Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiago Guimaraes.
Hi Tiago, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Tiago Guimaraes and I am the owner of Tiago Guimaraes Insurance located in Winter Garden. The word insurance itself does not sound interesting to people but my story and how I am here today in this interview I believe everyone will find interesting and hopefully inspire others.
I am originally from Brazil, my Grandfather started the Guimaraes Insurance business in 1945. My father, Mario Guimaraes started working for his father when he was 18 then the tradition kept going. I worked for my father at 18 years old as well and I learned a lot. I loved the work and I was good at it, however, I wanted to find my own way. I knew I was a businessman at heart it was in my blood. So later on in life I started a couple of small businesses but nothing ever worked out.
Fast forward in life, I still had the insurance business running through my veins and in 2018 I decided to start Tiago Guimaraes Insurance. My wife and I met later on in life at the age of 38 and 41, we were anxious to start the business and most importantly try and start a family in our 40s. We had a big journey ahead of us but we are both strong, determined, hard workers and quickly began working on our dreams.
in 2018, I got my insurance license and started building my business 1 client at a time. I remember working from a desk in our rental home. I rode a bicycle for 9 months to save money. I remember when I reached 100 clients, my wife and I were so excited ! It might seem like a small number but to us it meant we were heading in the right direction. I then rented a closet size work space to work from and thankfully in 2019, I was able to move to my first office space and I hired my first employee. My wife also found out she was pregnant with our miracle baby! Things were great !
To top it off, I was interviewed that year by a local Brazilian television network to feature me in a segment of Brazilians who have worked hard and made their way to success in the United States. It was such an honor and made me proud.
Then Covid hit and it felt like everything I was working for could now become a nightmare for me. Things were very uncertain at the time and my wife was having our baby during covid. It was a very scary time for everyone.
We purchased our first home in time for our daughter to be born. Trying to stay focused in building your business while the world has basically stopped was definitely a true test as to whether we could make it through this on the other side. I knew I had no choice but to work harder and not give up.
The end of 2020, I moved my office to the second floor of a dealership in Winter Garden to be close to my home and family. I was able to add 4 employees and I was grateful to still be doing business.
In 2024, I received the Hall Of Fame award for Top Sales with an Insurance Company! There was a nice trip and awards ceremony for my wife and I to New Orleans! It was such an honor and an amazing experience.
As of today, we just celebrated one year in our new big office space. I have a full staff of 30 employees and we serve over 10,000 clients speaking Portuguese, Spanish and English. Clients may call ,email or visit our new office space and enjoy a cup of coffee and have an agent assist you.
Tiago Guimaraes Insurance represents over 15 insurance companies including Progressive and Geico. .
My job is to provide you with the best rate possible without you as the customer having to do all the work and research yourself. I become your personal agent and assist you with the best policy rate.
I would say that my success has come from my determination and my excellent customer service. I believe customer service is your number one key to success and believing in what you are doing with your whole heart.
I have tried my best to not let the world and all of its noise along with covid and any other scenario that might effect my business not stop me from continuing to do what i know best and that is insurance.
We still tell the story today about the time we were so excited to reach 100 clients! When we both met we started with nothing basically and we look back and reflect how far we both have come together as a team. We worked so very hard for 2 very big dreams and at the same time and we actually did it!
Some people tell me I have lived the American Dream, and maybe I am, but what I do know is that I have worked so hard and never gave up. Neither one of us, we stayed strong. Building a business and family during scary times was our true test. I believe we made it to the other side. I am so proud of myself and my little family. I know my grandfather would be proud of me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The success in this business has not come easy.
-As I mentioned before starting a business from ground up is not easy for anyone. Then adding Covid on top of it 2 yrs later, was definitely a challenge.
-The pressure of starting a family and keeping the business growing.
-Learning everyone in the business and realizing quickly they are all not nice people.
-Learning to adapt and incorporate 3 languages into your company and office staff.
– Mostly, the time and long hours it took to get the business running and all the work in the office can take time away from your family that you’ve worked so hard to have. Balancing your family and a successful business I believe is the most challenging and rewarding.
We’ve been impressed with Tiago Guimaraes Insurance , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an insurance agent and I represent over 15 insurance companies. 2 of the largest being Geico and Progressive.
My job and goal is to provide our clients with the very best insurance rates as possible. There is no one that is excited to pay insurance and to also take the time to research what rates are best.
This is where I come in and can provide them with a service that they themselves do not want to do.
Based on your criteria , we compare all insurances companies that i represent and I can see the best rate for our client.
I first began only selling Auto policies, but also offer Life, Homeowners, Business, and other add ons you can choose. Its much easier to tell 1 person such as your agent to provide you with the best rates for all your insurance needs.
I have been working to make sure we brand the company that speaks to everyone. Whether you are from here , or you speak Spanish or Portuguese we want to help everyone save money and have the best customer service.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We do a lot on Social Media and sharing our company and our services to others is always the best !
We also offer referral programs for dealerships and realtors who can recommend their clients to our insurance agency.
Because we offer services to clients who speak Portuguese, Spanish and English that does broaden our target audience. We love participating in Expos or small business events!
We have an amazing staff and always looking to get involved in the community !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiagoguimaraesinsurance.com
- Instagram: tg_insurance
- Facebook: TiagoGuimaraesInsurance
