On this episode of Scouting For Growth, Sabine VdL sits down with Sam White, CEO of Stella Insurance — a founder who’s not just building a business, but challenging the culture of an industry that still too often feels like it was designed by men, for men. Sam is a trailblazer with a sharp commercial edge and a big mission: create a fairer, more inclusive version of insurance — one that actually reflects the needs, risks, and realities of women. Stella didn’t set out to be “revolutionary”… and then it was Sam reflects on the early days of building Stella: an entirely female management team, mostly in their 20s and 30s, stepping into a marketplace dominated by older male incumbents. At the time, they didn’t realise how radical that would seem. But the impact was real. Sam speaks candidly about gender differences in business — not as stereotypes, but as lived reality. Women often approach relationships, risk, and decision-making differently. And insurance, by definition, is about vulnerability, protection, and trust — areas where women’s experiences and needs are too often underrepresented. Insurance is a community model — and that matters One of the most powerful parts of the episode is Sam’s lens on the purpose of insurance itself: A group of people contribute to a shared pot, so that when one person is vulnerable, they’re supported. That “community ideology” is what draws her to the industry — and she believes that when women align around a shared goal and support each other, something close to magic happens. It’s not just about policies. It’s about belonging. Bootstrapping teaches you fast (even if it’s messy) Sam’s first business started in the most founder way possible: from her sister’s conservatory, picking up the phone and asking brokers if she could handle their claims. The upside? You don’t need funding. You can build your way. You learn fast through direct feedback. The downside? The foundations aren’t always perfect — but the momentum is priceless. This is entrepreneurship in its rawest form: imperfect starts, relentless learning, and building confidence through action. Leadership, self-awareness, and the relationships that shape success Sam also shares an insight that goes beyond business: you can’t build a great relationship with someone who doesn’t have a solid relationship with themselves. For leaders, that’s a reminder that emotional maturity is a strategy — not a soft skill. Resilience, dyslexia, and doing the first hard thing Sam speaks openly about being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, and how it shaped her mindset: resilient, creative, and wired for problem-solving. And she delivers one of the most honest leadership truths in the episode: confidence doesn’t arrive before the work. It’s built through the work. Especially for women, she notes, imposter syndrome can run high — reinforced by social conditioning and constant second-guessing. The way through it isn’t waiting to feel ready. It’s doing the first hard thing… and surviving it. Why this episode matters For enterprise leaders, founders, and anyone building in insurance, this episode is a powerful reminder: Innovation isn’t only technology. Sometimes, the most disruptive thing you can do is build a company with a different worldview — and prove it performs. Because the future of insurance won’t be shaped by louder voices. It’ll be shaped by leaders like Sam, who build trust, rewrite norms, and make protection work for everyone.