Kelly Augspurger, Co-Founder of Steadfast Insurance, LLC, is redefining the future of care planning through purpose-driven leadership and compassionate innovation. Guided by faith, experience, and a deep commitment to family well-being, she has transformed personal moments into a powerful mission of service. Her journey reflects a rare blend of empathy, expertise, and entrepreneurial vision. Through education, technology, and human connection, she is reshaping how families prepare for life’s most critical moments. Kelly’s story is not just about insurance it’s about legacy, protection, and peace of mind.
Here are the key highlights from the interview:
What inspired you to co-found Steadfast Insurance, LLC, and what gap in the insurance market were you determined to address from the start?
Steadfast Insurance was born from both a clear gap we saw in how families were being served and the desire to own a business. My husband, Adam, and I co-founded Steadfast in 2019 with a shared vision to help families protect what matters most, not just financially, but relationally and emotionally as well.
Early in my career, a conversation with a mentor changed everything. She had questions about long-term care insurance, and while I didn’t yet have the answers, the conversation stirred memories of all four of my grandparents needing extended care without insurance or a plan. Our family carried that burden – physically, emotionally, and financially. I was a caregiver myself, and I saw firsthand how overwhelming it can be when families are forced to make decisions in crisis.
That moment became my “aha.” I realized there were solutions, but they weren’t being explained well, early enough, or with compassion. The gap wasn’t just insurance products; it was education, advocacy, and planning. Steadfast was created to change that – to help families prepare intentionally, preserve dignity, and protect their options long before care is needed.
As a co-founder, how has your leadership philosophy evolved, and what core values guide your decision-making today?
My leadership philosophy has become simpler and stronger over time. Early on, I believed leadership meant having all the answers. Today, I know it means asking better questions, listening well, and staying teachable.
My faith plays a central role in how I lead and make decisions. I strive to operate with integrity, humility, and service – always asking whether a recommendation or decision truly serves the client and their family. Progress matters more to me than comparison, and long-term impact matters more than short-term wins.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about consistency, trust, and stewardship of relationships, opportunities, and responsibilities. That mindset shapes how I serve clients, collaborate with advisors, and build a business rooted in purpose rather than pressure.
How does Steadfast Insurance differentiate itself in delivering trust, transparency, and long-term value to clients?
At Steadfast, we lead with education, not sales. Extended care planning is emotional, unfamiliar, and often misunderstood. Our role is to help clients understand why planning matters and how to plan.
We take time to listen deeply: to a client’s health history, family dynamics, values, and concerns. Every recommendation is personalized. We explain options clearly, outline trade-offs honestly, and never rush decisions. Transparency builds trust and trust is the foundation of long-term value.
What truly differentiates us is our commitment to walking alongside clients, not just at application time, but throughout the planning journey. Our goal is confidence, clarity, and peace of mind, not simply a policy.
In an industry often seen as traditional, how is Steadfast embracing innovation, technology, or new service models to stay competitive?
Innovation at Steadfast isn’t about chasing trends, it’s about improving real experiences for real people. We’ve embraced technology in ways that enhance accessibility, privacy, and efficiency without sacrificing human connection.
From secure online health prescreening and virtual consultations to digital applications and educational content across multiple platforms, we’ve built systems that meet clients where they are. Technology allows us to serve families nationwide while maintaining a highly personal, relationship-driven approach.
We also innovate through education — podcasts, videos, guides, and advisor training because informed clients make better decisions. For us, innovation means clarity, not complexity.
What have been some of the most significant challenges in scaling the business, and how did you overcome them?
Building a referral-driven business requires patience, trust, and a long-term mindset. Many of our clients come through financial advisors and other professionals, and those relationships take time to cultivate. Early on, progress felt slow, and there were moments of self-doubt.
What helped me push through was perspective. My husband often reminded me that meaningful growth doesn’t happen overnight. Staying anchored to purpose and trusting the process allowed me to remain steadfast during challenging seasons.
Faith, consistency, and relationship-building have been key. Over time, those investments compounded into momentum and meaningful partnerships.
How do you see the insurance landscape evolving over the next few years, and what role will Steadfast play in shaping that future?
The insurance industry is evolving rapidly, particularly in long-term care. We’re seeing more flexible product designs, hybrid solutions, worksite offerings, and improved underwriting processes driven by data and technology.
At the same time, rising care costs and caregiving shortages make proactive planning more important than ever. Education will continue to be the biggest differentiator.
Steadfast will play a role by staying at the intersection of innovation and empathy by helping families navigate change with clarity, while advocating for thoughtful, proactive care planning. Our focus will remain on preparing people before crisis, not reacting after it.
What advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs in the financial services space, and what legacy do you hope to build through Steadfast Insurance?
Stay faithful to the purpose. Surround yourself with mentors who challenge and encourage you. Focus on progress over perfection, and don’t measure your success against someone else’s timeline.
Lead with integrity, humility, and service. Be generous with your knowledge. Build relationships before transactions and remember that long-term impact is built one thoughtful decision at a time.
As for legacy, I hope Steadfast is remembered for helping families feel prepared, cared for, and confident, even in life’s hardest seasons. If people look back and say they felt educated, respected, and supported, then that’s a legacy worth building.
