Local businesswoman Shonie Christensen is the founder of The Shonie Insurance Group. Over the years her career has pivoted from telecommunications to broadcasting in Carbon County, to now meeting people’s insurance needs. “I had a career in broadcasting as a morning show host. The station owner came to me and said, ‘I really want to start a radio station for women, about women with a woman as the morning show host.’ I was able to be a part of that startup process. We named the station "The Peak.” Shonie thoroughly enjoyed working as the host for five years. Eventually, she and husband, Dallas, made the move to sunny St. George. With family and business connections already here, the move became a natural step. When jumping into entrepreneurship they said, “Why not!”, with a from scratch insurance agency opening it was “sink or swim.” Shonie says, “It was tough, we really struggled and we both worked side jobs to make it through.” Hard work comes naturally to Shonie with the example of her mentor and grandmother-in-law, Joan Hahn. At 94 years of age Joan still owns and operates a travel agency, demonstrating that passion for business and hard work does not have an expiration date. Gratefully they have persevered, “Here we are 16 years later, thriving!"
Throughout her life, Shonie has made serving in the community a priority. After the move to St George in 2010 Shonie jumped in to serve as first a board member, and then President of the St George Exchange Club and most recently served as the 2023 Chair of the Borad of Directors for St George Area Chamber of Commerce. Having served 6 years on the board of trustees, she is particularly proud of her work with the Dove Center, and South Valley Services both domestic violence advocacy centers in Utah. She also speaks publicly on domestic violence awareness, helping bring education and real conversation into workplaces and communities. “I believe that you give back to the community that supports you”, she states. Shonie passionately continues work focused on advocacy for women and children in our community, especially when it comes to financial empowerment. “Up to ninety-nine percent of all victims of domestic violence are financially abused. I don’t think people understand the implication of not having control over your own finances.” Shonie strongly feels the need to empower women in taking control of their financial future. Moreover, she says, “I absolutely love to support small businesses, especially small, women owned businesses.”
Shonie also lovingly cares for three rescue horses. While her son was working as a wrangler in Arizona the company he worked for rescued horses from kill pens and would rehabilitate them to become trail horses. One rescue was a starved, pregnant horse needing additional rehabilitation and Shonie readily agreed to foster. Now they own three rescue horses named Gem, Whiskey and Ginger.
A supportive network of family is an important part of Shonie’s life with her husband, Dallas, and their two children and three grandchildren. In telecommunications she was able to continue her career with a bassinet at the end of her desk, a tradition that was kept by the next generation when her own daughter became a mother. The Shonie Insurance Group truly is a family business, made by a family to serve other families. “My agency is a little bit different. We focus on educating our customers. I offer annual reviews and when a customer has a teenage driver I will teach them the basics of insurance. I explain it like this, you are driving around with your parent’s hard earned money and assets in the trunk of your car. When you make a mistake, that trunk pops open and becomes exposed for a lawsuit.”
Overall, Shonie hopes that “as women, we can lift each other up and focus on the good in one another. We are so much more powerful together."
“I believe that you give back to the community that supports you.” - Shonie Christensen