Sometimes the path to entrepreneurship begins not with a business plan, but with a decision to stand up for what you believe is right.

For nearly 20 years, Shaun Markwardt worked as an outside insurance claims adjuster, evaluating property damage and preparing estimates for insurance companies. He understood the industry, knew the process and had built a career helping assess losses.

Then something happened that changed his direction.

While handling claims following a hurricane, Markwardt began noticing that some of his estimates were being changed by the insurance company. The experience raised troubling questions for him about whether homeowners were receiving fair treatment.

Rather than simply accepting what he was seeing, Markwardt decided to make a change. He left the insurance company side of the business and became a public adjuster, representing policyholders instead.

Today, he is better known as the Claims Cowboy, a businessman who has made advocating for homeowners his mission.

Trading sides to stand up for others

For many homeowners, filing an insurance claim comes during an already stressful time. A storm, fire or other disaster can leave families facing extensive damage, financial uncertainty and a complicated claims process.

Markwardt believes homeowners deserve someone in their corner who understands how that process works.

As a public adjuster, he works on behalf of policyholders rather than insurance companies, helping them navigate claims and pursue settlements they believe accurately reflect their losses.

It is a role he describes as something of a David-versus-Goliath battle. But for Markwardt, the challenge is part of the purpose.

His experience also illustrates an important leadership principle: Sometimes doing what you believe is right means being willing to change course, even after spending decades building a career.

Building a business from conviction

Becoming the Claims Cowboy required more than switching professional roles. Markwardt also had to build a company from the ground up.

Like many entrepreneurs, he discovered that believing in a mission and building a successful business around it are two different challenges.

There were obstacles to overcome, decisions to make and lessons to learn along the way.

One of the most valuable lessons has been understanding the importance of surrounding himself with the right people. Knowing whose advice to seek, whom to trust and when to listen has helped him navigate the uncertainties of business ownership.

His journey is a reminder that leadership does not mean having every answer. Often, it means recognizing the people who can help you find them.

When the calling finds you

In a recent podcast conversation with Jonathan Palk, Markwardt shares the experiences that took him from a longtime insurance industry professional to an entrepreneur with a mission.

His story is not simply about insurance claims. It is about recognizing a problem, deciding to do something about it and having the courage to pursue an entirely different future.

Not everyone sets out to become a business owner. Sometimes an unexpected experience reveals an opportunity to make a difference, and entrepreneurship becomes the way to pursue it.

For the Claims Cowboy, that opportunity began with a question about fairness and grew into a business dedicated to representing homeowners.

Watch Jonathan Palk’s conversation with Shaun Markwardt, the Claims Cowboy, below.

Jonathan Palk interviews area business leaders and entrepreneurs, exploring the experiences, challenges and decisions that shape their journeys. His conversations remind us that leadership is often about changing the world, one person, one family at a time.

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