Poston Insurance Agency has been in business since 1991.
Vanessa Poston Gardner joined her mother in 1996 after she graduated from college. Shortly thereafter, however, her father was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.
"I took over so she could be with him and she retired in 2013," Gardner said. "We were a great team but I love seeing her enjoying retirement."
Gardner, a native of Florence, moved to Summerton in 1988 and has a degree in psychology from Francis Marion University. Her background is in the areas of real estate, appraising and insurance sales. Her professional path, she said, was chosen for her.
"It was God's plan. My manufactured home business wasn't doing well because banks weren't lending money," she said. "My husband and I decided to close it in 2009, but I still had a small book of insurance business consisting of customers who I had sold houses to in the past 13 years. I expanded our product line to offer all lines of insurance."
Being your own boss means trusting yourself to make the right decisions, she said. But it's heartbreaking when a client is dealt a catastrophic loss such as a fire.
"My customers are like family and it's hard to see them in difficult situations," she said.
Spending time with her family keeps her going and keeps her happy.
"I read or play golf in my free time. I have been married to Bon Gardner for 16 years and we have two boys," she said. "Van will be 13 in July and Cantey will be 11. We are all avid golfers and we love playing as a family."
Calling Clarendon County home is something Garnder loves, especially when she can check her mailbox in her pajamas, she said, laughing.
"I also like being able to either call or send a Facebook message to our county and city leaders and they respond so quickly," she said. "A bonus of living in a small town."
From her perspective of being in the insurance industry, our county's future should include more fire hydrants outside of city limits, she said, as it would give homeowners a better fire rating and lower insurance rates drastically.
"I believe the county is working on this now," she added.
Her typical day involves a lot of phone calls, quotes, e-mail, and taking photographs of insured properties. Gardner just wants folks to know how she can help.
"I offer all lines of insurance including life, health, home, mobile home, auto, business, and more," she said. I have a special little place in my heart for manufactured homeowners insurance, though. I love seeing my clients happy!"
