Hi, I am Emmalee Baker. I am a personal lines insurance advisor for Allstate. I chose to go into insurance because I love helping and educating people. I suffered a traumatic experience from a non-fault accident 13 years ago. I was t-boned by an uninsured driver who worked for State Farm and let their policy lapse. I was unaware of how insurance worked and made the error in getting the cheapest policy that did not offer me much support when I needed it. My goal with every quote that I complete is to ensure that the individual walks away with knowledge. Maybe I don’t gain the client’s business, but I have the piece of mind to know that they can make an educated decision for themself and there won’t be the “unknown” if the time comes. I also pride myself in working to find discounts and savings to be able to put money back into my customer’s pockets.
Q: Tell us about yourself, including a little bit about where you grew up, your education, your family, interests, passions, and career?
I grew up in Bloomington, Illinois. I am one of 6 kids and am very close with my family. I have a daughter who is 12 and in the 7th grade. My little family moved away from Illinois in the summer of 2022 to Simpsonville, SC. I enjoy hiking, trips to the beach and mountains, watching my daughter play softball, and I am a die hard Chicago Bears fan.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
1 and a half years.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was hit by a car when I was 7. Clearly, I am alive and I did not sustain any serious injuries. My great grandma and I were shopping at Walmart when a lady offered us her cart and then proceeded to run us over. This was in a small town back in Illinois years ago. It was funny because when we showed up to the hospital everyone was on lunch break except the front desk lady.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
Rachel Touchet. She has the most authentic and genuine energy of anyone I have met. She has a servant heart and generously connects like minded business owners. I am not sure how she has time to refer and network with people AND run her staffing company. She is also a phenomenal cook who specializes in cajun food.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Golden Strip?
I haven’t been here long enough to have anything nostalgic.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
The atmosphere is unlike any place I have been to. You get the big city feel without the big city chaos. The Greenville downtown is incredibly beautiful and has many thriving businesses. Where else can you get a waterfall, delicious food, and shopping all in the same place?
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
Condado Tacos. Such a fun vibe, different, but delicious and amazing queso/guacamole options.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
kind, family, and free to be you.
Q: If you had friends or family visiting you from out of town, what is the one place that you must take them to?
Downtown Greenville.
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
Either walking downtown Greenville or taking a spontaneous trip to the beach.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
Morgan Freeman.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To go cage diving with sharks.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Go out there and make your dreams come true. Don’t wait for things to happen or fall into place.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
Monica McBride.
