Meet Brian Mahon (BS in Entrepreneurship & Technology Innovation, Class of 2017), better known as Cyber Guy Bri, and founder of Igloo Insurance, a modern independent agency specializing in cyber, business, and personal insurance. With a career built on entrepreneurial grit, digital marketing savvy, and a bold leap into thought leadership, Brian shares what inspired him to launch Igloo and why reinvention can be a powerful tool for building a business that’s cool, credible, and completely his own.
Igloo Insurance is an independent insurance agency headquartered just outside of Harrisburg, PA. We offer Business, Life, Home, and Auto insurance—but what sets us apart is our focus on transparent risk advice, digital marketing, and a modern customer experience. Over the past eight years, I’ve worked in sales and service roles across startups and established firms in the insurance industry, and I found myself especially drawn to cyber liability insurance. As remote work exploded during COVID, the demand for cyber insurance skyrocketed. I began speaking and writing about it, eventually becoming known as “Cyber Guy Bri.”
At one point, I realized I was essentially selling myself under someone else’s brand. I kept thinking: if I’m going to work this hard to develop my skills and bring on clients, why not build something of my own? Igloo is my vision of what an insurance agency can be when it combines niche expertise, modern tools, and a fresh approach to client service.
Having worked for two startups and now running my own, I’ve seen firsthand what not to do—and that’s often the best teacher. One of the biggest lessons is avoiding shiny object syndrome—don’t overinvest in expensive tech or chase giant clients before you have the foundation to support them. I’ve adopted what I call the rabbit-deer-elephant strategy: focus on your ideal client (deer), pick up smaller wins quickly (rabbits), and if a big client (elephant) comes along, that’s a bonus.
Early in my career, I was literally walking into businesses and cold-pitching before COVID shut that down. That’s when I shifted gears and began building my personal brand online. My YouTube channel and LinkedIn presence started taking off, and I realized how powerful digital marketing can be, even in a “boring” industry like insurance.
A standout moment was when I got a random message on LinkedIn from an event organizer inviting me to speak at a conference in Texas. All expenses paid and a $1,000 speaking fee for sharing my expertise on cyber insurance with 150 IT business owners. That was a turning point. Another was when I made the front page of the Reading Eagle after speaking on cyber risk at a local chamber event. It’s not every day insurance makes headlines!
Horn taught me to get comfortable being uncomfortable. The customer discovery interviews, sales challenges, and constant public speaking all prepared me for real-life entrepreneurship. Ted Foltyn, in particular, has had a lasting impact. I took several classes with him, and we’ve stayed in touch over the years. He’s reviewed pitch decks, invited me to speak to his classes, and continues to be someone I can call for feedback.
Horn also connected me to a life-changing internship with UD alumnus Neil Book, CEO of Jet Support Services, in Chicago. That early exposure to high-level entrepreneurship helped shape my mindset.
Right after graduation, I packed a U-Haul and moved to Cincinnati to join a tech-focused insurance startup as employee number two in the U.S., an opportunity that came from a chance connection I made while studying abroad. It was an eye-opening crash course in entrepreneurship and risk, and it set the tone for what was to come. Since then, I’ve worked across a range of roles, from sales to account management, at both early-stage startups and established firms, gaining a deep understanding of the insurance industry from multiple angles. Most recently, I was recruited to build out a cyber insurance division at a cybersecurity startup. Although the company ultimately ran out of capital, the experience sharpened my focus and reaffirmed my belief in the power of specialization. Each pivot along the way has been a step toward what I’m building now: a modern, independent agency driven by expertise, innovation, and a clear sense of purpose.
Interview at least 50 potential customers before investing a penny. Get clarity on the problem you’re solving. Also, don’t fall for startup FOMO. You can be entrepreneurial within an existing company (an intrapreneur), gain experience, and launch later with better odds of success. And finally, be ready to hear “no” – from prospects, partners, and even loved ones. Entrepreneurs must be able to deal psychologically with failure, obstacles, and overcome a ton of “no’s.” Resilience is a must.
Right now, I’m focused on growing revenue, expanding our YouTube channel, refining our systems, and hopefully hiring in the next few years. The vision is to create a scalable, digital-first insurance agency that still values human connection.
Stay connected, even after graduation. With everything going on in the world, relationships matter more than ever. People do business with those they know, like, and trust. That starts here.
Connect with Brian:
cyberguybri.com
LinkedIn (Personal) | LinkedIn (Igloo Insurance)
YouTube (Cyber Guy Bri) | YouTube (Igloo Insurance)
Facebook
iglooins.com
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.