Name of Business: Abby Insurance Co

Street address: 1100 Armory Drive, Suite 108, Franklin

Phone number: 562-5700

Operating hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

E-mail address: abbyinsuranceco@yahoo.com

Nature of business: Insurance for auto, commercial, home, life and health

Owner/manager and title: Chris Johnson, president

Year founded: 1994

Number of employees: Five

How’s business? Clients need to have insurance, so they are always stopping by to get the best rates for their insurance. Business is fluctuating, due to the economy, but stable.

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business: Every client is cared for and taken care of, no matter what their situation. We treat every issue seriously and follow up on their concerns.
Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: I have a staff that cares about each
client. The staff does what ever it takes to
help them with all of their needs. Nobody is a number.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Never give up. Persistency is the key to success.  Most importantly, do your homework before you endeavor into a new journey. Don’t let dollar signs let you make a mistake. You must do the work to make the big things happen.

Your first job: Janitor at a gas station
Your role model (in business or in life generally): I have two. Jim Adams, chief executive officer of the Amadas Organization, and Jeffy Gardy, lawyer and councilman for the City of Suffolk. Both are highly successful and respected. I have learned a lot from them.

The key to a successful business is: Doing the right thing even if it costs you money. Always treat your employees and customers with respect, the way you would want to be treated.  Never burn any bridges and always listen to ideas from others.  Ideas from others can bring great things for business.