Fractional Expertise with Sera Cremona & Kerri Burton: Streamlining Business for Success
The Spirited Agent: Episode 7
In This Episode: The Spirited Agent, we’re diving into the power of fractional expertise with Sera Cremona, owner of Cremona Consulting, and Kerri Burton, COO of Millennium Brokerage Group and owner of Fraction Force Strategies.
Sera and Kerri specialize in helping businesses streamline their operations, optimize marketing efforts, and leverage networking for growth—without the need for full-time hires. They share insights on how fractional services can enhance efficiency, improve processes, and drive success.
We’ll also explore the impact of LinkedIn for business growth, the keys to effective networking, and how strategic operations and marketing can make your company run more smoothly. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or industry leader, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you work smarter, not harder.
Featured Drink: Happenstance Whiskey
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode Notes
This lively episode of The Spirited Agent features a first for the show—two powerhouse guests join hosts Jason Combs and Matt Zelleman: Sarah Cremona, founder of Cremona Consulting, and Carrie Burton, longtime CEO and founder of Fraction 4 Strategies. The group dives into what it really takes to grow a successful insurance business in today’s world—beyond just selling policies. Over a glass of happenstance whiskey, they unpack fractional leadership, marketing strategy, internal operations, and the art of building real relationships (not robotic LinkedIn spam).
Whether you’re a solo agent or leading a team, this episode is a masterclass in getting out of the jar and reading your own label.
Key Takeaways for Life Insurance Professionals:
1. Fractional roles are game-changers: Fractional CMOs, COOs, and consultants bring cross-industry experience and cost efficiency to businesses not ready for full-time hires.
2. Business development without strategy is just busywork: Companies often chase referrals without reevaluating their value proposition or outreach plan.
3. Don’t ignore your lowest-hanging fruit: Many agents are missing out on growth simply because they haven’t followed up with past clients.
4. LinkedIn is still the best free marketing tool on the planet—but only if you engage authentically. Automation has its place, but personal touch wins trust.
5. Internal operations must match growth ambitions: You can’t scale chaos. Strategic plans, CRM usage, payroll systems, and hiring processes all need to align.
6. Consistency > charisma: Marketing is more than fancy graphics—it’s about repeatable, measurable processes that everyone in the company understands and follows.
7. Networking doesn’t need to be stuffy: From coffee meetups to curated events like “Drinkers and Thinkers,” building community fuels better business.
8. Marketing plans should connect the dots: Identify your ideal clients, map the right outreach channels, develop compelling content, then track what works.
Brought to you by Millennium Brokerage Group—empowering agents to think big, build trust, and show up for their clients with confidence and clarity.
Confidence Starts with the Right Partner
No matter where you are in your insurance career, Millennium Brokerage Group, LLC supports you with education, tools, and expert insight. We meet you where you are and help you move forward. Start building with us.
Experts in this Episode
Matt Zelenik
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Millennium Brokerage Group
Matt Zelenik is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Millennium Brokerage Group, where he’s spent over a decade developing strong client relationships and building the firm’s presence in the disability insurance space. Since stepping into his VP role in 2019, Matt has led association partnerships, driven product marketing strategies, and served as the company’s resident disability insurance expert. He also hosts The Spirited Agent podcast, where he interviews industry leaders and advisors on life insurance, planning, and everything in between.
Sera Cremona
Founder of Cremona Consulting
Sera Cremona is the Founder of Cremona Consulting, a strategic advisory firm that helps businesses elevate their brand, build partnerships, and generate growth. She aligns leadership vision with impactful PR and marketing efforts.
She’s also the Co-Owner of Cremona Custom Built (CCB), which creates custom furniture and architectural builds for major clients like Amazon, Apple Music, and Sony.
A proud Nashvillian, Sera balances business leadership with life as a mom, wife, and passionate community connector.
Kerri Burton
Chief Operations Officer at Millennium Brokerage Group
Kerri Burton is a seasoned Chief Operations Officer passionate about helping small businesses grow through smart, strategic operations. She specializes in strategic planning, process improvement, financial analysis, and team leadership—with a strong focus on clarity, consistency, and results.
With expertise in Agile, Six Sigma, OKRs, and FP&A, Kerri drives efficiency while maintaining a people-first approach. She thrives on collaboration, building structure, and uncovering smarter ways to deliver high-quality outcomes across every corner of a business.
Insurance Insights &
Premium Spirits
The Spirited Agent was created to empower insurance professionals to navigate the ever-evolving world of insurance and grow their business. Each episode features candid conversations about the insurance industry, financial planning strategies, and the challenges agents face in today’s market.
Our hosts Matt Zelenik and Jason Combs, along with special guests, share valuable insights while sampling premium spirits, creating an engaging and enjoyable listening experience. Whether you’re an insurance professional looking to enhance your practice or someone interested in better understanding insurance and financial planning, The Spirited Agent offers wisdom worth sipping on.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by Millennium Brokerage Group, we’re committed to elevating the conversation around insurance while making it accessible and entertaining.
