From Scratch Agent to Restaurant MGA with Brennen Grone

In this episode of the Scratch Agency Podcast, we’re joined by Brennen Grone, EVP of Sales at Rainbow, a restaurant-focused MGA that’s built differently—because Brennen started as a scratch agent himself. He shares what it's really like to go from running an agency at 25 to building tech-enabled solutions that actually make agents’ lives easier.We get into the pitfalls of the “you sell, we service” model, why Rainbow didn’t fall into the common insurtech traps, and how real human underwriting is still a game-changer in commercial insurance. Whether you’re trying to niche down, expand into hospitality, or just want to work with a carrier that actually gets you—this episode is packed with straight-up value.🕒 Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Brennen: Scratch Agent at 25 to MGA Executive03:50 – Why He Left the Agency Side & the Problem with “You Sell, We Service” Models06:11 – How Rainbow Became a Restaurant Niche MGA10:40 – Specialized Underwriting & Avoiding the InsurTech Trap12:50 – Real Agent Resources: SEO, Food Safety, and Sales Tools15:28 – Are Restaurant Owners All Price Shoppers? How to Sell Value Instead18:25 – Why Human Underwriting Still Wins (With Real Examples)27:11 – How to Start Writing BOPs for Salons, Barbers, and Fitness StudiosEnhance your productivity and reclaim time with Virtual Intelligence, our podcast sponsor. Explore their expert Virtual Employees services now at: https://virtualintell.com/Join our exclusive Telegram community for The Scratch Agency Podcast to connect with like-minded agents: https://t.me/+cISob2kA3pAyMmY5📌 Connect with us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescratchagencypodcast🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hutxCZ5NUPqF5hRdC79Hl?si=33a6cfadba084957🔗 For more exclusive content, visit our website: https://scratchagencypodcast.com/Thank you for tuning into The Scratch Agency Podcast. Remember to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable insights. Own your future and keep pushing forward. See you next time!