| A title career that was meant to be
Seeds for a career in title insurance were planted quite early for Randi Benge, president and founder of The Title Link, a title and settlement agency in Bonita Springs, Fla.
 Her mother, a longtime title professional, introduced her to the industry at a young age.
“My mom would take me to work with her in the summer,” Randi says. “I’d run condo documents and work with microfiche. So, even though my official start wasn’t until 1999, I’ve been a ‘title baby’ since before I was born.”
Randi began to stake her own claim in the industry as a part-time receptionist at a title agency in 1999 through an on-the-job training program at her high school. Initially, she planned to study photojournalism in college.
“But then I realized how much money photojournalists made, and it wasn’t enough to live on,” she says. “It was meant to be and I couldn’t be happier about where I’m at and what I do. Every closing has its own set of circumstances. I love taking someone who’s challenging and turning them into my best friend by the end of the transaction. I always tell people, ‘I’m here to listen, not just to respond, but to really hear what you’re saying.’”
Randi established The Title Link in early 2024, with previous career stops including work as vice president with Access Title Agency Florida, senior escrow officer for Fidelity National Title and director of client relations for Florida-based Assured Title Services.
For Randi, the key to a smooth closing lies in clear communication. She emphasizes that clients should never feel uncertain about the process.
“It’s about properly explaining the requirements and setting expectations upfront,” she says. “When clients understand what’s required and why it’s needed, they feel empowered instead of pressured.”
In addition to clear communication, Randi advocates for continuous education and industry involvement.
“I always tell my team and others entering the industry to get involved in local organizations like the Board of Realtors or the Florida Land Title Association,” she says. “Education is key to making yourself more valuable and ultimately earning a bigger paycheck. It’s also all about building relationships at the end of the day.”
Navigating the title insurance landscape means preparing for an ever-evolving market, Randi adds.
“Right now, we’re in an election year, so we’re seeing a slight slowdown,” Randi says. “After the election and as Florida’s seasonal influx picks up, the market will rebound. A lot of people expected 2025 to be the big turnaround year for real estate, but I think it’ll be 2026.”
Randi is particularly focused on preparing The Title Link for future growth by investing in her team’s training.
“During any slower period, we focus on refining our processes and exploring new tools to ensure we’re a well-oiled machine when the market picks up again,” she says. “That way, we’re ready to absorb any increase in volume.”
Despite the industry’s resilience, Randi acknowledges challenges that Florida’s market faces due to rising insurance costs and the impact of natural disasters.
“People are being priced out of homes they could otherwise afford due to flood and homeowner insurance requirements,” she says. “It’s going to take some level of government intervention to reform insurance guidelines, or many people simply won’t be able to buy homes in these areas.”
Randi’s dedication to her business is clear, but family remains a central part of her life. Her husband, Joe Wolcott, wasn’t initially involved in real estate or title insurance, but now works alongside her at The Title Link as a closing concierge.
“It really meant a lot to me that he wanted to get his real estate license and come into the industry with me,” she says. “There’s no one I’d trust more to help build our business.”
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"It’s about properly explaining the requirements and setting expectations upfront. When clients understand what’s required and why it’s needed, they feel empowered instead of pressured."
Randi Benge
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Outside of work, Randi and her family enjoy spending time on the water.
“We live in a community with river access, so we’re often out kayaking or boating,” she says. “I’m an avid scuba diver and have always loved exploring Florida’s waters. We go to places like Disney World and Busch Gardens all the time. For us, it’s all about quality over quantity when it comes to family time. We try to make memories together every chance we get.”
The family also includes a unique member – an axolotl, a type of aquatic salamander – which they’ve kept as a pet for three years.
“It’s my daughter Bayleigh’s pet; she’s really into anime, and axolotls are popular in Japanese culture,” Randi says.
While Randi hopes her 14-year-old daughter Bayleigh might carry on the family’s legacy in title insurance, she also encourages her to explore different paths within the field.
“When Baileigh is old enough, she’ll probably start working here part time, maybe helping with filing or other tasks,” Randi says. “We’d love for her to pursue something like law within the industry. I want her to reach even higher than I have.”
Reflecting on her journey, Randi feels that her career has come full circle.
“When I started, I was just a receptionist,” she says. “Now, I run my own agency, and we’re celebrating our one-year anniversary. Getting The Title Link off the ground and running has been the culmination of decades of hard work and relationship-building. I couldn’t have done it without the relationships I’ve built over 26 years.”
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