Mary Alice Hughes is a founder and co-owner of Insurance Advantage and LMA Financial Services. A 1991 graduate of Arkansas Tech University, Mary Alice has been a licensed insurance producer since January 1995. Mary Alice is endorsed by the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association and is an exclusive agent for their long-term care insurance and dental and vision insurance. Mary Alice also provides tax-deferred annuities and Medicare-related products.
Mary Alice may be a poster-child for adult ADHD – and the out-of-the-box thinking, humor, drive and passion that comes with it! She channels that energy into working with clients (especially public school employees) and changing lives.
Grab a snack (Mary Alice’s favorite is homemade Chex Mix) and find out more about Mary Alice.
Tell us about your family.
Family is a big part of my life – and I have a BIG family. My dad is one of my best friends. My mom is the most godly person I know – her unconditional love and daily prayers for me are priceless. I’ve enjoyed working with my brother for 21 years, and my sister is a bigger sports fan than me!
My brother, Matt, and his family live in Russellville. Matt and I teamed up in ’96 and became the endorsed insurance representatives for the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. We still work that partnership – our office (Insurance Advantage and LMA Financial) serves public school employees in the eastern half of Arkansas and he serves the western half of the state.
I have six nieces and nephews (and two great-nephews!) and enjoy a special relationship with each of them. The 16th birthday trips, back to school shopping sprees and excursions to Missouri have created some of my favorite memories.
There are a whole slew of kids – many of them, like Allison, are all grown up now – that I also consider my kids. To them, I am “Mare”. It’s a special blessing to be a “Mare-Mare” to their kids.
What is your favorite food?
Did you know I like to eat? When I look back on my life, a lot of my memories involve a great meal.
Locally, I don’t think there is a better meal or atmosphere than Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse. The steak is cooked to perfection and you get to select your own knife to use!
My favorite meal outside of Arkansas is at The Pink House in Savannah, Ga. The fun friends I was surrounded by made the meal even better.
What do you do for fun?
Summer is knocking at the door. I cannot wait to get a boat or jet ski out on Greer’s Ferry Lake. I love hearing the shrieks of fun and splash of water.
I really enjoy watching college football… on TV. I don’t care to actually go to the games. Give me nice (cool) weather and a remote control on a Saturday in October. The TV comes on for College Game Day and doesn’t go off until the end of the day. I flip channels and fast-forward through commercials. And I am sure this will surprise you… a game day with me is not complete without snacks!
A fun day for me is usually ended at the grill with steaks or burgers and shrimp. I always use my secret marinade and top the meat with Garlic & Herb Seasoning and Cavender’s.
Do you have any furry friends?
Taz is better known for his looks instead of his brains, but he’s fun to have around!
What are some of your favorite things right now?
My uniform of grey lounge pants or shorts (depending on the weather) and a comfy (Razorback) shirt will always be a favorite thing. I have 11 pair of grey sweatpants with pockets. A part of my final arrangements include specific instructions on how I am to be dressed for my burial. Don’t let anyone forget the uniform!
You may know that I like to travel to new places. But my favorite thing is PLANNING a great adventure. I’ve planned a 50th birthday celebration for myself because the planning is my thing. I explore the possibilities, nail down must-dos and plan the days – all building up my anticipation to the trip.
Friends are my favorite. I am still close with my high school friends (Benton High Class of ’86!), my college roommates and, of course, friends that I have grown close with as an adult. Keeping these relationships alive is important to me. We text and travel, pray and play, and eat and eat. When I think about how God weaves people into our lives (which is often), I smile and say “Thank you, Lord.”
What’s something you have learned recently about your faith or share your favorite scripture/song right now?
Recently I read an essay that a friend’s daughter wrote for a school project. The prompt for the writing assignment was “Someone who I look up to.” That someone was me.
I was surprised. Since her mom is a close friend. I have seen and experienced this young lady grow and mature. And she, obviously, has been watching me.
In the Bible, many writers gave instructions from God to be an example. Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12) to be an example in speech and in conduct. Again in Titus, Paul instructed Timothy to be a model of good works, showing integrity. Matthew 5:16 says to “Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to the Father in Heaven.”
This young friend’s essay reminded me that we are always influencing others whether we realize it or not – and I pray that I am influencing those around me to the glory of God.
