To Debbie Taiclet, someone’s title or position is not what makes them a success.
Whether it’s styling hair or saving lives, “We’re all just as important in some way. We’re all equal,” she said Thursday morning.
But what can make them rise above is how they treat others.
On Taiclet’s computer is the screensaver: “A simple rule in life, if you wouldn’t like it done to you, don’t do it to others.”
Even for someone as sweet-tempered as Taiclet, “It’s a helpful reminder,” she said.
For almost 30 years, Taiclet has been an insurance agent, the last 24 years as manager of Iola Insurance Associates. It can be a hard job, she said, “because people have to have insurance,” but oftentimes resent its cost.
“Insurance and property taxes are the two things that really upset people here,” she said. “I’ve been hearing that for years.”
On the flip side, the job can be wonderfully rewarding by being able to help people recover from losses incurred by natural disasters or accidents.
Being able to help others is what drew her to the profession.
TAICLET grew up in Iola, the daughter of Jeannie and Daniel Creitz.
She has two brothers, Dennis, a sales manager for Machine Tool Specialties in Wichita, and District Judge Daniel Creitz.
Also in her office is a large “Think!” sign that famously hung in the band room of her grandfather, Dale Creitz, longtime instructor and director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
Taiclet and her husband, Ken, have been married for 39 years. Ken works for B&W Trailer Hitches in Humboldt. They have two children, Tye, an engineer, and Kendra, a chiropractor, who both live in rural Iola.
THOUGH she deals with multiple people throughout the day, Taiclet prefers to be “under the radar,” happily yielding the spotlight to others.
Her work ethic is unrivaled.
“Though at around 5:30 or so, I’ll hit a wall and know it’s time to call it quits. At some point you have to shut off your brain and go home.”
