Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb2016

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AMount PleasantTradition
Billy Swails State Farm
It’s no secret that Mount
Pleasant is not the same as it was decades
ago, but one thing that has withstood the test
of time is Billy Swails’ State Farm insurance
agency. Taking the old adage literally, this
business has been there for its Mount Pleasant
clients, “come hell or high water,” for 50 years.
Billy Swails’ father started
the insurance agency in 1965
and
invited
Swails to come work with him
in 1980.
“The first time he offered, I
said ‘no’ and that I didn’t like
the business. There was too
much going on at one time,”
Swails laughed. “He offered
again in August of 1980 and I
went to work.”
To his surprise, Swails
found he enjoyed the insurance
industry, particularly gaining
knowledge of his product
and getting to work with so
many different people in the
community. He became the
agent of record in 1990 when his father retired.
“I’ve seen it all,” he said. “We helped people here
during Hurricane Hugo. The longest 10 days of my life
were when we went down to Florida with other State
Farm agents to help victims of Hurricane Andrew. I had
25 Hurricane Katrina victims that temporarily moved
to the Lowcountry, and I helped them with additional
living expenses; some of them never moved back. Even
the record flooding we had last October – when there is a
disaster, we’re here to help.”
Swails attributes the long-term success of his business
to several factors.
“First of all, State Farm is a great company. It’s in the
top 40 of the Fortune 500 companies,” he explained.
“We’ve had to fight the competition – niche markets and
Internet agencies – but State Farm holds the line. They
do the advertising; we work with our clients.”
He also credited his 13 co-workers, many of them
family members, and the others who have become like
family.
“I used to think I was a hard boss, but people come
here and want to stay. Together we have over 125 years
worth of experience, and we
know our products well. One
of our biggest core values is
family, and we work together to
accomplish what we need.”
Above all, Swails said that
it is the community that has
kept the agency in business for
half a century.
“Buy local; spend local. We
all live local,” he said. “The way
we do business is how we keep
our business. I think you need
to give back. In my opinion, if
you take care of clientele, your
clientele will take care of you.”
Swails reinforces his
relationship with the
community by sponsoring a
wide variety of local events and
charities, ranging from local recreational sports teams to
church fundraisers to Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy and the
March of Dimes.
Swails’ agency is a multiple line insurance company,
offering insurance policies for auto, homeowners, renters,
boats and businesses, as well as life insurance and even
mutual funds.
While Mount Pleasant continues to grow and change,
Billy Swails State Farm remains steadfast, helping its local
clients and the community weather it all, come hell or
high water.
Billy Swails State Farm is located at 1047 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.
in Mount Pleasant. To learn more, visit or
call 843-884-5149.
By Anne TOOLe
Longevity 50 Companies that have passed the test of time are the backbone of the Mount Pleasant business community.