Welcome to our Member Spotlight series, where we proudly showcase the businesses and individuals making a difference in our CityCentral community and beyond. Today we have the pleasure of visiting with Alec Mullarkey, founder of Mullarkey Insurance operating out of CityCentral Fort Worth. Join us as we learn more about what inspired him to start his business, and what his professional journey has taught him about his career and helping his clients!
Tell us a little about Mullarkey Insurance.
Mullarkey Insurance is a premier commercial insurance and employee benefits brokerage specializing in providing personalized, white-glove service to middle-market employers. Our goal is to simplify the complexities of insurance while delivering tailored solutions that align with our clients’ business needs.
What lead you to starting Mullarkey Insurance?
I truly enjoyed life at my previous firm, where I spent 10 years doing my part to help the company grow significantly. However, starting my own firm allowed me to focus on serving my clients without navigating the layers of red tape that often come with larger organizations. Additionally, as my former firm grew and acquired smaller companies, I noticed a gap in the market for personalized, local service tailored to middle-market employers. I saw an opportunity to fill that gap and provide the kind of hands-on, relationship-driven support that these businesses truly need.
What sets your business apart from your competitors?
What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service and proactive problem-solving. We aren’t transactional. We don’t just sell policies; we build long-term partnerships with our clients, ensuring they have the coverage and support they need to thrive. I like to be viewed as an extension of HR/Finance.
What is something you wish you’d known when you were just starting your business?
I wish I would have known to start it sooner.
How to do you navigate your work-life balance?
I have 5 wonderful children, ages 6,5,4,3 and 2. I prioritize work-life balance by setting clear boundaries and delegating tasks effectively. I make time for exercising and playing with my kids in the evening, which helps me recharge and stay focused.
My wife is incredible, dedicating much of her time to raising awareness and funds for Usher Syndrome, the leading cause of combined deaf-blindness. Our youngest son, Michael, was born deaf and will gradually lose his vision due to Usher Syndrome. While there is no cure yet, researchers are close to breakthroughs in preserving vision. We are raising funds to support vital research, including the Pipeline for Usher Syndrome Research (PUSH), a Harvard-led initiative at Boston Children’s Hospital. PUSH aims to develop treatments, therapies, and a cure within three years. Michael will represent Usher Syndrome Type 1B in this groundbreaking research, focusing on his specific gene mutations. Learn more here:
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the positive impact we have on our clients. Whether it’s helping a business recover from a loss, streamlining their benefits program or simply helping an employee navigate through a health claim, knowing I’ve made a difference is incredibly fulfilling.
How has being a part of the CityCentral community affected you and your business?
Being part of the CityCentral community has been a game-changer. The collaborative environment and access to like-minded professionals have provided opportunities. Everyone is friendly and the location is perfect. It’s a fantastic community and atmosphere.
If you had a friend in town, and you could take them to one of your favorite restaurants or spots in your community, where would you take them to?
I’d take them to Joe T’s for the atmosphere. But my all time favorite restaurant is Edelweiss, which closed down recently. It was like walking into a time machine back to 1976. It was an awesome place. If you know, you know.
We would like to thank Alec for his willingness to participate in our member spotlight series and to share his journey with us. If you are interested in being part of our member spotlight, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your community manager; we are always eager to help elevate your business in any way we can!