Meet Milka Valdivia Pratt | Insurance Agent and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Milka Valdivia Pratt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Milka, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a Hispanic entrepreneur, I’m proud to use my background and experiences to connect with and serve the Hispanic community here in North Carolina. I understand the unique challenges many in our community face when it comes to insurance—whether it’s navigating the language barrier, understanding policies, or simply feeling confident in the process. By starting my own agency, I can offer personalized, bilingual service that truly speaks to the needs of Hispanic families. My goal is to make insurance more accessible, relatable, and trustworthy, so my community feels empowered to protect their families and assets. I’m not just another agent—I’m someone who understands and cares about the people I serve.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Arriving in this country was a defining moment for me. I came with little more than hope and determination, knowing that opportunities here were limitless but that the journey wouldn’t be easy. Like many immigrants, I faced language barriers, cultural differences, and the challenge of starting from zero.

I started my journey as a business owner in Florida, where I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and building relationships. Running my own business in a completely different environment gave me valuable experience, but when I moved to North Carolina, I knew it was time for a new challenge. I decided to get into the insurance world because I saw a gap in how many people, especially within the Hispanic community, were underserved and had difficulty navigating the complexities of insurance.

The transition wasn’t easy. Moving to a new state, starting fresh, and entering a completely new industry came with its own set of challenges. But my background as a business owner taught me to be adaptable, resilient, and always open to learning. I realized that insurance was the perfect way to use my skills to help people protect their families and their futures.

In North Carolina, I saw a growing Hispanic population, many of whom faced language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of trust in traditional insurance agencies. That’s when I decided to start my own insurance agency, focusing on offering bilingual services, personalized solutions, and education to help families make informed decisions.

What excites me most is being able to give back to my community, helping them secure the protection they need while offering the same personalized care that helped me build my own business.

The road to where I am today wasn’t easy. There were financial challenges, doubts, and moments when I questioned if I was on the right path. But I kept reminding myself of the “why” behind my work: to serve my community and make a real difference. With the support of my family and my network, I keep moving forward, knowing that every small step mattered.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Raleigh-Durham area has so much to offer for a week-long visit! In Raleigh, you can explore Pullen Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S., or visit the North Carolina Museum of Art and its beautiful surrounding park. For history buffs, the State Capitol Building offers a glimpse into the past, while Raleigh City Market has local shops and restaurants to enjoy. In Durham, a stroll through the stunning Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a must, or you can catch a Durham Bulls game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The American Tobacco Historic District offers cool spots for dining and a walk along the river. Don’t miss the scenic Duke University Campus and its Duke Chapel. For outdoor fun, Umstead State Park is great for hiking and biking, while Jordan Lake offers opportunities for kayaking and fishing. In Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Botanical Garden provides a peaceful escape, and Franklin Street is the heart of the town, with quirky shops and dining spots. If you love great food, The Pit in Raleigh is a must for BBQ, and Bull City Burger and Brewery in Durham offers fantastic craft beer and burgers. Whether you enjoy history, nature, food, or sports, there’s something for everyone in the Raleigh-Durham area!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I just want to give a huge shout out to my amazing networking group “Networking en Espanol”, they believed in me and encouraged me to start my own Agency. I also would like to thank my friends and family. Their support and encouragement mean the world to me as I embark on this journey of starting my own insurance agency. I’m excited to serve our community and help those who need it most, and I couldn’t have gotten here without all of them.

I’d like to mention a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear, it inspired me by teaching me how small, daily actions can have a massive impact over time. It showed me that by focusing on building good habits and breaking bad ones, I can create lasting change, both personally and in my business. The idea of improving just 1% each day really resonated with me—it reminded me that success doesn’t happen overnight, but through consistent, intentional progress. This mindset has been essential as I work to grow my own insurance agency and stay focused on long-term goals.

Website: https://www.primeinsurancenc.com

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