Kenji Sterr of Narrative Insurance
In this month’s TALK SHOP, Editor ESTHER LEE LEACH interviews Kenji Sterr, a broker at Narrative Insurance. Kenji talks about his travels around the world and making Denver home.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
LOCATIONS: CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE CLAYTON MEMBERS CLUB, & THE JACQUARD
Kenji Sterr photographed in front of the Clayton Members Club. Artwork by @cyannestonesmith (l) and @dinkc
Esther Lee Leach: You grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota. After graduating, you moved to Japan to teach English. What motivated you to leave the Midwest and travel to Japan?
Kenji Sterr: Honestly, looking back it was probably to avoid responsibility for as long as I could. I saw my peers starting 9-5 jobs and nothing about that appealed to me so when my family took a trip to Tokyo for my cousin’s wedding – that sealed the deal. Didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do it there.
ELL: While living in Japan, you met your now wife Connie, who was also working in Japan after moving from the UK. You two then traveled to New Zealand, Australia, through Asia and Europe. How did these travels shape your view of the world?
KS: After we left Japan, Connie and I were constantly restarting. We had Working Holiday Visas in New Zealand and Australia and were constantly on the move. Repositioning rental cars as a means to travel and sleeping in a tent, working on a vineyard (we lasted a mere 30 minutes), making beds in a hostel in exchange for free lodging, selling lift tickets for ski passes while living in a camper van, and working at a roadhouse in the Australian outback with a population of 11 people (including us) were just a few of the jobs we undertook to live and fuel the next leg of our travels. Loved it. But, the uncertainty and financial instability that this entailed, coupled with the constant forming and ending of relationships taught us the importance of being able to adapt and persevere. It also gave me an intercultural awareness and made me more accepting of people from different backgrounds and belief structures. People say that all the time and it sounds hokey, but it really did force me out of my comfort zone and helped make me a more rounded person.
“It’s about people and community and the perpetuation of good relationships. I interact with so many interesting people who can benefit from knowing one another and strongly believe that helping and connecting the right people will create not only lasting personal relationships but solid business connections as well.”
ELL: After moving back to the US in 2009, you entered the insurance industry and started working for American Family Insurance in Wisconsin and then AIG in Chicago. In 2014, you moved to Denver to work for Chubb, and after the company was acquired, you joined Narrative Insurance (Then called The Denver Agency). Tell us more about Narrative and your role at the company.
KS: Narrative is the personal insurance brand of Denver Agency. We are dedicated to protecting the personal interests and lifestyles of high net worth individuals who’s needs have outgrown that which can be offered by standard insurers. We do this by creating personalized insurance plans and placing clients with an insurance company that is best suited to meet their unique needs. We pair our expertise with empathy and service to create a unique experience most don’t often associate with insurance.
I serve as a broker and advisor with the firm and spend my time looking to cultivate relationships. My background on the insurance company side has equipped me with the ability to help people in unique ways. Yes, it taught me the business and gave me industry insight, but the most valuable takeaway is the lasting relationships that I was able to forge during that time. Whether it’s an underwriting decision or a problem with a claim and knowing who to call and when is invaluable.
Artwork by @dinkc
ELL: Narrative is well known for doing things differently in the industry. Your approach always involves building community and creating connections within networks. Tell us more about this unique approach.
KS: For me, it’s about recognizing that a client is not a transaction, it’s a relationship that’s predicated on service and accessibility. It’s about people and community and the perpetuation of good relationships. I interact with so many interesting people who can benefit from knowing one another and strongly believe that helping and connecting the right people will create not only lasting personal relationships but solid business connections as well.
I do this through events that are focused around the experience rather than insurance, bringing together successful people from different walks of life and backgrounds. Some of the events that I have hosted to date include a sommelier paired wine and sushi event for top clients; a monthly networking luncheon at Matsuhisa hosted in partnership with Jet Linx Private Aviation; and numerous private events at The Pepsi Center. As a firm we’ve held speaker series events, the last of which was with Frank Abagnale Jr., whose story inspired the 2002 film, Catch Me If You Can. We have also sponsored The DCPA and hosted guests to the opening night of Dear Evan Hansen and have done similar events for the Dior and Monet exhibits at the Denver Art Museum.
When Coronavirus struck, this way of bringing people together was taken away and I was forced to adapt. One of the ways that I did this was by hosting a virtual poker tournament for my clients and network in benefit of Colorado Restaurant Response. While COVID has impacted the way people are able to connect, I am continuing to find new and creative ways to bring people together.
ELL: You have a reputation for being one of the best-dressed men in town! Describe your style and your favorite items to wear this season.
KS: I’m cringing a bit having to answer this…I can already see my wife’s eye roll. But in fall, it’s generally five-pocket pants, sneakers, and a button-down with a quarter zip on top. One of my favorite places to shop in Cherry Creek is Andrisen Morton.
Kenji Sterr: @dksterr
Narrative Insurance: @narrativeinsurance // www.narrativeinsurance.com