Balancing Business and Family
What We’ve Learned Along the Way
When people hear “balancing business and family,” they often picture little kids, busy carpool schedules, and long nights trying to keep up with it all. That’s not our story. At Sungenis Insurance, our balance has looked a bit different. Jill, our agency owner, is a single woman who took over the agency from her mother and father who started the business in 1963.
Jill, like her parents, has poured her energy into both her business and her extended family. Alongside her are two women, Robin and Judy who have decades of life experience. Together, we’ve built something that blends professionalism with the personal connections that matter most.
Running an insurance agency isn’t easy. It’s real life. It’s meetings and client calls. It’s late-night policy questions and early-morning headaches. Over the years, we’ve learned that “balance” doesn’t have just one definition. It looks different for every family and every season of life. Here’s what it has meant for us.
Family First Is a Strategy—Not a Slogan
When we say “family first,” we mean it. We plan our work around the moments that matter—concerts, games, milestones. Why? Because when our family is healthy, we bring our best selves to our clients. Happy homes make better businesses. That’s not just nice to say—it shows up in how we listen, how we explain coverage, and how we fight for the right policy at the right price.
Routine Beats Willpower
A balanced life doesn’t happen by accident. We use simple routines:
Block the day. Mornings are for customer care and claims. Afternoons are for new policies and reviews. Evenings are for family.
Theme days. One day is quotes and renewals. Another is community visits and check-ins.
Quiet hours. We set short windows with no email or phone. That helps us focus and finish faster.
Routines free up energy. When you know what comes next, you move with confidence.
Clear Communication Keeps Stress Low
We’ve learned to be clear—at home and at work.
With clients: We set expectations. “Here’s what we’ll do for you. Here’s the timeline. Here’s how to reach us.”
With family: We share our calendar. We ask for help. We say no when we must.
Clarity is kind. It reduces confusion and keeps trust strong on all sides.
Boundaries Build Trust
Boundaries are not walls; they’re guardrails so the office doesn’t swallow our lives. Running a business as three women means knowing when to draw the line.We respect our clients’ time and our own.
If a call can wait until morning, it waits. If a concern can’t wait, we step in right away. We also teach our families why boundaries matter. Work time is work time. Family time is phone-down time. That simple rule makes our “yes” mean more.
We Don’t Do It Alone
Balance takes a team. In our agency, everyone plays to their strengths. One person loves claims follow-up. Another is great at explaining coverage in plain English. Asking for help isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. It gives us the margin to show up fully for you.
Community Is Part of Our Calendar
We built this agency to serve people we know and love—neighbors, small business owners, teachers, nurses, coaches. Community events are on our calendar right next to client reviews and renewals. When we volunteer, sponsor a team, or speak at a local event, we’re reminded why we do this work: to protect what matters most for families like ours.
Simple Systems Save the Day
We rely on simple, repeatable systems so things don’t slip through the cracks:
Coverage checklists for home, auto, and business policies
Annual reviews to adjust for life changes—new drivers, new homes, new ventures
Claim support steps so clients know exactly what to do when the unexpected happens
Systems keep promises. They reduce stress for everyone—especially in urgent moments.
We Measure What Matters
Growth is important, but not at any cost. We track numbers that reflect health: client satisfaction, retention, claims response time, and referral rate. These tell us if we’re serving well. When those numbers are strong, we know our balance is working—at the office and around the dinner table.
The Power of “Small, Done Daily”
Balance isn’t one big decision. It’s a thousand small ones:
Eat lunch away from the desk.
Step outside for ten minutes between meetings.
Have a standing family dinner—even if it’s takeout.
Do a quick policy check each week so annual reviews are easy.
Small habits compound. They lower stress and raise quality—in service and in life.
Grace for Imperfect Days
Some days, the to-do list wins. Other days, another project gets first place. That’s okay. We give ourselves grace and start fresh tomorrow. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is presence—being fully with the person in front of us, whether that’s a client with a question or a child with a story to tell.
What This Means for Our Clients
Because we live this balance, our agency runs on empathy and reliability. We understand busy seasons, tight budgets, and changing needs. We answer in plain language. We shop carriers to fit your life, not ours. We don’t rush you. We walk you through. When life throws a curveball, we don’t hand you a 1-800 number—we stand with you.
A Simple Next Step
If it’s been a while since you reviewed your policies, let’s make it easy. We’ll sit down, learn what’s changed, and make sure your coverage still fits your life—family, business, and everything in between. You’ll leave with clarity and confidence.
Call us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll work around your schedule, keep it simple, and treat your family like our own.
