About Arika Menzies | Pembroke Insurance Advisors

Arika S. Menzies

Arika Menzies co-founded Pembroke Insurance Advisors in 2014 as an important part of the Pembroke Family of financial services firms.

Arika (pronounced “Erica”) says, “My husband, Michael Menzies, and I started Pembroke Insurance Advisors initially to help our community of small farmers with financial planning and tax strategy. We have expanded, and we love to work with local farmers, artists, and small business owners to help them organize their financial lives.”

“I feel we are different from typical financial planners because we work with people who might traditionally be marginalized by society as ‘artists’ and ‘creative people.’ We understand them, love them, and choose to help them because we enjoy them so much. Our clients are like family to us,” she says.

Arika Menzies brings a wealth of knowledge to the Pembroke Family of businesses. She has over 15 years of experience in client relations management, event coordination, tax preparation, and administrative development experience. She is a tax and accounting specialist, a tax preparer, and a certified bookkeeping professional. She is currently studying to obtain her Series 65 securities registration and insurance license.

Arika says, “Both Michael and I enjoy teaching people about their taxes and financial lives and how they work together. We work really hard, and we are available to chat almost every day of the week. Our goal is to help clients stay organized and focused on their financial goals.”

Too busy to volunteer in the community in recent years (although she thoroughly enjoys it), Arika is planning to sign up to participate in the “Scale the STRAT” event in support of the American Lung Association next year.

Arika Menzies holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, which helps explain why she understands creative artists so well. Born and raised on a working buffalo ranch in Hot Springs, South Dakota, Arika understands the pioneering spirit and hard work ethic of many of our entrepreneurial clients.

Along with her husband, Arika purchased an organic produce farm and restaurant supplier, Braeside Farms, LLC, in 1998 and they still co-own the endeavor. Arika and Michael Menzies met when they were AmeriCorps team members in 1995. AmeriCorps is a volunteer government agency similar to the Peace Corps except that they serve people in U.S. communities rather than abroad.

Arika is happily married to Michael Menzies. She is the proud “pawrent” to their Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Monaco, the official mascot and inspiration for the Pembroke Family of financial services firms. Her current favorite hobby is traveling (especially with Monaco); she also loves to hike, sample artisanal food and beverages, kayak, and snorkel in the Bahamas.