Maxed out on purpose: How Max Willett is changing insurance forever
Max Willett, the dynamic founder and leader of Maxed Out, has revolutionized the health insurance industry by creating an insurance sales powerhouse driven by passion, transparency, and a customer-centered mission.
Interview
As the #1 insurance sales team in the U.S., Maxed Out has helped countless clients navigate the complexities of health insurance, providing a level of clarity and peace of mind that’s rare in the field. For Max, success is not just about numbers but about helping people achieve security and confidence in their healthcare coverage
Q: Can you share a bit about your early years and what shaped your journey?
Max Willett: I grew up in Newport, Rhode Island, where I excelled in both academics and athletics. After two years as a student-athlete at Rhode Island College, I transferred to the University of Tampa to pursue a degree in exercise science and allied health. My goal at the time was to build a career in physical therapy.
During this period, I worked full-time in hospitality, specifically as a bartender. I built a strong reputation through my customer service skills and developed an elite client base, which taught me a lot about relationships and setting high standards—skills I’d later carry into my business career.
Q: How did you transition from being a bartender to starting a business in insurance?
Max Willett: While working at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, I was approached with an opportunity in insurance sales. At the time, it was unexpected, but I took the leap, and it changed my life. I realized how much I loved helping people and that my business instincts were aligned with this field. Insurance became my calling, allowing me to combine my passion for service with the ability to make a real impact.
Q: What inspired you to create Maxed Out, and what was the early vision?
Max Willett: In 2020, I founded Maxed Out with a clear mission: to build a company rooted in service, transparency, and a commitment to clients’ well-being. It started as a one-person operation, but I knew there were others out there who shared my vision.
Within 18 months, we grew to 50 agents. By late 2022, that number had tripled. Today, we have over 200 agents and 17 leaders, all driven by the same mission: empowering others through clarity, guidance, and the life-changing security of health insurance.
Q: How would you describe Maxed Out’s approach to insurance?
Max Willett: Insurance is about more than policies and premiums—it’s about providing peace of mind and security for life’s uncertainties. That philosophy is woven into everything we do at Maxed Out. We prioritize customer needs, simplify what can often be a confusing process, and ensure every client feels valued and understood.
Our approach is education-first, empowering clients with the knowledge they need to make confident decisions about their healthcare coverage.
Q: How do you empower your agents to excel?
Max Willett: My agents are my greatest asset, and I treat them as such. I focus on hands-on training, mentorship, and creating an environment where they can grow both professionally and personally.
I believe in pushing beyond limitations to “max out” one’s abilities, and I instill that same belief in my team. When agents feel supported, they achieve incredible things. Many of our agents have exceeded their goals and realized their full potential, which is incredibly rewarding for me as a leader.
“In 2020, Max founded Maxed Out with a clear mission: to create a company rooted in service, transparency, and a commitment to the well-being of its clients.”
Q: Can you describe the culture at Maxed Out?
Max Willett: The culture at Maxed Out is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s unique and deeply motivating. We emphasize a balance between work and life, encouraging the team to thrive in all areas of their lives.
We’ve built a supportive, family-like environment that drives success and fuels our passion for what we do. The entrepreneurial spirit runs strong in our team, and we’re all driven by the desire to win, grow, and create brighter futures.
Q: What are your future goals for Maxed Out?
Max Willett: My mission is to scale our team to over 500 agents, each earning six-figure incomes and building abundant lives for themselves and their families. I want every agent to realize their full potential and achieve exponential success.
To do that, I focus on infusing the company with strong values, an unbreakable mindset, and a commitment to changing lives one policy at a time.
Q: How do you see Maxed Out transforming the insurance industry?
Max Willett: At Maxed Out, we’re setting new standards in health insurance. With a focus on honesty, transparency, and service, we’re proving that insurance can be a pathway to empowerment and financial security.
For us, this is just the beginning. Under my leadership, I’m confident Maxed Out will continue to be a force for positive change in the industry, showing people that insurance isn’t just a necessity—it’s an opportunity to build a better, more secure future.