Stephanie Hebert

After going through a divorce, local businesswoman Stephanie Hebert was stuck with the prospects of being a single mother of two boys without a job.

It was during that time that her father suggested insurance to help his daughter get back on her feet.

That suggestion proved right, eventually blossoming into one of the most prosperous insurance businesses in the Tri-parish area, as Stephanie Hebert Allstate Insurance services approximately 5,000-7,000 people.

“I never imagined it would happen like this,” Hebert said of her business’s growth.

But it wasn’t always easy for Hebert, who said she had to work hard to get started in the always-competitive field of insurance.

“I went to several people in this town and no one wanted to give me a chance because I didn’t have an insurance license,” Hebert recalls.

She eventually got her license, thanks to the tutelage of Hartwell Lewis Jr., who gave Hebert her initial break into the business.

With her foot in the door, Hebert never looked back, establishing her own agency in December 1994.

She said she was motivated to get her initial footing, because of her desire to help others, which was established as a child.

“I like helping people. That’s just who I am,” Hebert said. “I have a hard time saying “No’ to people who ask me to do things. I truly believe that it’s always good to give back to people who give to you. This community’s been good to me.”

Stephanie Hebert Insurance now provides all lines of insurance to clients, including car insurance, life insurance, home insurance and various financial services.

“We basically do any and everything except health insurance,” Hebert said.

While sometimes the world of insurance is a murky and foggy world to customers who don’t know anything about the business, Hebert said she and her staff aim to make people feel comfortable in their presence.

Hebert’s office is arranged with a very modernized feel, and inside her own office hang multiple sports memorabilia items, which she hopes eases the minds of clients entering the business.

“We try to make this a very cool place to work,” Hebert said. “This is not a stiff atmosphere. This is a very loose atmosphere. I don’t want people coming into my place of business, feeling like they have to be dressed in coat and tie or dressed in high heels and all of that kind of stuff.”

Because, after all, peace of mind is the aim for any insurance agent, according to Hebert.

“I want to make sure they have that peace of mind to know that everything is protected and they’ll be safe,” she said. “Because we’re very appreciative of all our clients.”

Title: Owner of Stephanie Hebert Allstate Insurance

Age: 52

Family: single, mother of two sons, Nicholas and Mitchell

Education: Graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School, attended Nicholls State University

If you could add one hour to each day: I’d spend more time with my granddaughter

First job: Insurance.

Describe yourself in one word: Happy.

What did you want to be growing up? A nurse.

Best advice received: From my father, “You need to be independent to be able to take care of yourself.”

Best advice you’d give to a woman in business: “Surround yourself with good, loyal people and always remember you can’t do this all by yourself.”

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I have no idea because I’ve done this for so long.