Meet Ashley Freese, an Agency Owner at American Family Insurance (amfam.com) in Lincoln.

Tell us a little about your business. – We are an insurance agency offering home, auto, life and business insurance. Before becoming an agent, I was on the customer service side of the agent office. I pride myself in providing exceptional customer service with a warm smile.

How did you get started in the business? – I started with American Family in 2015 working for another American Family agent as a customer service representative before being promoted to Office Manager in 2017. In early 2023, I received an amazing opportunity to become an American Family Agency Owner in Lincoln. Helping people is a passion of mine, and being an insurance advisor, I am able to help individuals identify gaps in coverage and recommend endorsements or policies for their unique needs. I honestly never pictured myself being in the insurance business but it turned out with my kind, down to earth personality it turned out to be great fit!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I am a work-a-holic… It has been a challenge to run a small business and separate that from time with my family. However, I am learning to be more disciplined about it. Time with my family comes first and I always need to remember that as my family is my biggest support system in what I do for a living.

Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married to my amazing husband, Max, for the past five-and-a-half years. We have lived in south Lincoln since 2015 and have two children. Our daughter, Adrea, is 14 years old. She attends Lincoln Southwest High School. Our son, Jace, is three years old. We also have two dogs named Edie and Sofie. They are eight years old.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Having one-on-one time with each of my kids. My daughter and I enjoy shopping and getting our nails done. We love taking our son to the zoo and the park along with taking walks with our dogs.

Who inspires you? – My parents are my inspiration. They always worked HARD to provide for us kids growing up and made a lot of sacrifices. They instilled the idea that hard work will get you where you want to be and hard work got me to where I am today. I will forever be grateful and wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – If it is to be, it is up to me.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Kind. Our world needs more kindness. I instill this in my children on a daily basis. You don’t know what other people are going through so always be kind.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I speak Spanish. That’s actually what I went to college for and majored in. I don’t use it on a daily basis but I do have a few clients that are Spanish speaking so I do utilize it a bit but not as much as I should.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would love to be a sports commentator or on field sports new reporter… the next Erin Andrews. I am an avid football fan.

What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – MoMo, hands down! I love Italian food and wine.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – www.amfam.com/agents/nebraska/lincoln/ashley-freese | (402) 441-9227 | afreese@amfam.com