Host: Cristan Engelke
Guest: Jennifer Zellner
VIDEO
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DESCRIPTION
When life hits hard, insurance either feels like a lifeline or a nightmare. In this episode, you see exactly how the right agent can change everything, from a late-night house fire to a teen learning how money really works.
Southaven Business Beat host Cristan Engelke sits down with Jennifer Zellner, owner of Zellner Assurance Group, Allstate, to unpack how real relationships, solid coverage, and financial education can protect your family, your business, and your future. Jennifer shares what she has seen on the front lines in DeSoto County, and how she helps people in their worst days feel less alone and more prepared.
In this episode, you will learn:
•How Jennifer went from small business owner to Allstate agency owner after signing a non-compete and having to start over
•Why “I never thought I’d be in insurance” turned into a career of changing lives through simple, honest conversations
•What really happens when a client’s house burns on a Friday night, and how coverage decisions made months earlier saved them from losing everything
•How Zellner Assurance Group handles walk-in crises, from car accidents to confusing claims, for people who feel overwhelmed by technology
•What Allstate can protect beyond cars and homes, including boats, RVs, life insurance, 401(k) rollovers, disability, and long-term care
•How Jennifer builds a relationship-focused team that meets daily and weekly to review challenges, improve service, and stay ready for constant industry change
•Why 40 percent of DeSoto County children are food insecure, and how Jennifer partners with The Dream Center and other children’s causes to respond with action, not talk
•How financial literacy classes for youth, interns in the office, and soft-skills training help prepare the next generation for real life with money and work
For local business owners, this conversation hits close to home. DeSoto County keeps growing, and with that growth comes more risk, more property, more employees, and more responsibility. Insurance is no longer “just a bill.” It is a strategy question. Are you protected at your current stage, and are you adjusting as your life and business change? Jennifer shows you how ongoing relationships, regular reviews, and proactive check-ins during tough seasons like COVID can keep you from falling behind without realizing it.
Episode sponsors:
J.A. Hall Law Firm
Criminal defense, personal injury, and estate planning for Mississippi and Tennessee clients, led by attorney Jacinta Hall with nearly two decades of experience. When you need clear advice and someone in your corner, visit thejahallfirm.com or call 662-932-2973.
Wisdom Integrators
Your strategic tech partner for smarter workflows. Wisdom Integrators designs tailored solutions for automation, process improvement, and digital tools that help you get more done with less stress. Visit wisdomintegrators.com. to schedule your consultation.
Pure Focus Media
The creative team behind Southaven Business Beat. From strategy to production, Pure Focus Media helps your business tell its story with high quality video, content, and consistent branding so you can attract better leads and grow through the power of video. Visit purefocus.media to schedule your strategy call.
If you enjoy this episode, do three quick things:
•Hit Subscribe so you never miss a new Southaven Business Beat interview.
•Share this episode with a business owner, parent, or young adult who needs practical help with insurance.
•Comment with one question you still have about coverage, claims, or youth money education.
CHAPTERS
- Relationships first: why knowing the client’s story matters (00:00 – 01:12)
- Meet Jennifer Zellner: small business, non-compete, and finding insurance (01:12 – 02:10)
- “I never thought I’d do insurance” and how simple education changes lives (02:10 – 03:33)
- Why benefits are so confusing for small business owners (03:33 – 06:21)
- What to expect walking into Zellner Assurance Group (06:21 – 06:44)
- Helping a client file a claim step by step after a car accident (06:44 – 07:45)
- What Allstate actually covers: homes, autos, toys, and beyond (07:45 – 08:28)
- Partnering on financial services, life insurance, and retirement planning (08:28 – 09:18)
- Why “Assurance” is in the name and how they meet people where they are (09:18 – 10:21)
- DeSoto County growth and what that means for local insurance needs (10:21 – 12:00)
- How coverage should change as your business grows or tightens (12:00 – 13:03)
- The house fire story that proves why coverage details matter (13:03 – 15:19)
- Surviving COVID, non-pay calls, and helping clients keep coverage (15:19 – 18:11)
- Passion for kids, The Dream Center, and the backpack program (18:11 – 19:17)
- Financial literacy for youth and what teens are not learning in school (19:17 – 20:11)
- The power of interns and soft skills like phones and email (20:11 – 22:17)
- Hiring for heart, daily team huddles, and ongoing training (22:17 – 25:06)
- Mentors, growth, and the next 1 to 3 years for the agency (25:06 – 26:18)
- How the Chamber helps Jennifer stay visible and connected (26:18 – 29:11)
- Final advice, Chamber impact, and where to find Zellner Assurance Group (29:11 – 31:33)
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