About Us

The Ground Up Insurance team, committed to protecting what matters most to you

OUR STORY

Ground Up Insurance:
Built for You, With You

Ground Up Insurance was founded by sisters Emily Wycpalek and Tamara Wilson, two visionary women determined to create a family legacy built on trust, innovation, and genuine care. With roots in San Antonio, Texas, our agency focuses on personalized insurance solutions that address real needs for families, businesses, and individuals.

We’re not just here to sell policies; we’re here to make sure our clients feel understood, supported, and empowered at every stage of life.

We believe in doing insurance differently. As a woman-owned and family-focused business, our values shape everything we do:

Integrity at Ground Up Insurance – building trust through honesty and transparency

Integrity: Trust is our foundation. We build relationships based on honesty and transparency.

Innovation at Ground Up Insurance – finding smarter solutions for your coverage needs

Innovation: We continuously seek the best solutions by staying ahead of industry trends.

Empathy at Ground Up Insurance – listening and responding with care

Empathy: We listen and respond with compassion to ensure every client feels heard and understood.

Mission

To revolutionize insurance by combining human expertise with innovative technology, ensuring every client has a trusted advisor who helps them protect what matters most while simplifying their insurance journey.

Discover Our Services

Vision

To be the most trusted name in insurance, where technology empowers genuine human connections and every client feels confident in their protection.

Discover Our Services

THE FACES BEHIND GROUND UP INSURANCE

Meet the Team

We have always shared a vision of building a business rooted in family values and driven by a passion for helping others. They bring years of experience, a shared dedication to quality, and a unique ability to connect with clients on a personal level.

Emily Wycpalek

CO-OWNER & CEO

With 25 years of experience in sales, customer service, and insurance, Emily Wycpalek brings expertise and dedication to Ground Up Insurance. Her focus spans auto, home, life, and commercial insurance, delivering clear advice that simplifies complex policies.

Passionate about helping others, Emily combines her industry knowledge with a unique calling as an intergenerational minister, bringing authenticity and integrity to every client relationship. When she’s not at work, she’s enjoying time with her husband, Jim, their two children, and their Irish Doodle, Jerry, around San Antonio. Emily’s warmth and commitment make her a trusted advisor for all your insurance needs.

Tamara Wilson

CO-OWNER, CMO & AGENT

With a foundation in faith and family, Tamara Wilson brings compassion and dedication to Ground Up Insurance. After a life-altering injury and inadequate insurance coverage, she co-founded the agency with her sister Emily to offer personalized insurance solutions clients can rely on. Her mission centers on listening to each client to understand their needs and build relationships based on trust.

Tamara is a committed Christian, a foster mom, and a proud grandmother. She believes in a service-oriented approach rooted in values, ensuring every client feels genuinely cared for. Through compassion, Tamara is dedicated to guiding clients toward coverage that supports both immediate and future goals.

Celeste Rittgers

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Meet Celeste, a devoted wife and mother to three energetic boys and her baby girl, Joy. She balances a fulfilling career with the joys of family life, including homeschooling her children. With over 15 years in customer relations, Celeste brings dedication and empathy to Ground Up Insurance, building lasting connections and ensuring exceptional service.

Her journey into insurance was shaped by her own experiences; after witnessing the financial strain funeral expenses placed on families in her community, Celeste felt a deep calling to make a difference. She is committed to providing compassionate, reliable support for every client she serves.