Crushed, you toss the plans in the fireplace. But someone believes in you and rescues the dream from the ash heap, literally and figuratively.

Can you relate? In 1922, a small-town farmer found himself in this very situation.

It started with the seed of an idea

The small town farmer was G.J. Mecherle, from Merna, Illinois. He believed farmers were charged too much for insurance premiums and had a plan to level the field. After his wife saved his plans from the fireplace, G.J. disrupted the insurance industry in a major way. He followed his dream and started his own company – State Farm^®.

Today, State Farm is the industry leader with a century of experience, financial strength and agents all across the U.S. That one seed grew into a Fortune 50 company with more than 19,000 agents helping communities, consumers and small businesses realize their dreams.

State Farm agents understand small business because they are small business

As small business owners in so many communities, State Farm agents know the passion needed to start your own business. And the grit and dedication needed to make it successful. They help business owners go after and protect their dreams. They provide not only insurance products and help planning for financial security, but in many cases help spark community engagement.

“As a small business owner myself, I can relate to their issues. I explain we’re more alike than different,” shares veteran State Farm Agent Buster Nelson, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. “We have similar challenges and rewards. It’s scary when you decide to go after your dream, when you first start out. I know a little guidance or help can go a long way.”

Going after your doughnut dreams

Agent Buster Nelson celebrated National Doughnut Day by giving away doughnuts from a local bakery (a State Farm customer). Not just any doughnuts, but the crème de la crème limited edition red velvet doughnuts made especially for Buster and the lucky doughnut recipients!

“A bakery, and its owner, have been insured through my office since it opened 30 years ago,” Nelson said. “So we worked together on a mutually beneficial event.”

“On my Facebook page, I invited customers to come by the bakery to pick up a free red velvet doughnut,” he said. “State Farm red…get it😊?”

“When my team and I set up a table outside at 7 a.m., people were already lined up to go into the shop. We passed out doughnuts along with State Farm branded items and got more customers in the bakery doors for more sweets. Win, win, win.”

“Every few months, I buy gourmet popcorn from a local small business I insure. Then I stop by other businesses I work with and give them a bag of popcorn with a note that reads, ‘Just popping in to say hello.’ It’s a social call more than a business call, but again, it helps everyone out and lets them know I’m there for them when they need me.”

“Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there^®” is more than a slogan; it is who we are. You’ll see us supporting and attending local youth sports games, mentoring other entrepreneurs, sponsoring community events and more.

Restoring lives, rebuilding neighborhoods, renewing hope, investing in communities, advocating for consumer safety, and supporting education where we live and work is what being a 100-year good neighbor is all about.

"From doughnut shops to beverage distributors, from hair salons to warehouses, State Farm agents are perfectly suited to help small business owners protect their dreams, their livelihoods and their families,” said Chief Agency, Sales & Marketing Officer and former State Farm Agent Rand Harbert.

“Our founder would be proud of how his dream continues to unfold,” Harbert continued. “Today, we remain as committed to making life better for people as we were in 1922. This includes the millions of small business owners across the United States. We’ll keep finding new ways to honor that commitment and serve more customers as we begin our next 100 years.”

Small businesses thrive when they are supported by the community

Share this story and tag a small business you support to encourage others to check them out. #ShopLocal

Are you covered?

You are one of the nation’s 30 million+ small businesses (sba.gov). Of State Farm customers who own a small business, 40% have no small business insurance. Yet, the average covered claim a small business owner faces is over $22,000.

That’s a lot! Unwrap these eight holiday tips to keep your operation safe, secure and successful in 2019 and beyond:

1. Know what your policy covers.  If your business location is damaged by a covered loss, you’ll want the coverage necessary to repair/replace your building, business personal property, or both.
2. Watch your step!  Snow and ice can lead to slip and falls. With more people visiting your business, the risk goes up. Promote safety by maintaining adequate lighting around your property - - don’t let gutters and downspouts drain onto walkways or parking areas, and have a snow removal plan in place.
3. Make a list…and check it twice!  Use this checklist to periodically examine your property for potential hazards and unsafe conditions that may need attention.
4. Know your liability limits.  If someone gets hurt on your property, and you have a covered claim, your policy may respond up to the liability limits you have chosen.
5. Limit your theft exposure.  Hire honest people, and consider using a keycard system instead of a traditional key/lock. This gives insight into when and how your property was accessed. Also, install a good alarm system. If your insurance carrier is aware of this, you may be eligible for a reduced premium.
6. Do you have workers’ compensation?  Most states require that employers provide Workers’ Compensation for their employees in the event an employee is injured while performing their work.
7. Keep an inventory.  Businesses evolve and change over the years. Know what’s inside it. Did you purchase new office furniture? Get new computers? Buy upgraded phones? Make an inventory form. For example, if a fire destroys your business, the claim specialist will need to know what you had inside it. A current inventory form will save time and make the claim process more efficient.
8. Stay connected.  When you purchase new equipment or upgrade your business location, it’s a good idea to call your insurance agent to review your coverage needs. State Farm agents account for nearly 19,000 small business owners in the United States. Like you, they understand the importance of developing a plan for continued financial security. Regular check-ins ensure your coverage needs keep pace with your policy.

“I wore a uniform for 20 years,” said Ben. “Served in the military, with law enforcement, then got my technician certification and went to work in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.”

Ben says his past experiences taught him the value of working hard while helping others – factors that inspired him to start his own heating and cooling company.

“It’s called All Care Comfort Solutions,” he smiled. “Texas gets pretty hot, so it’s important air conditioners work!”

But sweltering heat isn’t the only weather condition common in Texas. The state also gets its fair share of storms.

“We had a hail storm come through and my work vehicle was in its path,” said Ben. “I had to make a claim on it. But just to get simple claim for my truck was a real chore.”

Before a frustrating situation got worse, Ben met another small business owner: State Farm agent Brian Llewellyn.

“Brian and I do charity work in the community, which is how we crossed paths,” Ben explained. “I started seeing Brian at all sorts of local functions and told him, ‘Gee, we should start riding in the same car!’”

“Ben and I struck up a conversation and I invited him to my office to evaluate his current policies,” said Brian. “As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of proper protection.”

Prior to becoming a State Farm agent, Brian worked on the State Farm Catastrophe Team – traveling across the country to help customers affected by hurricanes, wildfires, ice storms and tornadoes.

“I worked with many small business owners,” said Brian. “After suffering a devastating loss, they knew it was critical to keep the doors open. In the end, it’s not just the small business owner who’s impacted…their employees, their customers and their neighbors are affected too. Having the right insurance coverage is essential so a business can survive.”

Helping Life Go Right

Shortly after speaking with Brian, Ben met him at his office. While reviewing his policies, Brian discovered a big gap:

Ben had insurance on his work truck, but did not have coverage for the items inside it.

“I was shocked,” said Ben. “I didn’t realize if my vehicle was burglarized and everything was stolen – I would not be covered. My truck carries expensive equipment. Refrigerant parts, hand tools, power tools, pumps, gauges, manifolds, testing supplies. It’s upwards of $10,000 dollars.”

Ben decided to make a change.

“I got a Business Personal Property Policy and switched my coverage to Brian. No kidding, if my equipment was taken and I didn’t have coverage…things could turn upside down real quick. I’ve worked too hard to lose it all. That’s why I chose to work with someone I trust.”

“There’s something about the small business community – we know what’s on the line, the struggles, the challenges and the 24/7 on-the-go lifestyle,” added Brian. “It’s important to support small business owners and make sure they have what they need to be successful.”

Today, Ben has peace of mind knowing he’s protected. And, he’s offering three pieces of advice to small business owners, and anyone considering opening their own shop:

“Working with Brian is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” said Ben. “After all, the greatest insurance is the kind you don’t have to worry about. It does its job and you can do yours. Being with State Farm means I know I’m secure.”

The holidays are upon us, which means the holiday shopping season is here! This time of year is a great time to support the more than 28 million small business owners in the United States by shopping at and supporting local community businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

This is also a good time to share tips small business owners can use to ensure their business is successful and protected.

Ryan Basile, owner of Double Trip Press, agrees there is no time like the holidays to ensure you have the tools to prepare and protect your business. Ryan gives credit to getting good business advice from the start. Recently, he shared a few of his own tips small business owners should keep in mind.

Top Five Tips from Small Business Owner Ryan Basile

1. Learning from Mistakes. Just as it sounds, making mistakes is how we learn to do better the next time. Ryan recalls making several mistakes early on when establishing his business. They turned into great learning opportunities. It can be scary for anyone, especially a new business owner, to even entertain the idea of being able to get up from a bad fall. However, Ryan professes he and his business are better because of it.
2. Have Realistic Expectations. Don’t expect to know all aspects of growing or starting a business. Allow yourself to ask for help and be willing to learn new things. Know your strengths and weaknesses and embrace them.
3. Seek Help. From the start, Ryan “knew what he didn’t know,” and sought out help. He went to Next Door Chicago’s financial coaches who helped him build a business plan, create a budget and organize what to do and when (like getting a bank account, establish a LLC, etc.). They even provided emotional support that gave him the confidence to succeed.
4. Align Your Mission to All Aspects of Your Business. For example, if you have a high-end product, where your storefront is located and how it looks should align with your product. Ask yourself if growth is in your future or if staying small is your goal. This can help you decide if you lease space or buy space you can grow into.
5. Get Advice from a Professional. State Farm agents are also small business owners. They understand the importance of developing a plan for continued financial security. After speaking to a State Farm agent, Ryan realized how much more he could do with the support of a professional. At every stage of the Business Life Cycle, there are different ways to protect and grow your company.

As you prepare your holiday shopping list, make sure to #ShopSmall.

Small Business is Big!

• The 28 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales.
  • State Farm Agents account for 18,000 small business owners.
• Small businesses have provided 55% of all jobs, and 66% of all net new jobs, since the 1970s.
• The 600,000+ franchised small businesses in the U.S. account for four of every 10 retail sales and provide jobs for some eight million people.
• The small business sector in America occupies 30-50% of all commercial space, an estimated 20-34 billion square-feet.
• 62% of small businesses employ five or less employees.
• Minority owned businesses account for almost 15% of all small businesses, with more than one-third of minority-owned firms owned by Hispanics.

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