01940 Winter 2020

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30 | 01940Soderbergis hereto stayBY GUTHRIE SCRIMGEOURSoderberg Insurance Services startednearly 55 years ago in the corner of abasement with a makeshift desk built outof a door laid across two file cabinets.Douglas Soderberg had worked as ageneral agent for Aetna but had a fallingout with his boss, and together with hiswife, Frances, decided to build his owninsurance service from the ground up.So the young couple opened theiroffice in their Lynnfield starter home, withthe goal of providing honest, high-qualityinsurance service to the North Shore.“They really started with nothing,”said Kathryn Soderberg, Douglas andFrances’s daughter, who now serves ascompany president. “But it turned out tobe the smartest thing they ever did.”Since then, Soderberg InsuranceServices has expanded into a highlysuccessful business, with a staff of nineserving nearly 3,000 customers.While Soderberg Insurance Serviceshas since moved to a larger office (withmore conventional desks) they stillmaintain a connection to their humbleroots through their charitable work.Frances, whose other daughter wasborn with Down Syndrome, put togetherprograms each year to help Lynnfield'sspecial needs community. For 26 years,she championed the North Shore SpecialNeeds fundraiser.Following Frances Soderberg's deathin 2017, the agency started a scholarshipin her name to provide funds to a studentpursuing a career in special education.While this scholarship was not offeredthis year due to the pandemic, it will becontinued in 2021.Additionally, the firm supportsthe homeless community through achocolate bar fundraiser: All proceeds aredonated to Boston Rescue Mission.Soderberg Insurance also aims toserve communities that don’t always haveKathryn Soderbergis the president ofSoderberg InsuranceServices in Lynnfield.PHOTO:SPENSER HASAKthe same access to insurance servicesthrough their multi-lingual services.“We have an international staff here,”said Kathryn, who studied linguistics incollege and is a fluent Spanish speaker.Their office includes several more Spanishspeakers and a Creole-fluent employee.A friend of Kathryn’s began referringHispanic customers to the firm andSoderberg immediately saw howimportant it was to provide languageservices to this community.“They were so grateful that we couldexplain something technical to themin their own language,” said Kathryn.“Because of that language skill, we couldestablish that sense of trust right away.”When she became president in 2001,Kathryn leaned into the multi-lingualelement of the business. Now, she saysthat about 40 percent of their customerbase are Spanish speakers.“We’re not a typical Lynnfieldinsurance agency,” she said. “Ourclientele is so diverse.”This year, Soderberg InsuranceServices was selected from a group ofmore than 600 companies to receive the2020 Travelers Superior Travelers AgentRecognition (STAR) award.“Soderberg Insurance Services,Inc. is a leader in dedication to yourcustomer,” said Dave Rose, regional salesdirector for Travelers upon presentingthe award. “You show consummateprofessionalism in your partnership withTravelers. I couldn’t be more pleased incongratulating you for achieving such awell-deserved recognition.”Kathryn believes that the pandemichas only made the team’s work morenecessary.“The virus has had an impact on ourcustomers and their ability to pay theirpremiums and keep their businessesintact,” Kathryn said. “Our guidanceduring these challenging times is moreimportant than ever.”
Call or stop by to see whyA. JAMES LYNCHINSURANCEhas been the trusted name for Insurance to theresidents and businesses of the North ShoreFOR OVER 60 YEARS!Registry ServicePlenty of Off-Street ParkingHablamos EspanolA. JAMES LYNCHINSURANCE AGENCY INC.AUTO HOME BUSINESS LIFE297 Broadway Lynn, MA 01904781.598.4700AJamesLynchInsurance.comFor appointmentsplease call978-774-2555(evening hours available)147 South Main Street, Middleton, MA978-774-2555www.familymedicinemiddleton.comWe provide dedicated and focused care to patients of all ages.
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