Over the course of the years we’ve heard many a story of technology giants who started out with some tinkering in the family garage. Stories abound of super star musicians who began with a set of drums in the family basement. So, too, there are many small businesses across the landscape that started at the family’s kitchen table.
I don’t have empirical evidence that Cory Flaugh’s grandfather penned his first insurance policy at the kitchen table, but we do know that 75 years ago Joe Flaugh, Sr. launched his own small insurance business as an Agent for New York Life Insurance, and the family has been flourishing in that business ever since.
It was in 1943 that the senior Flaugh set up shop in his home at 542 Pipestone Street in Benton Harbor. Eight years later, in 1951, Joe, Sr. and his wife, Roxy, moved the F. Joseph Flaugh Insurance Agency to professional space in the legendary Vincent Hotel on Main Street in the heart of the Benton Harbor central business district. In making that move, they expanded their product offering to all lines of insurance.
It was two years later that their son Dan, joined the agency after being discharged from the U.S. Navy following the Korean War. Dan actually opened a separate agency on Water Street in 1957, where a few years later, his wife Laureen, joined him in the business.
As the company increasingly shared the talents of the family, in 1962, Joe Flaugh Jr. joined his parents’ agency, and some ten years later, both agencies combined to become the F. Joseph Flaugh Agency.
By 1966, the agency had moved to the sparkling new Fairplain Plaza on M-139 in Benton Harbor. As had become tradition, through the years, the agency grew and was in dire need of more space, resulting in the decision to erect a brand new office complex on Napier Avenue in 1988. With twice as much space, the agency moved to that building on E. Napier Avenue, and has been anchored there ever since. In 1997, after 35 years, Joe retired from the agency, and today the agency is owned and operated by Dan’s son Cory, who has been involved in the agency himself for more than 20 years.
As a third generation owner of his family’s Independent Insurance agency, Cory is proud to celebrate the 75th Anniversary year of the F. Joseph Flaugh Insurance Agency, located at 1355 E. Napier Avenue by the Orchards Mall.
Cory has been upholding the family heritage for the past twenty years, and sports a fully licensed and experienced staff who, with their combined years of service, represent more than 100 years in the insurance business. That’s a legacy that few companies of any size successfully attain.
The F. Joseph Flaugh Insurance Agency represents multiple insurance carriers capable of underwriting your coverage for vehicles, homes, business insurance, life insurance and beyond for a broad array of loyal customers and new arrivals all the time.
Cory tells me that they also offer annuities/IRA’s and Long Term Care insurance. He is very grateful to the customers who have continued to do business with them here in Michigan’s Great Southwest and thanks them profusely for the opportunity to continue to serve their needs every day.
Cory and his team of Jacqueline Kelly, Karen Willming, and Kerry Mihlhauser are ready to help advise clients on the complex world of insurance so they can make insurance decisions that are relative to each specific need.
Regular customers, new customers and even potential customers are invited to stop by the Flaugh office, or call 925-0611 or visit their website at the link below for additional information.
Congratulations on a solid 75 year run, still going strong at the F. Joseph Flaugh Insurance Agency of Benton Harbor.
Here’s the link: http://www.flaugh.com
