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Elmwood Park couple have faith in their insurance business
George Spathies, co-owner of Spathies Insurance Agency, Inc. in Elmwood Park, looks through office files. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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Maps
Updated: March 1, 2013 6:38AM
ELMWOOD PARK — When it comes to their entrepreneurial spirit, the Spathies have always had a little faith.
But when it comes to their day-to-day business, it’s all about “just in case.”
Spathies Insurance Agency has been in business in the village since 2005, and has been at their current location, 34 W. Conti Parkway, since 2012. The owners, George and Laura Jean Spathies believe providing good service combined with their faith has been the secret to their success so far.
Their business provides all kinds of insurance packages from auto and home to business and life insurance, which Laura Jean Spathies calls “love insurance.”
“It’s (life insurance) for the people you leave behind,” she said.
But they didn’t always work in the industry. Laura Jean Spathies was an executive for Sears and George Spathies was a foreman for a construction company.
Laura Jean Spathies worked for her father’s insurance agency growing up but when she embarked on her own career she didn’t consider going back to insurance.
Marriage and starting a family changed things. George and Laura Jean got married in 1997 and have two children: Daniel, 13, and Rebekah, 10.
Being more flexible and accessible to their children was one reason they started their own business after learning the ropes through their family. “We decided this was best for kids,” he said.
And their children definitely have a place in the business. Both have their own office complete with nameplate and executive style chair behind a big desk.
Currently it’s used for doing homework, but the Spathies hope their children will catch the insurance business bug like they did. “We are going to pass it (family business) on to them,” he said.
Until then, building up their business through excellent service is their top priority. Erie Insurance services most of the policies they bring because the Spathies say the company believes in integrity.
Laura Jean Spathies said their company is also big on customer service and making sure customers’ questions are answered. “We want to let them know what they are getting so they understand the concept,” she said.
“He (George) closes the sale,” she said. “I do the processing of the deal.”
They also live and worship in the village and believe that has been a positive asset.
“We’re a very spiritual and religious family,” he said. “We’re a company that is going to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.”
“We love this town,” he said. “This town has been good to us. This is where we do business.”
He hopes that along with passing the business on to their children he and his wife can be of even more service to others. He would like to open a soup kitchen to serve the less fortunate.
“Our faith teaches us there is no retirement,” he said. “You have to help people until the day you die. The retirement is in heaven.”
