YULEE, FLA. — After four years of building Brightway Insurance into a national brand as the company’s Marketing Manager, Nassau County resident, Lauren Mathewson, has teamed up with her family to open their own Brightway Agency in Yulee.
Mathewson and her brother, Jackson Selvidge, serve as the Principal Agents at the new location. The two have partnered with their mother and stepfather, Jennie and Ben Stephens, who both have deep roots in the community. Jennie owns Red Otter Outfitters, a popular retail establishment in Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Ben is a successful Mortgage Originator and Sales Manager influencing markets and advising clients for more than 25 years.
“I was fortunate to work for Brightway's corporate office, helping agencies grow their business and achieve their potential in my role as Marketing Manager,” said Mathewson. “Becoming a small business owner has been a life-long goal, and Brightway has one of the best business models available.”
Mathewson brings eight years’ experience in sales and marketing to her Brightway Agency. A graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. Mathewson and husband, Grayson, of four years, have a son. For leisure, she enjoys cooking, beaching and spending time with family.
“Jackson and I have always admired our parents and the strong relationships they've developed in our community,” Mathewson added. “We love knowing everyone in town and giving back to the community we grew up in. We hope to help our friends, family and neighbors protect their most valuable possessions and have fun doing it!”
Also a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Selvidge comes to Brightway after working in sales, customer service and management roles at a Dental Supply distributor. With his drive and knack for competitive, local sales, he stands poised to tackle the local market and provide agency growth. Selvidge holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. When he’s not helping customers find customized policies, he enjoys cooking, golfing, boating and spending time with his dog, Riley. As Brightway Agency Owners, Selvidge and Mathewson are eager to exceed customer expectations and earn their trust as the No. 1 source for expert counsel on insuring homes, cars and much more with more choice in insurance brands than you’ll find elsewhere.
“Lauren Mathewson has been an integral part of the Brightway family and expansion efforts, and we’re ecstatic to see her partner with her family to reach their potential as Brightway Agency Owners and build their own Brightway enterprise,” said Brightway President, Talman Howard. “They have an army of insurance professionals behind them ready to provide a suite of support to ensure their growth and success.”
Brightway Agency Owners enjoy comprehensive business support including customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other insurance agencies three-to-one.*
Brightway, The Coastal Agency is located at 463711 State Road 200, Suite 12 in Yulee (in the same shopping plaza as Target). The agency offers customized Home, Condo, Renters, Auto, Flood, RV, Motorcycle, Boat and Umbrella insurance policies from numerous insurance brands including American Colonial, Bankers, Burns and Wilcox, Cabrillo Coastal, Dairyland, Edison, Florida Peninsula, Foremost, Johnson & Johnson, Progressive, Safeco and SageSure. The agency opened for business Monday, July 23. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
About Brightway Insurance
Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent stores throughout the country. With more than $536 million in annualized written premium, the company is one of the largest personal lines agencies in the United States. Brightway provides its franchise owners with access to more insurance companies than any other agency, along with a comprehensive system of support that frees them up to focus on customizing policies that meet their customers’ needs.
Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 800 people in 20 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000.
For more information about Brightway, The Coastal Agency, visit BrightwayCoastal.com or call 904-712-6300. Learn more about franchise opportunities with Brightway at BrightwayDifference.com.
