Pictured left to right: Shannon Phelps-Walls, Mark Smith, Paul Guccione
The RiverBend Growth Association has selected Wood River’s Shelter Insurance – Mark Smith as its May 2025 Small Business of the Month award recipient.
Located at 162 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River, it is in its fourth year of business with four staff members ready to serve its customers and the community.
“Our mission is to provide service and protection for what may be our client’s worst day or moments,” Mark Smith notes. “As the youngest of five children, I had two siblings pass away at a young age with children, so I know firsthand what lack of planning can do to a family. That is what drove my passion to get into the insurance industry.”
Shelter Insurance is actively involved in “all that is downtown Wood River,” Smith adds. “We were members of WREN until it dissolved, doing many great things for the Wood River community.” WREN was the former Wood River Enrichment Network.
“We are current members of the Wood River Business Alliance. We are active with Riverbend East Rotary Club as well as RiverBend Growth Association,” he says further, adding, “As a former Scoutmaster with Troop 777 in Rosewood Heights, I am still serving as a member of the Piasa Bird District’s Eagle Scout Board of Review.”
Smith says there have been a host of opportunities and challenges over the past three years. In terms of opportunity, he says the greatest one has been of growth. He notes that they have seen substantial growth already, due to referrals and industry changes.
When it comes to the challenges, Smith says, “We actually try to operate more like a family. So many of our clients are also friends or become friends over time. Personal relationships are very important to us.”
Improvements within the business have come with bringing previously retired Paul Guccione back to the agency in 2023 and adding an additional agent. Recent office remodels and new furniture further made Smith’s noted list of improvements for the agency over its years in business so far.
“In the insurance industry, there is a constant need for continued education,” Smith adds. “Between mandated studies and in-house training, we do our best to stay ahead of trends.”
Expanding on that thought, Smith also notes that there are “a lot of changes in the industry,” due to the rising costs of both home and automobile claims. “These have the insurance world in a state of flux right now that we are trying to stay ahead of,” he explains. Smith believes that this is what sets his agency apart from the competition and what makes him most proud.
“We are family-owned, and we live right here in the area that we serve. We are proud to be a part of Wood River and the entire Riverbend area community,” adds Smith.
For more information about the Shelter Insurance – Mark Smith agency and all they have to offer, call (618) 254-3225 and follow them on Facebook. You can also learn more with a visit online at https://www.shelterinsurance.com/CA/agent/MARKSMITH.
The agency is partnering with the Wood River Public Library to host a free event on June 5, starting at 6 p.m. at the library. The Junior Special Policy Seminar, geared toward parents and grandparents of children from age 0 to 17, will outline how to protect the children now and guarantee their future insurability as an adults.
Space is limited; RSVPs are needed to participate in this important conversation. To register for the June 5 seminar, call Smith’s office or send an email to MarkSmith@ShelterInsurance.com.
The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.
RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vicki Hake, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz, Erin Spain, and Alexis Weller.
To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.