Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Hippo Insurance’s CFO, Guy Zeltser, shares his morning routine.
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Hippo Insurance
- California-based homeowner’s insurance company
- Year founded: 2015
- Number of employees: 540 employees
- Revenue: 2026 revenue guidance of $580 million to $585 million; 25% growth YOY
MORNING ROUTINE
Walk us through your normal workday morning routine: My mornings usually begin with a quick look at email, since I work with people across different time zones. Then I switch into dad mode. With three kids under nine years old, getting everyone ready and out the door to school is a busy start to the day.
Morning pick-me-up: A cup of espresso, made with beans from my favorite coffee shop in the Bay Area. After drop-off, I begin my work calls.
Tell us about a recent morning where things didn’t go according to plan: Recently, we had a board meeting scheduled for 7 a.m., right in the middle of the school-morning rush. We reshuffled who handled what at home so I could focus on the meeting, but I still made sure not to skip my espresso. Balancing work and fatherhood takes flexibility.
How do you structure your first few hours after you log on at work? I try to protect the hour between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. for focused work. I use that time to prepare for one-on-ones, think through the key messages I want to share with my team and identify what I need to accomplish that day. It helps me start the day with a clear sense of priorities and show up more thoughtfully in my conversations.
LEADERSHIP AND INSPIRATION
Favorite quote or mantra: One of the mantras I picked up at McKinsey and continue to live by is to use the best available data to make an informed decision. I encourage my team to apply sound judgment, make a decision and keep learning. We can refine our approach as new information emerges, but waiting for perfect data can mean missing the opportunity to act.
Favorite leadership lesson: One of the most formative periods of my career came when I stepped into the VP of finance role at Hippo. My predecessor decided to step away for personal reasons; I found myself with an unexpected opportunity to step up and take on a larger leadership role.
I had to rebuild the finance team, help each team member develop so they could reach their goals and navigate the ambiguity of a new role, all at the same time. It required me to flex many muscles at once: leading a newly built team, building relationships with senior management and driving impact for the business. The lesson I took away is that an unexpected change can be one of the best opportunities to grow, as long as you invest in your people and lean into the discomfort.
Most influential or famous person you’ve ever met: I once met with Anat Ashkenazi, CFO of Alphabet. What stayed with me wasn’t her title, but how down-to-earth she was. We talked about our kids, our families and life outside work. That kind of humility, especially in someone with so much responsibility, is a quality I deeply admire.
Something important to know about you that you wouldn’t know from your business bio: I love hiking, especially long-distance hikes. My most memorable was the trek through Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Being out on a trail gives me space to think and helps me feel grounded. It’s one of the best ways I know to reset.
What was the last job you did at your company that fell outside your traditional scope of work? I’ve been known to step in as the unofficial karaoke lead at company events. My go-to is Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” I take the performance seriously enough to have fun with it. It’s a good reminder that we can work hard together and still make room to laugh.
How have you learned to manage work-induced stress? Music in the car helps me decompress, and Peloton classes give me a more complete break. Once I’m in a class, I’m focused on the workout and can’t keep checking in on work. That time to disconnect helps me come back with a clearer head.
Favorite number: As a CFO, I spend much of my day thinking about what numbers tell us about performance, risk and opportunity. But my favorite number is 7 for a more personal reason: my oldest daughter was born on 7/27/2017.
Most noteworthy items in your workspace: I have a little basketball game on my desk where you aim and shoot. It’s a fun way to take a quick break and reset between meetings. When you spend much of your day focused on numbers and decisions, a little play can be a welcome change of pace.
Year, make, and model of your first car: My first car was a dark red 2003 Suzuki Ignis. It wasn’t flashy, but it reliably got me from point A to point B. That was all I needed it to do.
Favorite phone app that is unrelated to work: Spotify. Whether it’s a playlist for the drive or something upbeat between meetings, it helps me get into the right headspace.
What is the most important book you’ve recently read? One book that has stayed with me is Bob Iger’s “The Ride of a Lifetime.” His reflections on leadership, particularly the importance of staying curious and optimistic, even in challenging moments, resonated with me. Those are qualities I try to bring to my own work.
