From Survival to Service
After the accident, he couldn’t work for months. “If you can’t work, there’s no revenue coming in.” Meanwhile, the medical bills kept coming. He quickly learned about benefits and insurance—and their limitations. He didn’t want other families to go through what he had.
That was 23 years ago, and today he’s the owner of Legacy of the Lakes Benefits Advisors, where he’s a Certified Benefits Advisor.
“Starting the business was an uphill battle for a while,” said Terry. “Every small business goes through its different trials and tribulations before thriving.” He wants prospective business owners to know “there are local resources out there so you don’t have to do it all on your own.”
You Don’t Need to Build It Alone
Terry recommends reaching out to the Alexandria Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) and the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
The AAEDC has free coaching that “can help you see if it’s a viable business, all the way through to getting it up and running.”
“The Chamber of Commerce is always looking to connect and help people.” He’s found Wake Up Alexandria a great place to meet people and connect with the business community. It’s a biweekly networking event sponsored by the Chamber and open to the public. “If you’re a new business owner or just coming to Alex, come to Wake Up and introduce yourself.”
“About a year ago, I was at Wake Up, and there was a guy I hadn’t seen before, so I went up and introduced myself. And here he was, brand new to the community, having just retired from the military. He said, ‘I just heard about Wake Up on the radio, and I thought I’d come and explore it.’ I introduced him to people in the room, and he went and had lunch with a few people and got connected.”
Business Climate Built on Connections
In Alexandria, the business climate is driven by relationships. Business relationships often turn into friendships and vice versa. “A lot of my clients have been with me for 15 to 20 years,” said Terry. “Many have become my friends. They’re people I’ve been with at networking events, fundraisers, and community programs.”
Support Makes the First Step Easier
There’s a strong sense of community pride in Alexandria. “Here you’re not just a number,” he said. “People are open to conversations. People support you and are looking out for the best in our community.”
The business community here is a network of people who want each other to succeed.
