Michael L. McCarthy
Name of business: Monadnock Insurance Agency, Inc. (Progressive sign out front)
Location: 19 Turnpike Road, Jaffrey
Q. Why did you start your business in the Monadnock region?
A. My wife Suzanne and I moved from Frederick, Maryland, to Peterborough in 1980 and began McCarthy Insurance and investments there. In 1981, we found a house we liked on Crestview Drive in Jaffrey and continued the insurance business from there until we purchased Monadnock Insurance Agency, Inc. in 1982. Suzanne joined me in the business in 1983 and we have worked together since.
Q. What is your experience of doing business in the area?
A. The town has changed quite a bit in the time we have been here. Jaffrey is more conducive to business now than in 1980. We have operated the agency for 36 years; more recently our son, Matthew has joined us for the next 36!
Q. What improvements to the business environment would you recommend, to help businesses in the region succeed?
A. The Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce is a good place to start. I was fortunate to be a director, vice president and president in the early years. I was also pleased to be a director on TEAM Jaffrey’s board also in their first few years. In order to succeed I would recommend joining and participating in the above two organizations as well as your own industry’s association.