Tim Collier Insurance Agency

NATURE OF BUSINESS: Insurance

COMPANY PRESIDENT & CEO: Tim Collier

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 12

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1

YEARS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: 18

YEARS IN BUSINESS: Since 2007. Tim Collier's father has been in business since 1986

What inspired you to start your business, and how has that vision evolved?

It was my experience after Hurricane Charlie in 2004 while working with my dad at his agency. Being there the day after the storm with no power, no water, writing disbursement checks right on the spot, empathizing, sharing in the pain and fear was an experience that changed the way I thought about insurance. Seeing the relief we provided and the gratitude our customers had was why I decided to become a State Farm Agent. I began my own agency in 2007 with just a handful of customers but a strong conviction in both the services I was providing and the company I was representing. Almost twenty years later, that conviction and confidence has only gotten stronger.

What's one lesson you learned the hard way this year, and how has it shaped your strategy moving forward?

A lesson I learned long ago was to stay true to our mission and not to compromise our principles to win business. There's a plethora of options for customers these days and not everyone prioritizes personal relationships and education. Some customers are okay with the bare minimum in service and coverage. I get it; but we would rather see them take the time to understand how their decisions on coverage and limits might affect their family's long-term financial situation. The customers' needs will always determine our path, and we build plans to the exact specifications of the customer; but it's important to understand their risks and then educate them on how affordable it can be to better protect themselves. It's scary on how many people don't realize the exposure they have but taking the time to make sure they see the big picture guarantees us good night's sleep.

Have you introduced any new products or services? What inspired the change?

We are introducing Medicare plans through Humana and hope to be up and running by open enrollment. Many of our customers are at the age when they are shopping and need a trusted resource. The inspiration comes from a growth mind-set. It's fun to learn new things and find more ways to help our customers.

How do you stay connected with your customers and ensure you're meeting their changing needs?

We reach out by mail or phone call before every renewal and offer them an opportunity to review their risks and update any information. We are active on social media and offer walk in, call in or click in for all communication. We have customers that want to come in and pay their bill. Others want to use the State Farm app. Customers want one number they can call when they have an emergency, and we try to make it as easy as possible to reach us during and after hours.

What's one local collaboration or partnership that made a difference for your business this year?

We have a great relationship with The FSW Foundation. It's important for us to invest in our community and its future contributors. The FSW State College Foundation provides almost $2 million in scholarships supporting 22,000 students. Investing in students and the institutions that develop them is a way to keep our community thriving and growing. Not to mention, I have great memories as a graduate of the college when it went by a different name.

In addition, we try to stay active in the fight for clean water which is a big part of our economy and quality of life here in southwest Florida. An organization we support for this cause is Captains for Clean Water. They have been fighting for the restoration and protection of our water resources since 2016 and I'm a proud supporter.

How has Florida's unique business environment influenced your decisions in the past year?

When you live in a fast-growing area it's important that your business grows along with it. We try to stay ahead by recruiting and hiring new talent. Expanding our team is one of the best ways to meet the demand of our community.

What makes your business stand out from your competitors?

It's experience with a focus on personal relationships. We know what our customers need after a major storm or after a common fender bender. We understand how to navigate the complex insurance marketplace, but most importantly we prioritize education and personal service. We want to be the person you call when you have an emergency, and we will always stop what we are doing to help you.

What role does sustainability or eco-consciousness play in your business practices?

We've made an effort to reduce our paper usage, encourage electronic billing for our customers and recycle everything we possibly can.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a business in your industry today?

There's lots of competition, environmental and economic risks and constant change in our industry. It's imperative to have a clear vision of who you want to be as a business and use that as a guide when things get tough.

Can you share a proud moment or milestone your team achieved this year?

We're consistently recognized nationally for the job we do and are still finding ways to improve. The President's Club award recognizes the top 50 agents in the company for their success in various categories. We've achieved this award in auto insurance, business insurance and multiline. We have also achieved the Chairman's Circle award 16 times. Chairman's Circle recognizes agents who align their offices to continuously work towards meeting multiple customer needs and enterprise goals. The program is considered one of the elite recognition programs.

How are you preparing your business to stay competitive and relevant this year and beyond?

Simple, continue to put our customers first and let their needs determine our path. Change is the only consistency in this industry; but having a clear vision for our organization has allowed us to grow despite the many challenges we've faced as a small business. ¦