We’re delighted to begin introducing our finalists for this year's Small Business of the Year Awards, to be presented on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at The Newnan Centre and sponsored by SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services. Today, meet Renee Horton Agency — American Family Insurance!

Chamber membership philosophy and involvement: I believe that being a catalyst for growth in our community, the Chamber membership allows me to develop meaningful partnerships with other businesses and industries in our community. These partnerships are mutually beneficial for my business, the businesses we partner with and our community. I am hopeful that the Renee Horton Agency – American Family Insurance can be a leader and a driving force for the economic growth in our great community. I am currently serving as the Chairman of the first Small Business Council at the Newnan-Coweta Chamber. I continue to support all the businesses that are members of the Chamber anytime I have a need within my agency. My agency has been a huge supporter of Chamber events in my last two years as a member. We have sponsored and/or attended the annual Golf Tournament, Young Professional events, Member Connects, Business-After-Hours, Ribbon Cuttings for the new businesses in our community, the Business Women’s Network, Coffee Calls, Early Bird Forums, State of the Community lunches, Operation Thank You and many others. I am also lucky to be part of a Women’s Entrepreneurs Coaching group that meets monthly. This group has been instrumental in helping me to recognize and address issues within my agency.

Community involvement: We love to sponsor and volunteer in our community! Our in-kind sponsorships have included the Coweta County Board of Education, where we have supported multiple schools/sports, Communities In Schools, the Coweta Community Foundation, the Fayette Women’s Council of Realtors, Fayette Bras for a Cause, Community Welcome House - Coweta’s Dancing Stars, Boys and Girls Club, Soles for Cole, Team Hungry – Sound Waves, YMCA, Run for Angels and Bridging the Gap. We’ve provided service sponsorships for NVOC safe driving schools, Night to Shine and Taste of Newnan. Organizations we’ve supported with both in-kind and service sponsorships include SouthCrest Church, Newnan Junior Service League, Abby’s Angels, 100 Women, GA Heat Cheerleading gym, Newnan Coweta Board of Realtors – local realtor open houses, The Rock Cheerleading gym, The Pink Posse, Toys for Tots and March of Dimes.

How Renee Horton Agency — American Family Insurance differs from competitors: My agency is differentiated from our competitors because we have second-mile customer service. Examples of this are calling our customers on their birthdays, having monthly birthday parties, having annual customer appreciation events, calling our customers during November for our annual thank a thon, recognizing life-changing events that happen with our customers, and just doing the best we can to make them all feel extra special. We continue to seek to develop a niche market. My agency continues to be involved in our community daily!

If you haven't yet registered for the Small Business Awards and Celebration, click here to do so now!