It takes a strong woman to create her own business, and it takes an even stronger one to protect what is important—your home and your family.

For Ashley Boyette it’s all about putting in the effort, at work and at play. “I try really hard every day and I treat people the way I want to be treated,” says Ashley.

It’s no wonder that this year Effingham Magazine’s readers voted Ashley “the best” in multiple categories:

•          Best Insurance Agent

•          Best Insurance Agency

A long time Rincon resident, she attributes the honors to her many years in the community. “People know me, and they trust me” she says, “There have been a lot of accolades this year from the place I love and call home and it means so much to me.”

A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Ashley started working with a State Farm agent in 2007. After learning the business and becoming a licensed agent, she took it to the next level and in 2012 she launched her own insurance business, State Farm Insurance in Rincon.

“I opened what’s considered a ‘scratch agency’—a brand-new office that is built from the ground up. I went from a set amount of pay every week to not knowing what I would be earning, so it was a big gamble.”

True to form, Ashley jumped in and put in the long hours, and the big gamble paid off.

Ashley has a dedicated team behind her. “I am blessed to work every day with Delinda Strickland, Gary Logan, Earline Jones, and Liz Matthews. With the support of my team, we can accomplish anything.”

Their clients know they can rely on any team member because, as the saying goes, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. “Providing excellent customer service is always our top priority,” says Ashley. “Our clients are our family.”

Ashley is a dedicated volunteer with many community organizations, including their family church, Compassion Church. She is a member of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, Effingham County Rotary Club and Effingham Women in Business and a longtime supporter of the United Way.

As a business owner she is also very involved with financially supporting local organizations, especially those that support special needs, seniors, recreation sports, and local booster clubs.

“We are dedicated to giving back to the community.” Events sponsored include the Teen Maze (sponsor for the last ten years), the Back-to-School Blowout, and the Sheriff’s Department Halloween trunk or treat.

In spite of her very busy life—business owner, volunteer, wife and mother—Ashley recently achieved a new goal by competing in a Strongwoman Competition. It started when she began working out this spring at the Empire Gym.

“Empire Gym is a very positive place and I started working out to improve my overall health and fitness. At the gym I met a 65 year old lady who was training for the Strongwoman Competition. She asked me to do it with her, and it looked like fun, so I agreed. Well, she ended up dropping out so then it was just me, but by then I loved it!”

About the competition she says, “Basically you pick up heavy stuff!”

That’s putting it modestly—the heavy stuff consists of beer kegs filled with sand, concrete bags, and brake drums, with the weight running from 75 to 185 pounds, as well as actually pulling golf carts via a rope.

At her very first Strongwoman competition, which was her first sports competition ever, Ashley took fourth place in the Novice Category.

As she says, “Overall it was amazing! Some events I killed, and some events killed me! It was a wonderful experience.”

For Ashley success has been a journey. “You can achieve success only if you try. If you fail, get back up. Try and try again. I have definitely crashed and burned. I have had stress-related health issues. But I would do it all over again. I learned I could do so much more than I imagined.”

Ashley tends to be the helper in any crisis. “Calm and stability is my personality. I am the peacekeeper in my family. No matter what life throws at me I will lead and make things happen.”

She says, “Being a success in business has done so much good for our family.”

Husband Thomas and sons Jackson, 13, and Liam, 8, like to work out with Ashley at the gym and helped her prepare for the Strongwoman Competition. “They loved working with me, especially helping me pull the golf cart.”

Recently the family has gotten into ‘cold water swims’, including ice cube baths in the hot tub. She says, “It’s all about taking care of ourselves, with a spirit of healthy family competition!”

In addition to working out, the family enjoys visiting the beaches at Hilton Head and going to local festivals and events.

For Ashley, others’ wellbeing has always been a top priority.

“Our mission is to provide the best insurance and financial services at a competitive price while providing exceptional service to our customers. We will always put the needs of our customers first and foremost. My motivation is to take care and protect families and members of my community. That’s what my business is all about, that’s what my faith is all about and that’s what being part of my wonderful family is all about. In the end, I am all about protecting families and planning futures.”