Young Agent Spotlight: Meet Sydney Schwing Smith
We’re excited to introduce you to Sydney! She is the Louisiana Emerging Leaders Chair, proud New Iberia native, and the first woman to lead her family’s fourth-generation agency. Sydney is blending tradition with a fresh perspective, showing that the next chapter of insurance leadership is smart, bold, and unmistakably female. If you ask us, the future of the industry is in very good hands. 💼✨
Age?
29 – ouch
What’s your go-to drink order?
Hot Vanilla Chai Tea—exactly 202 degrees. Anything less just isn’t going to cut it.
Favorite movie or TV show?
It’s actually a tie between Bull Durham and Sweet Home Alabama. Bull Durham came into my life thanks to my husband, Thomas, who is a huge baseball fan and insisted I watch it with him. I’ll admit, the first viewing was mostly for his sake—but after that, I was completely hooked. It’s endlessly quotable and has the perfect mix of humor, charm, and great characters. Sweet Home Alabama, on the other hand, has always been one of my comfort movies. Between the two of them, they’re the kind of films I can put on anytime and never get tired of watching.
No. 1 item on your bucket list?
Competing on the TV show Survivor. Anyone who knows me knows this is a long-standing obsession that will probably only be cured by actually getting the chance to compete. I’ve watched it for years and I’m fascinated by the strategy, the social dynamics, and how quickly the entire game can shift with one conversation or one vote. It’s such an interesting mix of physical challenges and mental gameplay, and I love the idea of having to adapt constantly. I’ve always felt like I perform best under pressure, so I’m (probably overly) confident in my ability to have a pretty great run on the show. The lack of 202 degrees vanilla chai tea might be tough, but the chance to test yourself in that kind of environment would be an unforgettable adventure. If you’re reading this and know someone in casting, PLEASE REACH OUT.
What’s the biggest benefit you’ve experienced from Big “I” membership?
Easy – the network and the sense of community within the independent agent channel. Insurance can be a complex and constantly evolving industry, so having access to other agents who are willing to share ideas, experiences, and solutions is incredibly valuable. Whether it’s navigating market challenges, discussing best practices, or simply having a sounding board, the collaboration within the Big “I” community makes a real difference. It’s a great reminder that even though we all run our own agencies, we’re part of a much larger group of professionals who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
How did you get started in insurance?
Insurance has always been part of my life because of my family, but it wasn’t initially the career path I planned for myself. That perspective really shifted after my grandfather passed away in 2014. Seeing the relationship he shared with his sons—my father, Armond Schwing, and my uncle, Chet Schwing—through working together made me realize how special it is to build something meaningful alongside the people you love. That realization ultimately led me to step into the family business.
I’m proud to be the first of the fourth generation to work at Schwing Insurance—and the first woman in our family’s history to join the agency. What started as a desire to experience the same kind of partnership my father and grandfather had quickly turned into something much bigger. Working alongside my father has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and through that journey I discovered that insurance is truly where I’m meant to be. Helping people protect what matters most to them and building lasting relationships with our clients has made this industry not just a career for me, but a true calling.
Looking back, what began as a way to honor my family’s legacy has grown into something deeply personal—purpose discovered through experience, if you will—and I feel incredibly fortunate that it ultimately led me to the profession I’m passionate about today.
What do you love about insurance?
What I love most about insurance is that no two days are ever the same. The job goes far beyond policies and premiums—it’s about understanding how businesses operate, learning what makes them successful, and helping protect the work people have put their lives into building. I truly enjoy being an advocate for business owners and rooting for their success.
At its core, insurance is also about relationships and trust. Our role is often to be the “translator” for something that can be complicated and difficult to navigate, and it’s incredibly rewarding when clients trust you to guide them through those decisions and know that you genuinely want the best for them.
Especially in a challenging market like the one we’re experiencing right now—particularly here in Louisiana—our role as independent agents becomes even more important. The market is constantly shifting and helping clients navigate that uncertainty is both a responsibility and a privilege. Around here, it sometimes feels like there are more personal injury lawyer billboards than road signs, which tells you a lot about the environment we’re operating in.
Because of that, I also make it a priority to really educate my clients about what’s happening in the market and where those changes originate. Many of the shifts we’re experiencing start at the legislative level and helping clients understand the full picture—how insurance companies operate, why rates change, and what factors are driving the market—gives them the tools to make more informed decisions. When clients understand the “why” behind what’s happening, it changes the conversation in a really positive way.
Ultimately, when a client knows their insurance needs are in good hands and can take a deep breath and focus on running and growing their business, that’s one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do.
What are your goals for the future?
My biggest goal for the future is to continue building on the legacy that came before us while helping guide the next chapter of Schwing Insurance. Our agency has been serving clients for 91 years, and maintaining that history of trust, relationships, and service is something our entire family takes very seriously.
Just as importantly, one goal that I feel strongly about—really more of a commitment than a goal—is that we remain a family-owned agency. That has always been at the heart of who we are, and preserving that independence and family ownership is incredibly important to me.
What makes the future especially exciting is that the next generation of our family is stepping into the business together. My brother, St. George Schwing, and my cousin, Jules “Rivers” Schwing—who are both also fourth-generation members of our family in the agency—are joining me this year, and I’m incredibly excited about what we’ll be able to accomplish as a team. Each of us brings our own perspective, strengths, and energy to the business, and together we’re focused on continuing to grow the agency while staying grounded in the values that built it.
Ultimately, our goal is to carry forward the relationships and reputation our family has built over the past nine decades while continuing to evolve and grow for the generations that come next. Being able to do that together makes the future of our agency incredibly exciting.