Last night, Rathbun Insurance CEO Ben Rathbun and COO Laura Stoken had the pleasure of attending the 41st Annual Hispanic Christmas Symposium at VFW Post 701. The event, which celebrated the vibrant spirit of the Lansing Hispanic community, was a feast for the senses—catered by the delicious Taqueria El Chaparrito and beautifully decorated by Colorful Creations Balloons.

The night held a delightful surprise for us when a young entrepreneur approached our table to say hello. Izaiah Villarreal, a 17-year-old junior in the Business and Risk Management Program at Wilson Talent Center, proudly introduced himself. As mentors and supporters of this program, we immediately remembered him. Izaiah wasn’t just attending the event—he was a vendor, representing his own company, Full Circle Moment, which provides 360-degree camera rentals.

Seeing Izaiah thriving as a young business owner was a perfect “full circle moment” for us at Rathbun Insurance. We are firm believers in our value of “Giving It Away to Keep It,” meaning we generously share our time and knowledge to empower the next generation. Watching Izaiah’s entrepreneurial spirit flourish is a testament to the importance of mentorship and community support.

And of course, we couldn’t resist trying out Izaiah’s 360 camera booth! Check out the video below of Ben, Laura, and Izaiah enjoying the experience—it was a highlight of the evening.

The event was brought to life by the incredible music of DJ Jose Saldana, who kept the energy high and the dance floor packed. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with members of the Lansing Hispanic community and beyond.

At Rathbun Insurance, we’re reminded once again why we love being part of Lansing. It’s not just a city—it’s a community full of passion, creativity, and opportunities to connect. Events like the Hispanic Christmas Symposium make us proud to live, work, and play here.

Thank you to everyone who made the night special!

Here’s to celebrating the holiday season together and continuing to invest in our community’s future. 🎄✨