From the Midwest to Tucson — Why This Matters to Me
I am a Black-owned business in Tucson, Arizona.
I’m also a transplant from the Midwest. And that move changed my life.
When I came to Arizona, I wasn’t just starting over geographically. I was building something from scratch. No family business legacy. No hand-me-down client list. No safety net. I am a first-generation business owner in my family.
Everything I’ve built, I built here.
And Tucson has helped shape me.
Over the last five years, I made a decision. I would intentionally support Black-owned and small businesses with my own dollars. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, I spent over 65% of my earnings with Black-owned businesses.
I stopped eating at major chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Today, when I eat out, it’s almost always at local food trucks, small restaurants, or someone selling plates. (Okay… I’ll admit Lil Caesars and Chick-fil-A still sneak in sometimes.)
But overall, I’ve reduced my non-small business restaurant spending by over 90%.
Not for applause. Not for social media.
Just because I believe in circulating dollars in our community.
On top of that, I’ve donated over 100 hours of volunteer time coaching and helping small businesses grow — for free.
I’ve helped family back home in the Midwest start and grow their own businesses. I mentor. I promote. I teach. Quietly.
But recently, something hit me.
A close friend and mentor asked me:
“Are you getting and retaining your Black clients?”
The answer surprised me.
Yes — every Black client I have stays with me year after year.
But I haven’t gained any new Black clients in the last two years.
That woke me up.
Less than 3% of my client base is Black or people of color.
And less than a quarter of that 3% are Black clients.
That doesn’t reflect the effort, the love, or the investment I’ve made in this community.
So this isn’t a guilt trip.
This is awareness.
Major corporations publicly celebrate when they invest in our communities — and we support them proudly.
I’ve been investing here quietly for years.
Now I’m being more transparent.
If you bought your insurance online, nothing changes by listing me as your local agent of record — except now you have someone local who answers their phone and actually cares.
Five minutes could help me grow.
And you might save money in the process.
And if I can’t save you money?
I’ll tell you that too.
But at least you’ll know someone who shops here, eats here, volunteers here, and reinvests here.
And yes — my clients get perks.
I plan $400 weekend getaway trips (flight + hotel included) to places like:
San Diego
Los Angeles
Dallas
Denver
Las Vegas
New York City
Philadelphia
Chicago
Budget travel. Real memories.
One of my clients recently told me something that stuck with me.
He saved $1,200 on his home and auto insurance.
We talked about what to do with the first $500 saved.
Instead of paying off random bills, he used it to take his wife and daughter on their first family vacation ever — a surprise trip to Philadelphia where his wife grew up.
Since then, he told me:
“My wife and daughter love the new me.”
Who would’ve thought an insurance agent could help improve a father-daughter bond?
Money saved changes stress levels.
Stress levels change relationships.
Relationships change quality of life.
I don’t encourage people to chase dollars.
I encourage people to chase quality of life.
Because you don’t want to wake up one day wishing you traveled more… or spent more time with your family.
If you believe in supporting Black-owned businesses in Tucson:
• Get a quote
• Make me your agent of record
• Refer someone
• Or simply like and share my pages
Nothing changes for you.
But everything could change for me — and for the families I hope to hire and support next.
