Meet our newest Member Spotlight! Each month, we feature one of our Chamber Members.
To apply for your spotlight, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
We asked Jennifer Ellis, with Ellis Family Insurance Agency, to tell us more about the company and about being a part of the Poway Chamber. For those looking for more information about Ellis Family Insurance Agency, Jennifer can be reached directly at jellis5@farmersagent.com or by phone at (858) 212-6516.
Tell us about your company.
At Farmers Insurance, we're dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. We offer a wide range of insurance products, including auto, home, renters, life, and business insurance, with coverage tailored to each customer's unique needs. Our goal is to provide personalized service, trusted guidance, and dependable protection, so our clients can feel confident knowing they're prepared for life's unexpected moments. Whether you're looking for a new policy or reviewing your current coverage, we're here to help every step of the way.
What made you decide to choose this field or industry?
I got into the insurance industry when I was 22 years old and a single mom with a five-month-old baby. My mom encouraged me to apply at GEICO, saying, "Everyone needs insurance, and you'll be helping people." She was right, and that's where my journey began. After two years at GEICO, I worked for American Family, and then from 2003 to 2006, I was with State Farm. In 2006, I joined a Farmers Insurance agency in Rancho Peñasquitos, and that's when I truly found my home. What really solidified my decision to stay with Farmers was seeing how the company responded during the 2007 San Diego wildfires. I watched Farmers bring their catastrophe RV to Qualcomm Stadium and immediately start helping families by issuing checks so they could get to safety and begin rebuilding their lives. They didn't hesitate—they focused on helping people first. Witnessing that level of compassion and commitment had a lasting impact on me. It showed me that Farmers doesn't just sell insurance—they stand by their customers when they need it most. I've proudly been with Farmers for 20 years because I've seen firsthand that insurance isn't just about having a policy. It's about being there on someone's worst day and helping make sure it's not a bad lifetime. That's why I do what I do, and it's why I'm passionate about helping protect the people and families I serve.
What is the most interesting part of your business?
The most interesting part of my business is that this is the culmination of over 20 years of experience in the Farmers insurance industry. I spent 14 years working with two successful Farmers agencies, followed by the last 6½ years in the Farmers District Office in Carlsbad. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of the industry, how to best serve clients, and what it takes to build a successful agency. Now, I'm excited to bring all of that knowledge into my own Farmers agency. Even more special, this is a family business. My daughter, Taylor Douglass, will be working alongside me, and together we're committed to building lasting relationships with our clients and treating them like family. For me, insurance has never just been about policies—it's about protecting people's homes, businesses, families, and futures. Being able to combine my years of experience with a family-run agency makes this the most rewarding chapter of my career.
What do you wish you knew starting out, or what would you have done differently?
Looking back, I honestly wouldn't change a thing. Every step of my journey has taught me something valuable and prepared me for where I am today. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and each experience helped shape the agent I've become. Working for different agencies and spending time in the Farmers District Office gave me the knowledge, skills, and confidence to open my own agency. Now, instead of building someone else's business, I get to build my own—alongside my daughter—and create the kind of agency I've always envisioned. It's been a long journey, but every step has been worth it because it led me exactly where I'm meant to be.
What are you most proud of?
One of the things I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. When I was 14, I moved from New York to Poway with my single mom and spent my teenage years trying to find where I fit in. Years later, I became a single mom myself, raising my daughter in an expensive community and doing everything I could to provide a stable, loving life for her. For years, I kept my head down and worked hard, focused on protecting, supporting, and creating opportunities for my daughter. I didn’t spend much time looking around or thinking about recognition—I was simply doing what needed to be done. Then one day, I looked up. Over the past 6.5 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible mentor who believed in me, encouraged me, and saw value in me that I sometimes didn’t see in myself. His support helped me realize how much I had accomplished and how much I had grown. Today, I’m proud not only of the challenges I’ve overcome, but of the person I’ve become through them. Looking back at that 14-year-old girl trying to fit in, and the single mom working tirelessly for her daughter, I’m grateful for every step of the journey because it brought me here.
Tell us something we would not know about you.
I'd say something most people don't know about me is that my connection to softball in Poway spans generations. I grew up playing for Poway Girls Softball and continued playing at Poway High School. Years later, when my daughter Taylor was just 4 years old, she became one of the first little girls to play on the new Poway softball fields. I had the privilege of coaching alongside her throughout the next 11 years, watching her grow both on and off the field. During that time, I also served on the Poway Girls Softball board as the Lead Trophy and Awards Chairperson, helping recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of so many young athletes. Giving back to the community that helped shape me has always been important. The relationships I've built through youth sports have reinforced my passion for supporting local families, and I look forward to continuing to serve the Poway community with all of their insurance needs.
What keeps you inspired and motivated?
What keeps me inspired and motivated is helping people protect what matters most to them. Insurance isn't just about policies and coverage—it's about providing peace of mind for individuals and families when they need it most. I love educating clients and helping them understand the importance of having the right protection in place. My goal isn't simply to sell insurance; it's to build relationships, earn trust, and make sure my clients feel confident that they are properly covered. I genuinely care about the people I work with and want to help them make informed decisions that support their family's needs and future goals. Knowing that I can make a positive difference in someone's life by helping them prepare for the unexpected is what motivates me every day.
When and why did you join the Poway Chamber of Commerce?
I joined the Poway Chamber of Commerce because Poway has been my home since 1992. This community has played a significant role in shaping who I am, and I've always looked for ways to give back through volunteering, coaching, and supporting local organizations. Joining the Chamber felt like a natural next step. It has given me the opportunity to become even more involved, build stronger connections with local businesses and residents, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the community that has given so much to me. I'm excited to support fellow business owners, serve local families, and continue making a positive impact in Poway.
What would you tell someone who is considering joining the Poway Chamber?
If someone is considering joining the Poway Chamber of Commerce, I would absolutely encourage them to do it. It’s a great way to connect with other local businesses, increase visibility, and help promote your business within the community you live and work in. Beyond the business benefits, it also creates meaningful opportunities to give back, build relationships, and be part of something that supports the overall growth and success of Poway. Being involved in the Chamber helps you stay connected, engaged, and invested in the community in a very rewarding way.
What has been your favorite part of being a member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce?
Well, Knowing Mike Leland for many years and our daughters played softball together, I am hoping to network and help grow my business while helping the community!
About The Member Spotlight
Members who fill out the form below will be put into a drawing to become our next member spotlight! Spotlighted members will be put into the Chamber Report eNewsletter, as well as featured on the homepage of our website!
Non-Profits: Fill out this Non-Profit Member Spotlight form which has been tailored to non-profit organizations!