Episodios
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Imagine going from part-time teacher to the CEO of the same company. Victoire Lester's journey is exactly that. Victoire began her career with a keen interest in the sociology of music. However, a serendipitous part-time teaching role at Coucou French Classes set her on a path into start-ups and business. Over seven years, she journeyed from teacher to CEO, helping evolve Coucou from a Brooklyn start-up to later expand across New York, L.A., and online.
In this episode, we discuss navigating between Coucou’s roots and growth, understanding leadership nuances, and how Coucou had to adapt quickly online if they wanted to stay afloat during COVID. Victoire gives us insight into hiring the perfect match, and it’s shockingly not about what’s on your resume! All this and more!
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:01] Victoire Lester's Journey from Cultural Researcher to CEO of Coucou French Classes[04:10] Balancing Roles and Growth as a Small Business [07:05] How Covid Affected Coucou’s Operations – How to Transition Your Business Online Successfully [13:06] Insights into Building a Harmonious Multicultural Team[25:29] Balancing Authority and Openness as a CEO[27:25] Bridging Online Learning, Bicoastal Operations, and Technological Integration[34:40] How to Protect the Essence and Heart of a Business as It ScalesAbout Victoire
Victoire Lester is the CEO of Coucou French Classes. Seven years ago, Victoire started at Coucou French Classes as a part-time teacher. Founded by two French cousins in their 20s, the school was in its infancy, but Lester quickly became an integral part of its growth. From teaching to overseeing operations, she immersed herself in every aspect of the business. Recognizing her invaluable contributions and innate understanding of the company's needs, Coucou appointed her CEO. Today, under Lester's leadership, the once-small corner shop has transformed, showcasing the power of passion and dedication.
Quotes
“I think communication is key; Communication and transparency and not being afraid to repeat yourself.” – Victoire Lester
“One of the principles that I live by is to treat people the way that you'd like to be treated.” – Victoire Lester
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Born from personal adversity and crafted with a spirit of rebellion, Dirtbag Bar is a testament to founder Mark Andrew Gravel’s journey through substance addiction and depression toward a healthier, more fulfilling existence.
In this episode, we discuss how Mark transformed his battle with addiction and depression into a mission to provide a unique, healthy alternative to the candy bars we know. This single-SKU, chocolatey health bar balances indulgence and wellness, connecting with consumers who embrace an active, unconventional lifestyle. We also dive into Dirtbag Bar’s mission to stand for mental health, contributing a portion of sales to organizations providing no-cost mental health care services. We also get an honest insight into what it takes to expand reach and navigate the intricate terrain of growth in food distribution.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:37] Mark's Unconventional Journey Behind the Creation of Dirtbag Bar[07:41] How Dirtbag Bar Redefines Health Snack Branding[13:45] Supporting Non-Profits & Choosing Mental Health Organizations[19:16] On Growth, Challenges, and Expansion PlansAbout Mark
As the Founder of Dirtbag Bar, Mark Andrew Gravel has carved a niche for himself in the food industry, from spearheading unique pop-up restaurant events to crafting an artful food magazine. His professional journey started in 2007 with Bouwerie Projects, where he made his mark as an artist for over a decade. His professional journey in the food industry spans over 15 years, marked by a dynamic mix of popups and conceptual art projects. Throughout his career, Mark's passion for food remained steadfast.
Dirtbag Bar was born out of a personal need for a healthy snack. Starting as a snack bar he made for himself and shared with friends and family, the product quickly grew in popularity. This prompted Mark to commercialize the product, starting from formalizing the recipe to figuring out manufacturing, branding, and packaging, all in the midst of a global pandemic.
About Our Host
Anish Shah is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Bring Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Bring Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“And it's really all about just listening to like what people are saying and the, you know, people that are interested in your product.” – Mark Andrew Gravel
“It goes back to that idea of being unconventional, not being afraid to do what you love or step outside of the boundaries. Just march to the beat of your own drum and live your life in a way that's meaningful to you.” – Mark Andrew Gravel
“The mental health component in Dirtbag intersects. I think access to mental health is access to nature, to be able to go outside, connect with your surroundings, and connect with something that's bigger than you.” – Mark Andrew Gravel
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Venture Capital is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, constantly influenced by market trends, tech advancements, and economic fluctuations. This industry has seen significant shifts, prompting both founders and VCs to adapt their strategies and approaches.
In this discussion, Comcast Ventures SVP Allison Goldberg, and Executive Director at Estee Lauder New Incubation Ventures, Ryan Piela, share advice for founders seeking investment and VCs aiming to excel in their roles. We discuss what can go into crafting a winning pitch, how investment decisions are not static, and the importance of strengthening VC-Founder relationships.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:37] Our Panelists Share Their Background [06:12] Exploring Untapped VC Opportunities and Collaborating with Founders[11:36] Corporate VC vs. Traditional VC; Exploring Differences and Commonalities[20:23] Exploring Changes in Startup Evaluation and Selection [32:20] Advice for Founders Engaging the Right Investors – Tailoring Your Pitch to Corporate VCs & Harnessing External Insights[37:57] Advice for VCs & How to Create Lasting Value for Their InvestmentsAbout Our Speakers
With a wealth of experience in venture capital, incubation, and mentorship, Ryan J. Piela currently serves as the Executive Director of New Incubation Ventures at Estée Lauder Companies, where he drives innovation and fosters the development of new ventures.
In addition to his role at Estée Lauder Companies, Ryan is an active board observer at Haeckels, a company focused on sustainable skincare. He provides valuable insights and guidance to support their growth and strategic initiatives. He also mentors startups at WEVE Acceleration. Additionally, Ryan is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Starta Ventures, leveraging his expertise to guide early-stage ventures. With a passion for innovation and mentorship, Ryan contributes to the growth and success of emerging companies in the startup ecosystem.
Allison Goldberg is an accomplished SVP & Managing Partner at Comcast Ventures and Startup Engagement, where she leads the management of Comcast Ventures, Lift Labs, and Comcast NBCU SportsTech. With a diverse background in finance, media, and digital industries, Allison has excelled as an investor and strategist, consistently delivering strategic value and driving impressive financial returns. Previously, she served as Group Managing Director & Senior Vice President of Time Warner Investments, overseeing investments of up to $25MM in private companies to generate strategic value and financial returns for Time Warner Inc.
Allison has held numerous board and board observer roles, including companies such as Adify, AdMeld, BDG Media, Bluefin Labs, Discord, Dynamic Signal, Everyday Health, Fanduel, FirstMark Horizon Acquisition Corporation, Fuse Media, Hive, Mashable, Players' Lounge, Proletariat Inc., SambaTV, Simulmedia, Tact.ai, Visible World, Vostok Emerging Finance, and YieldMo
About Our Host
Anish Shah is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Bring Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Bring Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“Where are those white spaces or those edge cases that we wanna play into? Where's the market going? Consumers are becoming more educated, they're changing, evolving, and they're at different levels of the journey. And so we see a lot of people that are creating in a space that others already own or others already exist in.” – Ryan J. Piela
“We want to do everything that a traditional VC does, plus bring a little bit more to the table to the extent we can with the portfolio company.” – Allison Goldberg
“If you look back in time, lots of great companies were started when the venture markets weren't, you know, amazing” – Allison Goldberg
“When talking to any investor, know who you're talking to, know who that investor is, understand if they're a corporate VC, what their priorities might be, and some of the companies that they've invested in before.” – Allison Goldberg
“I don't think you can time the market, and I'm always surprised when people think they can. I think now's a great time. Its value for VC is right, as well as just an opportunity to support some great people.” – Ryan J. Piela
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Aaron Luo is the mastermind behind the Spanish delicacy and gourmet food brand, Mercado Famous, and luxury design house, CARAA. In this episode, he shares his entrepreneurial journey and how his diverse background spanning finance, fashion, and food shaped his approach to founding and running his successful ventures.
We discuss navigating the challenges of expanding your business to international markets, go-to-market branding, how to sustain running multiple ventures while avoiding burnout, and Aaron’s journey of how passion, innovation, and love for food and people converge to create an extraordinary brand.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:55] The story behind Mercado Famous and the go-to-market branding journey[10:00] How Madrid has influenced Mercado – Spanish charcuterie and the beauty of enjoying amazing company over delicious food [14:04] From Finance to Fashion to Food – How Aaron uses his diverse background and transferable skills to be a better entrepreneur [21:00] Advice for founders venturing into International Markets and the importance of a solid supply chain [29:38] Aaron’s tips for successfully managing CARAA and Mercado Famous through financial planning, hiring, and work-life balance [37:48] Aaron’s favorite Mercado Famous charcuteriesAbout Aaron
Aaron Luo is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mercado Famous, a European gourmet food brand specializing in Spanish delicacies. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of CARAA, a luxury accessories design house based in New York City. With a background in global supply chain and operations, Aaron is dedicated to redefining luxury functional fashion. He has a passion for sharing the best of Spain with the world through Mercado Famous and creating well-made, versatile accessories at CARAA.
Quotes
“Even if I had the best idea in the world, as an entrepreneur, if ultimately I don't know how to operate a business, I'm not going to be successful.” – Aaron Lao
“Corporate in general, but specifically GE, helped me understand the power of people… How important the function of human resources is and how important it is to build a pipeline, grow your people, and hire right.” – Aaron Lao
“If you don't have supply chain lockdown, you don't have a business, no matter how strong your idea is.” – Aaron Lao
“When you're selling a product, and you have a shaky supply chain, your risk of failure is very, very high.” – Aaron Lao
“You don't have a business unless you have a solid supply chain. The effectiveness of your supply chain can help you drive your cost down, improve your product quality, and can save you a lot of headaches in terms of recalls or defects.” – Aaron Lao
“As a business, no matter how small or big you are, if you don't have the right level of financial planning on a monthly or quarterly basis, you are very much handicapped.” – Aaron Lao
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In the realm of food, wellness, and impactful brands, two companies stand out as trailblazers in their respective fields: Krupa Consulting and The Goods Mart. Led by Rachel Krupa, these companies are on a mission to create meaningful change.
In this episode, we talk about the intricacies of CPG, and Rachel shares profound insights into the essential elements of brand success, understanding your market, the power of building a great team, and so much more.
Here’s What We Discussed
[01:46] How Krupa Consulting is amplifying authenticity in food and wellness PR[07:17] Standing out in the competitive landscape of the Consumer Packaged Goods industry[14:50] The Goods Mart's journey into Better-for-You international snacks[21:57] Keys to running two food-oriented bootstrapped businesses in a pandemic [30:31] The importance of building an incredible team for CPG success[35:55] What’s next for Rachel Krupa?About Rachel
With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years, Rachel Krupa stands at the forefront of the PR world, redefining the role of agencies in the food and wellness sectors. As the founder of Krupa Consulting, established in 2010, and the visionary behind the innovative clean-convenience store concept, The Goods Mart, which opened its doors in 2018, Rachel has propelled herself to the status of a true industry force. Her remarkable 20+ year PR journey spans a diverse range of experiences, from navigating the intricacies of D.C. politics and major league baseball to an impactful five-year collaboration with PR veteran Lizzie Grubman and spearheading the West Coast office for Berk Communications.
Quotes
“A good publicist is not selling things – They're actually telling you and sharing with you what makes a company so special.” – Rachel Krupa
“Being able to have a great team allows you to do a lot.” – Rachel Krupa
“You're seeing what consumers want, and that's the biggest thing – Actually knowing how to talk to people… And so it's this matter of this virtual cycle of talking to real customers. Then you're able to pitch that to editors, but you're also able to talk to other brands and founders.” – Rachel Krupa
“Whoever is in the leadership role, speak last because you need to make sure that you hear everyone. Your opinion should come at the end after you listen to everyone so that they're not swayed by what you think first.” – Rachel Krupa
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In today's rapidly evolving job market, upskilling and reskilling have become crucial for individuals seeking to thrive in their careers. In this episode, we speak with the co-founder of StudentFinance.com, Mariano Kostelec, about recognizing the pressing need to bridge the gap between traditional education and the demands of the job market.
Through StudentFinance.com, Mariano aims to tackle a common problem; The constant evolution of skills demanded by the ever-changing economy and technological advancements. Mariano talks about how he’s helping individuals make informed career moves by leveraging data, insights, and personalization based on their background, skills, motivation, and interests and connecting them to the right stakeholders.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:32] How StudentFinance.com revolutionizes upskilling and career mobility [09:20] Partnering with education providers to ensure quality in upskilling and reskilling[12:30] The keys to bridging the gap between traditional universities and job market demand[19:23] The early days of building StudentFinance.com and filling the talent shortage in the job force [21:46] Advice from Student Finance's €39 Million fundraising round – Pitch decks, building a relationship with investors, and building trust with fundersAbout Mariano
Mariano Kostelec, a dynamic and enterprising individual, embodies the spirit of a global citizen, having called ten countries his home thus far. His entrepreneurial journey includes co-founding Uniplaces.com, the largest mid-term rental platform in Europe, which has revolutionized the industry, while StudentFinance.com, a cutting-edge Fintech platform for global career mobility, empowers individuals worldwide to acquire new skills and embrace new opportunities. Mariano's professional background boasts prestigious stints with renowned investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and UBS, as well as valuable experiences gained from working with several rapidly growing startups.
Quotes
“Student Finance is a career mobility platform to address those three challenges and enable people to upskill to areas in high demand.“ – Mariano Kostelec
“The trigger to solve the problem came when we recognized the gap in talent and skills in many sectors, particularly in the tech industry." – Mariano Kostelec
"When we qualify and vet education providers, we also structure economic incentives so that the actual education provider has skin in the game, in the success of their own students or their own users." – Mariano Kostelec
"The core function or job of the education provider is to provide those skills and provide quality of teaching, quality of training, but really focus on that job market needs." – Mariano Kostelec
"People need to continuously reskill and upskill, and this will continue on an ongoing basis." – Mariano Kostelec
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Frame Fitness was co-founded by Melissa Bentivoglio, a leading Pilates and fitness instructor and proprietary Reformer inventor, and her business-savvy husband Lee Belzberg. Frame was put into motion after Melissa noted the shift in the digital fitness world, with group classes like cycling and rowing moving into homes with well-designed, lightweight equipment and a virtually interactive solution. Melissa was inspired to create a digitally-connected reformer that could fit into any space and connect users with a complete community online. She founded the brand with her husband, Lee Belzberg, who comes from a long line of successful entrepreneurs and creatives. Lee is excited to draw upon his deep expertise in real estate and wealth and private equity management to tackle new frontiers in the digital fitness industry by combining his strategic vision with Melissa’s passion for health and wellness.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:30] From Pirouettes to Pilates – How Melissa became a Pilates instructor [06:26] Frame’s early founder journey and the keys to success in business, fitness, and innovation amidst a global pandemic [16:05] How Frame revolutionized Pilates with its multi-channel approach and disruption of traditional practices[26:00] Leveraging B2B marketing opened up the at-home Pilates industry market[31:07] How consumer perspective on health and wellness has shifted in recent yearsAbout Our Speakers
Melissa Bentivoglio is a classically trained ballet dancer and a renowned Pilates and fitness instructor. Melissa credits her dedication to Pilates as having changed her life after years of elite-level performance. In 2018, she designed her own proprietary Reformer for use in her own studio. By launching Frame, she hopes to make Pilates more widely available and accessible so that everyone has a chance to improve their quality of life.
Following in the footsteps of his family, Lee Belzberg continues the Belzberg legacy with Frame. He seeks to combine his deep expertise of wealth management, real-estate banking, and private equity with his passion for health and wellness. Lee is excited to venture into new frontiers and take his strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit to the digital-fitness startup space.
Quotes
“By offering the different variations and the different styles with the different instructors who have the various certifications, we're able to consolidate really efficiently… Why not offer all the different types of instruction with one very, very simplistic machine? So we really just simplified everything. There was innovation to be had, and we did it.” – Melissa Bentivoglio
“We actually knew our first 500 pre-orders were Pilates enthusiasts. We didn't have to convert anybody. There was no barrier to entry… People who are buying a pre-order product without seeing it in real life are crazy enthusiasts.” – Melissa Bentivoglio
“We're adding, not replacing. When you already have a product, you already paid for it, and you're not going to replace it. But if you [introduce] a new product in there, it will bring a new offering to them.” – Lee Belzberg
“In the initial months of the pandemic, we kind of lived like we were invincible, and then all of a sudden, there was this unprecedented virus with so many unknowns. And I think that shifted the wellness world in a way where now all of a sudden, every single person was thinking about their health; How they can achieve greater health.” – Melissa Bentivoglio
“One of the most important parts of working in a startup is trust. And when you have ultimate trust with your partner, it allows the business to move efficiently.” – Lee Belzberg
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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A guy walks to a bar and leaves with a sales career. Sounds serendipitous, but Kyle Mendoza’s sales career has been nothing short of extraordinary. After graduating from Chapman University, Kyle intended to pursue a career in industrial organizational psychology, but his lack of internships made it difficult to get started. While feeling down and unemployed after applying for fall internships, he walked into a bar and ended up unknowingly launching a career in sales.
In our conversation, we dive into the value of networking from a human perspective, Kyle shares his approach to learning from experiences in previous roles, leveraging the lessons gained that have rounded out his skills and the key attributes he seeks in candidates when building an exceptional team.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:35] Kyle’s background and how a chance encounter at a bar led him to sales[06:12] Transitioning from corporate gifting and software sales to Head of Sales in luxury goods[10:34] Kyle’s early learnings in his role: Embracing the beginner mindset, emphasizing passion, and networking[13:14] What Kyle looks for in prospective candidates when building a sales team – Coachability, Adaptability and [16:47] Kyle’s experience working with RuckusAbout Kyle
Kyle Mendoza, the Head of Sales and Business Development at Venus et Fleur, is a highly driven and motivated sales professional with a unique story of how he started in sales. After completing his studies in Psychology at Chapman University, Kyle found himself at a crossroads. Despite facing setbacks in securing an internship in his field, Kyle refused to let his circumstances define him and instead chose to pivot in a new direction.
As the former Sales Manager at Revolution Ordering and BinWise, Inc. (acquired by BlueCart), Kyle honed his leadership skills by successfully leading the BlueCart, BinWise, and Revolution Ordering sales teams. Today, he leverages his wealth of experience to drive growth and develop new business opportunities for Venus et Fleur. With his proven track record of delivering results, Kyle is an invaluable asset to the company and a leader in the industry.
Quotes
“Failure, to me, is not learning the lesson.” – Kyle Mendoza
“It's okay to be the beginner or the new person. We've all been in new roles where we don't want to ask questions because we're going to look dumb. But remember, you’re new to the team; We don't know everything about the brand and the processes that are in place.” – Kyle Mendoza
“Never stop networking.” – Kyle Mendoza
“Software sales forced me to get out of that longer sales cycle that we get into in in-person selling. It's easy for in-person selling to rely on rapport building; Just hoping by doing these favors, we will get a sale with no action items around it. Ultimately we always have to ask for the business.” – Kyle Mendoza
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Becoming a CEO is a daunting task in and of itself, but imagine taking on that role as a non-founder. It's a unique and challenging position that comes with its own set of hurdles and obstacles.
In this conversation with AllTrails CEO Ron Schneidermann, and former CEO of Weedmaps, Chris Beals, we discuss the complexities and difficulties of being a non-founder CEO. From navigating senior leadership to balancing the delicate task of reshaping company culture while preserving its core values, we explore the nuances of this role. We talk about valuable lessons learned during the transition into the CEO and also delve into the crucial aspects of fostering a healthy and productive workplace culture.
Here’s What We Discussed
[02:29] Ron and Chris share their unique journeys to becoming non-founder CEOs [07:29] CEO-imposter syndrome and recognition in the workplace[11:51] Transitioning into a CEO – Navigating the skillset shift and learning to let go[16:28] Aspects of senior leadership that Ron and Chris were not prepared for[23:34] Unforeseen challenges – Why urgency and definitiveness matter when enacting change [32:50] How to balance preserving and reshaping culture and values [42:45] The importance of hiring and weeding out anti-culture employees for the sake of healthy cultureAbout Our Speakers
Ron Schneidermann is an entrepreneur who is passionate about building great companies that help people have authentic, organic, real-world experiences. He is the CEO of AllTrails, the most trusted and used outdoors platform in the world. In 2005, Ron co-founded Liftopia, the global leader in ski lift ticket bookings, and was Head of Growth at Yelp Reservations. Ron attended UCLA, earning his bachelor’s degree in Communications, and lives in California with his wife Jenny, their three children, and their dog Sally. Ron loves riding his mountain bike, but his all-time favorite trail is the Na Pali Coast Trail in Kauai.
Chris Beals is a technology executive and startup advisor with a focus on ecommerce and SaaS. He was most recently the CEO of WM Technology, the parent company of the largest online cannabis marketplace, Weedmaps, and WM Business, a suite of SaaS solutions for cannabis brands/retailers. During his 7-year tenure at the company, Chris grew the company from $35mm to over $200mm in ARR and oversaw the transition of the business from listings into online ecommerce with business in 7 countries and 37 states. During that time, he also built out through M&A roll-up and internal development the WM Business SaaS suite (e.g., CRM, logistics, embedded ecommerce, in-store display, API engine). He then led the company through its NASDAQ IPO in July 2021. Prior to Weedmaps, Chris provided turnaround and operating advice to SaaS, software, and healthcare companies at PE-style credit fund and, prior to that, was a practicing attorney focusing on technology and healthcare.
Anish Shah is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Bring Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Bring Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago, working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“The funny thing about going up the chain is, when you get to senior leadership, the skills that got you there aren't really part of your day-to-day job anymore. The whole thing about going up is learning to let go; you have to fire and rehire yourself continuously.” – Ron Schneidermann
“A very common pattern with becoming a CEO is there's a lot of changes that don't loudly announce themselves, and one of them is the minute you take that title, you automatically take a 50% reduction in your approachability.” – Chris Beals
“One of the challenges when coming in as a non-founder CEO is you need to be pretty laser-focused on figuring out what you think the current state of affairs is and what needs to change for the future state of affairs; the state of affairs that are going to exist under you as a leader. And then over-communicating that and working through it.” – Chris Beals
“Often so much of culture is really just leading by example.” – Ron Schneidermann
“Don't let perfect be the enemy of a hundred times better.” – Chris Beals
“When you take over the ranges as CEO, a big part of it is assessing the team that you have and who is willing to come along with you for the ride.” – Ron Schneidermann
“There's a spectrum of things that you do. No matter what it is, even when you're being definitive and snapping that chalk line on the change, you need to be thoughtful and do your research in advance, but you need to have some degree of urgency in doing the research.” – Chris Beals
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this episode, our panel of seasoned leaders from GitBook, Double Finn, and formerly CB Insights, sit down to discuss the role of the modern COO in fast-growing companies. They share their stories and advice on career mapping, team management, to executing organizational change. Whether you're an aspiring COO or simply interested in the inner workings and nuances of a fast-growing organization, you'll find plenty of valuable insights in this episode.
Here’s What We Discussed
[01:43] The Panelists Share How Their Specific Roles Differ From Other C-Level Executives[10:38] Career Advice: How to map your career path to COO[16:53] Frameworks and strategies for effectively managing a large team[23:03] Finding your number two: Key traits to look for in a COO or Exec[31:29] Strategizing organizational change: How a new COO should approach the first 30-60-90 days[37:53] Strategies for balancing short-term and long-term organizational goals [44:04] How has the role of COO evolved over the years?About Our Speakers
Ha is an experienced operator at large technology businesses with a passion for helping SMBs scale up. He is currently COO at Doublefin, an HR tech company, where he leads the company's go-to-market efforts. Prior to Doublefin, Ha advised PE-backed B2B and B2C companies. Ha spent a decade leading partnerships and product teams at Walmart e-Commerce, Yahoo, and Google.
Sara has spent the majority of her career in the startup world, after starting out in finance. As the former COO of Framer, she helped the design tool startup scale both ARR growth and the company from Seed to Series B. As the current COO of GitBook, Sara is passionate about building efficient and impactful teams, developer tooling, and sustainable growth engines.
Fabio has held multiple entrepreneurial executive positions in several companies, with a proven track-record in creating impact, delivering results, and building strong teams and organizations. He was previously the COO at CB Insights and held multiple C-Level positions at Gympass. Before that, he was a Senior Management Associate at Bridgewater Associates, CFO at TG Agroindustrial (portfolio company from Angra Partners where he also did private equity investing), and worked in Investment Banking at Itau-Unibanco Fabio currently holds multiple board positions and advises and mentors several startup companies globally. He holds an MBA degree from Harvard Business School (Class of 2013) and a Bachelor of Economics degree from Unicamp in Brazil
Quotes
“For COOs and CEOs that are great partners, You don't look at it as just one functional responsibility; You're trying to weave together everybody that's necessary to accomplish a particular objective.” – Ha Ly
“As a COO every time there's an element that I am confused about, that confusion is going to multiply down the line.” – Fabio Salim
“So that is key; Can they actually understand the full scope and know where to spend their time? Being COO is so cross-functional, it's really across the entire business, and there are only so many hours in a day. You can't possibly move everything forward at all times. So a strong ability to prioritize is a big one." – Sara Tandowsky
“I look for a good ability to think and build systems. Someone who can look into a particular reality, synthesize that reality, almost define it, and then refine it in a way that others can execute.” – Fabio Salim
“If you don't know the answer, find someone who does. Find someone who can share expertise. Most problems aren't brand new.” – Sara Tandowsky
”Technically skilled, objective-oriented folks can get down to the priorities and understand what a company needs to do, but being able to convey that to the rest of the company and build the right relationships internally to execute on that is extremely important.” – Ha Ly
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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The role of CFO today, 10 years ago, and 10 years ahead look vastly different from each other. In this discussion, our panel of industry experts, current and former execs from CFGI, Brooklyn Boulders, Spinn Inc, Ring, and Made Renovation, dive into what traits and skills a CFO needs in order to adapt to today’s business landscape.
They share their insights on what cross-functional leadership looks like in the role of CFO, why cash is king, and why guiding stakeholders through critical financial information is crucial.
Here’s What We Discussed
[01:04] Our panel introduces themselves and shared their background and experience [03:11] Hiring a CFO: When is the right time for a start-up to look for a CFO and what are their key considerations? [13:00] Navigating the financial complexities of fundraising rounds [16:58] How the Role of CFO is evolving: Adapting to technological advancements and shifting organizational demands[28:34] Synthesizing Information to stakeholders and why it’s a crucial skill for finance and analytics leaders[40:46] Tips for propelling your career forward: Gain experience by stepping out of your lane [47:35] How CFOs can adapt and manage financial stability in an uncertain landscapeAbout Our Speakers
Gladys is a Chief Financial Officer with 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, and transformation. She’s an expert in consumer products, manufacturing, technology, and growth-stage startups (including proceeding with IPO and M&A exits). Gladys is directly responsible for overseeing accounting and finance functions, managing $50M to $200M+ P&L budgeting, as well as producing accurate financial reporting, strategic planning, investment due diligence analysis, KPI dashboards, and ERP NetSuite implementation. She’s scaled and positioned companies on an upward trajectory in addition to being the recipient of the 2022 CFO of the Year Finalist by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Shane's diverse leadership acumen spans all finance and accounting functions, company operations, strategy, legal, real estate, and business development. Shane also commands deep experience in the private equity space, from both the PE investor and portfolio company perspectives. Since starting his career in big-4 public accounting, Shane has spent more than 15 years in international financial leadership roles, ranging from Controller all the way up to CFO, across a range of industries and company stages. More recently, Shane has led strategic fundraising and M&A efforts as a consultant CFO for SME's and just last month joined a top-tier financial consulting firm in their Business Transformation practice.
Hari has 20+ years of professional experience across VC-backed startups, Fortune 500 companies, and public accounting. He has held finance leadership roles across several startups and played a key role in scaling for growth, fundraising, and getting to profitability. Hari has led teams of 100+ members across multiple functions including Finance, Supply chain, People, and Business operations
Quotes
“As a CFO, as a financier, you want to avoid saying ‘no’ and saying ‘yes’ too much. You want to make sure that you're helping people get to their goals while minimizing risk.” – Hari Seshadri
“Having the willingness to take risk is critical, but to be able to take risks with discipline and foresight is definitely a big part of the role that a CFO plays for a growing startup.” – Shane O’Brien.
“As capital comes in from different sources and you start thinking about capital allocation becoming more complex, that's when it’s the best time to bring on a CFO on a full-time basis.” – Gladys Fung
“The CFO needs to chart out the map that shows the company, all the stakeholders how you get from point X to point Y. Everything the CFO does revolves around that one thing.” – Hari Seshadri
“Finance leaders need to be proactive and to learn about what's going on, not just in the finance industry, but in the general economy to know how we can navigate changes in the future.” – Gladys Fung
“Be willing to step out of your lane; Especially when you're earlier on in your career.” – Hari Seshadri
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Samira Ann Qassim and Indra Sharma join Paul Craven for an insightful discussion on the future of European venture capital. In this episode, we discuss insights on emerging technologies, the changing investment landscape, and leveling the playing field for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Learn how VCs can use their resources to break biases and drive positive change for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Here’s What We Discussed
[01:40] Samira and Indra introduce themselves and share their backgrounds [03:45] Deep Tech, Health Tech, and Generative AI: What’s on the horizon for European VCs [07:00] The advantages and disadvantages that European startups and VCs have over global players12:04 Navigating the changing landscape of investment activity and valuations [16:41] Leveling the Playing Field: Addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented entrepreneurs with the help of VCs[24:26] How VCs Can use their resources to drive positive change in the startup community and beyondAbout Our Speakers
Paul Craven brings a decade of recruitment and executive search experience in Europe and the US, with a passion for tech, startups and people. He has spent the last 3 years connecting executive talent with fast growing startups and is now focused on building the Ruckus presence in EMEA.
Based out of sunny Barcelona, Paul also enjoys family days at the beach, playing football and discovering the city’s best restaurants.
Samira Ann Qassim is passionate about supporting visionary founders who are propelling the future forward at lightning speed. With a focus on empowering female-led technology companies, she founded Pink Salt Ventures to tap into their untapped potential. Prior to launching Pink Salt, Samira gained experience as a strategist and successful tech entrepreneur.
Indra Sharma is a partner at Peak, a European seed-stage venture capital fund investing in b2b Saas, platforms, and marketplaces. She's based out of Stockholm, where she brings her expertise in the Nordics to the Peak community. She works closely with companies such as Breyta, Blidz, and Melon.
Indra has an engineering background, starting her career as a quant and a developer and later moving on to the business side. She has an extensive background as an operator and was part of scaling Swedish payment house Bambora Group. Before joining Peak, she led investments in companies such as Lassie, Einride, and Natural Cycles.
Quotes
“I'm of the view that it is never a good idea to get the highest valuation as possible if you can't grow into it.” – Samira Ann Qassim
“The biases that you see in society are reflected in VC and in the tech ecosystem…One of the biggest problems we have is that we just don't see potential in people who don't fit into a certain stereotype of an entrepreneur.” – Indra Sharma
“It’s great to walk into a room where everyone's invited. It's about the quality of your outlook and your output that matters.” – Samira Ann Qassim
“When building your network, make sure that you include different people because it's so easy to talk to people who speak and look exactly like you.” – Indra Sharma
“VCs, if you actually care, you should engage with investors on the merit of their investments.” – Samira Ann Qassim
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this episode, Paul Craven sits down with Frank Hansen of Nordic Secondaries Fund, which was the first and only fund in the Nordics to exclusively invest in secondaries. They discuss the in's and out's of finding investors, maintaining deal flow, and the nature of secondary investments. Frank talks about how his company chooses the founders they invest in and the unique challenges faced when running a secondary fund.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:22] Frank discusses the Danish Fund and talks about the secondary market[03:16] Frank on who his investors are and when they invest [08:10] finding investors and keeping a regular deal flow[10:00] Does a happy, financially-free founder cause a fund to perform less well? [13:28] How Nordic Secondaries Fund helps founders [17:25] Advice for founders given the investment landscape in Europe [19:12] The biggest challenges when running a secondary fundAbout Frank
Frank Hansen has 15 years of experience as a founder and early-stage investor: 25+ investments in companies such as GoMore, November First, Pleo, Spiir, Tradeshift and Listen To News. Experience as executive director in Deloitte, PwC, and Topdanmark. Holds masters in math and economics and actuarial science. Frank has been active in the secondary market for more than 15 years.
Quotes
“I think the most important thing about running a secretary is that you need to have a good network in the area where you're actually investing. You have to talk to the founders of the companies.” – Frank Hansen
“We believe in focus. So if we are both a primary and a secondary fund then where is our focus when we go into a new investment?” – Frank Hansen
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this episode, we sit down with a panel of growth experts that have cut their teeth scaling in foreign markets with hyper-growth companies. We learn that launching in a new market isn’t as simple as copy-pasting your strategies; Localization is critical and foreign markets need to be tailored to.
We discuss the importance of localization, the best UA channels in Europe, how they differ from the US, strategies that didn’t translate well in foreign markets, and working-culture differences.
Here’s What We Discussed
[03:58] What steps should a US-based company prioritize when testing new markets? [06:24] Boris talks about his experience expanding B2Bs outside of the US and what to keep in mind [11:38] Ash talks about finding champions for your product by fostering a loyal community[14:27] Examples of strategies or features that worked in the US but failed in new markets [21:22] The most valuable KPIs to track and which are just misleading or distracting [27:27] What are the best UA channels in Europe and does it differ from the US?[31:30] Macro Vs Micro-Influencers: Who is more effective? [34:14] - The importance of localization in the country you’re launching in – The panel shares their experience on what didn’t translate [37:11] - Our panel talks about the differences in working culture – work-life balance, hiring and firing costs, job expectations, and cultureAbout Our Speakers
Maud Pasturaud has more than a decade of experience launching and growing leading brands across the United States and Europe from Seed to Pre-IPO stage. From Bumble ($BMBL) and Mercari (¥MCARY), to Alan Health and Gilt Groupe - Maud’s experience speaks for itself.
Today, she advises VC-Backed, category-defining B2C companies across Europe and the US, helping founders unlock growth opportunities & set their growth operations up for scale. Maud also invests as an angel in exceptional, mission-driven teams.
Matt Turzo is passionate about building exceptionally high-impact teams. He is at his best when given an enormous, amorphous problem that needs to be solved quickly and sustainably. He founded Compliance and Retail departments at Lyft, ran Partner Management for Groupon in China (90ppl), and ran their customer care in Australia/NZ.
Boris Pfeiffer is the CEO and co-founder of Riddle.com. Before Riddle, he spent 5 years in the gaming industry managing the European branch of Kabam and setting up his own game studio after leaving Kabam. Before his adventures in the gaming space, he served as General Manager for Monster.com, running its Internet Advertising Division across Europe.
Boris has worked for a range of startups and public companies in games and online, setting up businesses in Asia, the U.S., and throughout Europe.
Ashanya Indralingam has 10 years of tech experience growing consumer and enterprise services. Her knowledge spans Content, Marketing, and Product and she has gained scaling product marketing at Framer from Seed to Series B, nurturing a viral gaming community to 15M and using influencer campaigns to drive 25M impressions for social good platform, Causes.com.
She is a strong proponent of inclusive workplace culture and leader of internal D&I initiatives that resulted in broader female, POC, and non-binary representation across the company and community.
About Our Host
Anish Shah is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Bring Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Bring Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“When you go to a new market, hire someone who knows the market. Don't try to do it yourself.” – Boris Pfeiffer
“Now something we prelaunch with is actual strategy – Thinking about content, community, and influence, really worked and it was really about having that cultural message that resonated and then having the right influencer to disperse that message.” – Maud Pasturaud
“At the early stages of a startup, it can be enticing to look at vanity metrics or only look at the numbers that are moving up and sort of galvanize the company around that.” – Ashanya Indralingam
“No matter what business you're running, start to think about other ways that are worth testing with like a few hundred bucks that you can see if there's actually a very efficient channel that other people in the industry haven't touched.” – Matt Turzo
“If you don't listen to them and don't include them in your communication, that will definitely set them up for failure faster than anything else. And it's probably the hardest thing in the world to do that across Asia or Europe.” – Boris Pfeiffer
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this episode, Estelle Reardon and Anish Shah sit down and talk about their organizations, Slingshot and Ruckus. Slingshot’s goal is to match startups with tech prodigies and is of the ethos that talent, not education or age, should dictate access to opportunity. Estelle and Anish discuss what makes the best hires for startups and why exceptional talent is not just found in good schools and big-shot companies.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:34] The founding stories of Slingshot and Ruckus [03:35] The values that drive Slingshot - Providing unparalleled opportunities to talented high school students regardless of their age or education [04:28] The perspective that the Ruckus team brings to executive searches to set their clients and candidates up for success[06:48] Estelle on the benefits of hiring and working with Gen Z high school students [09:16] Anish on spotting exceptional talent [14:27] How Slingshot’s interns balance high school and their jobs and why it works so well [18:14] Anish talks about the most significant shifts in hiring trends since 2020 [20:49] Estelle’s advice for employers hiring high school students – The benefits of hiring talented young people before the larger tech companies get to them [24:30] Anish’s predictions for hiring trends in 2023About Estelle Reardon
Estelle is from a four-square-mile town in Maine called Ogunquit. She completed three internships in high school before going on to The University of Chicago and starting her career in venture capital at .406 Ventures and New Stack Ventures. She later went on to help teach New Venture Strategy at Chicago Booth before founding StandOut Search, a startup matching high school students with internships at startups. StandOut Search received investment from The University of Chicago and The University of Illinois and matched over 1000 students with internships before merging into Slingshot Ahead, where she took over the CEO role.
Anish Shah is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“We believe in talent. Your skills, not your age or education, should determine the opportunities available to you.” – Estelle Reardon
“At Slingshot, we're trying to find the most exceptional self-taught technologists of every generation before they enter the university environment and match them with roles at startups. In this way, ambitious founders can hopefully beat leaders to the talent that they're looking for.” – Estelle Reardon
“You really want to look at the motivation of the right candidate and not how hot of a company they came out of.” – Anish Shah
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In this episode, we sit down with Angelo Sasso, the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Trade Coffee, to discuss his work with subscription-based companies and his three biggest lessons from working at Trade. He also shares the key characteristics that make a great marketing hire for startups.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:27] Angelo talks about the red thread in his extensive and diverse background of working with subscription-model companies [02:34 ] Angelo’s 3 key learnings since starting at Trade Coffee[05:32] Exploring the intricacies of coffee and making it accessible to a new audience[06:47] Angelo on why he looks for adaptable, customer-focused marketers when hiring a marketing team [09:00] Angelo shares his experience with RuckusAbout Angelo
Angelo Sasso is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Trade Coffee and former SVP, Customer Engagement at Tidal. He leads marketing teams that use segmented strategies to identify value drivers for key segments, using growth-centric marketing to find these customers, optimizing key customer journeys, and creating loyalty amongst user bases to increase revenue.
Angelo has a proven history of influencing an organization’s initiatives through customer segmentation, product positioning, cost optimization, lifecycle management, and portfolio optimization. His successful execution is driven by a unique ability to build lasting partnerships across an organization and manage cross-functional work streams. He is an expert in turning data into actionable insights and an advocate of fostering culture change across all levels of an organization through relationship building and collaboration.
About Our Host
Kayci Baldwin has been building and growing communities for impactful brands for nearly a decade. She was a co-founder of Six Things, a brand and digital creative agency dedicated to working with underrepresented founders.
Quotes
“Trade has done this wonderful job of taking the guesswork out and helping you become part of this really rich culture by doing it in a way that's really accessible.” – Angelo Sasso
“So that thread of being part of a company and selling a product that really speaks to a unique customer in a broader space and has that subscription hook as part of it, I think is what excited me about coming into this space.” – Angelo Sasso
“You should be able to enjoy coffee on your terms.”– Angelo Sasso
“It goes back to that customer-centric thinking. I really need marketers that understand what this product is, and how to make the right consumer say yes.” – Angelo Sasso
“Ruckus not only was really proactive on connecting me with the right types of opportunities but also as I was going through the process, they were making sure that I felt in the loop and they were being that shoulder to lean on when I needed advice or support.” – Angelo Sasso
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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In the last decade, we have seen the perception of value of creators shift dramatically. As brands and companies begin to understand the power and influence creators have in culture and with their audiences, navigating how to establish lasting partnerships has never been more important.
In this episode, Avinash Gandhi, Founder at Partner with Creators, and former Head of Creator Partnerships at Patreon, sits down with Ruckus’ Sr. Director of Marketing, Kayci Baldwin to discuss how brands and creators alike can leverage partnerships and create meaningful impact. We discuss the biggest changes and challenges in the industry, why brands and creators need to vet who they work with to get better value from their partnerships, and the importance of creators focusing on building an audience that cares.
Here’s What We Discussed
[00:38] Avinash on the biggest changes he’s seen in the industry in the last decade [03:43] How mental health and over-saturation are the biggest challenges looking forward[05:29] How the metaverse will impact creators and digital spaces [07:55] What are the biggest factors when partnering with creators on Patreon? [10:39] As the market becomes more competitive, are audiences holding creators to a higher standard as they become more discriminating? [12:32] Brands need to vet their partnerships carefully and choose creators that love their brand[15:56] Why agencies and companies should assess mutual interest before proposing a deal to creators [18:35] Advice for aspiring creators: Focus on building an audience that cares [20:09] When is it “too early” to start a Patreon?About Avinash
Avi Gandhi leads the Creator Partnerships team at Patreon. An experienced Go-To-Market leader, Avi has spent the last 15 years leading partnerships, marketing, and content creation teams at the intersection of tech and entertainment – a space now known as the Creator Economy.
Before joining Patreon, Avi launched and managed Wheelhouse DNA, the award-winning digital and audio content division of Jimmy Kimmel and Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse. Previously, he was one of the first digital media talent agents at WME, where he was recognized by Forbes as 30 Under 30 and Variety as one of Hollywood’s New Leaders for being one of the first Hollywood agents to represent digital creators, pioneering new D2C content models and helping to launch WME’s podcast and gaming businesses. He started his career while an undergrad at Yale, leading a team of content writers for the venture-backed startup Wikinvest.
About Our Host
Kayci Baldwin has been building and growing communities for impactful brands for nearly a decade. She was a co-founder of Six Things, a brand and digital creative agency dedicated to working with underrepresented founders.
Quotes
“One of the biggest things that’s changed is the overall perception of value… No one really understood [influencer’s] power. It took brands, platforms, entertainment companies, and media companies a long time to realize the power and the influence that creators have with their audiences and in culture.” – Avinash Gandhi
“The concept of the Metaverse is very much a Silicon Valley tech buzzword that doesn't necessarily translate to the mass market. But I think that creators are already there, they're just not necessarily thinking about it as the metaverse, but there's a whole ecosystem of creators who make a lot of money producing content within [it].” – Avinash Gandhi
“I think creators will have to find a way to make a living or build a business with potentially fewer audiences because time is limited. And that's the way that creators have to think about this; If someone is going to spend time watching, reading, or consuming something, how do I make it mine?” – Avinash Gandhi
"The advice I always give creators is to only work with brands and partners of any kind that you're excited to say you're working with. And if you're going to work with someone, go all in and make sure they get their value because you want them to come back. If you overdeliver, they're going to come back and give you more money.” – Avinash Gandhi
“Creators who are emerging should focus first and foremost on building an audience that cares.” – Avinash Gandhi
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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How does the one of world’s most expansive, diverse, and enduring toy companies, Lego, continue to capture hearts through compelling storytelling? Most marketers have taken the approach of flooding their channels and seeing what sticks. But our screens are oversaturated with ads and offers. James Gregson, Creative Director for Lego’s internal agency, cuts through the noise with a fewer, bigger, and better approach to marketing.
In this conversation, Ruckus’ Sr. Director of Marketing and Platform, Kayci Baldwin sits down with James Gregson to discuss all things brand building, agencies, and creative problem-solving. During this conversation, James shares his lessons learned, what brands can do to be more relevant, where he finds inspiration, and much more.
Here’s What We Discussed:
[00:58] When is it time for scaling companies to make the switch from external to internal agencies? [03:05] James gives his advice on handling internal agency partnerships and dynamics[04:35] How diverse is your role and the problems you solve for given how expansive of a company Lego is? [05:56] James talks about the most impactful lessons he’s learned as creative director of Lego [11:37] James on the decline of ad spend efficacy and why brands need to focus their efforts on building a genuine relationship with their customers [16:06] The most important elements of good storytelling[19:06] Natural curiosity, Tik Tok, revolutionary YouTube Campaigns, and the most unexpected places James finds inspiration fromAbout James
James Gregson is experienced with managing teams in a variety of marketing, creative, content and brand capacities – with success leading impactful, global, cross-platform campaigns. His recent focus has been on driving digital brand transformation across LEGO’s brand communications, their evolving owned channels, content, social media, brand and product marketing, community building, performance marketing, etc.
About Our Host
Kayci Baldwin has been building and growing communities for impactful brands for nearly a decade. She was a co-founder of Six Things, a brand and digital creative agency dedicated to working with underrepresented founders.
Quotes
“It's really important to set that expectation and to build a partnership where it is less subservient and more supportive and strategic. I think that's a really important piece to what we believe we can bring.” – James Gregson
“The world of social and brand communications at one time was flood your channels. Flood your channels with as much content and information and see what sticks. I'm really looking forward to flipping that; fewer, bigger, better. Less is more because I think that's where you start cutting through.” – James Gregson
“The fundamentals of advertising or storytelling are not that different. I think attention spans are certainly shorter than they used to be, and distribution methods are certainly different. But at the same time, a human truth is a human truth.” – James Gregson
Resources Mentioned
Casey Neistat X Samsung Galaxy: The Rest of UsThe Truth Is Essential | The New York TimesSnacks Daily/The Best One Yet PodcastABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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There’s no denying that Web3 and the Metaverse are the next big frontier in digital innovation. As early-adopters and skeptics alike watch the immersive and transformative technologies change the ways we interact with the world around us, we are also watching new companies and career paths shift the job market as we know it.
Whether you’re looking to hire or get hired, our panelists have been there. Join us live as we sit down with some of the leaders pioneering the world of Web3 to discuss the challenges and nuances of team building in a new and ever-evolving digital world.
Here’s What We Discussed:
[03:43] Jordan talks about the early days of cryptocurrency and wealth creation in established crypto companies[12:12] Courtney dives into how 90% of employees at Original Protocol took more than 50% of their annual salary in tokens [15:30] Rips for founders and investors when hiring for Web3 companies [21:53] Courtney on why it’s important to find talent who is web3 curious and the importance of leveraging your community for hiring [23:17] Erin’s advice with hiring is to pay attention to the volunteer projects on your candidate's resume and see if they align with what you’re hiring for[24:54] Jordan on what gets candidates most excited when pitching the job [30:21] Erin advises pitching the real-world application of Web3 and figuring out what interests the candidate [36:05] Erin on educating and reaching new audiences for web3 recruiting[41:20] Biggest hiring bottlenecks and what companies are looking to hire forAbout Our Speakers
Courtney Glover, Head of People, Origin Protocol, Courtney is a self-proclaimed people person and has spent the better part of the last 10 years helping companies recognize that their greatest asset is their people. She is currently Head of People at Origin and has previous experience in Web3, Government Contracting, and Tech. As a recent transplant back home to Michigan, Courtney enjoys spending her non-work time with her husband and two kids in Michigan’s great outdoors.
Jordan Fried, Founder, NFT.com, Chairman & CEO, Immutable Holdings, Jordan Fried is a blockchain evangelist and crypto-capitalist. He’s currently the Chairman and CEO of Immutable Holdings, the publicly-traded blockchain holding company that owns and operates NFT.com, 1800Bitcoin.com, CBDC.com, Immutable Asset Management, HBAR.com, and more.
Previously, Jordan was a founding team member of Hedera Hashgraph where he served as Senior Vice President of Business Development from inception in 2017 until the end of 2020. Jordan also co-founded and served as CEO of Buffered VPN, the fastest growing personal VPN service until it was acquired in the first quarter of 2017.
Jordan is an angel investor in companies like Buffer.com, Clearview.ai, Hive.org, and other early-stage startups. Jordan has been featured in Wired Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Time.com, and Success.com.
Erin Boose, Global Talent Lead, CoinDesk, Erin is currently the Global Talent Lead at CoinDesk. Prior to CoinDesk, she spent time at Smartly.io, Forbes, and Autism Speaks amongst others in recruiting and people operations. Erin also participates in volunteer programs like Co-op, teaching first-generation college graduates the ins and outs of job hunting. When not working Erin loves travel, cooking, and the NY Mets.
About Our Host Anish Shah, Founder + CEO at Ruckus – Anish is the CEO & Founder of executive search agency Ruckus. Anish has worked in-house in Growth roles at Snapfish and Getable. He started Bring Ruckus as a Growth consultancy 11 years ago working with 40+ clients, then re-focused his firm on executive recruiting for Growth leaders.
Quotes
“How you go about acquiring new users, fundamentally, is still largely the same.” – Jordan Fried
“Where we have done poorly in hiring in the past is we've looked for people who we figured were just pure web3 believers, even though they may have lacked our desired fundamental skills.” – Jordan Fried
“The industry is still relatively small. There are a lot of people that are working on projects that are not being paid for their work. You have to look deeper into those projects that you might see on resumes.” – Erin Boose
“You're not gonna find folks who likely came from another protocol company or came from Web3, but I do think there's a huge advantage if you have somebody who's web3 curious or at least understands web3. It's really difficult to convince a really talented developer to see the value in your NFT project,” – Courtney Glover
“When we are trying to talk rationally or unemotionally to candidates, we want them to appreciate what we see as still a very exciting growth sector.” – Jordan Fried
“Figure out what interests a candidate and what might drive their engagement.” – Erin Boose
“Have that curiosity, that willingness to learn and to jump in and get your hands dirty, whether you are the CMO or you are an individual contributor.” – Courtney Glover
ABOUT RUCKUS
We are growth leaders who recruit your game changers. Visit https://bringruckus.com and connect on LinkedIn. Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google Podcasts, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts!
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We had the chance to sit down and dive deep into what it takes to build lasting community in the wild world of SAAS. Laura Coscarelli, Account Executive at Higher Logic, Victoria Cumberbatch, Operations Specialist formerly at Osmosis, Kerri Williams, Community, Strategy & Engagement Manager at Workday, and Melanie Bond, Director of Community at Nanit shared the importance of setting clear expectations with community members and internal stakeholders, striving to give twice as much as you ask in return and riding the wave.
Here’s What We Discussed:
[04:49] How to communicate the value of community to stakeholders and organization members [12:40] Balance community, marketing, and product needs by setting boundaries and building trust [22:01] Best practices for user and product feedback groups[27:58] The platforms and tactics that are most effective in getting the community to engage with each other[32:44] How to find your pioneers when starting a community [36:51] Our experts share goals that they’re working towards; Prioritizing fostering relationships and mentorships [39:52] How community and sales can go hand in hand [43:49] How much is too much to ask from your customers? [50:30] Our panel shares the challenges that they’re dealing with right nowAbout Our Speakers
Laura Coscarelli, Account Executive at Higher Logic, Laura is an Account Executive at Higher Logic. A former teacher, she spent a decade managing online communities and then consulting for non-profits, associations, and corporate customers on how to engage their networks online. Now Laura helps organizations that are earlier in the process of building their digital engagement strategies as an Account execute (it’s easy to sell something you really believe in!) When she’s not cheerleading for her customers, she enjoys hosting fondue dinner parties, restoring old houses, and biking with her husband in Washington, D.C.
Victoria Cumberbatch, Operations Specialist formerly at Osmosis, Victoria is a Community & Operations Specialists. Being part of a myriad of groups from high school to current, allowed her the space to learn from the best and engage with impactful individuals that have provided a way for her to view leadership within communities. With experiences spanning athletics to studying on Semester at Sea, to overseeing classrooms, to truly embarking on her career with Tunnel2Towers and working with their passionate volunteer coordinators, to being a leader on Remote year, and finally working with top-notch med students at Osmosis; over time it’s become clear that community management and leadership are where she finds herself at her best.
Kerri Williams, Community, Strategy & Engagement Manager at Workday, Kerri helps brands connect with their customers in a meaningful way, by listening to feedback, building teams and processes to engage and delight, and assessing data trends while remaining focused on unique business objectives. Her 10+ years in customer experience, community management, communications, and consulting have given her the tools to help brands navigate this growing digital space and make the most out of their customer engagement strategies.
Melanie Bond, Director of Community at Nanit, Over the past decade, Melanie has built and scaled high-performing and results-driven teams. She has a passion for community building and has worked with hundreds of companies with varying use cases to create and build strategic community plans to reach their organizational goals.
She believes that communities empower companies to work more efficiently, and have a two-way dialog with their customers to build trust while also helping acquire new customers. Building authentic communities is at the core of my work and experience.
About Our ModeratorKayci Baldwin, Director of Marketing & Platform at Ruckus, Kayci has been building and growing communities for impactful brands for nearly a decade. She was a co-founder of Six Things, a brand and digital creative agency dedicated to working with underrepresented founders.
Quotes
“Whenever you're building a community, the most important thing is that the goals and the KPIs that you're setting for your community are tying back to your organizational goals.” – Melanie Bond
“Whether you're a community manager, a director of customer success, in sales, or you're in product, there's no pitch, to begin with. The pitch should be listening first and taking more of a servant leadership approach to seeking to understand the business goals.” – Laura Coscarelli
“If you start with the customer in mind, the balancing of the needs becomes easier. Because whatever you're trying to achieve with community, marketing, or product, as long as you can bring it back to the customer and how it serves their needs, then it should also serve the business’ needs as well.” – Kerri Williams
“Create the expectation list. Set the expectations of what the community members can expect from team and what team can expect from community.” – Victoria Cumberbatch
“When you only lean on a specific subset of your customer base, you're really missing out on so much great intel that you wouldn't have otherwise. I think that's really important when it comes to product feedback.” – Melanie Bond
“There's an element of training and education that goes into how your salespeople talk about your community. There is an opportunity for the community to be a value add in the sales cycle.” – Kerri Williams
ABOUT RUCKUS
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