IN THE MIX BY MIC DIAZ: CHAT WITH MIC
For Jae Park, some of the most important decisions in life come down to a simple philosophy: “Choose hard.” It means choosing what is right even when it is difficult—a principle that has shaped his journey from immigrant son and hospitality professional to insurance advocate and founder of JPA Adjusters.
During my Chat With Mic conversation with Park, he reflected on growing up Korean American and watching his father work hard to build a life for his family. Those early experiences instilled in him a sense of perseverance and responsibility that would later influence the way he approached both business and service.
Park initially built a career in hospitality after attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an industry where he developed an appreciation for customer service and taking care of people. His life changed course when his father suffered a stroke, bringing Park back to California and eventually leading him into the insurance industry.
That transition ultimately introduced him to public adjusting, where he saw an opportunity to advocate directly for property owners navigating insurance claims. Unlike an adjuster working on behalf of an insurance company, a public adjuster represents the policyholder—helping evaluate property damage, document losses and navigate the claims process.
Through JPA Adjusters, Park has made education and advocacy an important part of his work, particularly within immigrant and minority communities. He believes some property owners may hesitate to question an insurance company’s decision because they assume challenging a large corporation will accomplish little.
Park understands that hesitation personally. In our conversation, he spoke about the fear that can exist among Asian American, Latino and African American communities when confronting large companies or government institutions. His goal is to help property owners understand that asking questions and advocating for themselves are options available to them.
He describes the relationship between policyholders and insurance carriers as a seesaw that can become unbalanced when consumers do not understand their policies or the claims process. For Park, public adjusting is about helping restore some of that balance by giving property owners information and representation when navigating a complicated system.
But Park’s philosophy extends beyond insurance. “Choose hard” is his reminder that the easier decision is not always the better one. Whether confronting a difficult claim, rebuilding after personal challenges or making choices guided by integrity, he believes growth often comes from being willing to take the more difficult path.
For Park, success is ultimately measured by more than business. His journey has become one of service, advocacy and giving back, using the lessons he has learned to help others become better informed and more confident when facing their own challenges. Sometimes choosing hard, he believes, is exactly what leads us toward a greater purpose.
