Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Teresa Ponde Fraga Lima.
Hi Maria Teresa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first came to the United States as a student on an F1 visa with my husband and our daughter, who had just turned 13. Our initial plan was simply to give her the experience of spending a year in an English-language school, even though our visa was valid for four years.
After about six months, a friend told me that I might be eligible for a Green Card. At first, I was both surprised and a little scared, since this had never been part of our plans. But at the same time, I was excited by the possibility and decided to learn more about it. In fact, just one year and five months later, we had the document in our hands.
Once I received work authorization, I started exploring different opportunities. Because I’ve always loved studying, I began pursuing licenses in areas that interested me. I first obtained my real estate license, but it didn’t spark my passion. Then I went on to earn my financial and insurance licenses—and that’s when I truly found my calling.
Today, I work as a health and life insurance agent. I absolutely love helping people, and I discovered in this profession a meaningful way to do what I enjoy most: guiding and protecting families while building lasting relationships.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a relative journey, and by that I mean both rewarding and challenging. Back in Brazil, I had household help who took care of the cleaning, laundry, cooking, and organization. Here, I suddenly had to take on all of that myself—while also working, supporting my husband, and raising our daughter.
Another challenge has been the deep longing for family, which is always present. Still, the practicality of American life makes things easier in many ways.
By nature, I’ve always been someone who respects rules and laws—I am a lawyer by training—and living here has been truly inspiring. In the United States, rules are respected, laws are enforced, and we can clearly see where our tax dollars go. How could I not admire and appreciate that?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about TP Lima consulting and services?
I run an S-Corp and work with several insurance companies, offering both health insurance and life insurance with living benefits. My services also include financial planning, asset protection, capital accumulation, and wealth dollarization.
I primarily serve Brazilian immigrants, who often arrive in the U.S. without clear information—both about the healthcare system and about the advantages of life insurance with living benefits. This work is particularly meaningful because healthcare here is very different from what we know in Brazil, and many immigrants believe they can’t access it. When it comes to living benefits, most are unfamiliar with the concept or hesitant because of the way it is presented back home.
My personal mission is to help others, and that’s why I am truly passionate about this work. My clients often tell me that my biggest differentiator is the way I serve them—with patience, calmness, and a sense of security. This has led to most of my new clients coming through referrals.
I want to always be known for that: working with love, taking the time to explain every detail, and building trust so that each client not only feels protected but also becomes a friend.
And today, I am a U.S. citizen—and to me, that is truly an honor.
What matters most to you? Why?
The most important thing to me is my family, because they are the foundation of everything I do and my greatest motivation to grow and succeed. At the same time, I believe it is essential to help others. I have always felt that knowledge and opportunities only have real value when they are shared, and that is exactly what drives my work: supporting immigrants who arrive in the United States feeling uncertain and uninformed. Being able to guide them, protect them, and bring peace of mind to their families is, without a doubt, one of the greatest rewards I receive every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tplima.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresa_ponde
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14NKv6BWtG5/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-pond%C3%A9-50365467
