When it came time to purchase small business insurance, the Gileses looked no further than local State Farm agent Darryl Brooks.

“[With] Darryl being a small business owner as we are, it really helps him to understand us, how we operate, and understand our needs, and just relate – this is what we go through,” said Ozzie Giles.

The Gileses and Brooks are featured during this year’s national NBCUniversal Open Doors campaign, which is an initiative sponsored by State Farm that supports diverse, small businesses by providing access to marketing and advertising resources to help spur and sustain growth. This is the third year that State Farm and NBCUniversal have worked together on this campaign.

According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, minority-owned businesses account for more than half of the two million new businesses started in the U.S. in the last 10 years. These successful ventures have helped to create 4.7 million jobs and there are now more than four million minority-owned companies in the U.S.

The NBCUniversal Open Doors website offers free downloadable resources, tips, strategies, advertising tutorials and best-in-class business practices, providing the necessary tools to allow small business owners to thrive.

Brooks and the Gileses are one of four pairings of State Farm agents and their small business insurance customers who will be spotlighted in this year’s NBCUniversal Open Doors campaign.

Other spotlights include:

• Stephen Evans Jr., owner of Stevie E’s Place barbershop, and his State Farm agent Coriano Johnson in the Akron, OH area (August)
• Desiree Chamorro, owner of K9 Cafe Boutique & Spa, and her State Farm agent Crystal Fuller in San Antonio, TX (September)
• Jenna Horning, owner of Bean’s Ice Cream, and her State Farm agent Susan Eacho in Poquoson, VA (October)

For more information on State Farm small business insurance, please visit our website or contact your local agent.

On the evening of June 9, 2015, veterinarian, Kenneth Kimbrough, wrapped up his last appointment, said goodbye to his staff, and went home.

“It was business as usual, until the fire department called. Kimbrough Animal Hospital was in flames.”

The doctor and his wife arrived on the scene to find their clinic fully engulfed.

“My biggest fear - the animals inside,” said Kimbrough. “I ran to the kennel. People were shouting, ‘It’s dangerous, don’t go in!’ But I couldn’t stop. I began taking animals out. Started administering CPR on the lawn. I had to get their lungs full of something besides smoke. I had to turn it around.”

Thirty-eight animals perished that night. Only two boxers survived. Officials deemed Kimbrough Animal Hospital a total loss.

“I shared this devastating reality with my clients and the community,” said Kimbrough. “It’s numbing.”

Rebuilding from the ashes

The next day Kimbrough called his State Farm Agent, Dave Powell.

“When I began working with Dr. Kimbrough in 2000, I looked him in the eye and said, ‘On your worst day, I’m going to be there for you.’ That day had arrived,” said Powell.

Together, the pair surveyed the scene, met with the claim specialist and reviewed his policy. While the cause of the fire was never determined, officials suspected it may have started electrically, in a back office.

“As a small business owner, it’s imperative to get back up and running,” Powell explained. “Dr. Kimbrough’s coverage included business interruption which meant State Farm would reimburse his loss of income, and also provides coverage to keep his team employed during the period of restoration. His policy also covered building contents, which allowed him to buy new equipment.”

With the help of State Farm, Kimbrough Animal Hospital began to recover. The old hospital was leveled and the rebuild began. With construction underway, Kimbrough converted his nearby pet grooming facility into a mini animal hospital. Portable buildings were moved onto the grounds so staff could help more people.

“Thank goodness for small business insurance, which made it possible,” said Kimbrough. “Dave, my agent, was with me every step of the way.”

A new chapter

In March 2017, the NEW Kimbrough Animal Hospital opened its doors.

“Our former building was 4,400 square feet. Our new facility is 12,000 square feet,” said Kimbrough. “This allows us to serve customers, provide daycare and grooming, and help more pets. We also have a Fear Free certified doctor on staff, which allows us better serve the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals.”

More than two years later, the clinic is back in action. And while Kimbrough says the memories of that fateful June night will never fade, he’s grateful for the support of his friends, neighbors and the Texas community.

“Thank goodness I could do this. With Dave as my State Farm agent, I had the right coverage, my needs were met and I was guided through the process. Kimbrough Animal Hospital got a second chance.”

“I consider it an honor to be a servant leader for our small business clientele,” said Powell. “Staying in touch to ensure the coverage they have continues to meet their evolving needs ensures people are secure. Helping, it’s what we do.”

“I have so many things in my head. I’ve never been able to explain them before.”

Meet *Silvia, of Houston, Texas. Unable to attend school growing up, she couldn’t read or write. But as the author of her life story, she knew she could master the skills needed to create a brighter chapter for herself and her loved ones.

Silvia visited Literacy Advance of Houston and enrolled in classes. Since the 1960’s, the not-for-profit organization has been helping adults improve their literacy through trained volunteer tutors and programs like basic reading, writing and English.

Silvia was determined to:

• Learn to read and write.
• Get her GED.
• Do more for her children, herself, and her community.

“I wanted my son to know I am the boss. One day he will be the boss. I want him to go further and do more than I am but for now, I am still the boss,” she smiled. Literacy Advance made the learning process easy for Silvia. It offered flexible hours, programs to meet her needs, and the technology necessary to achieve. “If I have a problem, I know I can go to Diana, the Literacy Advance Transition Coach,” Silvia explained. “She helps me and even loaned me a computer so I can learn at home.”

Since beginning her literacy journey, Silvia’s skills have improved. She also started her own hair braiding business. Her newly-acquired ability to read and write allows her to reply to client text messages and answer their questions. Silvia also says she’s a more confident parent.

So what’s next for Silvia?

“I want to get my GED and write a book,” she grinned. “I have so many things in my head and I’ve never been able to explain them before. But now that I’m learning to read and write – I want to create my own novel, filled with my own thoughts.”

"Through the support of companies like State Farm, Literacy Advance is making a difference," said Program Director Kathryn Bauchelle. "With its assistance, we are able to reach out, help students in need and change lives."

Grinding away 80 hour work-weeks as a certified public accountant, Pevateaux had a defining moment in her life. “One rare evening, I went to meet friends for dinner to ‘get away’ from the stress of work. My friends took one look at me and said I looked terrible – drained, sleepless and stressed. That was a defining moment in my life. I knew right then and there I had a choice to make a change and live life to the fullest,” said Pevateaux.

With an impressive 25 years of dance performance and instruction, combined with her endless drive and enthusiasm, Pevateaux is in her 13^th year owning dance studios. Because of her accomplishments and perseverance, Lisa Pevateaux is Denver’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for evenings filled with storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever in each city.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Lisa is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Keller Auditorium for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Lisa is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Listening and responding to the one moment that defines your dreams may be all it takes. “I got excited about all of the possibilities that could be created in an environment that was constantly nurtured and enriched through amazing programs and people. My defining moment pushed me toward my dreams,” said Pevateaux.