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How a self-taught founder transformed responsibility, integrity, and consistency into a national movement of empowered leaders
In an era where overnight success is often glorified, Katelynn Gardner stands as a powerful reminder that real empires are built through discipline, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. As the founder of Diligence Agencies, Gardner has created one of the fastest-growing organizations in the independent insurance space, leading more than 500 active agents and generating over $3 million in monthly paid commissions.
Her journey, however, began far from boardrooms and leadership calls. It started in scrubs.
Raised in a middle-class household by a single mother, Gardner’s early life was shaped by perseverance rather than privilege. With no entrepreneurial blueprint to follow, she chose the most responsible path she knew. Education, stability, and service. After earning a business degree from Chico State University, she entered the healthcare field, working as an EMT and medical assistant while preparing for nursing school.
Life shifted dramatically when Gardner became a single mother. The desire to provide was no longer enough. She wanted to lead by example and show her daughter that effort and courage could change any narrative.
When an unexpected opportunity in the insurance industry appeared, Gardner made a decision that defined her future. She walked away from the hospital without a safety net.
“I didn’t know anything about insurance or sales,” she recalls. “But I knew how to work hard. And that was enough to start.”
With zero experience and no shortcuts, Gardner committed herself fully to mastering the business. She studied relentlessly, embraced rejection, refined her sales skills, and showed up every single day. The results came quickly.
Within her first year, her production surged. More importantly, people around her noticed not just her numbers, but her leadership. Nine months into her journey, Gardner began mentoring others, passing on the habits, discipline, and mindset that fueled her growth.
That decision marked the beginning of something much bigger than personal success.
Today, less than five years later, Gardner leads a nationwide organization of over 500 active agents, producing more than $3 million per month in paid commissions. Diligence Agencies is now on an ambitious path toward $10 million in monthly production.
Despite the scale, Gardner remains grounded in simplicity.
“I’m not the smartest or most gifted,” she says. “But I show up. Every single day. And people can count on that.”
Running the business alongside her husband while raising her seven-year-old daughter, Gardner continues to prioritize leadership development, accountability, and culture. Her philosophy is clear. Success is earned. Trust is built. And relationships matter more than transactions.
“Relationships are everything,” she adds. “When you invest in people, the business always follows.”
What sets Katelynn Gardner apart is not just growth, but intention. Diligence Agencies was built on integrity, consistency, and community. It is designed to empower individuals to create financial independence through responsibility and mentorship rather than entitlement or hype.
For The CEO Times, Gardner’s story represents the new era of founders. Leaders who build with heart, scale with discipline, and prove that relentless effort still wins.
Founded by Katelynn Gardner, Diligence Agencies is a high-growth independent insurance organization headquartered in Chico, California. With more than 500 active agents and over $3 million in monthly paid commissions, the company specializes in developing high-performing sales leaders and helping individuals build sustainable, independent businesses. With a bold vision to scale from $3 million to $10 million in monthly production, Diligence Agencies is redefining what modern leadership looks like in the insurance industry.
Instagram: @katelynncarmella
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