My 40 Year Dash
The son of a farmer, husband and father of 5, and branch owner of Fortress Insurance Services (Ames, IA) - Tim Hibbing - recounts his first 40 years of life from the farm to church, school to work, marriage to family and a little beyond. Tim’s stories wonderfully capture a midwest upbringing and experiences that may seem ordinary at first glance, but become something much more as each chapter unfolds. A little more about Tim: Tim Hibbing is the dedicated Branch Manager at Fortress Insurance Services, located in his hometown of Ames, Iowa. With a career in the insurance industry spanning nearly two decades since his graduation from Iowa State University in 2005, Tim brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to serving his community. Prior to joining the agency side, Tim honed his skills at Nationwide Insurance, where he successfully supervised a top-performing call center unit. This foundation allowed him to transition seamlessly into his current role, where he has since written over 20,000 insurance policies across a wide range of needs. Known for his helpful and responsive approach, Tim is highly regarded by his clients for his ability to find them better insurance rates and provide exceptional service. His dedication to client satisfaction has also earned him the distinction of being a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider for insurance.
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Episodes
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
A life-changing trip overseas unexpectedly forged a powerful bond with someone waiting back home. The distance amplified a connection into undeniable love, leading to a swift and exciting new chapter upon my return. Finding a place to call our own became the first step on a path neither of us could have predicted, a testament to a connection that transcended miles.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Love inspired a leap of faith, trading my fulfilling role with teens for a stable career and a surprise proposal hundreds of miles away. Her "yes" in Denver was the exhilarating turning point, a clear end to one meaningful chapter and the exciting start of another. Witnessing a former athlete's final high school race became a deeply emotional goodbye to that impactful era, as I embraced a future anchored in love and a brand-new professional path. It was a bittersweet but undeniably motivating transition.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
A new career launched alongside the exhilarating countdown to "I do." The wedding day itself was a whirlwind of joy, the perfect prelude to the quiet excitement of creating a home together. With dreams of the future dancing in our heads, every moment felt charged with the thrilling energy of a brand new, shared adventure.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
The first months of marriage were a rollercoaster of canceled dreams and career hurdles, yet a vibrant community rallied around us. As I unexpectedly climbed the career ladder, life delivered another twist: the joyous news of our impending parenthood. It was a powerful collision of professional ambition and the deeply personal, life-altering journey of starting a family, all interwoven with the strength of unexpected friendships.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
The anticipation of our first child brought a whirlwind of changes: a new, quirky home and a spirited beagle puppy joined our lives. But the true adventure began with the exhausting joy of our daughter's birth. Those early days, a chaotic symphony of love and sleeplessness, were made even funnier by our beagle's utterly perplexed reaction to this tiny, loud human. It was the wonderfully messy opening chapter of our family's story.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
The chaotic joy of new parenthood collided with career shifts and a move, all while a crazy side hustle fueled a dream anniversary trip - a hilarious disaster culminating in the most bizarre and unforgettable discovery in a Chicago alley. It wasn't the anniversary we envisioned, but the shared absurdity forged an unbreakable bond, proving that lasting memories are often the ones you never plan for.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Trading the call center for a local insurance gig felt like a fresh start, but a sudden loss brought an unexpected sorrow. Amidst the grief, the news of our second child sparked hope. And as a critical career challenge loomed, our newest addition's dramatic entry into the world became a powerful turning point, intertwining professional survival with the intensely personal and transformative journey of a growing family. It was a season of profound loss and the fierce, undeniable pull of new life.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Leaving the demanding call center, I sought a local career in Ames, unexpectedly finding it in insurance. But the familiar pull of ministry tugged at my heart, creating a crossroads. A powerful conversation with a mentor illuminated a surprising truth: my drive to serve could thrive just as brightly in the business world. This revelation sparked a decisive career shift, fueled by a newfound purpose to impact my community in unexpected ways. It was a choice not just of profession, but of a deeply meaningful path.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Family and entrepreneurial urges led me to launch my own insurance agency. A dead-end at my current job, marked by broken promises and a non-compete, forced my hand. Encouraged by industry support, I took the exhilarating leap into entrepreneurship. It was a high-stakes bet on myself and a declaration of independence. The adventure began.
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Escaping the confines of my old agency, keeping my clients became a fierce priority, with an unexpected ally stepping in to help. The thrill of setting up my own office was soon eclipsed by a surprising partnership offer – a chance to build something bigger, together. Choosing collaboration over independence felt like a risk, but the potential for growth and shared success was too powerful to ignore. It was a bold move, a decisive step towards a future brimming with possibility.