YouTube Podcast - Southaven Business Beat

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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.

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.

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.

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Comment with one question you still have about coverage, claims, or youth money education.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Relationships first: why knowing the client’s story matters
01:12 Meet Jennifer Zellner: small business, non-compete, and finding insurance
02:10 “I never thought I’d do insurance” and how simple education changes lives
03:33 Why benefits are so confusing for small business owners
06:21 What to expect walking into Zellner Assurance Group
06:44 Helping a client file a claim step by step after a car accident
07:45 What Allstate actually covers: homes, autos, toys, and beyond
08:28 Partnering on financial services, life insurance, and retirement planning
09:18 Why “Assurance” is in the name and how they meet people where they are
10:21 DeSoto County growth and what that means for local insurance needs
12:00 How coverage should change as your business grows or tightens
13:03 The house fire story that proves why coverage details matter
15:19 Surviving COVID, non-pay calls, and helping clients keep coverage
18:11 Passion for kids, The Dream Center, and the backpack program
19:17 Financial literacy for youth and what teens are not learning in school
20:11 The power of interns and soft skills like phones and email
22:17 Hiring for heart, daily team huddles, and ongoing training
25:06 Mentors, growth, and the next 1 to 3 years for the agency
26:18 How the Chamber helps Jennifer stay visible and connected
29:11 Final advice, Chamber impact, and where to find Zellner Assurance Group

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