On Titan Drive, the Coverage They Sell Is the Coverage They Trust

It’s not every day that the place where you work is also the place you protect. For one local insurance agency, that’s exactly the case. Nestled in the heart of Houston, McCorkle Insurance doesn’t just sell insurance—they rely on it, too. The very building they operate out of is covered by the same policies they proudly offer to their customers, confirming they believe in the product enough to bet their own future on it. This Small Business Month, we’re proud to celebrate the businesses that protect what matters—starting with their own. 

HONORING THE PAST, BUILDING THE FUTURE 

Jason McCorkle has spent two decades building a business as a real estate entrepreneur—utilizing a mix of investing, buying, selling, renting, developing, and managing properties to create a portfolio of income-generating assets. But this year, one venture stands out as especially meaningful. 

Jason purchased a building on Titan Drive for his family’s insurance business—McCorkle Insurance. The company was started in 1985 by his father and taken over by his mother Karen at the time of his father’s passing in 1996. At the time, Jason was still very young–and it was rare to see women at the helm of an insurance agency. 

STEPPING INTO THE BUSINESS 

In 2004, Jason began working alongside his mom at the family insurance business. He admits he didn’t fully grasp what it took to lead an agency until the eye-opening day he reviewed the books. Seeing all the moving pieces it took to keep the business running, from employee salaries and health insurance to the day-to-day operating costs, made the responsibility very real. 

“That was the time that I realized this isn’t just a little company, we’re providing livelihoods for several people,” Jason said. “I realized this is the real deal, and I need to either get on board or get out of the way. So, I got on board and everything changed.” 

Jason admits he was not the most studious student growing up, but once he grasped the weight of the responsibility—and the opportunity—he got serious about the business and his future.  

FULL CIRCLE: PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS 

Now, two decades later that legacy comes full circle. The very building Jason purchased is insured by the same policies his family business sells. In fact, several of Jason’s properties, including the newest—Titan Drive—are insured by SageSure, a carrier that McCorkle Insurance relies on for its customers.  

Titan Drive is just one of 11 rental properties that Jason and his wife Jenny manage, and they leverage SageSure BOP to create the right mix of protection for their individual business needs.  

LEARNING FROM MENTORSHIP AND EXPERIENCE 

Jason credits much of his success to a mentor he’s looked up to since grade school. 

“I have a highly valued mentor that taught me everything that I know in regard to how to do this and how to do it correctly,” Jason said “We’ve been very fortunate with that. We wouldn’t be where we are without having people that are way smarter than us to help along the way.” 

That relationship, along with his shared commitment with Jenny to create spaces they themselves would live or work in, has shaped how they maintain strong relationships with residential and business tenants. 

“If the tenants know that I’m taking care of them, hopefully they’ll take care of me and my property,” Jason said.  

BALANCING BUSINESS WITH HUMANITY

In the 15-plus years he’s been in the business, Jason has only had to evict two tenants—a task he says is the most difficult part of the job. 

“I think the hardest thing is being a rent collector and then also being a human being,” Jason said. 

Jason makes an effort to offer tenants support and flexible payment plans during tough times, though he acknowledges that his kindness has occasionally been taken advantage of. He still chooses to lead with empathy. 

“You’re going to fail, and every failure is a reason to learn and grow,” Jason said. “The thing that keeps me going is the previous experience and failures that I’ve had—they’re always a learning opportunity to get better next time.” 

STAYING THE COURSE NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE

For Jason, persevering is the only option. In Texas, they’ve seen everything from deep freezes to hurricanes, and if it isn’t enough to prepare for and recover from those events for your own home or business, Jason is doing it for 11 other properties. Part of being prepared is knowing he has the right insurance policies in place for his investments. 

“There’s no stopping,” Jason said. “You have to fix it. You have to make it right. You have to take care of your tenants, you have to take care of the property to make sure that people want to be there and want to rent from you.” 

And while Jason knows it isn’t easy, his biggest piece of advice for business owners is to surround yourself with good people and keep pushing—never stop. 

“I feel like anybody honestly can do whatever they want as long as they understand that you’re going to fail and there’s going to be problems and there’s going to be days that you don’t feel like you’re smart enough,” Jason said. “But if you surround yourself with smart people—and if you can’t find a smart person, keep asking—because there’s somebody out there that’s going to help you and answer your questions, and encourage you to do better and keep pushing.” 

A NEW CHAPTER FOR VIRGIL SMITH INSURANCE 

May is not only Small Business Month, it’s the first month McCorkle Insurance will be in their new space, and the team will be celebrating with a ribbon cutting and open house for the community.  

“We’ve been in business for 40 years as an insurance agency, so it is a big deal for us to be able to have this office,” Jason said, reflecting on the business his mom built. “My mom has been very successful and is very respected in the community.”  

His next goal: retire his mom.  

“That’s our push at this point, and that would be our ultimate level of success to be able to tell her, ‘Hey, you’ve worked really hard and now you don’t have to work anymore,’” Jason said. 

Are you a small business owner looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Small Business Month? Invest in your growth with these five practical strategies to help your business thrive.