Employees Appreciate Bethany Insurance Because Leaders Appreciate Them

It’s well understood that appreciation and being appreciated go hand-in-hand, but that synergy has evolved from a mere concept to becoming a big driver of employee satisfaction and business growth at Bethany Insurance Agency.

The small but growing agency in San Dimas, California, was voted by its employees as the West region’s Best Agency to Work For, Silver Award winner.

The full-service independent brokerage specializes in commercial insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and workers’ compensation. Agents have experience working with complex commercial risks and businesses in industries such as real estate, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and professional services.

Many employees who wrote in to nominate the firm liked its growth mindset and the small, family firm feel, with some saying the workplace fosters “a supportive, team-oriented culture where everyone is encouraged to learn, grow, and succeed,” and where leaders are “approachable” and open to different values, as well as new ideas and new technologies.

“I started here at Bethany only two-and-a-half months ago. Since day one, I felt very welcomed and comfortable,” one employee wrote on a nominating form. “As the days went by, I realized that the culture here is exactly what I wanted after leaving a large corporation. It’s more like a family vibe than a workplace.”

Daniel Shehata, the firm’s owner, has insurance in his veins. His father has an insurance background, and his mother was in the industry for 40 years before starting Bethany Insurance.

He got his producer license at the same time as the business launched in 2006, focused on personal lines. They nearly closed shop in 2009, and his father leveraged their home and his 401(k) to keep the business afloat. Shehata decided to go beyond personal lines, and began learning to also sell business insurance and benefits. Then he went knocking on doors.

“I would go to little mom-and-pop restaurants, laundromats, dry cleaners, ‘Hey, can I quote your general liability business?'” he said.

They survived. The firm has a projected annual revenue of $14 million for the year and has grown to 24 employees. The agency serves clients throughout California and across the country and is licensed in 40 states.

Shehata attributes that growth to his employees, as well as investing in them and appreciating them.

“What makes Bethany a great place to work is our people,” Shehata said. “We invest in them, recognize their contributionsm and create opportunities for them to take on new responsibilities and grow their careers alongside the agency.”

As he was speaking about the firm’s award, his father had just brought a homemade Egyptian-style meal into the office he had made to share with employees. Several times a week Shehata plays barista and makes affogatos, a shot of espresso with a vanilla ice cream and a chocolate drizzle.

“I lead by service-ship to my staff, and I think it resonates with them,” he said.

Another employee who nominated the firm appreciates that service, as well as the workplace flexibility.

“They consistently show appreciation for the staff, whether it’s providing catered lunches throughout the month or simply checking in to make sure everyone has the support they need,” the employee wrote. “The work-life balance is excellent. I have a great schedule and the flexibility to work from home twice a week, which is a huge benefit.”

Beside appreciating his employees, Shehata believes that it’s important to be mindful that it’s a business, and while success is key, it looks different to everyone.

“Some employees want to advance into leadership; some want to increase their earning potential; and others value flexibility, stability, or the opportunity to become an expert in their field,” Shehata said. “A great workplace creates room for those different goals while still maintaining clear expectations and accountability. Most importantly, never take your best people for granted. Invest in them, recognize their contributions, and show them that the future you are building includes them.”