The mother-daughter team of Sharon Bruns and Janell Horner bought Exchange Insurance Agency July 31, 2023.
With the retirement of long-time owner Roger Haugo, the insurance agency came up for sale. As an insurance agent for many years at the agency, Bruns started dreaming of owning the business with one of her daughters one day.
That dream came true a year ago when she and Horner bought the business.
“I love it. It’s really been fun. I thought about this for years if this could happen,” Bruns said. “It’s really been a dream come true. It has been for me.”
Horner was ready for a career change after almost 22 years of working for Sioux Falls Two Way Radio. While they bought the business last July, Horner started full time at the insurance agency in January.
“I was ready for a change and the opportunity came up and I felt like if we didn’t jump at it the opportunity would never be again. I was excited for a change,” Horner said.
Bruns said Horner’s first week on the job had her going to a crop insurance meeting. She said crop insurance is one of the hardest things to do.
As she continues to learn, Horner plans to take the insurance agent test by the end of the year.
With insurance getting pretty tough in the last year with all the storms, underwriting has gotten hard with all the companies. As an independent insurance agency, they offer insurance from many different insurance companies.
While the Exchange Insurance Agency has new ownership, they continue to offer crop, home, auto, commercial, farm, collector vehicles, campers, boats and motorcycles. The address, PO Box and phone all remain the same.
“The business was established in 1928. We don’t want to change anything too much for our customers,” Bruns said.
In addition to Bruns and Horner, customers will also see familiar faces when they stop by with employees Bonnie Wirkus, Vikki Rehder and Merianna Berens.
While not much has changed for the business, customers may have noticed a facelift to the building.
Earlier this summer, they took advantage of a grant and updated their front entrance with new windows.
Owning the insurance agency is a little different feel being the boss. Bruns said if there was a problem before, it was Haugo’s issue to deal with. Now it’s up to them.
The pair enjoy working together and being a part of the community through Business Buddies, Commercial Club and Meals on Wheels. Horners enjoys being able to work in the same town where her kids go to school and being part of the community.
“I’m really enjoying that,” Horner said.
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