Leonard Blount: local entrepreneur spotlight

January 7, 2012

Looking for something to snack on in Statesboro?  Enjoy a tasteful treat from La Berry Frozen Yogurt Café; or maybe get a bite to eat at Shane’s Rib Shack. Chicken might not be the favorite, so try Mellow Mushroom for some pizza. All of these places and more are conveniently located in one place, the Market District Center (pictured left) where you can find a variety of places to satisfy every day hunger. Believe it or not, this property and more is owned by one local entrepreneur, Leonard Blount.

Born and raised in Waynesboro, Georgia, Blount chose a college only a few hours away from home. He attended Georgia Southern College in 1972 for two quarters and then transferred to the University of Georgia (UGA) where he majored in business with an emphasis in risk management.

“I emphasized in general insurance because I felt like insurance was something that I would like to be around,” said Blount. “People that ran the insurance business were people I admired.”

While studying business, Blount was able to gain marketing and management skills. Graduating in 1976 from UGA with a General Business degree, Blount entered the job market at the very end of the 1970’s recession. Nevertheless, he was lucky enough to start working right away.

“It was a time when you rarely got the job you were offered. Luckily for me, I was able to go and work for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company,” said Blount. “I graduated on a Saturday and started working on a Monday. I had no time off or anything.”

He worked first as a claims adjuster at Liberty Mutual, then at a sales job at Wausau Insurance Company in Atlanta, Georgia.  Soon he found himself selling commercial insurance for Powell Insurance Agency. It would be Blount’s relationship with this company that would lead him to owning his first business.

The Powell agency purchased Sorrier Insurance Agency located in Statesboro, and asked Blount to run the office.  Remembering the familiar town, he gladly accepted the offer and returned to the Statesboro community. Only four years later, he took the chance to make the business his own.

“I had the opportunity to go into business for myself,” said Blount. “I ended up purchasing the agency from Powell and then started the current agency we currently have.”

The business is now known as Blount, Burke, Wimberly & Hendricks Insurors. The company sells auto, life, health, business and homeowner’s insurance with over 18 employees and more than 5,000 clients in Georgia and several other states.

However, not one to stay in a place for long, Blount sold his interest to the present partners and went to work full time at Paradigm Administrators, a third-party administration business. After co-owning the business for four years, Blount again decided to sell the business and look for something new.

He devoted the next part of his career to insurance consulting and developing commercial buildings. Blount created his own consulting company and gained interest in many commercial buildings. He now owns the Market District Center, the neighboring plaza, a center in Greensboro and has interests in other properties.

“I was lucky enough to come into the community about six months after Erk Russell arrived,” said Blount. “I rode the wave of his popularity and my businesses rode the wave of the community growing. I really truly give full credit to Georgia Southern for allowing Statesboro to grow like this.”

When asked what he has planned for the future, Blount said he is going to spend the remainder of his time in the insurance consulting business. “I actually just started a company called Capstone Benefit Consulting and that business will be to close out my career,” said Blount. He explained he has no future plans to build anymore buildings because of the current recession.

For all up-and-coming entrepreneurs, Blount advises getting involved with the community as soon as possible. “I would emphasis whatever community you chose to live in, that you get involved with your Chamber of Commerce. Meeting as many people as possible and networking is really the key,” said Blount. “The sooner you can create a relationship with a banker the better because banks are going to help you get off the ground. It is very rare you can start a business with zero dollars.”

An advocate of entrepreneurship, Blount and his wife, Betty (pictured right), are working to support future businessmen. After speaking with the College of Business Administration (COBA) Dean Ron Shiffler, the Blount’s decided to commit to awarding a scholarship each year, called the Leonard and Betty Blount Scholarship for Entrepreneurship Students.

“Ron’s vision really fit well with us,” said Blount. “I support developing entrepreneurship and that’s why we established the scholarship.”

Junior Emery Brown was the 2011-2012 recipient. Brown is majoring in management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and small business while minoring in marketing. Brown will receive $1,000 over the course of one year which he plans to use to help pay for housing. He is more than thankful for the Blount’s generosity.