Happy happy happy MARCH!
I hope you all had a wonderful week, friends.
Anyone else excited that we’re movin’ on to March?!
I am, I am!
Whew, you guys, it is a BIG Friday over here at the Shull’s house. We have a lot of super exciting things going on today, so I’m taking the day officially off to celebrate.
I went back to try and find a photo from November 1, 2006 but you guys, that was pre-iPhone, pre-uploading photos to a computer (at least for me)…basically it was the Stone Age. I am positive someone took a photo (probably my grandmother), but until I find one, I’m going to set the stage for you with words instead.
Here you go:
After nine months of being hired/working hard/putting every last dime (and a lot of money borrowed from the bank!) into his new business venture, Andrew opened his doors at his brand new State Farm Insurance Agency in McKinney, TX. He was all of 25 years old.
We were in a new town, with a brand new business with zero clients (we weren’t even his clients yet, we were still clients of my dad’s until later that day when we switched!) with no money in the bank, and I had just left my job the day before to go (for free!) work with Andrew so that this big gamble of putting literally every egg into one basket would *hopefully* pay off. We were two fools with a line of credit and a vision to grow his business in McKinney out of nothing.
Y’all…I don’t talk about Andrew’s work very often, but over the last 17½ years, my sweet hubby as turned nothing into SUCH a wonderful business for our family. He is not only really GOOD at his job, but he LOVES his job. He loves helping his clients, he loves his team, and he loves the relationships he has built with our community. He loves it so much that three years ago, he began working towards the goal of opening a second State Farm Agency in a neighboring town.
This is no small task as right now, there are currently 19,651 State Farm Agents in the company and only 946 have more than one office including…starting today…
…Andrew Shull!
After almost three years of working towards this goal, he was interviewed and officially hired this last fall and has spent every minute not with his family, his current agency or let’s be real, snowboarding, finding (and developing out) a second office space, hiring a second team and gearing up for today, MARCH 1, 2024 the day he officially opens in Frisco, TX.
WE ARE SO PUMPED!!!!!
I am so, so, so, so freaking proud of him.
If you are a small business owner, then you know how daunting it is to take nothing and make something, so needless to say, I am extremely proud of him. State Farm officially hired him to not only open a second business (this is not an extension of his “legacy”/current location but it’s an actual separate second business that he’ll get to nurture and grow in the years ahead), but to also retain a portion of a retiring agent’s book of business.
Needless to say, I’m beaming.
This is sweet Kensington from way back in the day 🙂 . My kiddos aren’t the only State Farm babies, I am a State Farm baby (my dad has been an agent since 1980) and my mom is one too (her dad was an agent for 44 years before he passed away). If you think I’m beaming today, you should see my dad and my grandmother. They are both over the moon that Andrew has not only carried on the legacy but done it so well.
Listen, I get a lot of praise, support, encouragement and love from you guys every day here about these businesses that I operate, but there are days, like today, when I really need to give the praise to my sweet hubby who, by working his tail off over the last 17 years, has been able to provide me with the time, the money and the ability to pursue my own dreams/passions/projects/businesses. I would not be blogging today or own my travel agency today if it weren’t for him. I am so extremely proud, and so very excited to see him work hard and grow this new business in Frisco.
How do I top this Fave today?
I can’t.
I cannot.
But I will share this…
What are we up to today?! It’s FIELD TRIP TODAY!
You guys, this is Ashby’s last elementary school field trip, so I am taking the day off and focusing on my girl! We are heading out to a *new to us* place for a fun day of fifth grade. We are both so pumped! After the field trip, we have our annual elementary school family dance…so needless to say, we have a lot to celebrate/enjoy today.
I am going to head out and take off.
Sending you so much love on this first day of March and wishing you a wonderful weekend! xx
Kelly says
Congratulations!!!
Brenda says
Congratulations to Andrew, you, and your entire family!
Elspeth says
What exciting news!!!! Congrats to Andrew!!
Happy Friday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
Whoa!! I don’t think I realized it was opening so soon! Way to go, Andrew! Happy first day!
Bev says
Congratulations to Andrew! Your family life is fun to follow! Seems like there’s never a dull moment! 💞
Rita says
Have an awesome day with sweet Ashby. Congratulations to Andrew and all of you.
SS says
Congrats Andrew and the whole Shull Family!!
I hope the field trip is great. And you all celebrate with a fun time at the dance!!! Happy March!!
Kelly Strylowski says
That is so awesome and can feel the pride beaming through the screen, Shay! Wishing you all the very best and prayers for continued success and happiness! Have fun celebrating this weekend. 😊☘️
Shawn Fernandez says
I started reading your blog years ago and then became an Instagram and Facebook follower. It is due to you and Andrew that my husband became a State Farm agent. A little over ten years ago he was very unhappy with his job. He was in the mortgage business and had done some insurance on the side. I brought State Farm up to him due to your blog and the love your family had for State Farm. The timing wasn’t right years ago but May 1, 2023 he opened his State Farm Agency. He has never been happier! Shay, thank you so much for sharing your love for State Farm!❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my goodness, I just got chills! Congratulations to you guys!! Sending you both so much love and success. It’s such a wonderful “family” to be a part of.
Kaitlin Fergeson says
My husband and I are both State Farm agents (in rural West Texas)!
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?! That’s awesome! Good for you guys!!
Dana P says
Aww…I love it! Congratulations!!! You guys are both a model of good old fashioned hard work to me. Plus probably a ton of grace from our Lord. 🩷
Desiree Leone says
Congratulations to Andrew and your whole family! That is so excited to hear and very inspiring! Wishing you all the best in this new journey! XOXO Have the best time with Ashby! I bet it’s going to be the best day!
Sara Alexander says
What a legacy, congratulations! State Farm has always been great for us! Who will be next in your State Farm legacy? ♥️
Amy Heinl says
Congratulations Andrew…you have worked so hard for this. Best of wishes to you in your new location
Jessica says
Oh my goodness! Congratulations to Andrew and your whole family. As a brokers wife, who recently watched her husband open his his second office, I know how much faith and prayer goes into such a decision. The proof is in the pudding, hard work pays off!!
Congratulations!! I’d say good luck, but you don’t need it, you’ve got this!!
Grace says
Congratulations!!!!! I was reading the comments section and read the comment above. Wow!!!!!
Lori says
Congratulations to Andrew! Quite an accomplishment indeed! What a legacy and such an amazing time for your family. Enjoy making lasting memories today. I know Ashby is going to rock in middle school. I pray her health and Andrew’s new venture continue to thrive and grow.
Melissa says
Congratulations to Andrew and your family!!! What a huge accomplishment!
Paula McKaughan says
This is probably one of the happiest posts to date (and I’ve been here for every one of them! ha!). Congratulations, Andrew!! I’m so happy for your sweet family! Enjoy your field trip day and the rest of your weekend.
Laci L Murray says
That is AMAZING!!!! Congrats to the Shull family!!
Kay says
Congratulations! That is such big news and a huge accomplishment. The fact that you both work so hard, yet have a family focus and balance is an inspiration. I hope you have such a fun day celebrating, and enjoy the field trip!
Shannon in PA says
Such exciting news! Congrats to Andrew!!! I can feel how proud you are coming through in this post 🙂
What a wonderful thing to celebrate.
Beverly says
Mazel tov to you, Andrew, and your sweet family. just goes to show you that hard work & dedication really do pay off. Enjoy! You deserve it.
Dawn Scheurich says
Congratulations to Andrew!! That’s awesome! We are a State Farm family too—my grandfather retired as a claims specialist for State Farm Auto after owning his own body shop after WWII, and my father retired from State Farm after being a claims specialist for State Farm after 40 plus years. We are insured by State Farm for sure!!
Sugar Bostick says
I’m so happy for Andrew! What an accomplishment! I love how he is following in your family’s footsteps, but doing so all on his own at his own pace. So happy for all of you!!
Katie Stewart says
Congratulations to Andrew and your entire family! Such a huge accomplishment. My husband (along with his two cousins that he farms beside), took a leap of faith and a calling from God to build a rice mill. This was literally from the ground up and my family has been so blessed by the awesome things that come from listening to God as he pulls on our hearts. Congrats, again!
Amy Azza says
Congratulations to Andrew!! This is a huge huge accomplishment and I know you are all so proud. Thank you both for being such incredible role models and for showing how hard work pays off.
MelanieL says
How wonderful, congratulations to you all!! Wishing Andrew well on his “first day” at his second office and always! Have a fun day! 🙂
Nicole M. says
Congrats to Andrew and you!! This is awesome!! ❤️
Laura Holmes says
Congrats to your family!
Sarah Jarnagin says
Congratulations!!! I worked at a State Farm office until I had my first baby- nearly 17 years ago! It was for a new agent who had just taken over an existing office so I know the crazy of proving yourself as a new agent.
Kristi L says
Congrats to the Shull Family on this milestone. It must be State Farm week. I was celebrating some good State Farm news with my niece yesterday who has been with State Farm for 10+ years.
Melody Byrd says
Congratulations to Andrew (and your family!) on his MOA!! As a SF baby & wife myself, I can feel all your feelings as you write them! It takes a lot of time & dedication but so worth it!! I’m excited for his new adventure & wish him the best of luck….sounds like it will be successful for him with his work ethic! SF is such a great company to work for! And I have pictures of my daughter (now 16) in that same red onesie!! Congrats again!
Heather says
Congratulations Andrew and alll of you!! 🎈🎉🎊 What a wonderful day for your sweet family!! God’s continued blessings !!! ♥️🤍♥️🤍
Heather says
Congratulations Andrew and all of you!! 🎈🎉🎊 What a wonderful day for your sweet family!! God’s continued blessings !!! ♥️🤍♥️🤍
Kym says
Congratulations to Andrew, to you and to your family. A wonderful accomplishment and blessing and what a legacy! May God continue to bless this endeavor!
Kelly Kirkland says
Congrats to Andrew and the entire Shull family!
Terry says
Congratulations to Andrew!
Kacey says
A HUGE congratulations to Andrew and your whole family!!! What an amazing accomplishment.
Larissa says
My 6th grader dressed up as Jake from State Farm for Halloween this past year, haha! But let’s be real, forget about Jake…I’m all about ANDREW from State Farm!!! This is amazing, Shay! Congrats to your family.
Mix and Match Mama says
That is so fun! Why haven’t my kids done that?!
K.K. says
YAY for Andrew! That’s amazing! I always wonder how you “do it all” and now, I’m thinking that about him! 🙂 Have a GREAT day, Shay… Hope to hear about you and Ashby’s adventures later on the blog/IG.
sandi says
Yes Yes and Yes to small business owners! My husband is one and it takes a tremendous amount of work to make it work. I too work (for free) for the business and our kids have as well. He has been in the financial planning field for over 30 years and about 10 years ago decided he wanted his own practice. He spent 12 years working for a mutual fund company and another few working for a financial planning company. There were times when he felt the best product for a client was not the one the company wanted him to offer and he wanted to do things his way with a clear conscience. We now own a 12,000 square foot office building that houses his financial planning business as well as six other small businesses that lease space from us. I have cleaned bathrooms and offices, our kids have changed air filters, light bulbs and bagged leaves off the flat roof… it is a team effort but so worth it for the peace of mind that you are doing it (hopefully) the right way. Congratulations to Andrew for the second office and business!
Wendy L Crawford says
Congratulations to Andrew and your family!
Marian says
Congratulations to Andrew! Such wonderful news for you and your family. Enjoy your field trip day with Ashby.
Ramona Puckett says
Congratulations 🎉🎊 you both have worked hard for this ❤️
Lauren B. says
What an AMAZING day and legacy. Congratulations!!!
Katie says
Hard work pays off! Congratulations!!!
Hope says
Exciting news!! Congratulations to Andrew and he could not have done it without your love and support.
Julie Harris says
Congrats to Andrew and the entire Shull family! That’s a huge accomplishment and the fruition of years of hard work and dedication. Well done.
Also, on Wednesday I went on my last elementary school field trip (insert crying). It’s a milestone for sure, one I’ve been doing for 17 years. My last baby goes to middle school next year and although I’m excited for her, there’s something about elementary school that we’ll all miss. Hope you have the best time!
Kimberly M. says
Such an amazing accomplishment! Congrats to your whole fam!!!
Lindsay D says
Congratulations to Andrew and your family!!
Keisha Dawson says
This is so exciting! Congratulations to Andrew!
Kelly Bonner says
Congratulations to Andrew!!! What an amazing example to your kids of hard work & determination!
Jaimee Shaffer says
Congratulations!! 🎉 Wishing The Shull’s as much success with the 2nd 17 years as the first! Thank you for inspiring me everyday to be a better version of myself! Happy March!
Paige M. says
Congrats to Andrew!!!! What an amazing accomplishment!
Bobbi says
This is so wonderful. We are Kansas, State Farm insured. Have always loved their service. I have been to Nantucket 3 times, going in September.
Heather Jackson says
Congratulations!!
Jessica says
Shay, I’m an insurance wife too but Farmers. Can relate to so much of this post. My husband started his agency when we were first married in 2010. It’s been a journey and he just moved his office closer to home last weekend. Love the husband brag post. Congrats!
Teri says
~You have every right to feel proud and joyous!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🍾🎉
What a day indeed!!~
JoAnn Campbell says
Congratulations to you both! My mom worked for State Farm for 30 years!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! No wonder we have always bonded so well!
Debbie Hibbert says
Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment! How far is Frisco from McKinney??
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s the next town right to the west of us.
Cris says
Wow! Congratulations, Andrew, on a huge accomplishment! Shay, isn’t it so fun to be proud of the people you love?
Kelly says
Congrats to Andrew! That’s quite a legacy with State Farm for your family.
Crystal says
Not to be crazy, but I feel like I’ve been there since the beginning. I worked at the bank branch next to his office back in 2006 and remember you and your husband from day 1. Congratulations on y’all’s hard work! Clearly it has never stopped since then!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! I love this! I’m so grateful you shared it with me 🙂 .
Ramona Puckett says
Congratulations! Exciting news for your family!
Cindy says
Big congrats to you and Andrew!! Wish he could insure in Calif….I would call him today!!
Louise says
Congratulations! The picture with baby Kensington is precious.
Morgan Godbold says
Congrats Andrew!!! What a great accomplishment and exciting new adventure! Thanks for sharing with us blog friends!
Heather S says
Congratulations, Andrew!! What a blessing you will be to the people of Frisco!
Ann Thompson says
It is so much fun to be proud of your husband. Congrats to Andrew. And you for supporting him!
Erin Strader says
Congrats to the whole family, as this is truly a business built by the whole fam! My former SF agent (now Sales Leader) husband would always say, “We traveled this year!” A MOA means Andrew is the best of the best, cheers! 🥂
Amanda says
How exciting!. Congratulations to Andrew and all of you! So much hard work and dedication. Very admirable!
Lea Culp says
I have been reading your blog for probably 5+ years and had no idea you and yours were a part of the SF family. My husband will celebrate 50 years as a SF Agent on July 1st in Northeast Louisiana. He started a scratch agency and built it to be an awesome agency that did and continues to give us many opportunities. Congratulations to Andrew as we know the difficulty of getting two agencies and no doubt he will continue to do very well. Blessings abundant on this great accomplishment!
Mix and Match Mama says
No way?! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! He’s right up there with my dad! I love that!! What a HUGE accomplishment for him!!!
Beth Knecht says
Congratulations, Andrew! I love that he has continued your family’s tradition and legacy of ‘State Farm’! That is so fun, and I bet your family is elated!
Kacy M says
Congratulations to Andrew! Hard work pays off!
Amber Rodriguez says
How exciting! My husband is a State Farm agent out here in Northern California. He too opened his doors at 25 years old and has been in business for 6 years. We just purchased our forever “office home” building a few weeks ago. A MOA is so exciting! Many congratulations!
SF Agent says
Hi! Fellow insurance agent here. Please try to be more transparent about Andrew. He didn’t start from scratch nor did he his second agency. Taking over books of business give you a huge leg up and I would hate for anyone to be mislead that it looks as easy as you make it out to be. Andrew took over a branch, and then another branch. And while yes, State Farm requires you to hustle, they also provide you the money upfront to get started. And many fail when they don’t have the back end or steady books of business to keep afloat. I love that you encourage your readers to reach and nurture their potential, you aren’t telling the whole story and someone could get in a mess thinking just anyone can make it with SF.
Mix and Match Mama says
I know this is a spammy comment, but I will definitely point out that he 100% was a scratch agent when he started in 2006, and I did reference in this post, that they did allow him to retain some of a retired agent’s book of business (certainly not all of it). You should really read the entire post before pretending to be an insurance agent 🙂 .
Sheaffer says
What an incredible accomplishment!!! Congratulations!!!!
jessica barshinger says
Congrats! This is so great! My husband is a small business owner, has had his company since 97…takes a lot of hard work but is so worth it! ❤️
Julie Connelly says
Oh my gosh!!! This is so exciting!!!! Congratulations to Andrew!!!! Just another reason I wished I lived down in TX. I have no doubt he is an amazing agent. The one we currently have is terrible. Anyways, I just LOOOOVE watching you guys achieve some amazing goals 🙂
Laura JeanS. says
Whoooop!!!! There’s no greater joy than celebrating others 🙂 Way to go, Andrew!!!!
Mary Jane McNeill says
Congratulations to allll of y’all!! We’ve been State Farm clients for 35 years!
Jess Wade says
Congratulations to Andrew! This is random, but I lived in McKinney from late 2006 – late 2008 just north of Custer and Virginia. I remember being at a 5k race (think it might have been a St. Patrick’s Day race, or at least sometime early spring). I remember there being a State Farm tent set up where I likely talked to Andrew although I didn’t know who he was at the time of course. I was young and broke and even though I knew I should reach back out to him (and thought about it every time I drove by), I didn’t. And then didn’t think of it again until I found your blog many years later after I had moved back to Kansas. I know that’s random, but I love following your blog and getting the McKinney tidbits because I really loved living there. It’s changed so much since I moved away in 2008, I hardly recognize it any time I drive through!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh, that is such a great story!!!! We did a gazillion of those events. McKinney has changed so much…but in other ways, it’s still the same great little town. I am so happy you stopped by with this story. Sending you much love in Kansas! xx
Kristen Van Buskirk says
Congratulations to Andrew & your entire family! I work at State Farm and know what a huge accomplishment this is and what an amazing opportunity this is for your family and the Frisco community!
Detroit Duchess says
Congratulations! As a business owner, seeing how much he’s grown the business is inspiring!