The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
Kudos to Katie Zugsay not just for having the ambition and fortitude to strike out on her own, but to do so during a global pandemic. Zugsay recently launched Finexus Insurance Agency, merging her experience in insurance and collections to now help agencies across the country. Read on to learn more about Katie and how riding the waves helps her decompress after a hard day at the office.
Name: Katie Zugsay
Job Title: Insurance Broker/CEO
Company: Finexus Insurance Agency
Length of Time at Current Position: Two months
Length of Time in Industry: Seven years
How did you get your start in the industry?
As a student attorney working in the legal clinic in law school, I’d advised a consumer with regard to an FDCPA matter. After graduating, I’d applied for work as an associate at an employment law firm. The managing attorney saw my bit of FDCPA experience, and sent my resume to the HR Director at Southwest Credit, who had asked the firm for recommended candidates for in-house counsel. I’m still so glad she sent that email and changed my career path!
What is your career highlight so far?
I have had so many rewarding experiences as in-house counsel, and I have to say, starting my own company tops them all. I’ve always known that I was gaining experience that would be useful for something more down the road. Now, all the knowledge I’ve gained from two very different industries (insurance and collections) have finally converged into an opportunity to help meet a need, and I’ve never been more excited.
When or how are you most productive?
When I’m fully caffeinated and listening to classical music.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
There really are so many, but one I admire greatly is Leslie Bender. She’s a strong, effective communicator and a brilliant attorney, who is also kind and genuinely loves to help others succeed.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m good at taking complicated texts or concepts and making them easy to understand.

What do you like most about this industry?
I love the camaraderie and collaboration.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Besides the negative stigma the public often has against the industry, I would like the collection industry to be empowered with more practical knowledge of how to use insurance (theirs or others). When we don’t understand insurance, money gets wasted.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Probably working on a marine research vessel or in some way working toward marine conservation efforts.
Describe a typical work day.
It usually begins with cinnamon coffee and homemade granola, and ideally a moment to pray before the emails and calls kick into full tilt. Work is always different, nothing typical. Calls, webinars, meetings, emails, agreements. The best days are those that end with a sunset surf session (San Diego). Seems to wash away anything negative from the day and then I sleep great.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Old, gritty blues music.
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t make it a problem till it’s a problem.” This has helped conserve so much time and energy that would have been wasted on things that never even happen.
What are you currently reading?
“Mindset” by Carol Dweck. It’s fascinating to think about the impact our mindsets have on the trajectory of our lives.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you
Even though I’m a lawyer I can still be trusted.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Chris Meier.
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.