Joni Ginno

Who finds their career at age 16? Honestly, I was just looking for an after-school job! The State Farm agent’s office in a small Northern California town was the second office that I walked into that day and a character of a man (envision Johnny Cash) hired me on the spot! Insurance was a foreign world to me considering that I was still a dependent and had not yet needed to secure any insurance on my own. However, as I look back, I believe it was the fear of not knowing anything that helped me to develop a style of communicating with my customers in an easy to understand manner. I remember how that felt, and it is super important to me that my team and I have the ability to explain insurance concepts in a way that makes sense to you. I always joke that you may not remember anything after our time together, but I assure you that while you are here, you will be knowledgeable about your auto insurance, homeowner insurance and life insurance options and empowered to make the appropriate decisions for you and your family.

With State Farm on my resume, I was able to continue to be employed as I moved to Chico to attend college. Because I worked and went to school, it took me twice as long to earn my degree. The reward is having the satisfaction of paying my own way through college with no loans and no other financial assistance. The cherry on top was that State Farm hired me to be a Claims Adjuster for the company right out of college. The experience of working with our customers after they had experienced a significant loss to their largest asset, their home, was incredibly rewarding. The information I gained in that role has absolutely assisted me and my team as we continue to work with our customers as they recover from the unexpected.

After my Claims experience in Butte county, I was recruited onto a Management Team with State Farm. Four years later, in 1999, was fortunate enough to be selected to open my own State Farm Agency business. I have developed an amazing team that are simply rock-stars in the business. They are caring, friendly and professional, they strive to delight with every customer contact. Our office provides a warm, welcoming and efficient environment. Our customers are our friends and our responsibility. We do not take that lightly nor do we take it for granted. We are the “secret sauce” combining hi-tech with our soft touch. Insurance is a commodity but the value we deliver through our relationships is not.

"The most fearless thing we can do is keep showing up with love and grace and joy in our real, right-now lives." ~Sarah Bessey

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Having emergency kit supplies prepared may give you the resources you and your family need to stay safe:

A catastrophe or emergency could leave you without power and/or help for several days, so take the steps to be prepared with an emergency kit. The basics of any emergency kit should include water and food.

The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person, per day and recommends a three-day supply for evacuations a two-week supply for sheltering at home.

Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods that your family is willing to eat should go into your kit. When preparing a kit, consider:

• Canned meats, fruits and vegetables

• Pasteurized milk and fruit juices

• Protein or fruit bars

• Dry cereal or granola

• Peanut butter

• Dried fruit

• High energy food like canned lentils, canned beans or crackers

• Comfort foods

Additional items for a basic survival kit include:

• A first-aid kit

• Medications including a seven-day supply of all prescription medication everyone in the household may need.

• Equipment such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, can opener, duct tape, a whistle, cellphone chargers, extra cash, blankets or sleeping bags.

• Documents can also be vital to have in an emergency including copies of personal documents such as medication lists and pertinent medical information, proof of address, passports or other forms of ID and copies of birth certificates and insurance policies.

Having a good, basic home emergency kit may help make dealing with severe storms and emergencies a little easier.

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