The Four Faces from Faye Zinns. |
Faye Zinn opened her State Farm Insurance Agency in 1982, sharing
an office with her sister-in-law to save expenses. Now the two
share a building and Faye Zinn’s agency occupies the first
floor of 93 McCorkle Avenue. The all woman office
includes three other agents and offers a virtual smorgasbord of
insurance and financial services.
The company handles home, health and auto insurance, mostly for
individuals, though they have some small business customers. With
two agents licensed in securities, the financial services side
of the business is another important focus. They set up retirement
plans like IRA’s or 401K’s, mutual fund investments
and annuities for their customers.
As a member of the national State Farm organization, Faye says,
“The agency operates almost as a full service bank.
We do many things that a bank can do – home mortgages, car
and boat loans, even checking accounts, which are FDIC insured.
We do about everything but handle money, since it is all done
electronically.”
Divorced and with two young daughters, twenty years ago Faye
was “looking for a career in something where I could control
my time to some extent. My kids were just starting
elementary school. I had a close friend who was an agent and he
encouraged me to try it.” It has been a perfect fit
for her. “Insurance has great opportunity for income and
advancement. It’s a stable, professional position where
schedules can be arranged to suit each individual.”
It has been a good match for the other women in the office as
well.
Brenda Hanke joined Faye 18 years ago, after working previously
for State Farm. Her specialty is property and casualty insurance
for homes and automobiles.
Carolyn Wright has been with Fay about 10 years, working a flexible
schedule that allows her to spend some time cheerleading her two
young sons at their basketball and baseball games.
Linda Goff entered the Faye Zinn agency 8 years ago, though she
had been with State Farm for 15 years previously. A part time
student at WV State College, she is working toward her associate
degree in business administration.
Faye says, “Women are multi- task people and this is a
multi-task job. Women have been running agent offices for
a long time. It’s a care giving business, where we see people
in all situations, and have the chance to help.” The
group offers free retirement planning assessment, and one of their
financial services is a ‘life path’ program, “so
people can target where they want to be at certain times of their
life. An example would include gradually shifting from growth
funds to income funds, to automatically adjust to each individuals
financial goals.”
As a State Farm agent, Faye is self-employed, but contracted
by State Farm to provide insurance and financial services in West
Virginia. Her career has provided the opportunity for personal
growth and travel. “I used to love to travel with my daughters
but now it’s hard to catch them!” One is a college
professor and one works with State Farm agents in Maryland.
Faye just came off the board of the YWCA though she still volunteers
with Sojourner’s, the Thanksgiving fundraiser and the Women
of Achievement luncheon. She is one of State Farm’s
good neighbors all the time.
To contact the Faye Zinn State Farm office 93 McCorkle Avenue,
call
304-744-4747.
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