Ahoy! Hats Off Day, Burnaby’s favorite festival, sets sail on Saturday, June 2, 2018, and this year’s theme is “Pirates & Sailors”. Embrace the sea theme and join Reliance who is a 2018 Cowboy Hat Sponsor for this fun community event. Get nautical and pick a side – Pirates or Sailors. Join us in celebrating the best of Burnaby Heights. This street festival is managed by the great folks at the Burnaby Heights Merchant Association and is one of the best in Metro Vancouver.
Visit us at the sponsor’s booth on Hastings between Rosser and Willingdon Ave.
Reliance Insurance moved to Burnaby in 2016 and was immediately impressed by the merchants association and the wonderful community. We are so proud to support the Hats Off Parade in 2018 and we look forward to seeing some great pirates, sailors and mermaids (mens!) on the parade route.
Jim Ball, President, and Owner moved the insurance agency to Burnaby; including moving his family from North Vancouver to the local area in order to be part of this great neighbourhood.
Recently, Burnaby Now interviewed Jim to find out a bit more about the reason behind the migration to Burnaby Heights. We would like to share it with you.
Q. How long have you been at this location?
We have been in business for over 35 years but we moved to our current location in the summer of 2016. The agency has grown over the years and has moved locations to provide continual space for that growth. It was apparent that Reliance needed to own a building. When this address came available we embarked on a journey to renew this location.
Q. Why did you choose this location?
I chose this location because Reliance has always resided in East Vancouver and the location was ideal. The Heights is a vibrant neighborhood, close to our roots and is very family and small-business focused. Although we have grown to be one of the top 15 insurance agencies in BC, we are family owned and operated and the staff is an integral part of our success. This neighborhood was a perfect fit for the way we do business.
Q. What does the Heights mean to you?
Great people, community, fantastic selection of restaurants, an engaged business association, and friendly neighbors. This is home where we can grow our business and become an integral part of the community.
Q. How did you get involved in this business?
I started out as an insurance claims adjuster and have worn many hats in insurance companies, both in Canada and the U.S. However, my life’s work for the past 30+ years is Reliance Insurance, and I have been growing and nurturing it since I bought the small company in 1985. Today, Reliance Insurance Agencies Ltd. boasts 113 employees.
Q. What plans do you have for the future?
I am a young at heart kind of guy who has no plans to retire. I want to continually grow Reliance Insurance organically and through strategic mergers and acquisitions. I enjoy working with my son Chris and mentoring the younger people in the office.
Now go walk the plank. Arrrr Matey!
Resources:
Hats Off Day sets sail for 2018 in Burnaby
About Reliance Insurance Agencies Ltd.
The Reliance Group is an insurance and risk management firm established in1980. With a team of over 113 employees, and offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, we are one of the largest independent insurance and risk management firms in Western Canada with the ability to insure clients and their assets worldwide. Jim Ball is the President of Reliance Insurance and is a Past President of the Insurance Brokers Association of BC and the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada. He was Insurance Person of the Year in 2007.
We can provide insurance for home, car, pleasure craft boats, small business, and commercial businesses.
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