“We talk through what the options are, what the rules and regulations are, state mandates or federal mandates in place as it relates to insurance or risk mitigation, and we try to help the clients as it relates to what’s best for them,” said Gary Hartfield, President and CEO of Serenity Village Insurance and Consulting.
With an intimate knowledge of the insurance sector as “both a healthcare provider as well as an insurance agent,” Hartfield is uniquely qualified to help his clients. “I’m not just a guy or insurance agency they call that does not understand the industry,” Hartfield said. “I’m literally working in the industry with them as a business owner and provider.”
Hartfield’s career path gives him that unique perspective. Twenty-one years ago, he bought his first assisted living facility in Pinellas County, inspired by his sister Tammy’s passion to help the elderly and patients with special developmental and intellectual needs. That was in 2002. Fast forward ten years, the ALF owner founded Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting to help other business owners navigate insurance requirements and help them find the most affordable insurance options to meet their needs.
Partnering with hundreds of providers and business owners, the company offers clients the products and services to protect themselves from the unexpected, including liability insurance, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, commercial property insurance, and more. Increasing their numbers by 1,000 percent since 2012, Serenity Village Insurance “started out from scratch, meaning zero clients, and today we have served over 2,000 clients between Florida and Georgia,” Hartfield said.
Members of the Chamber since 2021, “It’s been a tremendous resource for me,” said Hartfield, “expanding my network of relationships and being able to look for thoughtful ways to grow the business and interact with other business owners.” An active member, Hartfield has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, is currently a member of the Policy Advisory Council, and has also been involved with the Chamber’s Circle of Influence and Minority Business Accelerator.
“It’s not about what’s best for our business, but what’s best for the client,” Hartfield said. “We’ve been able to develop long term sustainable relationships that are based on trust and true partnership.”
