9 minute read
UNICO Group
UNICO GROUP Your Insurance & Financial Solutions Provider For 30+ Years
UNICO Group, Inc., was established on October 1, 1988, as the result of a merger between two well-established property/ casualty insurance brokerage firms—Reynolds-SimmonsNelson Insurance and Chambers Dobson. Over the last 30 years, UNICO has grown from a small local agency to now being one of the largest locally owned insurance agencies in Nebraska with over 130 employees.
• 1998 –Opened Columbus, NE office • 2001 –Merged with Anderson-Divan-Cottrell, establishing the Kearney, NE office
• 2004 –Established telecommunications program, UNITEL, expanding UNICO’s reach to nationwide • 2009 –Merged with Greco Insurance Agency, establishing the Omaha, NE office
• 2014 –Merged with Midlands Financial Benefits, a leading benefits/financial services provider established in 1969 in Lincoln, NE
UNICO’s suite of product offerings has expanded over the last two decades in response to client’s expectations. Now services range from commercial insurance, workers’ comp, and employee benefits, to personal insurance, financial planning, human resource solutions and wellness.
In 2016, UNICO was awarded “Top Performing Agency” by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America honoring the great strides and growth experienced over the past recent years.
We have achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication ofour employees, resulting in our radiant culture that exists throughout the entire organization. We have dedicated ourselves to over 30 years of product innovation and client solutions to provide the highest quality of customer satisfaction. Not only do we owe our thanks to our clients, we owe it to our employees. –Tom Champoux, company president UNICO also dedicates leadership, resources, and time to wellness efforts in the workplace. In 2019, the company was honored as a recipient of the 2019 Governor’s Wellness Awards in the Sower Category, making it one of 42 Nebraska employers recognized by Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for offering evidence-based worksite wellness programs to its employees. ” “
When it comes to commercial coverage,employee benefits, workers compensation, personal insurance, life insurance or financial planning, UNICO is Where Connections Make a Difference.
Business Insurance Your ideal commercial insurance and employee benefits package is out there. It’s just a matter of identifying it. UNICO Group’s listen, learn, discover approach maximizes our ability to suggest the right coverage. It doesn’t matter the size ofthe company. UNICO can provide innovative solutions to help ensure you and your employee’s future will be protected should something happen.
Personal Insurance Pride in ownership—it’s a beautiful thing. You’ve workedhardtoestablishyourversionoftheAmerican Dream, and we’re here to help you protect it. Our Personal Insurance Advisors will work with you to develop a custom-tailored, affordable insurance program to safeguard you and yourfamilyas well as your home, auto, and other valuable possessions.
Finding Perspective in Times of Distress and Uncertainty What We Can Do to Help Ourselves and Our Neighbors
Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330. In light of everything, I felt it was appropriate—if not necessary—to take a break from our usual staff message to address what has been happening in our community in response to COVID-19. I look around and see many who are scared and unsure of the future, from friends and family with existing health conditions to all the business owners and employees affected by the quarantine initiative. These are real concerns that I share as well, but my biggest fear has become fear itself. Not only does fear weaken us physically, it can consume our thoughts and lead to toxic negativity and even panic. Panicking is never a solution. There is a quote by C.J. Redwine that comes to mind: “Losing your head in a crisis is a good way to become the crisis.” We saw this materialize when people rushed to the store and stocked up on three year’s worth of toilet paper, leaving the shelves bare for others in some cases. The majority of fear seems to stem from the mainstream media. It’s good to stay informed, but even I find myself on a slippery slope when I keep refreshing my social media for updates. Instead, Shayne and I have been turning to prayer for peace and wisdom during this time. We’re reminded that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 Aside from avoiding large crowds and frequently washing your hands, I encourage you to take this time to self reflect. Times of crisis can put things into perspective. When work and entertainment get taken away from you, what do you have? How much of your life revolves around those areas? As I ask myself these questions, I’m reminded of what is really important. Running my business, attending social events, traveling, shopping—they are all things I enjoy doing, but they don’t hold a candle to my faith, family, and friendships. While these past couple of weeks have been challenging to navigate, I’ve spent more time with my husband, kids, and extended family, and I’ve called friends to catch up. In the midst of a whirlwind of change, I’ve had the chance to slow down and be thankful for the things that really matter. Adversity also teaches us lot about ourselves in how we choose to react. Do we hang our head and grovel, do we play the blame game and get angry, or do we look around for ways to help the situation? Right now, a big way we can help our community is continuing to support local businesses. Many industries are taking a big hit because of social distancing, especially socially-driven industries such as food and beverage, event/hospitality, beauty, retail, and many more.
Though it may be a bit longer before you can browse the racks at your favorite local boutique or sip a cup of joe at the coffee shop around the corner, you can still see if they’re offering online ordering and delivery or curbside pickup. Businesses are coming up with creative ways to still operate and get their products and services to their customers. Some are even utilizing virtual platforms to connect. Nonprofits need our help as well, especially if they had to cancel or postpone one of their main fundraising events of the year. We highlight a few of these businesses and nonprofits in our news section, so keep reading! At the end of the day, we are in this uncharted territory together. Strictly Business will remain as dedicated as ever to promoting and connecting local businesses. I’m confident that with the right outlook and necessary precautions, we will get through this. Have faith, not fear. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
CONTENTS
NEWS 4 22 Business Personnel
28 35
Nonprofit Health
COLUMN 37 Outlook Nebraska
SPOTLIGHTS 1 36 38 UNICO Group University of Nebraska Online Add a Shop by Sandhills Global
2 Strictly Business APRIL 2020 FEATURE STORIES 39 44 46 Starting a Business Spring Landscaping Unplanned Life Changes
Hannah Annie Katherine
PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor/Operations Hannah Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Editor/Writer Annie Carbutt - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Katherine Crawford - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
SALES TEAM: President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Publisher/Founder/Accounting Shayne Zutavern - SZutavern@yahoo.com
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Cornhusker Bank’s business model keeps the customer at the center of everything they do, whether that customer is a checking account customer, a business, or one of its own associates. As Cornhusker Bank prepares to celebrate its grand opening at 11102 Blondo St., STE 102 in Omaha, it is demonstrating that model and the values it includes by deepening relationships with the community and customers, living life together. Spring will mark the opening of its new office with Prchal Petersen Group at 111th and Blondo. Allen Chaffee, Omaha market president, reported he was also happy to announce a newly formed partnership with Stephen Center and Cornhusker Bank. The partnership benefits Stephen Center through the receipt of shoes collected in the Omaha Community through the bank’s established event, “One Day Without Shoes.” Cornhusker Bank has hosted a “One Day Without Shoes” event annually for the last 10 years in Lincoln. This event invites local area businesses and organizations throughout the community to collect shoes with them for the benefit of an organization such as the Stephen Center. In total, the event has garnered over 130,000 pair of shoes and monetary donations of over $70,000, which has benefitted the People’s City Mission in Lincoln. Regarding the importance of making sure everyone has adequate footwear, Stephen Center Shelter Director Beth Robbins noted, “The look on the faces of our clients when we provide them with new shoes is priceless, providing them with joy they may not have felt in a very long time.” I n T h I s I ssue • Starting a Business • Spring Landscaping • Unplanned Life Changes C lient SpotlightS • UNICO Group • University of Nebraska Online • Add A Shop by Sandhills Global
AGO
Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505
Cornhusker Bank Deepens Relationships in Community
RIVER CITY SIX
RYAN KRAMER The Kindler Hotel
DAN MARBURG North Risk Partners SYDNEY STANDER Concentric Corporation SETH MORRIS Berry Law
BRANDON HAHN La Casa Pizzaria DAVE ARKFELD Lincoln Federal Savings Bank
Cornhusker Bank Chairman, John F. Dittman; Stephen Center Executive Director, Michael Wehling; Cornhusker Bank Omaha Market President, Allen Chaffee, Bank President/CEO, Barry Lockard, and Bank VP/Relationship Manager, Tyler Albers with the first barrel of shoes donated for the partnership to benefit Stephen Center.
With the opening of the new branch in Omaha, Cornhusker Bank selected Stephen Center to benefit from all donations made in the Omaha market. Cornhusker Bank President and CEO Barry Lockard noted, “Cornhusker Bank believes it has a responsibility to the community, not only through the services and products it provides financially but socially as well. Cornhusker Bank’s local ownership and management allows it to know the market and its needs thoroughly and form lasting relationships with organizations and customers. The new Cornhusker Bank location on Blondo is an indication of the bank’s commitment to serving the Omaha market as both a knowledgeable advisor and good neighbor.”
For more information on Cornhusker Bank or the “One Day Without Shoes” event, please visit www.CornhuskerBank.com.
Left photo: Cornhusker Bank Representatives with Michael Wehling, Executive Director, Stephen Center (2nd from left), outside the new Omaha full service location at 11102 Blondo.
Right photo: A Stephen Center shoe recipient.
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