Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gary Hartfield, Owner of Serenity Village and Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting LLC., located in Tampa, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a serial entrepreneur. My brands include Serenity Village and Serenity Village Insurance and Consulting. Serenity Village delivers personalized and therapeutic healthcare services for the elderly and developmentally disabled. Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting is a full-service agency providing insurance solutions to clients throughout Florida and Georgia. The company specializes in commercial risks, partnering with hundreds of business owners to deliver the products and solutions that matter most, including liability insurance, workers' compensation, and auto and property insurance. We have served more than 1,000 customers since our launch in 2012.
Tell us about yourself
The story of Serenity Village dates back to 2000. At the time, I had just completed my Master's in Business Administration (MBA). I was seeking a way to flex my newfound business and entrepreneurial acumen when my sister, Tammy Hartfield, came to me with a grand idea.
Tammy's vision for Serenity Village was to work with the elderly and the developmentally/intellectually disabled. As she worked with both client populations at our local ARC, she developed a sincere love and passion for working with both endearing populations. Two years later, we opened our first assisted living facility (ALF) in Seminole, FL. After overcoming several obstacles, Tammy and I closed on the business on December 21, 2002. After closing, we went to lunch to celebrate this milestone accomplishment and discuss the next steps for our new company.
Feeling satisfied but drained from the excitement of the day, I took a nap at her place and later returned home to Orlando, FL, where I resided at the time. Tammy made her way back to work at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Petersburg, where she put in hours as a waitress. About 6 am the next day, just sixteen hours after we closed on the business, I received a phone call that would change my life forever. My father informed me that Tammy had passed away due to cardiac arrest. She was only 34, and I, 32. Twenty years later, we strive to honor Tammy's legacy by fulfilling her vision and mission to serve Serenity Village's clients, staff, and community with dignity and respect.
In 2012, I launched Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting to provide affordable insurance options to individuals and business owners. Serenity Insurance partners with hundreds of providers and ALF owners to provide the products and solutions they need to protect the things that matter most. These products include liability insurance, workers' compensation, commercial auto, commercial property insurance, and more.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The purchase of a multimillion-dollar building that would become the headquarters for Serenity Village. I purchased the headquarters for Serenity Insurance in 2017. Both buildings have become incubators for other businesses in the area helping other entrepreneurs to create a legacy and impact.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
You have to be willing to make many sacrifices initially when building a business. I find some people are unwilling to go without in the short run, and as such, their businesses don't last.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- In addition to financial capital, develop and nurture social capital. The relationships you create will help you go a long way in your business.
- Be willing to make sacrifices in the short term for long-term gain.
- Seek out mentors who are different from you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://serenity-insurance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garythartfield
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyhartfield/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyhartfield/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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