Myers Family Insurance Maintains Greenford Roots
GREENFORD, Ohio – Myers Family Insurance is leaning into its community’s small-town charm by bringing that familiar, homey feeling into the office.
The company moved into a renovated house on Lisbon Road in Green Township – a stone’s throw away from its original location in the old school building on state Route 165. Managing partner Ann Myers says she wanted to keep the company’s roots where it started.
“We live here in Greenford, our kids go to South Range, we go to church here and we’re big community people,” said. “This is home, and we wanted to stay at home.”
Myers and her husband, Jim, converted the 1,200-square-foot home into an office space and added another 1,000 square-feet to meet the needs of its growing customer base and staff. In another nod to their community, the new space features several Greenford momentos. The desks are from the old school, courtesy of Ed Schaefer – another pillar in the Greenford community.
The company moved in December and held its ribbon cutting Friday. Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey was on hand at the celebration to show her support. She says celebrations like this are the “fun part of the job,” and this is the first ribbon cutting she has attended since she was sworn in as mayor in August.
Dickey says the new location is just one of the many boosts coming to the Salem area business community.
“There’s so many exciting things going on in Salem right now and this is just one of them,” she says.
Lori Jewell, executive director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, says the community is starting to recognize the Myers name, and the company has established a stellar reputation since it first started in 2013.
“They are very community oriented. If we need something at the chamber, they’re there to help us,” she says. “They’re very good about participating in community events, and they help the community and give back.”
The chamber ambassadors, or the area’s “welcome wagon,” were also present to celebrate the move.
The new space still feels like a home, something that Ann says was intentional. The family business has never fit into the “suit and tie” insurance sector, and they never plan to. Instead, she would rather explain the jargon-filled and complicated world of Medicare over a cup of coffee.
The company provides retirement, health and Medicare planning. Myers says she fell into the insurance world by accident after applying for what she thought was a marketing job. It turned out to be a position dealing with Medicare. She say she doesn’t “like” insurance, but she likes helping others.
“I don’t like insurance – I hate insurance. But I like that we’re able to explain it to people in a comfortable environment and take the time to explain everything,” she says.
The space comfortably fits all seven members of the Myers Family Insurance staff, and each employee can decorate their office to their liking; another part of the “homey” factor that Ann and Jim are aiming for.
“I want people to come in here and feel like family, because really, they are family,” Ann says.
The new location is more accessible for clients and easier to find thanks to its prime location on Lisbon Road. Looking forward, Ann says the company is focusing on preparing for the annual open enrollment period for Medicare starting Oct. 15.
“We want to continue to serve our community the best that we can – I know that sounds cliche, but that’s what it’s all about,” she says.
Pictured at top: Managing partners Jim and Ann Myers with their children, Mary and Robby Myers.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
