In this episode of The Insurance Town Podcast, host Heath Shearon welcomes back a beloved guest, Tolga Tezel, CEO of Canopy Connect. Together, they dive deep into how Canopy Connect is transforming the insurance industry with its innovative "one-stop intake platform." From simplifying customer interactions to delivering enriched data, Canopy Connect is helping agents and agencies save time, improve client engagement, and ultimately win more business.

Tolga shares the journey of Canopy Connect, highlighting significant updates over the past year, including their expansion into customizable forms, third-party data integration, and advanced tracking for leads. He also emphasizes the importance of simplicity, storytelling, and client feedback in building a successful company. With practical insights for both startups and seasoned agencies, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their insurance game.

Key Takeaways:

• Evolution of Canopy Connect: From a tool for retrieving deck pages to a comprehensive insurance intake platform that integrates directly into agency workflows.
• Customizable Solutions: Agencies can now create tailored forms for specific niches, making the client onboarding process seamless and efficient.
• Integration with Third-Party Data: Access to drivers’ licenses, property data, and more, eliminating the need for tedious manual entry.
• Tracking Wins and Losses: New tools allow agencies to analyze their lead conversions and follow up effectively.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Tolga’s key lesson from the past five years is to stay customer-focused, iterate quickly, and keep processes simple.

Quotable Moments:

• “Never fall in love with your solution; fall in love with the problem.” – Tolga Tezel
• “This platform meets consumers on their terms, whether it’s uploading documents, connecting accounts, or filling out forms.” – Tolga Tezel
• “Canopy Connect saves agents hours by turning 30 to 45 minutes of data entry into just seconds.” – Heath Shearon

Sponsor Shoutouts:

A big thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible!

• Smart Choice: Looking for a great partner to help grow your agency? Check out Smart Choice for all your agency needs.
• Canopy Connect: Want to simplify the way you collect client information? Visit UseCanopy.com/heath to see how Canopy Connect can help streamline your agency’s processes.
• Olde School Marketing: For all your marketing and promotional needs, Olde School Marketing has you covered. Reach out today to level up your marketing game!