When confronted with challenging circumstances, humans often face a critical choice: fight or flight.
Edmund Marquez, Founder and CEO of the Edmund Marquez Allstate Insurance Agencies, faced this exact situation during the financial collapse of 2009.
Marquez chose to fight.
It’s a decision that would reshape his professional and personal life.
A Tucson native, Marquez graduated from Sabino High School, where he was actively involved in football, track, soccer, theater and student council. Immediately after high school, he began working in his father's Allstate Agency, where he honed his sales skills and developed a keen understanding of customer value propositions.
While pursuing his education at Pima County Community College and later the University of Arizona, Marquez continued working at the family agency.
His dynamic personality caught the attention of Eegee's, which hired him as promotions director.
His success even attracted Warner Brothers, who offered him a marketing position upon graduation.
At 22, Marquez faced a pivotal career decision: pursue a Hollywood opportunity or remain in Tucson's insurance business. Prioritizing family, Marquez chose to stay.
Marquez opened his own insurance agency, and within two years, he was writing over 200 policies a month and had purchased his father's agency.
Marquez then set off on a rapid growth path.
With his sister, Lea Marquez Peterson, they opened four gas stations.
Realizing that a lot of his insurance business came from auto buyers, Marquez bought an auto dealership.
Further expanding his operations, Marquez opened up his own auto repair company, an auto warranty company and an auto financing company.
Marquez was the poster child for vertical integration, realizing the rewards of multiple revenue streams being brought in-house.
Marquez understood the value of mentorship, and through the years cultivated strong relationships with influential business leaders like Jim Click, Ross McCallister, and Peter Marcus.
Marquez said building these relationships was what he valued most.
These connections would prove crucial during his most challenging period when a fight-or-flight decision was just around the corner.
The 2008 financial crisis devastated the business empire Marquez had built.
The real estate market collapse ruined the economy.
No one bought cars. New insurance policies dried up because banks stopped funding car loans.
Homeowner insurance policies were canceled because of the high volume of foreclosures.
The net result for Marquez: Debt kept piling up.
Marquez was at home surrounded by bills and about $4 million in debt.
He couldn’t buy all of the groceries his family needed. He was out of shape. And his anxiety levels were at an all-time high.
Then his phone rang. He ignored it.
It rang again. And then again.
On the fourth ring, Marquez answered.
“Edmund, I have Jim Click holding for you,” said the voice on the other end.
It was a friend calling to offer help and support.
File bankruptcy and go back to where you began, Click told Marquez.
Go back to insurance, he advised.
Marquez closed nine businesses, but not before making sure he made every client whole.
He then filed personal bankruptcy, losing his house in the process.
He left the bankruptcy with two things: the building where his Allstate Agency was located; and a credit card with a $20,000 credit limit and no balance due.
This is when the fighting kicked in.
Working with his father and one employee, he focused exclusively on selling.
He rebuilt his business into one of the largest Allstate agencies in Southern Arizona.
This success enabled Marquez to pursue the second critical recommendation he received from his mentors — where possible, grow through acquisition.
His relationships again offered crucial support — access to capital.
From the bankruptcy to today, Marquez has acquired 11 agencies.
Beyond business recovery, Marquez rediscovered personal balance; he focused on his family and his health. The absentee father became the present father and husband. In 2016, Marquez was recognized by the Fathers Day Council Tucson as a Father of the Year Honoree.
From 2009 to today, Marquez has given generously of his time.
He has been a driving force in the United Way, Rio Nuevo, the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club of Tucson, to name a few. Marquez estimates his time today is split 60% to giving back to the community and 40% to his business.
Marquez defines wealth not by financial metrics but by relationships.
His community connections and family motivate him, preparing Marquez for whatever challenges may come.
As he reflects on his journey, Marquez says he realizes that any day he may face another fight-or-flight decision.
But Marquez also knows that he embodies the wisdom that experience breeds resilience: “I’ve been here before and I know the way out.”
