Today we’d like to introduce you to David Tristan.
Hi David, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas—I was born into a challenging environment 1st being raised by my grandmother for the first six months of my life. She actually named me after someone who was dear to her. When my mom came back she moved us to SA and worked as a waitress, and by default, I grew up in restaurants. She was a proud woman who never asked for handouts and did the best she could with what she had. As the only child, I carried the weight of responsibility early on especially after my brothers came. We had an ok childhood not broke but we didn’t have a lot. It was more bad spending habits. So grew up determined that i wanted more out of life —but life had other plans. By 28, I was divorced with two sons, living with my father, and facing the same challenges I had vowed to escape. multiple kids and baby mommas.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit— Mo’ Money Productions, was DJ group created in high school. We played all the parties and got paid. We kept it going well into adulthood. I entered the Marine Corps right out of high school, I wanted out of SA. I DJ while i was in the Corp as well when i got out I worked in sales, banking, corporate roles, and climbing the ladder without a degree then eventually insurance. I thought I wanted to work for Corp America but I was wrong. I’ve made mistakes, faced financial setbacks, and felt broken more than once. But I never gave up.
Today, I channel my Passion for Helping Others to Family 1st Insurance & Financial Services, a multi-financial services agency that I founded on February 29, 2016, Funny story I started the business after my boss found My llc paperwork and fired me . So i was on a mission to prove my old boss that i’m not a charity and that i can do this better than him. SoI decided to change the way agents help to help families protect their future. We empower families and small businesses through education, experience, and transparency in financial and insurance strategies. My approach is different—I focus on educating, understanding, and building a family-first relationship that lasts a lifetime.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t know what smooth is. I was born in Survival mode from day one. I think that some people are tested since birth. Se when my father retired I was still married to my 1st wife. He bought himself a life long dream a piece of land with baseball/softball fields, I thought we were finally changing our luck. But life threw another curveball—shortly after he put the down payment and we had my sons 1st birthday party there. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and financial struggles followed. Baseball was our sport we all played his dream was to own fields to run tournaments and retire there. Instead my mother said we are going to let it go. 1st payment default. We never opened and my mother spent the rest of his money as he withered away. 32 years of work for it to be gone in a snap!
After that I tired to stay on course however I somehow kept getting knocked down. I was in 2 roll over accidents, an d mad at the world at the same time. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—and that’s what makes life so powerful.
Early life struggles: Being given up at birth, no Dad, & always moving
Family responsibilities: Carrying the weight of being the oldest sibling and helping with my brothers, and having to grow up fast.
Breaking cycles: 28 I’m divorced with two sons, living with dad, and repeating the same patterns I wanted to escape.
Financial setbacks: Unemployment, selling plasma , living just to tomorrow.
Personal challenges: Failed relationships, fear of repeating history, and the emotional toll of trying to build a better life.
“I’m living proof that broken beginnings can lead to powerful legacies—if you refuse to quit.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the founder of Family 1st Insurance & Financial Services, a multi-service agency built on the belief that families deserve education—not pressure—when it comes to protecting their future. I specialize in LIFE, HEALTH, SUPPLMENT , MEDICARE insurance, financial strategies, sOCIAL SECURITY STRATEGIES, for individuals, families, and small businesses. OUR mission is to make financial decision making accessible, understandable, and personal all with no pressure.Beyond insurance, I’m also a partner in Party With Ochoa, a veteran-owned event rental company bringing value and reliability to celebrations and community events across San Antonio.
What I’m known for is my approach. I don’t just sell policies—I teach. I take the time to explain options, compare strategies, and empower clients to make informed decisions. My clients know they can call me with anything, at any stage of life, because I operate with transparency, patience, and real-life experience. I’ve been through struggles myself, so I understand the importance of having someone in your corner who truly cares.
What I’m most proud of is building something from nothing—creating a business that didn’t just help me rebuild my own life, but has helped hundreds of families secure theirs. My proudest moments aren’t tied to numbers or awards—they’re tied to the families who tell me: “No one ever explained this to me before,” or “You treated us like family.” That is the impact I set out to make.
What sets me apart is a combination of authenticity, grit, and purpose. I come from a background where nothing was handed to me. I had to learn, adapt, and push through setbacks. That experience shaped the way I serve others. I’m not driven by commission—I’m driven by commitment. I don’t just aim to close a sale; I aim to build lifelong relationships.
At the end of the day, my work is about helping people rewrite their story, just like I rewrote mine.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes the books the helped me get started were
Secret to Success – ERIC THOMAS- His life bio secrets on how he became a top Speaker
The Perfect storm- Patrick Bet David-Understanding how to read the economy and why business do what they do
The Creature from Jekyll Island Talks about the 5 Families and how the Federal Reserve was created, Its Purpose & Facts
Unfu*k Yourself -Gary John Bishop-This helps switch your way or thinking your paradigm
The Power of Zero-David Mcknight-How Taxes affect you in retirement and what to do and strategies
You Owe You -Eric THomas-Motivational Mind set
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.family1st.agency
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Family1stinsurance
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/family1stinsurance/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/partywithochoa/?next=%2F
