Tolbert Insurance Agency

Building an insurance agency from the ground up, with help from the SBDC.

Duane Tolbert is the owner/operator of Tolbert Insurance Agency Inc. located in Oneonta. The State Farm Agency is an integral part of the business fabric of Blount County. Tolbert has grown the agency over the past six years as sales and client numbers continue to rise each year.

The Alabama SBDC at Jax State has worked with the client since 2018. With the assistance of the SBDC, the client conducted his due diligence as he was seeking the right location to build a duplex that would house his agency and some complementary businesses. We considered multiple locations, along with the pros and cons of each site, and settled on a nice corner lot to build the 2450 square foot duplex on Alabama State Highway 75. The adjoining office is home to a local attorney. Duane Tolbert states:

“SBDC Center Director Ken Grissom was invaluable to me as I planned to build my new office building. He has helped build my business from the ground up. I consider him a mentor and a friend. I am so appreciative of the SBDC and the services they provide to the Blount County business community.”

Duane Tolbert is a native of Calhoun County, but the Blount County/Oneonta area has adopted him as one of their own. Duane is at the forefront of projects that give back to the community. He is currently organizing festivals supporting the Blount County Covered Bridges Festival in October. He provides school supplies for 100 children in his community as a way to help those with needs.