There is no doubt what Katie Clouse wants.
The owner of the State Farm-Katie Clouse Agency seeks recognition as the premier agent not only in Ozark and southwest Missouri but also throughout the state.
And she’s very clear about why: to provide for her son, Jack, and serve the families that trust her agency.
“I think highly of State Farm and the agency opportunity,” Clouse says. “This career allows me, as a single mom, to financially support my son and gives me the flexibility to paint ceramics on a Friday afternoon with him, too.
“My job is to make sure other ‘littles,’ their parents, grandparents and all the family in between have the opportunity to live their best life, too.”
Only a year after opening her agency, Clouse is already on the leadership path with recognition in southwest Missouri as well as in State Farm’s Central Zone, which includes Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
“Frequently, my agency has been a top producer of raw, new auto applications and monthly production.
“But I’m most excited about my accomplishments in mutual fund production and my ranking among top new agents across the country,” says Clouse, who is ranked 15th in the multistate region and No. 173 out of 18,000 agents companywide for mutual fund production.
Clouse also qualified as a State Farm Platinum Mutual Fund Leader by securing more than $800,000 in investments in just 11 months.
Her commitment to success includes teaching best practices and sales strategies with new agents, a process she believes makes her agency better.
A native of Springfield, Clouse earned her bachelor’s degree at Westminster College in Fulton and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
She worked briefly in pharmaceutical sales before embarking on her entrepreneurial path.
Clouse’s agency has five employees, adding two since January, and she hopes to add a third team member in mid-2013.
“My proudest professional and community achievement has been running a successful female-owned business in Ozark, with a penchant for developing new agents for State Farm,” she says. “As a mentor for young men and women seeking approval for State Farm agency, I’ve spent many an hour troubleshooting business plans and mock role-playing interview questions.”
Clouse is a member of the Ozark Rotary Club, which fundraises for local causes, as well as the CoxHealth Foundation.
This year, Clouse will raise funds for the 20th annual State Farm Red Cross Golf Tournament.
She also works to support her alma mater, Springfield Catholic High School, as chair of the alumni association, spearheading fundraising efforts like an annual 5K race.
Her personal and professional commitment to excellence is clear.
“I’m grateful every day that life’s winding road ended up on State Farm Street and I have a chance to be my best self – both a successful business person and a mom that’s present and engaged.”
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