“Pay your employees well and treat them better.”
That’s the philosophy behind the success of Mackoul Risk Solutions, according to CEO Ed Mackoul. The Long Beach, New York–based insurance agency earned the 2025 Best Agencies to Work For Silver Award for the East region from Insurance Journal.
“Everything we do is centered around our employees,” Ed said. “A lot of companies say the client comes first, but for us, our employees come first.”
A Workplace Built on Appreciation
Team members who nominated the company describe an environment where they feel respected and valued by leadership and colleagues alike.
“We feel appreciated every single day,” one employee shared. “It makes such a difference to work for people who truly value you.”
Another staff member praised the company’s balance and benefits: “Mackoul Risk Solutions is the best agency to work for because of how well we’re treated. We’re recognized for our hard work, compensated fairly, and able to work from home while still connecting with coworkers at monthly team events.”
Growing by Prioritizing People
Ed credits the company’s continued success to its focus on employee well-being.
“When I started here in 1995, we were a small, family-run agency,” he said. “We’ve expanded tremendously since then, but our core philosophy hasn’t changed. We care about our people and want them to succeed — and to enjoy doing it. That means maintaining a strong work-life balance.”
He added that in today’s competitive insurance market, flexibility is key.
“Many agencies still don’t allow remote work,” Ed said. “That’s a missed opportunity. We’re fully remote but have office workstations available for anyone who prefers to come in. That flexibility works for us.”
He noted that the agency has hired many out-of-state employees in recent years, all of whom have become valuable team members. “Some worry about losing company culture with remote work,” he said, “but we’ve found ways to keep it strong.”
Staying Connected as a Team
Mackoul Risk Solutions invests in both in-person and virtual team-building events to keep its staff connected.
“Just last month, we went to a golf simulator venue,” Ed said. “We had contests for longest drive and closest to the pin, shared drinks and appetizers, and had a lot of laughs.”
Remote employees who live far away may not attend every event in person, but the entire company comes together for an annual holiday celebration.
“The agency really encourages connection,” said one employee. “We get to know each other beyond just work. That helps us build respect for each other’s time and effort.”
Promoting Flexibility and Opportunity
Ed encourages other agency owners to embrace remote work options.
“Allowing people to work from home benefits everyone,” he said. “It helps employees achieve balance and gives employers access to a much larger talent pool.”
Recognition That Matters Most
Over the years, Mackoul Risk Solutions has received many honors, but Ed said this one stands out.
“This award means the most because it’s based entirely on how happy our employees are,” he said. “That makes it truly special.”
For those looking to create a positive workplace, Ed’s advice is straightforward: “Always put your employees first. Pay them well, treat them even better, give them the tools to grow, and make sure they feel heard and supported.”