In Episode 126 of the Scratch Agency Podcast, we're joined by Jason Armogida, founder of 360 Insurance Solutions. Jason shares his journey transitioning from the captive insurance model to building a thriving independent agency. He opens up about the growing pains, key decisions, and strategic use of systems and virtual assistants that have helped him scale successfully in today’s tech-driven landscape.

🔍 Whether you're starting your own agency, exploring InsureTech trends, or figuring out how to scale with the right team—this episode delivers real talk and actionable insight.

🕒 Timestamps:

(00:00) – Introduction

(04:13) – Transition from Captive to Independent Model

(06:28) – Utilizing Systems in Agency Operations

(12:32) – Navigating the InsureTech Boom

(16:17) – Early Days and Transition to 360 Insurance Solutions

(18:43) – Decision Making in Agency Growth and Expansion

(22:04) – Challenges of Scaling an Agency and Talent Acquisition

(26:44) – Three Years In: Team Structure and Virtual Assistants

(29:01) – Wrap-Up and Contact Information

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In this episode, Shawn Fitzgerald and Stephen Turnbull break down their daily and weekly routines that keep their agencies running at a high level. From morning rituals to afternoon meetings, prospecting strategies, and team huddles, it's all here.

🕒 (00:00) - Introduction

🕒 (00:29) - A Day in the Life of Shawn Fitzgerald

🕒 (02:26) - Shawn's Morning Routine

🕒 (03:23) - Shawn’s Prospecting Schedule

🕒 (05:20) - Team Huddles and Internal Meetings

🕒 (06:45) - Shawn’s Afternoon Focus

🕒 (07:15) - Time Block for Carrier Rep Meetings

🕒 (12:30) - Stephen’s Ideal Day

🕒 (13:53) - Stephen’s Weekly Schedule Breakdown

🕒 (17:13) - Why Mondays and Fridays Matter for Stephen

🕒 (19:02) - Board Meetings and Big Picture Thinking

🕒 (20:59) - Wrap-up and Mastermind Group Announcement

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In this episode of The Scratch Agency Podcast, Shawn Fitzgerald and Stephen Turnbull dive into a dynamic conversation about how insurance agencies can harness AI and technology while staying rooted in relationships and strategic vision.

From the fundamentals of building strong industry connections to the advanced integration of AI-driven automation, this episode dives deep into the tools and mindsets needed to grow a modern, efficient agency. The guests also tackle pressing concerns about AI privacy and offer real-world insights into staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

🕒 Timestamps:

(00:00) – Introduction

(00:27) – Shawn's Background

(00:50) – Stephen's Background

(01:20) – Importance of Relationships in the Insurance Industry

(02:40) – The Impact of Networking and Learning from Others

(03:37) – The Growth Opportunities in the Insurance Industry

(04:59) – The Integration of AI in Insurance Agencies

(09:12) – The Future of Agency Efficiency and Automation

(13:24) – Discussion on Utilizing AI Tools and Systems

(16:39) – Addressing Concerns about Privacy and AI Usage

(26:09) – Importance of Vision and Strategy in Agency Growth

(31:18)– Promoting Podcast Meetup and Closing Remarks

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In this episode of the Scratch Agency Podcast, we’re diving into the real-world strategies that help insurance agencies scale — without burning out. Guests Shawn and Stephen return to share their experiences as scratch agents and how they’ve leveraged Virtual employees to streamline operations, build trust, and unlock growth.

From wild customer stories to lessons learned the hard way, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and actionable takeaways for any insurance pro looking to optimize their agency.

🧠 If you’re struggling to delegate, trust, or scale — this one’s for you.

🕒 Timestamps:

(00:02) – Introduction

(00:59) – Virtual Intelligence Webinar Overview

(01:54) – Importance of Insurance Agency Organization

(02:24) – Housekeeping Note for Audience Participation

(03:23) – Guest Introduction: Shawn and Stephen

(04:47)– Agency Origins and Locations

(06:21) – Challenges and Success Stories as Scratch Agents

(07:08) – Importance of Hiring Virtual Employees

(08:29) – Leveraging Virtual Employees for Agency Operations

(10:48) – Trusting Virtual Employees and Collaboration

(12:42) – Managing Complex Tasks with Virtual Employees

(14:39) – Building Trust with Virtual Employees

(16:05) – Agency Growth and Lessons Learned

(17:57) – Overcoming Challenges in the Insurance Industry

(19:21) – Benefits of Delegating Tasks to Virtual Employees

(37:03) – Guest Engagement: Craziest Customer Requests

(39:33) – Reflection on Embarrassing Mistakes

(43:17) – Importance of Persistence and Support

(46:29) – Delegating Insurance Tasks to Virtual Employees

(49:11) – Trusting Virtual Employees for Business Development

(53:36) – Support and Collaboration with Virtual Employees

(55:03) – Work-Life Balance and Agency Support

(56:57) – Collaboration and Virtual Employee Trust

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In this episode of the Scratch Agency Podcast, we sit down with Nikhil Kansal, the co-founder of Cara, to explore how AI is transforming the insurance industry. 🚀

🧠 From his deep experience in the insurance space to the creation of Cara, Nikhil breaks down how this innovative tool is helping agencies simplify complex tasks like policy comparisons, certificates of insurance (COIs), and more.

🔧 Learn how Cara seamlessly integrates with management systems like Hawksoft and Applied Epic, and how agencies can get started with it in just a few steps.

📌 Timestamps:

(00:00) – Introduction

(02:10) – Nikhil’s background in the insurance industry

(07:54) – Cara’s learning capabilities vs. other AI tools

(08:23) – Integration with systems like Hawksoft, Applied Epic

(14:57) – Helping with policy comparison and COIs

(21:58) – Setting up Cara for your agency

(27:38) – How to evaluate AI tools for your business

(29:05) – Cara’s broader use cases beyond COIs

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In this episode of the Scratch Agency Podcast, we sit down with Landry Fields from Nova Insurance Group to dive deep into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the insurance industry. From workflow automation to smarter client interactions, Landry shares firsthand insights on the tools, trends, and real-life applications of AI in modern agencies.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to AI in Insurance

(01:47) – Landry's Journey with Nova Insurance Group

(04:09) – Learning Curve in Insurance

(05:01) – The Importance of Asking Questions and Learning

(08:24) – Leveraging AI Tools for Efficiency

(09:20) – Using AI to Improve Client Interactions

(15:50) – AI for Policy Analysis and Comparison

(24:57) – Top AI Tools for Scratch Agencies

(27:35) – Workflow Automation and Productivity

(31:45) – Advantages of Canopy Connect

(34:02)– AI for Agency Efficiency

(35:14) – The Future of AI in the Insurance Industry

(38:21) – Integration with Copilot and Gemini

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In this episode of the Scratch Agency Podcast, hosts Stephen Turnbull and Shawn Fitzgerald welcome Cody Houk, owner of Prime Risk Insurance Solutions. The conversation delves into Cody's journey in the insurance industry, highlighting the challenges he faced during his early years, the pivotal moments that led to his rebranding, and the marketing strategies he implemented to target contractors effectively. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the struggles of entrepreneurship, and the evolution of Cody's agency from personal lines to a focus on commercial lines, particularly in the blue-collar sector. In this conversation, Kody Houk shares his insights on effective prospecting techniques tailored for blue-collar businesses, emphasizing the importance of being present where prospects gather. He discusses the significance of finding a niche and seeking mentorship to accelerate growth. The conversation also touches on the impact of rebranding on business visibility and the effectiveness of YouTube as a marketing tool. Kody shares his experience in writing a book in just eight days, highlighting its role as a lead magnet and brand reinforcement. Finally, he discusses his training program aimed at helping new agents grow their agencies sustainably.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to the Scratch Agency Podcast

(01:41) Cody's Journey in the Insurance Industry

(05:43) The Struggles of Entrepreneurship

(08:57) The Light Bulb Moment: Rebranding and Mentorship

(11:10) The Rebranding Process: From I Cover to Prime Risk

(17:09) Marketing Strategies and Targeting Contractors

(23:34) Prospecting Techniques for Blue Collar Businesses

(27:53) The Importance of Niche and Mentorship

(29:27) Rebranding and Its Impact on Business

(32:30) Leveraging YouTube for Business Growth

(34:56)The Book Writing Process and Its Benefits

(37:28) Real Insurance Training and Agency Growth Strategies

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What's up everybody? Welcome to The Scratch Agency Podcast hosted by Scratch Agents for Scratch Agents. In this episode, Stephen Turnbull and Shawn Fitzgerald discuss their experiences with using AI in their insurance agencies. From AI receptionists to chatbots, they provide insights on how to approach implementing AI tools in your agency effectively. Tune in for valuable tips and real-world examples of utilizing AI technology in insurance.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:28) - Overcoming challenges to record the podcast

(01:18) - Discussing the use of AI in T5 and Sound Harbor Insurance

(02:16) - Understanding the importance of solving problems with AI tools

(03:40) - Choosing the right AI tool for your agency, RingCentral AI receptionist

(05:37) - Implementing the AI receptionist and initial feedback

(08:30) - Comparing AI tools tailored for insurance vs. general business

(10:23) - Tailoring AI tools to meet specific agency needs

(14:12) - Customizing chatbot workflows for sales and support

(16:54) - Budget-friendly options for implementing AI in your agency

(18:47) - Announcement about a free ticket to the Washington, DC meetup

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In this episode of the Scratch Agency podcast, hosts Stephen Turnbull and Shawn Fitzgerald welcome Elis Umana, owner of Connection Insurance. Elis shares her journey from starting as a CSR in her father's agency to becoming an agency owner. The conversation delves into the importance of efficiency in agency operations, the role of technology and automation, and how Elis utilizes AI to streamline processes. They discuss the challenges of handling cancellations, the choice of CRM and AMS systems, and the innovative use of AI in daily workflows. Elis emphasizes the value of trial and error in implementing new ideas and the importance of integrating prebuilt solutions to enhance productivity. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the transformative role of AI in enhancing agency operations, emphasizing the importance of using technology as a tool for efficiency rather than a replacement for human effort. They share insights on building a successful scratch agency, focusing on organic growth through referrals and the strategic use of AI tools to streamline processes. The discussion also covers team dynamics, the importance of hiring effectively, and lessons learned from their experiences in the insurance industry.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

(01:31) Elis Umana's Journey in the Insurance Industry

(04:12) Expectations vs. Reality in the Insurance Business

(05:51) Maximizing Efficiency in Agency Operations

(08:04) Handling Cancellations with Technology

(10:05) Choosing the Right CRM and AMS

(12:05) Implementing Automation in a Scratch Agency

(15:34) Utilizing AI in Daily Operations

(18:19) Innovations in AI for Insurance Workflows

(20:15) Harnessing AI for Efficiency

(23:40) Enhancing Agency Operations with AI

(27:28) Building a Successful Scratch Agency

(31:41) Team Dynamics and Growth Strategies

(36:39) Lessons Learned and Future Focus

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In this episode of The Scratch Agency Podcast, we sit down with David Watson, a leader in tech-driven insurance solutions, to dive deep into how agencies can modernize their proposal process, enhance client engagement, and scale effectively. From custom proposals to integrating tools like Advisor Evolved, QuoteVids, and Risk Advisor, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for agency owners and producers.

Whether you're looking to streamline workflows, personalize your proposals, or better explain coverage and deductibles to clients, this episode has you covered.

🕒 (00:00) - Introduction

🕒 (02:49) - Exploring custom proposals with Advisor Evolved

🕒 (06:11) - Optimizing video proposals with QuoteVids

🕒 (08:46) - Integrating Risk Advisor and Advisor Evolved

🕒 (12:00) - Enhancing client engagement through personalization

🕒 (14:49) - Streamlining the proposal process

🕒 (18:03) - The importance of password protection in proposals

🕒 (27:45) - Personalization of proposals

🕒 (30:28) - Understanding deductibles and coverage

🕒 (32:34) - The human touch in insurance

🕒 (34:13) - Creating agency proposals easily

🕒 (46:16) - Scaling and processes in insurance agencies

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