Person Behind The Place: Angie Nuevacamina

Person Behind The Place:
Angie Nuevacamina

Mutual Insurance Company | Financial Service Professional

Angie Nuevacamina’s vision and mission in life have always been to make the world a better place before bedtime. As a representative and agent for a mutual insurance company, she consistently strives to do more than what the job typically entails. Nuevacamina takes the skills she learned from her time at a biotech company and her decade-long career as a small business consultant to help small businesses – specifically black and brown businesses – thrive.

Angie’s two-year span overseeing the biotech company's global subsidiaries taught her two things: the importance of learning about the culture, market, and business and how to find opportunities to leverage a product. She said it was a natural evolution when she decided to go into finance because while the job is different, the skills are transferable. Angie’s daily work consists of learning about clients’ stories, assessing the situation, and finding ways to leverage products to support them in meeting their goals . Read on to learn more about the most rewarding part of her job, what challenges small businesses face today, and her favorite places around Downtown Bellevue.

What is the most rewarding part about being a financial services professional?

The most rewarding part about my job is taking a complicated concept and distilling it to its simplest form so my clients can understand it better. It’s essential in my work to take something as complex as finance and retirement and make it accessible. We’re all human beings, and at the end of the day, we want to feel seen and heard – I make sure all my clients think that exact way when they leave my office.

What challenges do you see small businesses facing today?

Right off the bat, I think of sustainability. So many small businesses start, and within a year, they’re gone. There are several reasons for this, and what we see most often is that some businesses are in this to experiment while others are opening their business for survival. Those mom-and-pop shops that are in it to make a livable income typically do better.

What are some specific challenges that Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) small businesses face?

Access to money and access to the market. We saw these challenges grow enormously during the pandemic. They didn’t have access to a large amount of savings or equity in real estate, which is one of the many significant reasons they couldn’t survive. This is why we continue discussing the importance of building generational wealth.

The most successful owners are the ones that have created businesses that were bigger than themselves. They already had the community as stakeholders at the forefront, and when the community buys in and you’ve got enough support, your chances of survival increase significantly.

How are you involved with the community?

I love doing community seminars through my workshop on finance 101. People can make an appointment with me and come into a judgment-free zone where I can help answer questions about financial problems and help create financial independence. Relationship with money is complicated, it’s okay to ask for help. My consultations are always free. 

My next free financial workshop is happening Saturday, April 22 at 1p.m. where I'll lead a discussion about financial abuse and finance 101. You can sign up online.

Outside of work, I’ve been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County as part of their resource development committee, and most recently, I’ve been appointed as the planning commissioner for the City of Redmond.

What do you love about working in Downtown Bellevue?

I enjoy seeing the diversity here, ranging from tech workers and city leaders to extended families. I also love that there are so many different views in Downtown Bellevue. My favorites are the stunning skyscrapers, the cascades, and the gorgeous sight of Lake Washington at Meydenbauer Bay Park. I am very privileged to be able to experience this.

What are some of your favorite spots to dine in Downtown?

Nothing beats eating dessert in the summer at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi on the patio. They have so much texture, and it’s always a creative presentation.

Do you have any favorite places to shop in Downtown Bellevue?

I adore Nordstrom Rack. I’ll browse the shoe section often, even though I know I don’t need another pair.

Do you have a hidden gem in Downtown Bellevue?

I love Boone Boona Coffee inside the Amazon GRACE building. CEO Efrem Fesaha gets extremely expressive with his culture through the coffee shop and shares it meaningfully with the community. He started in Renton as a subscription-based coffee online and has since built an empire.

Another hidden spot is Meydenbauer Bay Park. It’s gorgeous down there, and I don’t think many people know about that spot.

Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?

Without a doubt, I hope to be more involved in the community. I see myself participating in local events and expanding my participation on the Eastside since I've been more Seattle-focused pre-pandemic. I’m excited to continue increasing my involvement with local organizations and making a bigger impact on others.

Connect with Angie Nuevacamina on Linkedin:

 

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Person Behind The Place is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.