Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Alexander.
Hi Kathleen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up watching my dad, Glenn Blackwood, take care of people the old-school way — sitting at kitchen tables, talking about life, money, and what mattered most. At five years old I thought he was just “giving away money,” but what I really saw was a man building trust, security, and a life for four kids and a stay-at-home wife through sheer grit.
Those moments shaped me more than I realized.
They taught me what work ethic looked like.
They taught me what taking care of people meant.
They planted the idea that I wanted to be financially independent and build my life on purpose, not luck.
I didn’t inherit my dad’s agency or his clients — I built my own in my late 20s/early 30s. And life wasted no time teaching me what real loss and rebuilding felt like.
In January 2015, my house burned while I was inside it. I was young, naive, and terrified — drowning in contractors, threats, and pressure. That experience changed me. It made me protective of people walking through their own disasters because I knew exactly how it felt to be overwhelmed and outmatched.
And then in September 2023, my husband Rob died by suicide.
There are no words that fully capture how that shatters you. Your brain changes. The world changes. You change. Grief becomes a language you never wanted to learn. That loss reshaped my purpose. It made me fiercely committed to helping people protect what can’t ever be replaced — their families, their futures, their memories. It made me more human, more honest, and more aware of how fragile life really is.
Through all of it, one constant has kept me moving: my son, Weston.
He is my reason. My anchor. My breath. Every ounce of strength I’ve found, I found because he needed me to stand up again.
Today, I run my agency with the same heart I saw in my dad’s eyes at those kitchen tables. My team is an extension of me — imperfect, hardworking, growing, loyal, and full of heart. We’ve walked through storms together. We’ve rebuilt together. And we show up for people because we know what it feels like when life hits hard.
I’m not the woman I was before the fire or before losing Rob.
But I am stronger.
More grounded.
More determined.
And more committed to turning my pain into purpose.
This is who I am now — a business owner, a widow, a mother, a woman who keeps getting back up… and someone who will always fight to make sure the people around her feel protected, supported, and never alone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a house and trusting the builder and designers that they had my best interest at hand. Then being in a home that you designed to burn while you were in it and seeing the process after the fact was gut wrenching.
Losing my husband to suicide and finding him was the worst moment in my life. The feeling that is was your fault and that you had the opportunity to save him, but yet you were just 3 minutes too late.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its core, my agency is built on real life — the beautiful moments worth protecting and the unexpected storms that can change everything in an instant. I’m a second-generation State Farm Agent, raised at kitchen tables where my dad, Glenn Blackwood, helped families make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Those early memories didn’t just shape my career — they shaped my heart for people.
Today, I lead Kat’s Got Your Back in Fort Worth, Texas with that same kitchen-table approach: honest conversations, clear guidance, and a genuine commitment to protecting what matters most. We offer comprehensive coverage — auto, home, life, renters, small business, farm & ranch, and financial guidance — but what we’re really known for is the way we show up for people.
What sets us apart is simple: we’ve lived the things our customers fear.
In 2015, I survived a house fire and had to rebuild from the ground up. In 2023, I lost my husband, Rob, to suicide — a loss that forever changed the way I view life, grief, and financial preparedness. These experiences deepened my empathy and sharpened my mission: to make sure families never feel alone or unprotected during their hardest chapters.
My team reflects that same heart. They’re dedicated, hardworking, and deeply connected to the people we serve. They’re not just employees — they’re an extension of me, and one of my greatest sources of pride. Watching them grow, evolve, and step into their strengths has been one of the most rewarding parts of building this business.
What I want readers to know is this:
Insurance isn’t about fear — it’s about dignity. It’s about creating stability, breathing room, and confidence for the people you love. When someone chooses my agency, they’re not choosing a transaction; they’re choosing a partnership with a team who genuinely cares and knows how to walk people through both joy and loss.
At Kat’s Got Your Back, we protect families the way I wanted mine protected — with compassion, clarity, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. And we’re proud to serve this community with the same values I watched my father live out so many years ago.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be genuine. Be curious. Be willing to learn.
Mentors and meaningful connections grow naturally when you lead with heart instead of hustle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.katsgotyourback.com
