As the 2023 Hurricane Season is well underway in South Florida, all eyes are fixed on the Atlantic wondering when the first big storm of the season will begin to take shape. For those in the insurance industry, it’s definitely a focal point as the storms begin to brew off the African Coastline and head toward North America.
But for Hollywood business pro Joanne Scott, hurricanes have played a role in her newest venture helping protect those in need in South Florida.
This Monday, Scott will launch her new Brightway, The Joanne Scott Agency insurance office. Next week’s opening on Hollywood Boulevard will take place just shy of the 31st anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Andrew. For this Miramar resident, that’s a time in her life that has helped shape a business around her compassion for others.
“I had just moved to South Florida to go to college when Andrew made landfall in 1992,” said the St. Thomas University graduate. “Like so many, we helped volunteer in different places to help in the recovery after Andrew had passed. My mom and I even had the opportunity to take some people into our home after they had lost their own. I had college friends who lost their homes, or saw significant damage, due to Andrew. Everyone was doing their part to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Whether you were just helping someone find a place to rest or delivering meals to the different neighborhoods, we all played a part.”
In the history of tracking hurricanes in the United States, only four hurricanes have made landfall in the states as a Category Five storm. The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Michael (2018) and Andrew all brought winds in excess of 155 miles per hour to our shores. The highest registered wind speed for Andrew was 174 miles per hour, causing an estimated $27 billion in damages and claiming the lives of 65 people.
Now 30 years removed from those tragic days, this South Florida entrepreneur is expanding her business footprint to do her part as she opens her new Brightway location on Hollywood Boulevard. A native of Canada, Scott and her husband, Craig, have four children. Scott holds an undergraduate degree in business from McGill University in Quebec, Canada and a law degree from St. Thomas University in Miami.
Brightway, The Joanne Scott Agency offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, Commercial and Life insurance policies from numerous insurance companies. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Visit them at their office at 5636 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite A, in Hollywood, online at BrightwayJoanneScott.com or call 954-344-4060.
Brightway’s corporate office staff provides expertise and support in areas including customer service, technology, accounting, marketing, distribution and business analytics. In addition, Brightway handles carrier relations and appointments, as well as support with personnel hiring, licensing, onboarding, training and retention. The company’s signature after-the-sale service empowers Agency Owners, like Joanne, to focus on new business sales and provide customers the personalized service they deserve.
About Brightway Insurance
Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 300 franchises in 37 states and more than $1 billion in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.
Brightway produces winning outcomes for franchisees and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.
