Tornadoes, Hurricane Season ’23 Help Inspire Bluffton Business - Beaufort Businessman Launches Brightway Monday

As the eastern seaboard begins to tune into Hurricane Season 2023, one Lowcountry businessman is all too familiar with the dangers mother nature can bring to your front door.

Although it has been seven years since Hurricane Matthew roared through Hilton Head Island doing millions of dollars in damage and destroying the scenic beachline, the memories from one of the nation’s costliest storms to date are still fresh in the minds of Beaufort County residents with Hurricane Season just a couple of weeks away.

It’s the same deadly threat of severe weather that Bluffton transplant John Monteiro knows all too well. Next week, he’s hoping his new business will help do its part in helping prepare families for possible storms off of the Atlantic. The long-time business pro will launch Brightway, The John Monteiro Agency this Monday.

Moving from the Northeast to the coastal hotspot in 2021, Monteiro and his family once lived in a region known as “Tornado Alley” in Northeast Ohio. Nearly 20 tornadoes touch down in that region of the Buckeye State each year.

“I was out with friends watching a football game on television when the news cut in with coverage showing live footage of tornadoes surrounding our area,” Monteiro said.

“As I looked closer to the images, it was very clear it was my neighborhood one funnel was locked in on.”

When the storms settled and Monteiro was able to return home, the tornado had carved a path between his and his neighbor’s house doing some damage, but sparing his home. However, one block over, every single house in its cul-de-sac was destroyed. “We were lucky. But now, it’s crystal clear that moving next to the Atlantic Ocean means we have to be ready for anything.”

Monteiro, his wife, Anna and their two children are just some of the thousands who have made the same move to the popular vacation destination over the past 30 years, more than doubling the population of the county in that time. “Like so many, we traveled here many times and wanted to make the move here someday,” Monteiro said. “Although the threat of hurricanes may be new to us, Tornado Alley was definitely a similar scare we faced head-on in years past.”

Although it has been more than twenty years since that horrific day in Twinsburg, Ohio, the 53-year-old insurance agency owner has now found a way to put that passion to work protecting what’s important to him and those who now call the Lowcountry home.

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Monteiro holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Emmanuel College (Mass.), as well as a chartered financial consultant certification from the American College of Financial Services.

Brightway, The John Monteiro Agency offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, and Life insurance policies from numerous insurance companies. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Visit them at their office at 110 Traders Cross, Suite 210 in Bluffton, online at BrightwayMonteiro.com or call 843-628-7100.

Brightway’s corporate office staff provides expertise and support in areas including customer service, technology, accounting, marketing, distribution and business analytics. In addition, Brightway handles carrier relations and appointments, as well as support with personnel hiring, licensing, onboarding, training and retention. The company’s signature after-the-sale service empowers Agency Owners, like John, to focus on new business sales and provide customers the personalized service they deserve.

About Brightway Insurance

Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 300 franchises in 36 states and more than $1 billion in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.

Brightway produces winning outcomes for franchisees and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.