A Valuable Asset

When Lynette Barba took ownership of an Allstate Insurance agency in Mount Dora 19 years ago, it was a smart career move. Everyone, after all, needs insurance.

Of course, the key to her company’s longevity and success entails more than offering the products and services clients demand. Lynette also has to make clients feel good about doing business with her.

That’s where Lynette has thrived. She brings energy and enthusiasm to her job, and the best policy she provides is honesty. Thanks to her upbeat personality, kind demeanor and extensive knowledge of the industry, Lynette through the years has established meaningful relationships.

“I thoroughly enjoy being a smallbusiness owner in a small community,” says Lynette, who graduated from Stetson University in 1987 with a bachelor of business administration degree. “One of the things I love most about my job is that 80 percent of my clients live within a 20-mile radius, which promotes deep customer relationships. I also enjoy doing business with both the working class and retiree families.”

The goal of the company, Lynette says, is providing sound, honest advice to help clients protect their assets. She offers fullscale insurance products such as automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance and long-term care insurance, as well as numerous investment products.

While Lynette has adapted her company to meet the demands of the fast-paced information age, she still values the oldfashioned concept of face-to-face interaction.

“Insurance is complicated, and the advice we give is very technical,” she says. “Meeting with clients face to face allows arba ce s a smart career move. needs insurance ey to her ess entails more than cts and services clients lso has to make clients feel business with her. nette has thrived. She enthusiasm to her olicy she Thanks to her kind demeanor wledge of the hrough the ed oy a smalla small from in 1987 with a ss e love most t my a 20-mile tomer ss with both the milies.” ompany, honest advice to help r assets. She offers fulloducts such as automobile wners insurance, life -term care insurance, as nvestment as ds of the he still values the oldof face-to-face interaction. mplicated, ery nts face to face allows d me feel comfortable that I’m d client an information about the insuran oppor is I conduct annual insur each me to delve deeper into the details and lets me feel comfortable that I’m doing what’s best for each individual client. I also realize that clients desire accurate and current information about the insurance industry, including new discount opportunities, which is why I conduct annual insurance reviews each year.”

And because she lov client worry about her retiring or mo

And because she dearly loves her job and community, prospective clients need not worry about her retiring or moving anytime soon.

“I’m invested in this county because I’ve lived here half my life,” she says. “I plan on being in business here for a long time. My clients don’t have to worry about being tossed from one insurance agent to the next.” Lynette is a native of Minnesota and a former figure skater with Disney on Ice.

Outside of her agency, she attends Zumba classes at Gold’s Gym in Mount Dora three times a week. She has a 24-year-old daughter, Ali, who after graduating from Florida State University as a business major, began working for an insurance agency in Orlando. She also has a 20-yearold son, Andrew, who is majoring in mechanical engineering at Florida State. Lynette’s office is at 1904 N. Donnelly St. in Mount Dora. For more information, call 352.383.2002.

“I’m invested in this lived here half my life,” she sa on in business here for clients don’t have to tossed from one insurance ag is a native of Minne skater with D Outside of her classes at Gold’s in M three times a week. She ha daughter, gra Florida a began for a Orlando. She als old son, Andrew, who is ma mechanical Fl is at 1904 N in Mount Dora. For more info 352.383.2002

JANUARY 8

Stroke Support Group

A social opportunity for stroke survivors to learn what local resources are available and partipate in group therapy. The group meets at 2:30p.m. inside the LRMC North Campus conference room. Information: 352.323.5658

JANUARY 12

Look Good Feel Better

Group meets the second Monday of each month 1:30–3:30p.m. at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares. Information: 352.252.3605

JANUARY 13

Better Breathers

An American Lung Association support group for those who suffer from lung diseases. Participants learn tips and techniques to manage their disease. 1–3p.m. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Free. Information: 352.241.7109

JANUARY 13

Mended Hearts Support Group

Mended Hearts offers hope to heart patients, their families and caregivers. Noon–1p.m. Florida Hospital Waterman, 100 Waterman Way, Tavares. Information: 352.253.3399

JANUARY 20

Remy Time

Come together for story time geared toward children and families impacted by autism or Asperger’s syndrome.

10:30a.m. East Lake County Library. 31340 County Road 437, Sorrento. Free. Information: 352.383.9980

JANUARY 21

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

Share stories and reach out to others who are facing similar challenges with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the central nervous system.

10a.m.–noon. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Free.

Information: 352.242.2350

JANUARY 24

Health, Wellness and Fun Fair

Organized by New Beginnings, this health fair features medical vendors, short seminars on various topics and free health screenings. 10a.m.–2p.m inside First United Methodist Church of Clermont’s Wesley Center. Information: 352.404.6946

JANUARY 30

Taste of Wellness

Attendees have the opportunity to win many fun door prizes and visit with health and wellness providers. Enjoy great food, drinks and entertainment. All proceeds benefit World Wellness Education, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 4–7p.m. at the Leesburg Community Center, 109 E. Dixie Ave. Information: 352.459.1655

JANUARY 31