company logo
Log In
  • Agency News

North Carolina couple chooses business over wedding

Aug 9, 2017

Article image

RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 9, 2017) — While most young couples who commit to a life together get engaged then married, one North Carolina couple decided business ownership would be the best way to invest in their future together. After a real-life version of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” JD Osborne made his way to Jacksonville, Fla., just in time to link up with girlfriend, Jessica Cole, to attend a Brightway Insurance Day of Discovery event (a franchise owner interview).

Before they left the hotel for the event, Osborne got down on one knee and popped the question, “Do you want to get married or own a business?"

While Cole now wears a promise ring that signifies a commitment to each other and to get married one day, the couple is getting ready to open the first Brightway Insurance Agency in Raleigh, N.C. With Cole serving as the principle, Brightway, The Osborne Agency will open Monday, Aug. 14.

“Coming from a Captive Insurance Agency where I could sell policies from only one company, we decided Brightway was the best fit for Raleigh and for us because of the options we’re able to provide and the customer service support Brightway delivers,” said Cole. “As a Brightway Agency, we’re able to shop more than 30 companies to secure the best coverage for our customers.”

Born and raised in North Carolina, Cole comes to Brightway from State Farm, where she sold insurance for the past two years and gained experience as an office manager. She earned a bachelor’s in Business Management from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Cole enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, attending country music concerts and taking her dog, Isabelle, for runs. She looks forward to being able to concentrate on selling great coverage that will ensure financial protection and peace of mind for her customers as a Brightway Agency Owner.

“Brightway is still relatively new to North Carolina, so it’s important that we partner with the right people who become the faces of our brand in these new markets and states,” said Brightway President, Talman Howard. “We’re extremely pleased to team up with Jessica Cole and JD Osborne, who are bringing the Brightway brand to Raleigh, N.C., and we hope to expand even more in the Tar Heel State in the coming months and years.”

Brightway Agency Owners enjoy support in customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology, which frees up their time to focus on leveraging the broadest possible selection of insurance companies to meet each customer’s unique needs. As a result, Brightway agencies consistently outsell other agencies two-to-one.*

Brightway, The Osborne Agency is located at 7478 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh (in the same shopping plaza as Stein Mart).The Agency offers customized Home, Condo, Renters, Auto, Flood, RV, Motorcycle, Boat, ATV and Umbrella insurance policies from more than more than 30 insurance carriers including Cabrillo Coastal, Lighthouse, Nationwide, Progressive and Safeco.

About Brightway Insurance Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent agencies throughout the country. With more than $470 million in annualized written premium, the company is one of the largest property/casualty independent insurance agencies in the United States. Brightway provides its Agency Owners with access to more insurance companies than any other agency, along with a comprehensive system of support that frees them up to focus on customizing policies that meet their customers’ needs.

Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 700 people in 17 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000.

For more information about Brightway, The Osborne Agency, visit BrightwayOsborne.com or call 919-589-3881. Learn more about franchise opportunities with Brightway at Brightway.com.