Meet Mark Kavan, the owner agent at Farmers Union Midwest Agency.
Tell us a little about your business. – Farmers Union Midwest Agency (mkavan.fumainsurance.com) provides insurance protection to businesses of all sizes through working with many of the top carriers. We strive to build better communities by protecting your business, your employees, what you own and the ones you love. It is our goal to provide quality products and the highest level of customer service to not just meet our customer’s expectations, but to exceed them!
How did you get started in the business? – An agent friend of mine worked on recruiting me for some time. In 2007, I finally made the move.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I was 40 when I got into this profession. If I had started at a much younger age, where could I be now?
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Consistently growing my business over the years and gaining the respect of clients to earn their referrals.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Lin and I have five children and five grandchildren with another on the way. The youngest at 10 keeps us busy.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – I started in insurance with another carrier that had a limited product offering, so I made the move to Farmers Union Midwest Agency in 2008. With the ability to competitively insure almost anything imaginable, this provided the tools for success.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Hike, trail ride, work on the never-ending Jeep build, relax, and hang out with friends and family. If more than a couple days, a hike, trail-ride, and/or ski excursion to Colorado or hit some sand dunes.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I had farmed for many years prior to going into insurance. With that experience, I can repair/build most anything if I have the right tools.
Who inspires you? – My parents. My mother had passed in 1997 from colon cancer. My father is still going at 90. They are both the most supportive, down to earth caring parents anyone could hope for, and am lucky to have had this influence in my life.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – In sales, each “no” you receive brings you a step closer to that next “yes”.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Race car driver. My wife reluctantly agrees.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Bootlegger’s Boy by Barry Switzer. Like or dislike him, this is an interesting autobiography.
What is your favorite movie? – Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
What is your favorite TV show? – Seinfeld. No sitcom has come close.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – The Watering Hole.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Anthony Bourdain. He has honesty, wit, and of course he would choose where to eat.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 421-1921; mkavan@fumainsurance.com; mkavan.fumainsurance.com.