STEPHANIE BOZZUTO | Age: 38 Cannabis insurance broker

Bozzuto & Associates Insurance Services Inc., a unit of Acrisure LLC

Campbell, California

After working in marketing for a wholesale insurance brokerage, Stephanie Bozzuto in 2016 joined Bozzuto & Associates, where she co-founded its Cannabis Connect Insurance business. She works with insurers and managing general agencies and has held committee and board seats with the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, National Cannabis Industry Association and California Cannabis Industry Association.

What’s your top tip for working remotely?

Staying connected through social media. ... Also, I would say getting face-to-face time on Zoom calls.

What’s your advice for navigating the current insurance market?

Make sure you really focus on an insurance broker that understands your niche industry and understands the current insurance climate, so they can properly insure your risk with the right carriers providing adequate coverage and prices. Interview a few different brokers and select a broker that best meets your needs and has the expertise you’re looking for.

What should the industry do to attract more young people to work in it?

Our industry, compared to others, is very slow to adapt to new technology and change. Not just technology, but culture needs to change, and diversity needs to happen within this industry. Those factors will bring more younger people into the industry.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I ventured out of the insurance industry for a period of time and pursued cosmetology. I was a hairdresser for a couple of years.

What’s one habit or hobby you adopted during the pandemic?

My husband and I bought a speed boat. It became such a fun hobby for us that we go out boating every weekend.