Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Kempf.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before entering the insurance industry, I spent many years working for a hospice company while attending night school to become a nurse. I was working hard to pay my way through classes, usually taking one or two each semester, but over time I realized I wasn’t happy and that the path I was on wasn’t the right fit for me. I reached a point where I knew I needed to make a change and start building a career that aligned better with my strengths and long-term goals.
Around that time, I interviewed with Allstate and began learning more about the insurance industry. While I appreciated the opportunity, I quickly realized I was more drawn to the flexibility and relationships that come with working at an independent agency. Not long after, my uncle, who owned Matzenbacher Insurance Agency, mentioned he was looking for someone to join the team. I took the leap, and it turned out to be the right decision.
Over the years, I grew within the agency, took on increasing responsibility, and eventually became the owner through a perpetuation planning process that allowed us to continue the agency’s legacy while preparing it for the future. That transition gave me the opportunity not only to lead the business but also to think strategically about its long-term growth and stability for our clients and community.
Along the way, I’ve also stayed active in the industry by serving on the Young Agents Committee with the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, which has allowed me to connect with other young professionals across the state and support the next generation of independent agents.
Looking back, changing directions wasn’t easy at the time, but it led me to a career that I’m proud to lead. Taking that step outside my original plan ultimately opened the door to opportunities I never expected.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Change is never easy. Doing a complete 180 in my career after spending years working toward an entirely different profession definitely had its challenges. When I first entered the insurance industry, I always say I was “insurance dumb”—meaning although I was a consumer, I really only understood what I paid each month. I had to learn what liability meant, how the claims process works, what retention is and why it’s so important, and how to navigate both client relationships and carrier relationships. Those were things that were completely foreign to me coming from a medical background.
I was fortunate to have an excellent mentor, my uncle, who showed me how to do things the right way. He taught me how to trust my instincts about risk, how to run a business, how to navigate difficult conversations with clients, and what it truly means to be a strong independent agent.
At the same time, those challenges have been some of the most rewarding parts of the journey. They helped me grow in confidence as a leader and business owner and reinforced that taking the risk to change directions was the right decision for me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Matzenbacher Insurance Agency is a small, local independent insurance agency based in New Athens, Illinois, with 42 years of service to the community.
As an independent broker, we are not tied to any single insurance company. Instead, we compare policies from multiple insurers to help our customers find the coverage that best fits their needs.
What truly sets our agency apart is our commitment to long-term relationships and advocacy. While we may not always offer the lowest premium, our customers can rest easy knowing they have a trusted partner working on their behalf, someone who is here to support them not just at the point of sale, but whenever they need us
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people know us for insurance, but what they might not realize is how many generations of the same families we’ve had the privilege to serve over the past 40+ years. In many cases, we’ve helped the parents, then their children, and now even their grandchildren.
It’s always a rewarding call when a grandchild of one of Bob’s longest-standing customers reaches out for a quote on a new home or vehicle. We truly value the relationships we’ve built over the years, and we’re grateful for the trust our customers place in us, not only for their own coverage, but for referring their family and friends as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megank_insurance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatzenbacherInsuranceAgency/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-kempf-02047a190
