Magazine features local agency
Jenn Brookens — Sentinel Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - Peterson-Anthony is already well-known in southern Minnesota, but now is receiving recognition nationwide thanks to a feature on the family-owned business in the trade magazine The Emblem, from Auto Owners Insurance.
Auto Owners Insurance has 6,200 independent agencies throughout 26 states in the U.S.
"We were asked about appearing in the February issue in October," said Connie Anthony. "When they ask agencies to do this, they want us to focus specifically on us and what makes us successful."
While the unique features of a 90-year-old family owned and operated business helps the business stand out, the Anthonys were worried about sounding like other insurance companies as they delved further into the article.
"An agency in New Ulm was featured in the November issue," Anthony recalled. "And they said a lot of the things that we would've said ... But after talking to some other agencies, we were kind of assured that most agencies in southern Minnesota would say a lot of the same things."
It only took a road trip at Thanksgiving to compose the entire entry.
"We wrote in the car on the way over and back, so it took about 10 hours," Anthony said.
The majority of the article - "Focus on the Customer and They'll Respond" - focused on the agency's small-town feel.
"This magazine is only sent to the agents; it's not for sale," Anthony said. "But it's still very exciting for us."
