As we close out 2025, I want to start by personally thanking our business partners, clients, vendors, and the entire team here at Holloway Benefit Concepts (H|BC). This year has been a defining one for us. We’ve solidified our core team, streamlined our operations, and reaffirmed our mission to support those who the “big agencies” often leave behind.
Strengthening the Internal Front: Welcome Megan Heil
For a long time, I knew I needed support at the Operations level, and 2025 proved just how vital that was. Most of you have met Megan Heil by now (if not, please connect with her on LinkedIn).
I’ve known Megan for years through the veteran community, where she served as a leader for a well-known Texas veteran non-profit. After reconnecting at the IVMF Veteran’s Edge conference earlier this year, it became clear she was the missing piece of our puzzle.
Running a small business can be lonely. I’ve never had a traditional mentor—the person who brought me into this industry years ago unfortunately prioritized the “chase for the dollar” over loyalty. Having Megan here to navigate leadership-level conversations has been a game-changer.
Results-Driven Marketing with Red Badge Digital Strategies
Along with Megan came a new partnership with Red Badge Digital Strategies, a veteran-owned marketing firm led by Jason. After years of working with various firms that failed to produce a return on investment, Red Badge has been a breath of fresh air. They are the first firm we’ve worked with that actually delivers measurable results on web and social media. Jason is a “stud” who gets it done, and we are excited to expand our work with him in 2026.
Tech & Innovation: Finding the Right Fit
Internally, we’ve moved away from a restrictive, over-engineered CRM toward a more flexible, SaaS-based model. While no platform is perfect, this shift allows us to make changes in real-time rather than waiting weeks for a programmer. Our eyes are always open for the “perfect” setup, and we’re exploring options to further enhance our service model in the coming year.
The Reality of the Industry: A “Soapbox” Moment
I won’t sugarcoat it: 2025 has been a tough year for Middle America, and 2026 likely will be too. We’ve seen long-term clients struggle due to a harsh economic climate.
The reality is that health insurance and benefit costs continue to rise. Politicians and media outlets love to villainize insurance companies, but they stay silent while hospitals and pharmaceutical companies rake in record profits. Until we hold leadership accountable for a system that allows a hospital visit to cost a small fortune, or allows drug companies to charge ten times more in the U.S. than they do abroad, nothing will change.
If you drive a Porsche, your insurance is expensive; if you drive an El Camino, it’s not. In the same vein, as long as insurance companies are forced to cover these astronomical costs, premiums will remain high. Middle America was the only group not at the table when the “Affordable” Care Act was drafted, and the current “subsidy” debate is often just a smokescreen for the fact that the working class is subsidizing record profits for others. It’s a tough space, but it’s why we do what we do.
Looking Ahead: Growth and New Solutions
Despite the industry challenges, there is plenty to be excited about:
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New Products: We’ve added a fantastic Paid Family Medical Leave product to our portfolio. It integrates with traditional short-term disability and—rare for our industry—comes with tax credits.
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Record Growth: Because so many “big box” brokers and payroll companies neglect their small and mid-sized clients, we are seeing a record number of new clients onboarding.
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The Mission: My goal since starting H|BC in 2011 has been to help the unsupported. While national consulting houses chase the same 200 giant corporations, we are here for the thousands of small businesses that need a true advocate.
In 2026, we will be hyper-focused on helping veteran-owned businesses across Texas and local companies that are ready for a better way to manage benefits.
Thank you for your trust and support. Let’s wrap up 2025 in “ass-kicking” fashion and prepare for an amazing 2026.
Stay focused,
Ryan Holloway CEO, Holloway Benefit Concepts
