Throggs Neck insurance agent
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BY JASON COHEN
Born and raised in the
Throggs Neck/Pelham Bay
area, John Cerini is proud to
operate two businesses in his
community.
Cerini, who works seven
days a week, runs Bronx
Tax Man and Capital Shield
Agency at 3600 East Tremont.
While crunching numbers is
stressful, 25 years ago Cerini
decided to put more on his
plate and became a licensed
insurance agent.
The father, husband, business
owner and civic leader
refl ected on his success.
“I know that I’m providing
a good service to all of my customers,”
he explained. “I still
can’t believe I’m in business
for 25 years. Thank God my
father suggested it because
today I love insurance.”
Cerini, 51, began working
with his dad Natali as a teenager.
Natali was an accountant
on Arthur Ave. and would
take his son to people’s home
when he did their taxes.
“At fi rst it was boring and
a little frustrating because
I was a kid and I wanted to
hang out with my friends,” he
explained.
“But the older I got the
more I got respect for what
my dad did.”
When he graduated high
school Cerini knew he was going
to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
Not only did he have the
accounting fi rm, but dabbled
in other jobs such as driving
the Mr. Softee truck, painting
and owning a restaurant.
After college Cerini
worked as an accountant for
a few years at St. Barnabas,
but soon opened his offi ce
Throggs Neck. He was enjoying
life and business was doing
well.
However, his dad suggested
he expand and sell insurance.
While Cerini knew nothing
about that industry, he took a
leap of faith and became a licensed
insurance agent.
According to Cerini, it was
not easy in the beginning. It
took three years to fi nd a company
whose product he could
sell.
“Every time I got a business
it was a teary moment,”
he recalled.
Cerini explained that
while people do not enjoy paying
for insurance or taxes,
both are necessities in life.
He noted that insurance
isn’t just about money, but
rather the right coverage.
“If I’m doing someone’s
taxes and helping them save
money it’s a great feeling,” he
commented.
Cerini would be remiss
if he didn’t thank his wife
Grace, who works with him
and his staff, for their support.
From coaching his kids’
soccer teams and being a past
president of the Throggs Neck
Merchant Association, he
never has a dull moment.
“I work way too much,” he
stressed.
“My wife is a saint for putting
up with me.”
celebrates 25 years
John Cerini celebrates 25 years of selling insurance in Throggs Neck.
Courtesy of John Cerini