡️💼

08/14/2026

Ready for a no obligation coverage review for your business? Follow the link below and complete the questionnaire - Your answers come directly to me and are, of course, confidential.

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/10/2026

LONG POST ALERT!

I just completed what has always been one of my favorite weekends of the year, albeit under some tough circumstances this time around.

For the last 18 years, I've gotten together with family and friends in August for a golf tournament. It started in 2008 with just 12 participants. It evolved into the "RFI" (Rod Faulkner Invitational - named after my Uncle who had to original idea for the tournament). The field grew every single year - What started with 12 participants, had 104 in this year's edition.

6 years ago, we decided to try to do some good with our tournament. We began collecting donations every year for various charities - We've donated to Stead Family Children's Hospital, Parkinson's Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, among others.

This year was different.

Last September, we tragically lost one of the founding members of our tournament and someone very near and dear to all of us. Dana Gough was a Veteran of the Marine Corp, and a beloved Son/Husband/Brother/Uncle/Nephew/Friend to all of us, and someone that I've gone on 1-2 golf trips with every year for two decades.

What was once the Rod Faulkner Invitational is now and forever known as the Dana Gough Memorial Tournament.

The turnout and response was incredible. We had our biggest field of participants yet. We had never had more than 82 players, this year we had 104.

The best part - We raised nearly $13,000!! This money will be donated to Solider's Angels, a non-profit organization that provides assistance, resources, food, and other critical things to military veterans and their families.

Can't thank everyone enough for their support. Our first tournament without Dana, but the masses showed up to support him and the rest of the Gough Family. We all miss him, but can't think of a better way to honor him!

07/31/2026

⛳ A good caddie isn't the one hitting the shots. They're the one helping you make better decisions.

The best caddies don't chase the spotlight. They study the course, help you avoid trouble, hand you the right club when it matters, and stay invested in your success from the first tee to the final putt.

That's the kind of partner I strive to be for my clients.

Business ownership is full of hazards you can't always see coming. My job isn't to run your business—it's to help you navigate risk, protect what you've built, and keep you in position to win.

Because servant leadership isn't about being in front. It's about walking beside people, carrying some of the weight, and helping them play their best round.

And unlike your buddy who always says, "I think you can clear that water," my advice is backed by experience. 😄

07/27/2026

The best insurance brokers don't earn their value by shopping your renewal once a year.
They earn it by protecting your business every day.

The three things every insurance broker should be doing for their clients:

1. Identify risks before they become claims.
A good broker isn't just reviewing policies—they're walking your operations, asking tough questions, and uncovering exposures before they cost you money.

2. Be your advocate when something goes wrong.
When a claim happens, your broker should be in your corner, helping navigate the process, coordinating with the carrier, and making sure you're treated fairly. That's when the relationship matters most.

3. Help your business become more insurable.
The goal isn't just to find a lower premium this year. It's to reduce your long-term cost of risk through better safety practices, stronger contracts, improved claims performance, and proactive risk management.

Insurance is a tool.

Risk management is a strategy.

The best brokers help you build both.

What would you add to this list?

07/15/2026

Heard about PEO's and outsourcing HR functions but not really sure what it all means? Our team at Alkeme hosted an exceptional webinar yesterday explaining what PEO's are, and what types of businesses can benefit from them.

My take after sitting in on the webinar: Small to medium sized businesses should 100% be looking into PEO solutions. The sweet spot is businesses with 5-100 employees, but there are also options if you fall outside that range. PEO's allow these small to medium sized businesses to level the playing field with retaining their employees and competing with major corporations on benefits, employee admin, tech platforms, etc.

Link to the webinar is below. It is an hour long and features great information as well as Q&A.

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

07/02/2026

Average golfer. Solid vibes. Trusted advisor. Let's make sure the things that matter most to you are covered.

06/30/2026

Margins are tight enough for restaurants without an uncovered claim disrupting your business. I often see some of the biggest foodservice exposures without coverage on their policies.

Here are a few of the biggest risks I see today:
🍽️ Food Spoilage – A power outage or equipment failure can mean thousands of dollars in lost inventory.
⚡ Utility Interruptions – A utility outage can shut down operations for days, even when your building isn't damaged.
💻 Cyber Attacks – Restaurants rely on POS systems, online ordering, and payment processing. A ransomware attack or data breach can halt business and damage customer trust.
👨‍🍳 Workers' Compensation Claims – Slips, burns, cuts, and lifting injuries remain some of the most common and costly claims in the industry.
🚗 Hired & Non-Owned Auto Liability – If employees use their personal vehicles to pick up supplies or make deliveries, your business could have liability exposure.
⚖️ Employment Practices Liability – Allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment can result in expensive legal defense, even if the claim is unfounded.

The restaurant industry has changed, and insurance programs should evolve with it. The lowest premium isn't always the best value if key coverages are missing.

A quick annual coverage review can help identify gaps before they become costly claims.

What insurance concern keeps you up at night as a restaurant owner?

06/24/2026

Whether you're starting a new venture or you're a tenured business owner, one of the most critical priorities is making sure that you have the right coverages that fit your specific day to day operations. One coverage gap can bankrupt a business.

Fill out the form below, and I'd love to provide you with a free, no obligation coverage review. With a 20 minute discovery meeting, I can identify potential exposures and make strategic recommendations for the present and the future.

Please click the link to complete this form.