Press Play Ventures

I’m passionate about supporting people who feel underestimated—whether by others or themselves—to flip the script and step into their greatest strengths. Whether you’re an individual battling self-doubt, a leader striving to inspire your team, or an entrepreneur navigating growth, I’m here to guide you with tools that create real, lasting change.

My journey from overcoming personal obstacles to building successful businesses allows me to connect authentically with my clients. I understand what it’s like to feel stuck, underestimated, or unsure of your next move—and I know how to guide you through it. With a mix of practical strategies, NLP techniques, and a commitment to fostering authenticity, I empower people to take bold action and embrace their full potential.

If you’re ready to rewrite your story, I’m here to help you press play on your transformation.

Founder

Allegro Insurance Group

Agency Principal

BizFit Meal Solutions

Tucson’s #1 meal prep company for business professionals, athletes, and more!

Co-Founder

Openly

I help agents be more competitive-- through Openly's product, but also lead gen strategies, recruiting, renewal processes, social media marketing, team building, and KPI tracking.

Openly: Insurtech start-up providing premium homeowners insurance to mid to high-end consumers using modern technology and pricing.

Sr. Agency Success Manager

Drove regional territory growth and agency appointments for innovative InsureTech firm.

Business Development Manager

Stratton Everything Insurance

🥇2020/2021 Arizona Daily Star Readers Choice Winner - "Best Insurance Agency”
A multi-award winning agency with a lively culture and exceptional customer service. 
Recruited, coached, and managed a team of 11 cross-functional sales and support staff
Cultivated highly profitable strategic partnerships with regional real estate and mortgage companies
Won "Tucson’s Favorite Insurance Agency" honors in 2020/2021 and the Pekin Life Silver Key Award (2020)

Agency Principal / Founder / Partner

Farm Bureau Financial Services

Assistant Agency Manager

American Family Insurance

🥇 2015 Arizona Daily Star Reader's Choice "Favorite Insurance Agent"

🥇 2016 "Tucson's Favorite Insurance Agent" by the Arizona Daily Star, Reader's Choice Award.

7x District Agent of the Month
2x All American
Life Honors
"Delivering promises, not just policies."

Owner/Agent of Kimiko Donahue Agency

State Farm

- Property and Casualty Specialist for high producing State Farm agents
- Managed a small team of telemarketers
- Developed new leads through networking
- Marketed to existing book of business
- Full time while pursuing 4 year degree at NAU
- Admin, late pays, account changes
- Solicited State Farm Bank auto loans, checking accounts and certificates of deposits
- Top Sales month: 76 applications

Property and Casualty Insurance Producer

Innovative, high-energy leader with 16+ years of award-winning sales, marketing, and business-building success within competitive market ecosystems. Recognized consistently throughout career for exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, as well as the ability to develop outside-the-box marketing ideas and disruptive marketplace solutions. Equally adept in direct sales roles, as well as assignments involving the recruitment, development, and leadership of high-performance teams. Additional creative problem-solving skills and resiliency gained as an entrepreneur, musician, and former competitive athlete.

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🔹 Insurance professional since 2009

🥇2020/2021 Arizona Daily Star Readers Choice Winner - "Best Insurance Agency” 

🥇 2015/2016 Tucson’s favorite insurance agent Arizona Daily Star Reader Choice Awards
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My life motto: #kindnessisfree

Kimiko Donahue, CIC ▶️

Our team at Ironpeak tackles the complexity of insurance markets, leveraging my law background and expertise in relationship building. With a JD focused on American Law from Purdue Global and a BS in Organizational Management from Bushnell University, we navigate the nuances of insurance law and drive business leadership.

As Regional Director, I catalyze negotiations and counsel our network to boost their autonomy and market presence. Our collaborative efforts have fostered significant premium growth and reinforced our dedication to enhancing agency value and collective triumphs.

Gene Knippers

Nationwide is back!! And who better to celebrate with than Jason Niehus Jared Kenyon and the team at Genrose Insurance 
#nationwide #genrose #boostwithironpeak

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Here to learn, serve, and enjoy the fabulous world of insurance!

Bad Boss: Dealing with a Difficult Manager

Giving Your Elevator Pitch

Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees

Consulting Foundations: Client Management and Relationships

Human Resources: Working with Vendors

Project Management Foundations: Procurement

Negotiation Skills

Driving agency success through strategic revenue optimization • Innovator • Pathfinder • Problem Whisperer

America’s small business insurance specialist.®️

Uniting the insurance industry through grants, volunteerism and leadership to help communities and enrich lives.

Nationwide

Director, P&C Sales at Nationwide Insurance

Territory Manager- AZ Personal Lines

Genrose Insurance

Helping Insurance Agencies Scale Smarter. Creating win-win-win alliances. Boost Revenue 🚀 Maximize Profits 📈 Schedule a consultation today and start your growth journey 📅 Follow me for insights and industry updates 👉

A huge shout out to Sam Hanson, CIC and Nicole Luciano Katz for hosting another pickleball event with the underwriting team! Thank you West Bend Insurance Company. #boostwithsam #boostwithnicole #boostwithwestbend #boostwithironpeak

Senior Regional Sales Manager at West Bend Mutual Insurance

Dedicated, Committed, and Loyal mom, wife, and friend.

West Bend Insurance Company

Ever notice how a leader's attitude can set the tone for an entire team? 🌟

Positivity isn't just a cheesy buzzword, it's a superpower in business.

I've seen too many leaders underestimate what optimism can do. But here's the truth:

- Teams rally behind confident, upbeat leaders.
- Talented people want to work where they're valued.
- Results follow leaders who see possibility, not just problems. 🚀

Let's be real, positivity isn't about ignoring reality or pretending every day is perfect. It's about choosing how you respond when things get tough. When a leader brings steady optimism, even during chaos, it's contagious. Staff take more risks. They bounce back faster. Work feels lighter.

I've watched entire agencies transform just because someone at the top started believing in what was possible. Suddenly, growth targets that seemed out of reach became milestones the team crushed, together. 🎯

So, here's my challenge, think back to a time when your positive attitude shifted the outcome. How did it impact your team or your results?

Reply below. I'd love to hear your story. 💬
#LeadershipAdvantage #PositiveMindset #ExecutiveLeadership #GrowthMindset #BusinessSuccess

We 💙 Hagerty 
#hagerty #nationalpartners
#boostwithironpeak

Hagerty

There’s no place like Barrett-Jackson Auction Company and no better automotive specialist partner like Hagerty 
#barrettjackson
#hagerty
#boostwithironpeak

Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

My mood is contagious.

When I bring energy and joy into the room, something shifts.

Suddenly, the team leans in. Ideas flow faster. People open up.

I've seen it again and again. Positivity creates results.

It's not magic, but it feels that way.

Leaders, it starts with us.

Show up with real joy, authenticity, and a bit of humor,it's your secret advantage.

Ever noticed how your attitude changes the whole room?

Try it tomorrow. See what happens.

Who else believes energy at the top shifts everything?

Gene Knippers, JD

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Thank you, 🙏 Partners!! EMC Insurance Companies Builders Liberty Mutual Insurance Travelers West Bend Insurance Company Auto-Owners Insurance Insurors Indemnity Companies Mercury Insurance Progressive Insurance CopperPoint Insurance Companies WCF Insurance

A big "Thank You" to our 2026 IIABAZ Partners. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of AZ appreciate their generosity and support. When you see one of these companies please thank them for supporting The Big I and the independent agency system. 
#iiabaz

On behalf of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of AZ and my partner in action Clebe Best, AINS, please enjoy!

Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of AZ

Independent Agents & Brokers of Arizona

Here's a sales lesson I wish I'd learned sooner:

People don't buy products. They buy solutions to their problems. 💡

It's easy to get caught up in all the features you offer. But the real magic happens when you stop pitching and start listening. 👂

What keeps your client up at night? What's slowing them down, costing them money, or blocking their growth? 🚧

If you can answer those questions, you can connect your offer to what really matters.

Focus on solving problems. The sales will follow. 📈

#SalesTips #CustomerFirst

Ironpeak isn't just creating stronger agencies,we're helping owners build stronger futures. 💪

More revenue, more profit, more value... 💰📈

And thanks to our private ownership structure, your agency, not outside investors, benefits the most. 🏆
#boostwithironpeak

Kindness changes everything in a workplace. 🤝

Some leaders inspire with vision. Others with charisma.

But the leaders who leave a lasting mark? They lead with kindness. 💡

Today, I want to spotlight Bob Stallings. ✨

This is someone who lifts everyone up, pays attention to the little things, and creates a place where people actually want to show up every day.

Leadership isn't just a title. It's how you make others feel. 

Thank you, Bob, for making our workplace brighter and proving that kindness is the ultimate skill. 🌟

#EmployeeSpotlight #KindnessCulture

#insurance #independentagents #boostwithironpeak

A new week means new opportunities. 🚀

Before your emails pile up, take 10 minutes to map your priorities. 🗒️
Which client conversations will move your business forward?
What strategic partnership can you nurture? 🤝

Don't let the noise pull you off course. 
A strong Monday sets the tone for the whole week. 🎯

Let's lead by example and make it count.

Before you log off, celebrate one win,big or small. Progress is progress! 🌟👏 #SalesWins #DailyMotivation

Ever notice how the best salespeople walk in with quiet confidence? 😌

They know they're not just selling a product. They're solving a real problem. 🛠️

Before you jump on your next sales call, remind yourself of the value you bring to the table.

You're not interrupting. You're offering solutions. 💡

You're not just asking for business. You're creating partnerships. 🤝

If you believe in your impact, your prospect will too.

Confidence isn't just a feeling, it's contagious.

Start every call with this mindset. Watch what happens.

Your conviction sets the tone. And yes, it sells.

It’s a brand new year and a perfect time to #boostwithironpeak

Make 2026 the year you transform your insurance agency. #boostwithgene

💡 Tip of the Day: Say “thank you” to a colleague today. It’s simple, but it makes a big difference. #GratitudeAtWork #KindnessMatters

Everyone knows deadlines matter. ⏰

But here's what we sometimes forget,
How we treat people along the way matters just as much. 🤝

You can demand results and still lead with empathy.
You can drive performance and still show respect.

The best leaders I know balance urgency with kindness.
They hold the bar high, but never lose sight of the human side. 💡

It's not soft, it's smart.

Because when people feel respected, they do their best work.

Let's set the tone for a workplace where results and respect go hand in hand. 🏆

Lead with empathy. Every day. 💙

Ever notice how one small act of kindness can change the entire mood of a room? ✨

It's Monday, the perfect day to start that ripple. 🌊

When you choose to lift someone up, it doesn't just help them. It raises the energy for everyone around you.

So, who will you encourage today?

Maybe it's a teammate who could use a boost.
A client who's having a rough start.
Or even yourself. 💪

Kindness spreads fast. 
Let's make it a habit, not just for Mondays, but for every day. 🤝

Who are you going to impact first?

taplio

The Battle

Kimiko Donahue, CIC ▶️

Gene Knippers

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The Battle

Kimiko Donahue, CIC ▶️

Gene Knippers

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gene Knippers's LinkedIn Performance

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