The small business community is second to none, working together to support one another through it all. Our State Farm Agents are small business owners too and bring a unique perspective when helping other businesses in their community. In celebration of small businesses, NBCU and State Farm® have partnered to spotlight an incredible small business owner who was willing to share his journey, offer some advice, and provide motivation to the community.
How and when did you meet?
Steve: I met Coriano back in 2011. He had a very important event that he had to go to, his cousin referred him over to me. He needed some a special service done and I laid it out for him, and we’ve been friends ever since. He’s been a loyal customer ever since.
Coriano: I was going to a big event and a family member referred me to Steve. I needed a beard trim and he is known in town to do the best beard trims. So I met him, he did an excellent job as he always does, and I’ve been here ever since.
How do you think both you and your State Farm agent being small business owners makes the relationship easier? Are there ways that you help each other?
Steve: The personal side of him being able to relate and get back to me in a timely manner, and the fact that he cares – he goes above and beyond to answer my questions, returns my phone calls in a timely manner. That’s big for me.
Coriano: As small business owners, he sends me customers that need insurance and I sent him customers that need a haircut or a beard trim, and so that’s how we help each other out. We both have a passion for helping people as small business owners.
How has Steve’s insurance policy helped his business?
Coriano: I was there for Steve when he had to use his insurance policy. He had a loss here and he called me, and I came right away. I think it was his first loss that he had, and I was there to help him, and we looked at his coverages. I let him know what was covered what was not covered and we made him back home again. But he was glad then that he had a policy, oh yes, he was truly happy about that. That’s what you have insurance for: the “unknown.”
Coriano, why did you nominate Stevie E’s?
Coriano: I nominated Stevie E’s for what Steve does in the community. What really touched me about Steve’s business is how he does a lot for the community – he does afterschool things with kids, and he is always doing something to mentor young minority men, and that touched me. I see it on his social media sites – all the work that he does – and that was special to me. I thought he would be the perfect for nomination for this.
What’s a funny story you both share?
Steve: We laugh and joke all the time. He came in one Friday morning and he said “man, I did something with my mustache and I just can’t I can’t get it right” and one of my other barbers said “you know why your beard won’t go right? Because you keep touching it. Leave it alone, let your Barber take care of it, and it’s going to grow the way you want it.” He took heed to it and ever since then, he gets the look that he’s going for and he gets complimented every time he goes out.
Coriano: One day he was cutting hair and I was in getting ready for a beard trim, and there was a young man that tried to show him up. What I mean by that is he tried to make Steve think that he was stronger than him. Steve was cutting hair and he stopped, and they did push-ups. I think the young boy could only do 20 and Steve did about 50. He got up and finished cutting hair. I’ve never seen anything like that.
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