“My children took balloons to a whole new level,” said Fataima Ahmad, owner of Balloon Zoom.

Ahmad is referring to her daughters: Anna, Leila and Noor. Ten years ago they went to a party, saw a balloon twister, and decided to try creating their own inflatable fun. The rest is history.

“Even at ages five, seven and nine - they had an amazing knack for twisting,” Ahmad said. “We started a small business. Word got out, and the party bookings began.”

Balloon Zoom blew up. Over time, it's evolved into a high-end balloon décor business that builds everything from balloon columns to organic balloon walls. Anna is now a college freshman, but Leila and Noor are still actively involved in balloon builds.

“We run it out of our home,” said Ahmad. “Balloons in our family room, dining room and hallways is a regular thing – consider it part of the décor.”

As the business grew, so did the need for insurance.

“Now that we’re working with corporations, universities, hotels – a certificate of insurance is often required,” said Ahmad. “We got a lot of insurance quotes– but wanted someone we could talk to in the neighborhood, not in a city faraway. Someone that knows us personally.”

They met State Farm agent, Sonia Ntuk.

“Like us, Sonia is a local small business owner,” said Ahmad. “We can always stop in. She’s taught  us so much.”

“It’s an honor to work with small business owners and help them get the coverage they need,” said Ntuk. “Like Balloon Zoom, many small business are home-based. But, homeowners insurance doesn’t necessarily cover a small business.”

What if…

• a customer gets hurt on your property?
• an employee making a delivery (in your car) is in an accident?
• your inventory gets stolen?
• you cause property damage to a business that hired you?

“They call me the 'Worst Case Scenario Person',” said Ntuk. “But, a small business owner works hard for what they have. It should be protected.”

Of State Farm customers who own a small business,

40% have no small business insurance.

Yet, the average claim a small business owner faces is over $22K.

It only takes a little bit of time to make sure you have what you need,” said Ntuk. “Together, we develop a plan for your financial security.”

Wise Words:

“I think back to the advice the girls were given when they started: If you want to do something, go for it, and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Ahmad. “Having insurance gives us peace of mind to do more and be more.”

As for the future?

“Balloon Zoom is growing, and the girls and I are growing right along with it,” Ahmad said. “We can’t wait to see where we go next.”

“Together, we’re making dreams soar,” said Ntuk.

Spotlight on State Farm Agent, and small business owner, Sonia Ntuk

Inspired by her father (a 30+ year State Farm agent), Ntuk opened her office in 2015.

“It’s rewarding to be a small business owner,” she said. “As a State Farm agent I hope to set a positive example for other women in the industry, including my own 19-year-old daughter. To all the women out there, you can be the boss and decide how you want your small business to look. Have faith, be fearless, and help others. You CAN do it!”

“Peanut butter can be expensive for food banks and food pantries to purchase yet it’s a power house of nutrition,” said, Tara Ingham, Executive Director for the Midwest Food Bank, “Especially in times of disaster relief it’s convenient, doesn’t take much preparation – and it packs a ton of nutrition.”

According to the National Peanut Board, a two tablespoon serving of the nutty spread packs seven grams of protein and more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals. With an average cost of 16 cents per serving, peanut butter makes a nutrient-rich addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

That’s why State Farm employees across the U.S. united to help stock food pantry shelves. In less than one month, they collected more than 18,000 jars of peanut butter, totaling more than 21,000 pounds. The donations were distributed to food pantries across the country.

Catrena Smith, an Illinois employee, worked with her department to collect more than 100 jars.

“This peanut butter drive is a wonderful opportunity to contribute and give together as a team,” said Smith. “It’s amazing to know our collective effort at State Farm will help feed many.”

Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Whether it’s giving a jar of peanut butter, or giving your time to a local organization - the State Farm Neighborhood of Good® can help. Visit www.NeighborhoodofGood.com® to find causes that matter to you – right in your neighborhood.

“The company’s financial strength is allowing us to pass along rate savings to our Washington customers," said State Farm Senior Vice President Tom Conley. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in Washington.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The average Washington customer savings will be approximately $24 per year. The effective date for new and renewal business is July 30, 2018. Washington customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Every second counts when first responders race to their destination. But what happens when they arrive at the scene and find someone trapped inside tons of snarled steel? How do they get the people out safely? Extrication.

Often, local fire departments and rescue squads have limited budgets. This means limited opportunities to receive vitally important, hands-on extrication training. State Farm is here to help first responders learn the intricacies of extrication from coast to coast.

Salvage Value in Virginia

In collaboration with the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and Holmatro, State Farm helps provide free extrication training for first responders. This is through NABC’s First Responders Emergency Extrication (FREE) program. The insurance company also provides salvage donations for use at training events. This no-cost training is a rare opportunity for hands-on practice on newer vehicles equipped with sophisticated new materials and technologies.

Two training events took place at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville Virginia. First responders were first trained to cut and extricate passengers properly and safely. This was done in vehicles equipped with new technology. The new technology included high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbags. This training is vital to protect not only the lives of crash victims, but also the lives of first responders.

“It’s impossible to measure the true impact when State Farm and our industry participate in programs like FREE. It is a very real way we are able to show our true commitment to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities,” shared Elizabeth Clark, a NABC Executive Board member and State Farm leader.

Crunch Time on the West Coast

Crunch Time is a two day extrication training class every September in Gig Harbor, WA. The training program enhances first responders’ skills at emergencies. This includes events such as vehicle collisions, machinery entanglements, parking garage or bridge collapses, and natural disasters.

Participants rotate through 12 different scenarios. They include ones such as school bus extrication, car vs. semi-truck, and vehicles which have plunged into an irrigation canal. Besides patient extrication, participants experience heavy lift scenarios, learn proper use and handling of hydraulic tools, and stabilization techniques.

Working around air bags, cutting through different metal alloys, and computerized panels found in hybrid vehicles pose different safety challenges than just 10 to 15 years ago. Many safety features drivers expect in their vehicles today add safety risks to rescuers.

That’s why fire departments and responder units from Alaska, California and states as far away as Florida send their personnel to the largest training of its kind – Crunch Time.

More than eighty cars were used in September 2016 training. State Farm is one of a handful of sponsors that provide annual grants to keep the program current with the most up-to-date equipment. Since 2003, State Farm has donated more than 85 vehicles to Crunch Time. This includes a hybrid vehicle that was cut open to display the internal components.

“Crunch Time helps students become safer in their rescue attempts. It also teaches them to be more effective at handling emergencies. And even better at handling traumatic events,” shared Lt. TJ Teeple, Technical Rescue Lieutenant at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One and Incident Commander for Crunch Time.

Lt. Teeple sums up the benefits of extrication training when he says, “The best measurement of success for the program is when firefighters tell us this training has saved lives.”

The scariest night of the year for pedestrians and drivers alike is October 31. Aside from the costumes and haunted houses, the thought of a child darting in front of a car can cause anxiety for any driver and parent.

Sometimes local tragedies serve as unfortunate reminders about the need to keep trick-or-treaters safe. There are an average of 5.5 fatalities each year on Halloween night. This is more than two times the average of fatalities for other days. Statistics show 23% of fatalities occur with children between the ages of five and eight; and 70% of accidents occur away from an intersection or crosswalk.

So what can you do to keep your little princesses, pirates, police officers and witches safe this Halloween? One alternative is block parties.

Every year, a block party is organized in the Magnolia community of Seattle, WA. An entire block is sectioned off so residents can bring Trick-or-Treaters of all ages for an evening of fun and safety. Booths are set up and kids and parents are able to go to booths for treats.

Take Winter by Storm, a safety coalition in Seattle, WA, looks for block parties to help spread safety messages in a fun environment. At previous block parties, the coalition provided goodie bags with reflectors, flashlights, safety flashers, safety coloring books, and parent brochures.

State Farm agent Brian Chambers participates with his own booth and brings along a special treat for the kids, the Good NeighBear. "We participate because we love getting to celebrate with our community and it’s a great opportunity to get to know more of our neighbors."

Bloomington, Illinois (October 21, 2016) – State Farm is introducing a new coverage endorsement in several states to help fill insurance gaps for its policyholders who use their personal cars to provide rides for a Transportation Network Company (TNC), like Uber and Lyft. The TNC industry is rapidly changing the livery/taxi industry by using the latest mobile technology to facilitate rides for hire. With these new transportation services in the marketplace, drivers are exposed to new risks.

Insurance provided by TNCs may be limited in scope and coverage. Personal auto policies generally do not extend coverage to the use of personal cars as taxis or livery vehicles, including their use in TNC services.

To adapt to changing customer needs, beginning Monday, October 21, 2016, State Farm will offer a Transportation Network Company Driver Coverage endorsement in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia.

The effective date for new and renewal for all states except GA: October 21, 2016. The effective date for new and renewal for GA: November 21, 2016

Ten jurisdictions obtained the endorsement earlier this year: Alabama, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin .

"Adapting and innovating to our customers' changing needs is critical," said Vicki Harper, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. "This new product is an example of our commitment to our customers and provides them coverage, and peace of mind, when they use their personal cars to provide TNC services."

TNCs may provide high liability coverage limits while a paying passenger occupies the driver's vehicle or when the driver has been connected with a passenger and is on the way to pick that person up. But TNCs tend to provide a much lower limit of liability coverage when drivers are just available for hire and may not provide the drivers with any medical payments, comprehensive, or collision coverages at all. The TNCs may not be providing coverage for injuries to the driver or coverage for any damage to the driver's personal car.

The new, optional State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement enables a policyholder to have his/her personal auto policy fill in the coverage gaps left by TNC-provided insurance. This cost-effective endorsement provides the driver with the full liability coverage limits carried on his/her auto policy during the period of time when the driver is available for hire, and provides the driver with all other coverages applicable to his/her auto policy during all periods of TNC driving.

Customers in these states who drive for a TNC should contact their local State Farm agent to learn more about the new State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement.

Clinton Taylor was a typical teen until his single mom lost her job. Then, he made choices that put him on a path to self-destruction. Luckily, his mom and other adults stepped up. They helped him make better choices and to take a brighter path.

The oldest of three children, Clinton was raised in a single parent home by his mother. His childhood was spent in some of the poorest, gang-infested neighborhoods in north and northeast Portland, Oregon. This was during the height of the crack epidemic in the early 1980’s.

For years, Clinton managed to avoid joining neighborhood gangs. The one thing he couldn’t avoid, was the heavy influence of street life.

After graduating from high school, Clinton found himself falling into a life of drugs and crime. At the urging of his mother, 19-year-old Clinton joined the United States Army. A few years later, he was in Iraq serving on the front lines in Operation Desert Storm.

Honorably discharged from the military, after five years serving his country, Clinton soon found himself back on the same streets in the same neighborhoods.

“I struggled for years to overcome my battles with drugs, alcohol, and crime,” Clinton shared. “The life I chose caught up with me; I was sent to prison for seven years.”

Once released, Clinton decided to turn his life around. He enrolled in college. He now has three degrees: an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a Masters of Art Degree in Organizational Leadership.

In 2006, Clinton started his own motivational speaking and training business. Right State of Mind is an organization dedicated to helping others overcome barriers and obstacles in their personal and professional life. Clinton has led training sessions and presentations at all levels of education, drug/alcohol facilities, correctional institutions, and Fortune 500 companies across the country.

Clinton has also written successful training curriculums for life skills programs and workforce development programs. His programs have helped thousands of young people and adults enter education, employment and job programs. These programs, in turn, are putting young adults on the path to economic stability and positive contributions to their communities.

Currently, Clinton is the Program Manager in Tacoma and Seattle, WA, for Financial Beginnings, a nonprofit that empowers Pacific Northwest youth and adults to take control of their financial futures with State Farm support.

Clinton has successfully re-integrated himself into society. He has proven anyone can turn their life’s stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

“I believe the greatest tragedy in life is not the mistakes you make or how many times life knocks you down.” Clinton adds, “I believe the great travesty is to live your entire life and get to the end not knowing why you lived, and never discovering your purpose in life.”

How do we manage these risks effectively? What behaviors are the most critical to a safe driving experience? And how can we encourage drivers to take personal responsibility for adopting more of these safety-conscious behaviors?

Engaged Driving occurs when drivers actively devote sufficient attention to actions critical to safe driving. It’s our goal for all drivers to have this level of engagement at all times. That’s why State Farm chose to name this safety effort the “Engaged Driving Initiative.”

When it comes to tackling safety issues, at State Farm we employ the Research to Action business model. The  Engaged Driving Initiative will be no different.

We will first consider if there are research gaps we need to address in order to truly understand the problem. Once identified, we will engage in the research, enabling us to better understand the full nature of the issue of distracted driving. This will ultimately help us develop solutions that will improve safety for everyone who shares our roadways.

Distracted driving is a very complex issue, and there has been a great deal of research conducted to learn more about the problem. Some research involves in-vehicle cameras, others use driving simulators. Some experts do observational studies while others study crash data or conduct surveys.

We believe there is value to studying distracted driving from all these perspectives.

Based on our success with past safety initiatives, we knew our Engaged Driving research had the best chance for success if we reached out to others with a broad range of perspectives and areas of expertise. But how best to identify and reach the people and groups with the most to contribute to this effort?

For this, we turned to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). As an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to motor vehicle crash injury control and prevention, AAAM was the perfect partner to help us bring together a panel of experts to identify the current state-of-the-science and identify gaps needing further investigation.

Engaged Driving Symposium: March 31, 2014

To launch the Engaged Driving Initiative, and in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Farm sponsored the Engaged Driving Symposium in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2014.

The AAAM with support from State Farm, gathered a panel of top experts representing a broad range of expertise in the field of safe driving. The panel spent the past year preparing research reports on the latest science around distracted driving. At the symposium, they told us where there are gaps that need further exploration.

These experts shared their findings at a small, professional Engaged Driving Symposium on Monday, March 31st, in Washington, D.C. We made the symposium available to everyone in a free, live webcast during the event.

The full symposium is also available on-demand: Engaged Driving Symposium (March 31, 2014, Washington D.C.)

The symposium coincided with the release of a special issue of the AAAM journal, The Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, containing peer-reviewed papers authored by this group of experts. The full journal or individual papers can be downloaded for free at www.aaam.org.

Employing the Research to Action business model, State Farm is using the body of research contained in the journal and presented at the Engaged Driving Symposium to guide us in our next steps toward tackling the dangerous problem of distracted driving.