Family tragedy leads to fulfilling career

Nick Sommer is on his way to making a long-time career choice a reality. He recently purchased the Melodi Broege Insurance building, 10514 Main Street, on the corner of Bridge and Main Street in Roscoe. Broege has retired. "The building was turn-key," he says. "It's in beautiful shape, completely renovated in 2006."

His COUNTRY Financial offices are located on the second floor of his building. The ground floor will soon be the new home of Velvet Robot Coffee Lab, a specialty coffee shop. A second Velvet Robot shop is at 1292 South Alpine in Rockford, IL.

His path began on June 23, 2017, when his family home in Roscoe burned to the ground. His parents and siblings were safe, but lost all of their possessions.

The Sommer family, owners of five area bowling establishments, were insured through COUNTRY Financial. Within a period of 18 months, the insurance company stepped in to help the family rebuild their home, provide a temporary place to live, and replaced personal property lost in the fire.

Nick never forgot how the company was able to help them through the tough times. The experience was the impetus leading him to choose the insurance business as a career - with COUNTRY Financial.

Nick is a graduate of Hononegah Community High School.  He excelled in bowling while a student at Hononegah.  He went on to receive a full bowling scholarship from Wichita State University.  His bowling team won two national championships in 2021 and 2023.

Nick graduated with a bachelor degree in marketing and earned a masters degree in data analytics and sales psychology from Wichita State in 2023.

While a student at HCHS, his favorite class was the InCubator program, an entrepreneurial class taught by Jason Brunke.  The program provides students with the guidance and the knowledge to build a business. Business men and women from the surrounding community act as mentors and coaches.

"I learned a lot from the program under the guidance of Mr. Brunke and mentors Chuck Gilbert and Mike Frank," says Nick.  He learned the basics of starting a business, how to secure finances, and how to market his product.

Nick created a car detailing business in Roscoe that became very successful.

After finishing his education at Wichita State, Nick moved back to Roscoe.  His goal was to open a COUNTRY Financial agency in Roscoe, offering auto, commercial, life, home, health and retirement insurance services.

"Being an agent is allowing me to affect all parts of life.  I want to grow COUNTRY Financial and eventually hire six agents.  My goal is to help people as my family was helped."

Recently, Nick presented the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department with a check for $1,500, as a thank you for their service to the Roscoe community. Looking back at the fire, he says, "Country Financial Insurance and Harlem Roscoe Fire Department made us whole again."

Nick can be reached at 815-633-9404 or email nick.sommer@countryfinancial.com.