Swanson’s Insurance Agency, Inc. Providing balance in the lives of New Orleanians By Breakthru Media Staff The Swan’s wisdom includes awakening the power of balance, and it is also the symbol of peace and tranquility. Much like the way the Swans in the Swanson's Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Swanson's") logo blazingly display great balance and symbolize peace and tranquility, likewise, does the ownership and employees at Swanson's present a similar ideology in their daily routine. It is in their work ethic, and more importantly, in the customer and employee interaction. The office exudes a sense of peace and tranquility, balancing the level of stress with an aura of calm. Chuck and Donna Swanson, the founders of the agency, began their journey of selecting the insurance industry long before incorporating their Swanson agency. Actually, the path blazed by these two New Orleanians started at Cohen High School and Xavier Preparatory High School, respectively. Ann Randolph, a well-known New Orleans designer who attended Xavier Prep with Donna Swanson, says that “Ms. Swanson and her husband were always recognized as very nice, smart and respected personalities throughout their younger years.” Knowing that they were highly capable and had a tremendous love for people, the two were “shoo- ins” for an insurance industry looking for smart, easy-to-train employees with a knack for effectively interacting with people. Because of his business background, Chuck was able to secure an underwriting position; later becoming a territorial manager with CIGNA Insurance. Donna started her career with Travelers Insurance as a file clerk. Since then she has grown to know and understand the insurance business from the ground up. In 1985, the two decided to purchase one of the oldest property and casualty insurance agencies in Louisiana, the Leroy Smith Insurance Agency. Mr. Leroy Smith, who enjoyed a long and successful career as an insurance agent, was aging and approaching retirement at the time. Six years later, in 1991, the Swanson’s Insurance Agencies was incorporated. Property and casualty insurance was the focus during the early days but, because property and casualty insurance required a contract, unlike life insurance where a certificate can get one “into the game,” it was very difficult to compete in the early years. Insurance companies in Louisiana had lines drawn (a technique called “redlining”) where they wanted insurance agencies, and they also had lines drawn where they did not want insurance agencies. It took perseverance and dedication to their clients to keep the agency afloat. Greg Swanson, a second generation owner, and the son of Chuck and Donna, remembers having his father regularly speak about insurance at the dinner table. He recalls the struggles of competing in an unfair market. Greg was a part of that struggle, and would help his parents and PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS FONTENOT 22 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 7
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