Star City Six – Kerry Butzke

Aflac is the largest provider of supplemental insurance, working with individuals, families, and business owners and brokerages. Kerry Butzke is a local benefits advisor with Aflac.

Tell us a little about your business.

Aflac helps people in the time of an injury or illness; essentially it’s an excellent way to protect your lifestyle. Unexpected things happen and 93% of people are already living paycheck to paycheck. We can pay claims in one day. Whether it’s sports, hunting, or 4-wheeling injuries, the birth of a baby, loss of income, a cancer diagnosis, heart attack, or stroke, life happens and I help people mitigate their financial burdens so they can focus on their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. My main focus is to be the agent who is there in the time of need and for my clients to know I am one phone call away and there is no “dumb” question.

How did you get started in the business?

I was a recent college graduate working as an office administrator when I was introduced to Aflac. I had nothing to lose since I was making minimum wage even with a college degree in accounting and business management, so I quit my job and started my agency while also working as a beer cart girl at the country club. Things really took off from there and a year later I began doing Aflac full-time. It’s been 7 years now and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Balancing my work and personal life. I really want to be there for my clients and treat them as if they were my own family and friends, but at the same time, I want to spend quality time with my son. I think that is a challenge for anyone who runs their own business.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

The success I’ve had building my own insurance business, representing an amazing company like Aflac.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am a single mom with a 3-year-old son named Rhett Dale. We have two labs, Pip and Blu, and a horse named Trixie.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

Hang out with my son at the Lincoln Children’s Museum or Skyzone, riding horses or doing something active outdoors. If it’s a me day it’s shopping, cleaning house or self-care.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

I hold 5 records for girls basketball at Seward High School (most steals in a season, most rebounds in a season, most points in a season and most in career, and most free throw attempts in a season). I also played 4 years of college basketball at Midland Lutheran College.

What are you the most proud of?

That I come from a family of 3 brothers and 3 sisters who are always there for me and have pushed me throughout my life to work hard and always be better. My dad and two of my brothers also run their own businesses and they have helped me tremendously with my success in business and in life; I can’t thank them enough for that.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Word of mouth spreads and that is how your business will grow.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Hopcat.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Give me a call at (402) 643-5148.