# The Inspiring Entrepreneurship Story of Hagerty's CEO Transformed a small niche insurance company into a publicly traded giant. - **Source:** [The Big Picture](https://ritholtz.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/92b0d82c-1a70-4777-bc17-69ea7e0ae2e5 ## An Unconventional Beginning McKeel Hagerty's story starts with his family's small wooden boat insurance business in Michigan. With a background in philosophy and theology, McKeel unexpectedly joins the family business, entering the corporate world. ## Passion-Driven Business Model Starting with wooden boat insurance, Hagerty undergoes a major transformation by entering the collector car market. McKeel's childhood passion for automobiles shapes the company's new direction. ## First Porsche at Age 13 McKeel restored a 1967 Porsche 911S with his father that he bought for $500 at age 13. This experience solidified his car passion and influenced his future business strategy. ## From Niche to Public Company What began as a small family business, Hagerty grew by focusing on the collector vehicle community. The company went public in 2021, becoming a major success story. ## From Seminary to CEO With a theology education, McKeel unexpectedly took over the family business. He applied leadership skills learned in seminary to grow the company significantly. ## Transformation of a Family Business Hagerty's story shows how a small family business can transform into a global brand. McKeel expanded his parents' venture with innovative approaches. ## Community-Centric Growth Strategy Hagerty's success lies in its unique strategy focused on the collector community. The company doesn't just offer insurance but creates a lifestyle brand. ## Preserving Cultural Heritage Hagerty plays a key role in preserving automotive culture by protecting historic vehicles. This mission strengthens the company's brand value. ## Growth During the Pandemic Increased interest in collector cars during COVID-19 accelerated Hagerty's growth. People spending more time on hobbies at home benefited the company. ## Digital Transformation and Innovation Operating in a traditional industry, Hagerty improved customer experience by effectively using digital tools. Embracing technology enhanced its competitiveness. ## Vision for Sustainable Growth Hagerty prepares for the future by developing products for electric and hybrid collector cars. The company aims to keep pace with automotive industry changes. ## The Power of Passion McKeel Hagerty's story demonstrates how passion-driven work can lead to great success. Building a global brand from a small niche is possible with the right strategy and determination. ## Sources covering this story - https://ritholtz.com/2026/07/transcript-mckeel-hagerty/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._