Office Phone: 952-473-2110

Toll Free: 800-473-2141

Cell: 612-229-1179 (Jim)

Fax: 952-473-2107

Featured products and services: Traditional insurance products (home, auto, life), disability insurance, retirement and savings products

Years in business: Licensed in insurance since 2003

Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday; and by appointment other times

Jim and Charlene Harper lost their home to fire May 4, 1992. As parts of the house were still smoldering and Charlene was trying to salvage items from the house, Jim recalls the couple's insurance agent showing up with a check to cover immediate expenses assuring them the company would take care of them.

Memories of that day ran through the couple's minds as they prepared to open their own insurance agency, Jim said, "That was a very important day in our lives - and one of the key reasons why we have our own agency today. We want to be there for people when they need us."

The attention they received following their tragedy, they feel, lends itself well to a community like Wayzata where the couple has lived for more than 20 years.

"We've been here a long time and both of our daughters have grown up in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and the Wayzata school district," Jim said. "That has allowed us to know a lot of people in our community and the surrounding areas, and the insurance company that we represent has always been active in the communities that it serves."

Jim previously spent 25 years working for large corporations and developed a strong background in finance, business and marketing and feels those skills will help in the couple's goal of helping people look at the big picture of their financial life.

He added that in addition to the traditional insurance products like home and auto insurance, they also offer health and accident insurance as well as long-term care, disability insurance, and a wide variety of retirement and savings products.

Jim also said one of the unique things they will be doing is offering complimentary, no obligation personal financial reviews, a service that typically costs $500 to $1,000.

"We want to help people identify risks and help them stay focused on the big picture," he said.

The other thing Jim said makes them stand out from all other insurance agencies in Minnesota is the foundation the couple has developed.

"We are not in this business to get rich, we are in this business to help others," he said. "Those who buy insurance and other financial services from our agency supports us, which allows us to provide support to people who are served by our foundations."

Currently the couple has two foundations, one that works globally and another in Colombia, South America, and a third will be dedicated to helping people in the Dominican Republic.

Because of their desire to help others, Jim said the company we represent was a good fit for them.

"Their [our company’s] logo is how they differ," he said. "It's a willingness to go above the call of duty, to be active in the community and throughout the world."

- Compiled by Jared Huizenga