We were lucky to catch up with Teresa Deaton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Teresa, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’ve been in the insurance industry for 25 years, and I’ve been making music in Kansas City for nearly 9 of those.

I worked for an AmFam agent 14 years before taking the leap into owning the Teresa M Deaton Agency of American Family Insurance. I’m the first woman business owner on both sides of my family, and I’m super proud to show my nieces and my nephew they can do anything they set their minds to. Growing this business as a single woman, being an employer and leader in my community, mean the most to me. The best part of owning this business is the opportunity to help people and to give back.

I’ve had the joy of experiencing the close-knit community of musicians in Kansas City for the last 8 years. As I played in various venues and observed my fellow musicians, I noticed there’s a very small number of female-owned upper-level bands that cater to weddings, galas and community events. I found myself once again jumping with both feet into a male-dominated field, launching the Teresa Deaton Band on January 1, 2024. I’ve had the support of so many strong leaders, men and women who are willing to offer help, advice and talent to this amazing project. I’m so excited for what we have accomplished and look forward to traveling the Midwest and beyond, making music with this talented bunch!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

On the side of insurance, I bring the deep roots of 25 years in the business – and with this company – along with the fresh energy of an agent who wants to build connections, relationships and rapport with my clients and my community. We insure auto, home, business, life and farm, and I’m always happy to review coverage or answer questions. Insurance is its own language and the advisor who interprets it is an important choice. From a community standpoint, my agency is involved with 4 charities: the Cass Community Health Foundation which provides dental care to underserved children, the Belton Community Foundation which provides scholarships for students and teachers, assistance with food, and many other services. We’re heavily involved with the Belton Chamber of Commerce which provides support and community for our local business owners, and the Belton Community Foundation which assists with removing blight, attracting businesses and economic development.

On the music side, the Teresa Deaton Band has brought together these massively talented artists who play for Lost Wax Band, Patrick Lentz/KC Flo, the James Ward Band (and many others), Travis Marvin, Ryker, and many others. We bring a setlist that has guests dancing and singing along all night, harmony that’ll knock your socks off, and a team approach that brings us all together as leaders. Our setlist is designed with music from Tina Turner, Shania Twain, Elton John and so many more! We’re here for fun with a serious focus on talent – we want our clients to enjoy their special moments!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I opened my agency in 2015 I had high expectations for myself and my team. I over hired and found myself floundering. I call 2016 the “year of spaghetti” because it was cheap, easy to reheat and it was all I ate for lunch and dinner most days. I just kept swimming, pushing forward and making sales. I learned that I needed to run lean and mean for a while, and that’s what I did. I’ll never forget the lessons that year and the years since have taught me.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

The music business started out as a side hustle. I played about 6 shows a year, then I started getting hungry for more. I wanted to make more money and I wanted to play music more often. I met with an advisor who talked about everything from setlist design to stage appearance, and I started working with the band to change those things. We upgraded, we were busy, and we were booking a ton of shows.

When I went to launch the new band, I used what I had learned to launch from the hills I had climbed. Our setlist, stage appearance, social media, our sound and the way we present ourselves is built carefully. I set my target demographic, a targeted budget for each show, and built everything around that. It’s coming along beautifully!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.teresadeatonband.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Teresa-Deaton-Band-61550478998703/
• Youtube: @tmdproductions9063

Image Credits
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