When Scott Rumley was just a child, a pivotal moment shaped his perspective on the importance of risk management, especially for a small business. His father's dentistry practice burned down one dark day — a devastating event that could have led to financial ruin, or much worse.
However, thanks to comprehensive insurance coverage, his father was able to rebuild the office, retain his staff and continue his practice with minimal disruption. This experience left an indelible mark on Scott, highlighting the crucial role that proper risk management and insurance can play in safeguarding a business's future.
“The more I worked with clients, I found myself getting emotional. I mean, who gets emotional about insurance? I guess it goes back to my dad’s dentist practice burning down.”
Scott Rumley, owner of E3 Bookkeeping, has long been a trusted figure in the Tulsa community. With a diverse background that includes a pivot from radio and TV ad sales to obtaining an MBA from TU and venturing into the staffing industry, Scott has demonstrated a knack for identifying and addressing the needs of his clients. Under his direction, E3 Bookkeeping has grown to establish a reputation for providing high-quality, reliable bookkeeping services to businesses in northeastern Oklahoma.
Now, Scott is embarking on a new venture: E3 Risk Management, which he feels is a natural extension of his philosophy and approach.
"Working in bookkeeping for so long, I started seeing opportunities to help clients even further," Scott explains. "It comes from the needs-based approach from my days in ad sales."
This new division of E3 aims to provide comprehensive risk-management services, helping businesses protect against risks and uncertainties, and is driven by Scott's desire to offer more holistic support to his clients. He noticed many questions he asked clients about their bookkeeping also revealed areas vulnerable to potential risks.
"I asked myself, what would bookkeeping work well with? Insurance is definitely one. Insurance feeds bookkeeping, bookkeeping feeds risk management and insurance. They are related and can greatly affect a business’s profits and losses."
E3 Risk Management has been operational in Tulsa for six months and running, with a growing client base and plans to expand across northeastern Oklahoma. Designed to be separate from bookkeeping, the two divisions complement each other and provide an integrated approach to managing a business's finances and risks.
"I’ve found that the only way to be successful in insurance, you have to really care. You have to be sincere, ask questions and listen to the client's answers," Scott emphasizes.
Striving to Serve with Care
One of the key aspects of E3 Risk Management is its focus on building strong, trusting relationships with clients. Scott believes that by getting to know his clients' businesses intimately, he can better identify risks and provide tailored solutions. This approach not only helps in protecting business owners and their employees but also ensures downstream customers and other stakeholders are also safeguarded, which in some cases could prove to be a community service.
Scott's commitment is also reflected in his team's composition. Hope Rogers, Director of Operations for E3 Bookkeeping, has been instrumental in the transition, ensuring that the bookkeeping division runs smoothly while E3 Risk Management takes off. Scott's philosophy of teamwork and collaboration, which he initially applied in the staffing industry, is now a cornerstone of both E3 Bookkeeping and E3 Risk Management.
Looking ahead, Scott envisions E3 Risk Management not just as a business but also a service dedicated to the community.
"E3’s main objectives are to educate and to serve and continue building relationships," he adds. “By educating business owners about potential risks and providing effective risk-management solutions, we hope to alleviate some of the pressures that keep business owners up at night.”
In addition to offering personalized risk-management services, E3 Risk Management has partnered with the Smart Choice brokerage program. This partnership enables the company to write claims in any state, broadening its reach and capability.
Scott acknowledges the rarity of insurance professionals who genuinely seek to understand and build relationships with their clients. "If we do this, we’re going to need to dig deeper. Let’s figure out your challenges first, what we need to do and stay there," Scott asserts, underscoring the thorough and client-focused approach of E3.
Going the Extra Mile for Green Country
E3 Risk Management represents the next step in Scott Rumley's mission to support and protect businesses. Inspired by his father's experience and driven by a genuine desire to help his clients, Scott is committed to providing comprehensive risk-management services and making a real difference.
By combining his expertise in bookkeeping with informed and timely insights in risk management, Scott and his team are poised to continue offering unparalleled support to businesses in northeastern Oklahoma and beyond.
I saw opportunities to help clients even further. It comes from the needs-based approach from my days in ad sales.
E3’s objectives are to educate, serve and continue building relationships. By educating business owners about potential risks and providing effective solutions, we hope to alleviate some of the pressures keeping business owners up at night.