Okay, it wasn’t nail-biting for everyone, maybe just me.
But it did take everyone’s cooperation coordinate schedules, meet at one location and be gussied up for our first ever professional photo shoot.
Pat was pretty chill and knew the pictures would turn out amazing. Us girls, as to be expected, HAD to approve every picture once it was taken to ensure we looked our best.
The below have our approval for the agency’s new marketing pieces. 😉
-S.O.
The Patrick O’Brien Agency – Fishers, IN
Pat doesn’t spend a lot of time decorating or thinking about colors and texture. He’s focused on meeting with customers and tending to the details of their insurance coverage and needs.
However, Pat, Shannon and Edna spend a lot of time at the agency – it’s like home away from home. Customers and colleagues visit often and we want them to feel comfortable and welcomed when they are in our office.
So after scoring deals from our favorite consignment & bargain stores; accepting a family member’s cast off, and using a little elbow grease, here’s what you’ll see when you visit our office.
We hope you like it!
-S.O.
The Patrick O’Brien Agency – Fishers, IN
Below: Purple chairs (Shannon’s favorite color), table and flowers from our favorite consignment store, Consigned by Design. Canvas wall art from Home-goods; Pillows, lamp and vase from Target.
Below: A hand me down buffet table paired with decor found at Home-goods (in one whirlwind trip) becomes a space to store industry periodicals and a peg board displaying upcoming events, customer thank you notes, and inspirational messages.
(Here’s what the table looked like during sanding and after paint).
In this day and age, not many people stay with a company for 10 years or more. In fact, until now, neither had I. So you can imagine when I received the notice that February 2014 was my 10 year anniversary with American Family, I was surprised (time flies when you’re having fun) and proud.
I started as an agent in 2004 and accepted a sales manager position three years later. After six years as a sales manager, I returned to agency the Fall of 2013. A lot comes to mind looking back on the last 10 years and I’d like to share my experience with you.
I was first attracted to a career as an American Family Agent because of the opportunity to run my own business. After many years in a corporate sales position with little control over my time and an ever-increasing gap between effort and reward, I realized I had the entrepreneurial drive to own a business. In the role of an agent with American Family, not only do I control my time, effort and reward but just as important, I have the ability to provide superior products/claims from the best insurance company in the industry.
Not only was I happier in this new role but each year I received an added bonus of working with like-minded fellow managers, supportive company partners and motivated fellow agents. Everyone I’ve encountered in the company, American Family Insurance, has the same focus: Put the client and the Agent first! The company’s sole purpose is to give the client the best experience possible as it pertains to the purchase & servicing of insurance products.
My time as an agency sales manager (2007-2013) gave me access to the inner workings and executive leadership of the corporation. The time spent working for the corporation was invaluable as it helped me understand who we are, where we are going and how important our clients are to the organization. I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of talented sales managers (in Indiana and other sales states) as well as lead dozens of agency owners in District 556.
The opportunity to work once again as an agent, assisting current & prospective clients, has been the best part of this career. Meeting with clients and learning about their families and understanding their story has been a privilege. Our lives are so busy these days with work/family commitments. I know that my clients need my agency’s advice and recommendations so they can make the best decision for their families.
I have so much gratitude for those that have helped me get to this point in my career: My awesome wife, Shawna; my Parents; all the amazing mentors I’ve spent time with; and my past managers that gave me opportunities along the way. All of these individuals helped me succeed in my efforts to be where I am today professionally (and personally). I thank them for their support, encouragement, dedication, time and belief in me and the agency. There’s so much heart and soul that goes into what we do every day and I hope you can feel that when you speak with me and Shannon.
I am optimistic for great things to come at The Patrick D. O’Brien Agency. And those that know me well can hear my tone when I say, “I am pumped”! Here’s to 10 more years!!
– Pat O’Brien
POB Agency
ps. If you’d like to view American Family’s 2013 annual report, you can view it here.
It feels great to be back in agency again! As of August 1st I returned to small business ownership in the form of my agency, The Patrick D. O’Brien Agency with American Family. When I first entered the business 9 years ago, it was a huge change and a bit scary. Prior to opening my first agency in 2004, I was a sales representative for a handful of companies over the course of 9 years. It was a great experience, I learned a lot and I really enjoyed working with and interacting with people.
My 1st Agency Location – 2004
Although I enjoyed what I was doing, I wanted to own my own business. Opening an Agency with American Family Insurance was a perfect fit. After three years as an Agent, I accepted the amazing opportunity to become an Agency Sales Manager in 2007. For 6 years I was a corporate business partner to a team of central Indiana American Family Agents and Staff. My role was to help them grow their Agency and be a liaison between them (small business owner) and American Family (home office).
When I first opened my Agency in 2004, I was a two-year newlywed and not yet a Father. Now, after 11 years of marriage and becoming a Father to two awesome kids, Kelly age 5 & Jack age 7, I’m thrilled to be back in Agency. I’ve always been active in my community and connected with people. Now, as an Agency Owner again, I feel I am in a position to make a difference in people’s lives by providing the right insurance advice to protect their dreams.
Our Agency office is located at 10412 Allisonville Rd, Ste 212, Fishers, IN 46038
and we can be reached at 317-577-7872.
Current POB Agency Office
If you have any questions, comments and/or would like to reach me, please leave your information in the comments of this post or contact us here.
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The Patrick O'Brien Agency 