BARTLETT, TN, February 27, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- John Frank Clayton Jr. has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Clayton has established a distinguished career spanning 25 years in management and the financial services sector, marked by significant achievements and a steadfast commitment to client service. Since 2018, he has served as owner and chief executive officer of Simple Solutions Financial Services, a subsidiary of Essential Financial Group. Under his leadership, the agency has grown from a small community operation—initially meeting clients in his home—to a robust organization with 333 agents working remotely across the United States. His expertise in mortgage protection is widely recognized; he has guided Simple Solutions Financial Services to specialize in products that ensure homeowners' mortgages are paid off in the event of death, critical illness or disability, thereby safeguarding families from foreclosure. The agency also offers a debt-free-for-life program, enabling clients to pay off their mortgages in nine years or less through innovative insurance solutions.

Throughout his tenure as owner and chief executive officer, Mr. Clayton has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision. He is particularly proud of having assisted more than 7,500 families and generating over $5.3 million in annualized business for his agency. His mentorship has enabled at least 11 agents to achieve six-figure incomes, reflecting his dedication to professional development within his team. He finds deep fulfillment in supporting families during times of loss, attending funerals and providing financial relief through life insurance policies.

Prior to assuming ownership, Mr. Clayton was decorated leader in the retail industry with different roles, titles, and positions from 1999 to 2018. After years of executing various corporation's visions and goals, Mr. Clayton began expanding his visions and ideas as a business owner and CEO. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in expanding the agency's reach beyond Memphis and South Haven by recruiting agents nationwide and adapting operations to remote work during the pandemic. His efforts were instrumental in scaling the agency's operations and establishing its reputation for excellence.

Mr. Clayton began his professional journey in retail management at McRae's after graduating from high school in 1999. He subsequently joined AT&T Intellectual Property, where he spent nine years progressing from retail sales consultant to assistant manager and ultimately at-home expert. His tenure at AT&T Intellectual Property was marked by a focus on customer service and operational efficiency, skills that would later prove invaluable in his transition to the insurance industry.

Mr. Clayton attributes his success to five key factors: unwavering faith, dedication to personal development through reading and education, guidance from mentors, active participation in conferences and seminars with like-minded professionals and steadfast support from his family. These influences have shaped his approach to business and leadership, fostering resilience and a collaborative spirit.

He is an active member of the Better Business Bureau and has mentored numerous individuals within his agency while speaking at various conferences on both large and small stages. Mr. Clayton's contributions extend beyond the workplace; he volunteers with the Parents and Teachers Association and participates in religious outreach through door-to-door preaching and teaching Bible students.

Mr. Clayton's accomplishments have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including Top Agency in 2024, Top Individual Agency Builder in 2022 and 2018, Impact Player in 2020, Outstanding Achievement Award, Service Excellence Award from AT&T Intellectual Property in 2016 and ranking number three among the top five rookie agent owners companywide. In 2022, Simple Solutions Financial Services received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Clayton enjoys traveling, learning to play the piano, walking, exercising and spending time with his family. He is dedicated to prioritizing health for himself and his loved ones after witnessing firsthand the consequences of poor health through his work in life insurance. Looking ahead, he aspires to achieve financial freedom for his family by becoming debt-free, paying off mortgages and enabling his wife to retire. He also hopes to raise awareness of life insurance and how it can provide financial support during one's lifetime.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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