When Bethany Harbin started working in her father’s State Farm office at just 15 years old, she never imagined it would turn into a lifelong career.
“I thought it would be a part-time job,” she says. “Never thought it would be what I would do.”
But years later, after earning a finance and insurance degree from Middle Tennessee State University and working under different agents, she found herself following in her father’s footsteps and carving out her own path in the insurance industry.
Today, Bethany is the owner of a successful State Farm agency and its recognizable storefront that’s become a staple in the Bellevue community—since 2004, the building has stood tall right off exit 199 on I-40. As a thriving female business owner today, Bethany credits much of her success to the mentors who paved the way for her, particularly her father and his former manager, Frances Jernigan.
“My dad was an agent in Columbia until three years ago when he retired,” she says. “I watched how he ran his business, how policyholders responded to him—they respected and appreciated him. I learned a lot from him about how to treat people in general.”
Frances Jernigan, a female State Farm manager who oversaw different agencies, played a pivotal role in Bethany’s early career.
“She told me I needed to prove myself while working for my dad,” Bethany adds. “She was right! As a young mom, I saw that she had done it herself as a wife and a mom, which gave me confidence.”
Bethany might have been content staying in her father’s office, but when the opportunity arose to start her own agency, she took the leap. And now, 31 years later, she hangs her hat on being there for her community in difficult times. Her team doesn’t take lightly that they’re often part of someone’s worst day.
As a business owner and a mother of four daughters, Bethany understands that career and family can be a balancing act. Then, the two converged when her husband and daughters joined the team.
“My husband, Tracey, was always involved,” Bethany shares. “In 2006, he quit his job and started working full-time in the office. My oldest daughter, Raegan, started working here in college. Now she’s married with three young children. My daughter Liza started working with me when she graduated college in 2018. My younger brother is also an insurance agent in Columbia—it’s a family thing for sure.”
Leadership, to Bethany, is more than just running a business—it’s an opportunity to set an example for other women.
“It’s important for young women to get support wherever they can,” she says. “You find yourself pulled in a lot of different directions, constantly choosing between a career and family.”
But, Bethany always found solace in knowing she was helping others.
“I used to feel guilty that I wasn’t able to volunteer or be the room mom like my friends,” she admits. “But someone set me straight and said, ‘You’re looking at it wrong. You’re in a position in your job to help people in their biggest time of need. When there’s a house fire or someone passes away, you’re the one handing them a check that can make a big difference.’ That helped ease some of the pressure.”
Now, as she looks back on her career, Bethany is proud of what she’s built—not just for herself, but for her family and the community she serves.
“I’ve always loved what I do,” she says. “Being a mom, a wife—but I love what I do, and a lot of my identity is tied up in my career.”
Bethany and her team cover everything from auto insurance to homeowners and renters insurance, condos and townhomes, boats, motorcycles, life insurance, supplemental health policies, and more.
"It was important to me to set an example for my daughters to go for what they wanted. If I could do it, anyone could do it."