Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bottger
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a young mom and fresh out of college. Upon graduation, I knew I didn’t want to pursue my hospitality and tourism major as a career path. My daughter was starting preschool at the time and I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would allow flexibility to be active and involved in her everyday life. After figuring our where she would attend pre-school, I started looking nearby for career opportunities. I stumbled across an internship position at a boutique insurance agency. The post was so well written that it peaked my interest in terms of what I would potentially gain and learn by completing the internship. However, I knew absolutely nothing about insurance. I went ahead and applied for the internship, and was offered for the position. I interned for 8 months. At the end of my internship, I decided I wanted to give it a shot and open my own Agency. I operated my first agency for 12 years. In 2023, I was given the opportunity to open a fresh brokerage which is now known as, Bottger & Associates,Inc.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Eek! Insurance is absolutely WILD. Most people have a sour taste in their mouth about insurance. I really wanted to change the face and feeling about how people viewed insurance as a whole. Learning to “speak” insurance was like a foreign language to me. It took me more time than most to really understand concepts, contracts and just get comfortable with it. Building an insurance agency takes time to grow. I would intern during the day, bartend by night, but most importantly I was a mom at all times and every free moment in between. Sleep was an after thought, but I was determined to make it happen.
We’ve been impressed with Bottger & Associates, Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a boutique insurance brokerage located in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe. We strive to consistently bring a fresh perspective and an innovative approach to insurance planning. We foster a culture of collaboration, by working closely with other industry professionals to ensure a holistic portfolio strategy. We focus on 3 key areas of insurance planning which includes but not limited to, personal lines (such as home and auto), Life insurance & Annuity ( such as term life and indexed products) , and small business niche markets (such as business owner policies, benefits, and farms.
Our team is made up of experienced and knowledgeable professionals, who are dedicated to spearheading positive change in the insurance industry. We are united by a shared passion for excellence and a commitment to making a difference.
Our goal is to educate our clients about their insurance coverages, options and risks, in order to equip them to make informed decisions that are best for their families, businesses and legacy, We take the time to review coverage and ensure our clients understand what they have and why it’s important.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Perseverance, hard work and dedication pay off. Starting a business of any kind takes time. In most cases, things don’t happen overnight. However, if you can focus your time and energy on what you can control, everything always seems to work out the exact way that it should.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bottgerplanning.com/
Image Credits
Charie Juaneza
