At The Champlin Agency, we’re passionate about helping businesses. We do this by getting to know you, establishing a relationship with you, using our expertise to find the best solutions to protect and support your business and achieve financial goals, and then continuing to be a long-term partner in your business’s success.  

The Champlin Agency as you see it here was established by Thea Champlin in 2022, but it actually has a much longer history than that. Thea’s grandfather Warren M. Champlin founded the first iteration of The Champlin Agency in 1938 when he returned to Waterville, Maine at the tail end of the Great Depression to set up his own insurance agency. He successfully ran the business for over 50 years, eventually leaving it to Thea’s uncle. It was later sold and re-named.  

Warren M. Champlin had a passion for running his own business, specifically in Maine, and supporting local businesses and farms by providing much-needed protection and support. Thea’s re-establishment of The Champlin Agency proudly carries on these traditions and values.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US:

  • We are approachable - We know insurance and financial planning is daunting, which is why we are passionate about helping people who feel intimidated by these necessities of running a business. We don’t expect you to be an expert, that’s what we’re here for. Every question is a welcome question. 

  • We are your partner - We consider ourselves a member of your trusted team of experts that support you and keep your business thriving. We are also your go-to contact once you sign on with us (not a toll-free number).

  • You will feel educated & empowered - We provide clear and practical information to help you feel educated and capable of making empowering decisions for yourself and your business. 

  • We work around your needs - We understand that running a business is complex - we are flexible and able to work around your unique schedule and needs.

Hi, I’m Thea Champlin, the owner of The Champlin Agency. I never imagined that this is what I would be doing, but at the same time I realize now how much it makes sense. Let me explain…

I grew up in Maine. Throughout my life, I was always drawn to animals and I loved spending time on farms (Smiling Hill Farm especially - I could not get enough of their pony rides when my family could afford it!). 
I was able to start horseback riding lessons at age 10 and quickly became passionate about horses and barn life. When my mom recognized how serious I was about it, she encouraged me to get a job at the farm, so I could understand how to care for horses as well as ride. I was homeschooled, which allowed me to work more than most kids, and the barn soon became my second home. This also meant that I took on a lot of responsibility from a very young age, buying my first horse at age 15 (Mac, see right!). What started as feeding and general barn work soon led to grooming and training horses, which segued into internships and jobs working at an array of different horse farms across Upstate NY and eventually resulted in my work as an assistant trainer and barn manager. These experiences helped me learn a lot about the behind-the-scenes culture of farms and the inner workings of running a business. 

Eventually, it felt like my role in the farming industry was too small, and I wanted to find a way to have a greater impact. I didn’t know what that would look like exactly, but insurance started showing up in different ways. An inspiring conversation with a colleague who was offered an equine insurance role led to more conversations with agents in the industry, and I soon realized that my equine background made me more aware than others of risk management (waivers, helmets, safety plans, etc. were already part of my day to day!). The final tipping point was a conversation with my dad, where I shared how odd it felt that such a different industry was pulling me. He reminded me that this was in my blood - in 1938, my grandfather moved back to Maine and founded the original Champlin Agency - which I had forgotten. Being reminded of my family history helped embolden me to take the leap and find my own path into insurance.

Having now returned to Maine full-time myself and founded my own agency, I am so proud to be carrying on this legacy. This all contributes to my passion for supporting local Maine businesses, particularly those that are family-owned and multi-generational, and being able to support the agricultural industry in my own way. 

Now that I am running The Champlin Agency, I understand the ups and downs of owning and operating a business. I know how important it is to have trusted partners who can support you in the areas where you don’t have expertise. I need support from other experts as well, and I love being a key team member for my clients. My favorite part of my job is getting to build relationships with business owners, families, and individuals, and helping people feel less intimidated and more empowered around something that can be as overwhelming as risk management.   

I’d love to connect with you and speak further on how my values, experience, and expertise can help you and your business grow and thrive.