We have plenty of amazing small business owners in the Caary family! Meet Adam Funnell, owner of Funnell Insurance Group Ltd. and a Caary investor.

Building on a legacy

For Adam, owning an insurance business runs in the family. In 1987, his mother started working as an Agent with The Co-operators in Woodstock, Ontario. By 1989, she had opened an agency in Ingersoll, which she ran as an employee until 1997 when she was offered an opportunity to buy into the business. She decided to take the plunge, becoming the first owner of Funnell Insurance Group Ltd.

“It was the best professional decision of her life,” says Adam, “which has in turn been a decision that has impacted my life.”

From web developer to business owner

Adam didn’t jump straight into working as an insurance Agent. After leaving college, he took a role with another insurer as a web developer.

“At the time, corporations were finding their feet online, and I had a desire to build websites. It gave me a taste of the insurance industry, while also allowing me to explore my creative side. A year later I found myself working at my mother’s agency, eager to learn the other side of the business from her.”

After eleven years as an employee, Adam took over as owner of Funnell Insurance Group Ltd in 2011. And he’s had plenty of success in the role, doubling his client base and doubling his team from three to six employees.

Big picture thinking

Over a decade into his journey as a business owner, Adam’s best advice is to never lose sight of what matters most – the big picture and the people.

“Don’t get caught in the weeds. Focus on the big picture. When running your own business, the day-to-day issues can consume you, and you can lose sight of your goals. Focus on what really matters. Take care of your team and yourself.”

Commitment to community

As a resident and business owner in the small town of Ingersoll, Adam is committed to taking care of his community.

He’s volunteered with the Rotary Club of Ingersoll for fourteen years, including as Past President and Chair of the annual golf tournament. He’s a director with the local hospital foundation. And he’s President of the Ingersoll District Chamber of Commerce.

Adam also stepped up in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his wife organized an online trivia night, which saw upwards of 400 people logging into Zoom on Saturday evenings.

“We were able to raise money for our local foodbank and meal delivery service, along with funds for oxygen concentrators that were sent to India when they were struggling with the third wave of COVID. It’s something we truly enjoyed doing, and still do, although only once a quarter or so.”

Finding work-life balance

With so much on the go, Adam’s biggest challenge has been finding a balance between work and home.

“It’s very hard to turn off the switch, as many other business owners know. It’s something that I’m constantly working to improve.”

That work is paying off – Adam has plenty to be proud of both in the office and at home. But his biggest source of pride are the people around him.

“Professionally, I’m most proud of building an incredible team of dedicated professionals who share my vision of providing exceptional customer service at every encounter. Personally, I’m most proud of the two amazing daughters that my wife and I are raising. Although it pains me to watch them grow so quickly, I can’t wait to see what they accomplish in this life.”

Whatever path they choose, they have a great role model!