Iowa NFIB Member Honored for Commitment to Small Business

Date: November 08, 2019

NFIB member Lynn Schreder was recently honored with a prestigious award for her exemplary leadership. On November 7th, Schreder received the National Association of Women Business Owner’s Hall of Fame Legacy Award, which is presented to women who are respected for their commitment to leadership and excellence not only in their business, but also their industry, community and through volunteer service.

Lynn Schreder, center, at the award ceremony on November 7th, alongside fellow NFIB member Barb Kniff-McCulla, left, and NFIB in Iowa State Director Matt Everson.

The people who know Lynn aren’t surprised by the honor. Lynn bubbles with energy and her eyes sparkle passionately when she talks about small business owners – especially women succeed. “If I can assist another sister on her journey, I am thrilled.”

Lynn herself runs and co-owns a successful insurance agency. KHI Solutions is one of Iowa’s major wholesalers for health insurance. For Lynn, insurance isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Navigating the waters of health insurance can be tricky and frustrating. Lynn is passionate about breaking down the complications and finding every Iowan who calls her the right plan. “I get such satisfaction in helping people through the confusion of health care coverage. I am passionate about mentoring and helping agents grow so more people get the assistance they need.”

Lynn Schreder, left. awards employee Frank Olsen for sales production and retention with the 2018 Partners in Excellence Grow Your Business Award. CEO Brenda Eckard is on the right.

Schreder joined NFIB to help wade through the challenges of owning a small business. She says the high cost of health care, taxes, and finding qualified workers are problems she deals with every day. She’s not alone: according to a recent NFIB survey, 23% of small business owners said that finding workers was their number one problem and 35% of small business owners reporting they had job openings they couldn’t fill.

Schreder bought KHI Solutions in 2009. Back then it operated out of Fort Dodge, but in the past decade Schreder has grown her small business into Webster City and West Des Moines. She now has 66 employees. She says the secret to her success is the culture at her workplace. Schreder and her employees’ practice “servant leadership,” a frame of mind that puts their client’s priorities first and helps people develop and perform at their highest level. The idea is that by focusing on the well-being of others, the entire community benefits. “I believe it has created an atmosphere in our office where people look forward to coming to work.”

It’s something that Lynn wholeheartedly embraces in every aspect of her life. Schreder volunteers with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and JDRF. Every year, she hosts a pool party that raises thousands of dollars for charity.

Lynn Schreder, kneeling on the right, poses for a picture at one of her annual pool parties for charity. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is standing in the center with a red top and blazer.

However, it’s not community service or her successful small business that Lynn considers her best success: it’s her decision years ago to come back to the place where she grew up. “Had I not moved back to Iowa, I would not have been laid off, been hired at Wellmark and been given this opportunity to buy my own business.  Life is awesome! Show up!”

NFIB congratulates Lynn Schreder on a well-deserved award and thanks her for her commitment and advocacy on behalf of small business.

Related Content: Small Business News | Iowa

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