Spirit of the Entrepreneur: Kelly Barr State Farm

July 29--VALDOSTA -- Being an entrepreneur isn't always easy and everyone does it a little differently. Some open online stores, while others open brick-and-mortar storefronts.

Some go all in and invest their lives into a new venture, while others start a new business as something to do on the side. Regardless of the type, entrepreneurs help drive the local economy.

Kelly Barr, a local State Farm agent, had no aspirations of being in insurance when she was younger.

She attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and received a bachelor's of music in business music.

From there, she attended Valdosta State University in a master's program, but didn't finish because she decided she didn't want to be a teacher.

Her time at VSU wasn't wasted, however, she met her husband while in graduate school.

After leaving school, Barr started cutting hair, and did that for about seven years.

After her second child was born, Barr decided to take the plunge and open her business.

She wanted to help people and looked for a platform to make a difference in the community, she said.

"I discovered the State Farm opportunity," she said. "Never in a million years did I see myself doing insurance, but I can't imagine myself doing anything else but this now. I get to be a part of so many people's lives and help them. You kind of become intertwined in the community in a different way when you are helping them with your insurance."

Now, Barr is uprooting her business and moving to Hahira Aug. 1.

Currently located at 3310 Inner Perimeter Road, Suite A, Valdosta, the business will be moving to 106 S. Church St., Hahira.

"We were looking for our forever home," she said. "Our lease was coming up over here. After a lot of soul searching, thought and prayer, we discovered a spot over there and it felt right."

The move fits into Barr's original goal of being involved in a community and helping people.

"To be part of a smaller community really excites me," she said. "I feel like you can do a lot of good in that kind of situation."

The new location won't have an increase in square footage, but it will have more closed office space available.

Her current office has an open concept, and more office space means her clients will have a more personal and intimate conversation with insurance representatives about their coverage.

Currently, if a client has to talk about life insurance or other personal matters, there isn't as much privacy as Barr would like, she said.

The location is a former Georgia Power building, and needed some renovations, Barr said.

Renovations include an extra bathroom, more offices, a break room and a conference room.

Barr said she plans to use the conference room to give presentations to families.

When asked what advice she had for future entrepreneurs, she said to find something you truly love.

"If you can close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into that business every day and being happy, then that is what you need to do," she said.

"If you are dealing with people and their interest is the forefront of what you do, then you will succeed. That's what we have based our entire business on and it has served us well. We take care of the community, and they take care of us."

For more information, call (229) 244-2285, visit www.insurevaldsota.com or find Barr on Facebook at www.facebook.com/insurevaldosta/

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.

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