Episodios
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Joining the show this week is a veteran of the Boston start-up community and leader in engineering management platforms. Having served as the VP of Engineering to a company that as acquired for $1B, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder & CEO of Jellyfish, Andrew Lau.
Lau shares his journey from an engineer in startups to a CEO managing a high-growth company. He provides insights on aligning leadership and culture, fundraising, and work-life balance.
Takeaways:
Co-Founder Alignment: The Jellyfish team created a detailed vision for Jellyfish before starting the company. They established core values that emphasized culture, people, and building a scalable business. This became their North Star for decision-making.Engineering for Growth: Jellyfish's platform helps engineering leaders align their teamsâ work with broader business objectives. The company's vision is inspired by Salesforceâs transformation of sales management.Early Customers through Discovery: The team interviewed over 50 VPEs and CTOs to deeply understand pain points in engineering management. These conversations led to a service-driven approach to validate Jellyfishâs product vision.Startup for Grown-Ups: There was a conscious effort to build a "grown-up" startup that accommodates life responsibilities. They designed their business to work with their life stages, creating a sustainable culture.Leadership Evolution: Andrew reflects on his transition from engineering management to being a CEO. This journey required learning sales, fundraising, and storytelling while balancing the operational and strategic demands of scaling a company.Fundraising with Trust: Andrew describes the importance of aligning with investors who understand the domain and trust the founding team. Jellyfish's seed funding came from building relationships within the Venn diagram of trust and domain expertise.Adapting to Change: As the tech landscape evolves with AI and macroeconomic shifts, Jellyfish focuses on being adaptable. Andrew emphasizes that startups have the agility to tackle new challenges, creating opportunities for growth and innovation.Quote of the Show:
âItâs a marathon, itâs not a sprint. And we also live lives as humans here too⊠We have to make this thing work for us.â - Andrew LauLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amlau/ Twitter: https://x.com/amlau Website: https://jellyfish.co/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Jellyfish
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Joining the show this week is a seasoned CMO who has transitioned into a CEO role. Committed to creating a standout and lasting company in the cybersecurity space, this guest is none other than the CEO of Cyberhaven, Howard Ting.
Howard shares his leadership journey, lessons on building a culture of innovation, and insights into tackling challenges ranging from product positioning to team dynamics.
Takeaways:
Weekly Video Messages: Ting introduced five-minute weekly video updates early in his tenure at Cyberhaven. These videos keep teams aligned and foster engagement across the organization, showcasing his commitment to transparent communication.Changing from the Start: Upon joining, Ting made sweeping changes to product strategy, positioning, team structure, and culture. This grew the company's ARR by over 120x, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies today.Focusing on the Ideal Customer Profile: Ting emphasizes the importance of discipline in targeting mid-market companies with high IP turnover rather than pursuing large enterprises prematurely, accelerating product feedback and company learning.The Role of Investors: Ting prioritizes working with investors who share his ambition, understand market dynamics, and actively help scale the company through strategic guidance and connections, rather than just governing from the sidelines.Hiring for Growth: Ting values self-awareness, vulnerability, and hunger in hires. He digs deep during interviews, exploring candidatesâ childhoods and motivations to assess their capacity for growth and alignment with company culture.Life Lessons for Career Rhythm: Ting's advice to his younger self includes finding a balance between high-intensity career growth and enjoying the journey. He shares how slowing down at times could have enhanced his personal and professional satisfaction.Quote of the Show:
âThe people who are self aware and demonstrate enough vulnerability, I think they have the best chance of growing and scaling with the company.â - Howard TingLinks:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardting/ Personal Twitter: https://x.com/howardting Company Website: https://www.cyberhaven.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Cyberhaven
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Joining the show this week is someone whoâs been trailblazing the meal prep industry. Revolutionizing pre-prepared meals and the equipment to cook them, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder and CEO of Tovala, David Rabie.
Rabie joins host David Politis to discuss his journey redefining convenient and healthy meals. He examines the challenges, lessons, and pivotal moments that shaped Tovalaâs success, including near-crisis fundraising stories and the company's rise during the pandemic.
Takeaways:
Weekly CEO Emails: Rabie has sent a reflective email every Monday for nearly a decade, offering updates and key priorities for the team. This practice has grown from personal insights in a small startup to comprehensive updates for a team of over 400.The Product Journey: Rabie shares how the vertically integrated model of providing both the meals and the equipment to cook them has proven essential to maintaining high quality and customer satisfaction.Overcoming Challenges: Rabie recounts a critical moment in 2020 when Tovala faced the collapse of a Series B term sheet at the start of the pandemic. With only weeks of cash on hand, Rabie had to bridge funding to ultimately raise the round.Hiring Philosophy: Over time, the company shifted to hiring for high potential to hiring for experienced professionals to scale the business while retaining key early employees who grew alongside the company.Pandemic Growth: While the pandemic posed challenges, it also catalyzed growth for Tovala as more consumers sought convenient, healthy meal options at home. The companyâs ability to meet this demand helped triple its business in 2020.Balancing Family and Leadership: Rabie emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, making time for family and personal well-being. He candidly discusses how this approach evolved over the years and its impact on both his leadership and company culture.Quote of the Show:
âTo me, it's a really powerful combination where you get the ambition and the drive and the hunger, but you don't get the ego.â - David RabieLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/daviderabieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrabie/Website: https://www.tovala.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Tovala
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David begins every interview with a simple question:
What is one thing youâve done, big or small, thatâs had the biggest impact on your company and youâd do again if youâre CEO of another company in the future?
In todayâs special episode, we will be looking back at the answers given to this question. Dive in with us as we hear how all 19 CEOs that David has interviewed discuss what they would do again in their next venture!
We will be starting from the top with the showâs first ever guest, Nick Mehta. Follow the chapters below to see when each CEOâs answer is.
0:00 Intro
2:14 Nick Mehta - Gainsight
3:51 Tony Safoian - SADA
7:56 Anthony Serina - Revivn
12:13 John Fazzolari - Revivn
14:16 Loren Castle - Sweet Lorenâs
21:32 Jeron Paul - Spiff
22:46 Alex Theuma - SaaStock
32:30 Jukay Hsu - Pursuit
38:33 Nick Cromydas - Hunt Club
47:20 Godard Abel - G2
51:14 Dan Michaeli - Glia
1:01:53 Kathryn Minshew - The Muse
1:11:06 Ryan Westwood - Fullcast
1:18:04 Nate Rosenstock - Crafty
1:28:37 Ryan Simonetti - Convene
1:41:33 Craig Walker - Dialpad
1:48:54 Eran Gil - AllCloud
1:54:50 Nick Freund - Workstream.io
2:03:45 Dane Atkinson - Odeko
2:07:00 Thank You
Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #CEOAdvice
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In this episode, Dane Atkinson, Founder and CEO at Odeko, joins David to share his entrepreneurial journey. He covers the challenges of scaling a business, and his vision for small businesses in a rapidly changing world.
Dane offers his personal insights on various topics, from overcoming personal challenges like dyslexia and ADHD to managing growth, profitability, and navigating a shifting economic climate. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, community, and the role of personal growth in leadership.
Takeaways:
Building a Purpose-Driven Business: Odeko is driven by a mission to support small businesses in a business landscape dominated by large corporations. He notes a growing societal trend shifting away from large chains and towards locally owned businesses.Growth vs. Profitability: There is a dynamic tension between growth and profitability when it comes to startups. Startups often experience pressure to grow rapidly at the expense of profitability. As a company matures the pressure shifts to become profitable rather than grow, as sustainability becomes more important. Navigating Entrepreneurship with Disabilities: Dane reflects on his personal struggles with dyslexia and ADHD throughout his entrepreneurial journey. He chooses to see them not as obstacles in his way, but unique traits that help fuel his entrepreneurial spirit.The Role of Mentorship in Growth: Dane credits much of his business success to the mentorship he received early on in his career, especially to those that were willing to share knowledge and help guide him through complex decisions.Community and Shared Success: As entrepreneurs, it is vital to support and learn from one another, as well as celebrate the successes of others. Founders should reach out to connect with other founders who have had startups and learn from their experiences.Quote of the Show:
âI think founders so often get stuck on the idea that I have to have the perfect idea⊠and that's an incredibly hard criteria to get to without data coming back.â - Dane AtkinsonLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneatkinson/Website: https://odeko.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Odeko
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Today weâre bringing you a very special episode of the Not Another CEO Podcast! Joining David this week is Nick Freund, the Founder and Former CEO of Workstream.io, and they discuss his entrepreneurial journey. Five years ago, Nick founded Workstream and successfully raised over seven million dollars before making the difficult decision to shut down the company.
In this episode, Nick shares his experiences, the importance of selecting the right co-founder, and the challenges of pivoting a business. He also talks about the emotional toll of shutting down a company and the subsequent launch of his Substack, 'Failing Forward,' where he aims to educate and support other founders through his lessons learned.
Takeaways:
Building a Strong Team: As a founder, itâs important to know what youâre good at and be honest about what youâre not. Take your time to find the right person, and donât skip the reference checks. They can really pay off in the long run.Founder Compatibility: Choosing a co-founder or core team member is a lot like entering a relationship. Itâs more than just an employer-employee relationship. You need to think about personality fit and how your working styles mesh.Engaging Customers Early: Start talking to potential customers as early as possibleâwhether through interviews or feedback sessions. This helps validate your idea and gives you insights into what customers really need. Building early relationships with design partners can also help shape your product development.Mental Readiness and Resilience: Being a founder can be mentally tough. There will be stress, setbacks, and tough daysâ thatâs just part of the journey. Having a clear sense of purpose and a strong support system can help you push through the challenges.Transparency in Failures: Donât shy away from sharing your failures. Almost every startup faces obstacles, and being open about them can teach valuable lessons to others. Sharing these stories fosters a culture where failure is seen as part of the learning process, not something to hide.Quote of the Show:
âIf you're hesitant to pivot, you probably have false positives that you might be pointing to that might be holding you back, but I do think there's another part to it which is the sunk-cost fallacy.â - Nick FreundLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-from-workstream/ Website: https://substack.com/@nicholasfreundWays to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #FailingForward
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In this in-depth conversation, Eran Gil, CEO of AllCloud, shares his professional journey and key leadership philosophies. He talks about the founding and growth of Cloud Sherpas, one of the earliest and most successful Google Cloud partners, eventually acquired by Accenture in 2015. Now leading AllCloud, Gil emphasizes the importance of transparency, continuous communication, and cultural understanding within a global organization.
Despite challenges in managing teams across different geographies and cultures, he highlights the value of tying an organizationâs growth to major cloud platforms like AWS, Salesforce, and Snowflake. Eran further discusses the influences of his mentors, particularly his father, in shaping his business approach, and reflects on balancing his professional ambitions with family life. Looking ahead, he is excited about expanding AllCloud's geographic footprint and ecosystem partnerships, aiming to disrupt the market dominated by large system integrators.
Takeaways:
Emphasize Transparency with Your Team: Being transparent with your team can greatly enhance trust and alignment within your organization. Sharing both good and bad news openly fosters a sense of unity and collaboration.Bridge Cultural Differences: When managing a global organization, itâs crucial to understand and address cultural differences. Conducting exercises and coaching sessions can help leaders appreciate these nuances, improving communication and cooperation among diverse teams.Champion Persistence and Follow-Through: Consistency in communication and follow-through is key to building trust and reliability. Make sure everyone in the organization feels supported, and always honor your commitments.Adapt Leadership Styles to Circumstances: Be flexible in your leadership approach based on your teamâs needs. Understanding and adjusting to different working styles can help maintain high performance and alignment.Effective Time Management Across Time Zones: Managing a global workforce means balancing time zone differences. Creating a structure that allows for key tasks to be shifted across regions can ensure continuity and operational effectiveness.Embrace and Address Challenges Directly: Whether facing startup challenges or multi-geographical operations, tackle issues head-on with strategic planning and strong leadership to drive the organization forward.Continuous Learning and Mentorship: Actively seek mentorship and learn from every leadership experience. Embracing lessons from mentors can significantly enhance your management style and adaptability.Quote of the Show:
âIt's how you communicate with each other. Are you more hard charging or less? Is there a work life balance or not?â - Eran GilLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erangil/ Website: https://allcloud.io/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #AllCloud
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This episode features Craig Walker, the Founder and CEO of Dialpad, discussing his 20+ year journey leading the business communications space. Craig has started 3 companies, 2 of which became Yahoo Voice and Google Voice, and shares insights from his experience building communications giants.
He emphasizes the value in communication, transparency, and flexible leadership. Craig reflects on strategically selecting investors and how product acquisitions led to rapid growth for Dialpad. He also shares his thoughts on maintaining a balance between work, family, and personal growth, underscoring the critical role of adaptability and team dynamics in achieving success.
Takeaways:
Jump Right In: Craig emphasizes the importance of diving into challenges directly, sharing his journey of building, getting acquired, and going on his own to continue building within the business communications industry. Ups and Downs of Success: Any successful company has periods of growth and decline when you look under a microscope. Try to focus on the bigger picture when things get difficult. Communicate Often: Craig emphasizes the significance of overcommunication for transparency and maintaining a strong company culture. It is important to keep everyone in the organization up to date on information, even if it isnât positive.Focus on Direction, Not Speed: Strategic vision is crucial, and businesses need to select the right investors who share the long-term growth perspective. This ensures a long-term and beneficial partnership as you grow.Make it Delightful: Consumers should not have to trudge through a dull experience. Ensuring there are opportunities for delight helps keep user experiences positive and increases retention.Quote of the Show:
â Just because it's a business B2B service, it can't have moments of delight? Like that's crazy. Of course it can.â - Craig WalkerLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwalker123/Twitter: https://x.com/cwalker123Website: https://www.dialpad.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Dialpad
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In this insightful episode, we sit down with Ryan Simonetti, co-founder and CEO of Convene, as he shares the companyâs inspiring 15-year journey. Known for its innovative meeting, event, and office spaces, Convene has expanded to nearly 40 locations across nine cities. Ryan discusses the vital role of core values established in 2011, which have guided the company through challenges, including the existential crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join us as Ryan emphasizes the importance of interviewing for core values, maintaining consistency in a high-growth environment, and promoting from within to nurture company culture. We also explore strategic vision, board dynamics, and the role of outsourcing in todayâs workplaces. With reflections on his entrepreneurial influences and insights on leadership and parenting, Ryan offers valuable lessons for achieving long-term success and a hopeful outlook for the future. Don't miss this compelling conversation!Takeaways:
Interviewing for Values: Evaluate candidates for alignment with your core values, using open-ended questions that reveal character and resilience.Consistency Across Locations: Maintain consistent service and quality across locations to build customer trust and satisfaction, focusing on training and improvement.Adapt and Stay Resilient: Stay adaptable and resilient during crises by maintaining hope, making quick decisions, and staying true to your core values.Develop a Farm System: Promote from within to create a strong executive team by nurturing young talent and providing leadership opportunities.Effective Board Management: Keep the board small for quicker decision-making and ensure regular communication through transparency.Work-Life Integration: Involve your family in the business to instill a strong work ethic and understanding of the business world from an early age.Quote of the Show:
âEverything's a trust trade⊠and part of my trust in you is that you can manage my expectations up or down, but please just don't surprise me.â - Ryan SimonettiLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-simonetti-5873887/Twitter: https://x.com/rwsimonettiWebsite: https://convene.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Convene
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This week weâre joined by Nathan Rosenstock, Co-founder and CEO of Crafty, as he shares his journey as a first-time founder in the food service management industry. Recognized by Forbes as one of America's best startups, Crafty provides a centralized platform for workplace needs and has expanded to 35 markets across five countries.
Nathan discusses the challenges he encountered, from navigating significant operational shifts during the pandemic to adapting business models and managing rapid growth. He emphasizes the importance of detail-oriented leadership, building empathy within teams, and how constraints can foster innovation. Additionally, Nathan highlights the value of continuous learning, the benefits of an executive coach, and the importance of a clear company identity when seeking investment.
Takeaways:
Know Your Business Inside and Out: Understanding every detail of your business fosters empathy and credibility, making it easier to connect with and lead your team effectively.Be Ready to Adapt Your Business Model: When faced with challenges like the pandemic, pivoting from a market-by-market rollout to a platform model that integrates local operators was key to Craftyâs survival and growth.Build Strong Client Relationships: Nurturing close relationships with clients, even as the company scales, provides valuable insights and fosters trust and loyalty.Choose the Right Investors: Itâs crucial to find investors who truly understand and align with your business model, rather than redefining your pitch for each and every investor. Being genuine to potential investors may not win them all, but it will help you get investors that truly understand your goals.Embrace Constraints: Embracing constraints can drive innovation and sharpen focus. Working with limited resources often leads to more efficient and effective outcomes, rather than spreading too thin with excess resources.Quote of the Show:
âIf you're trying to bend your business to fit what an investor wants, that's a really slippery slope.â - Nathan RosenstockLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rosenstock/ Website: https://craftydelivers.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Crafty
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This episode features Ryan Westwood, the Chairman and CEO of Fullcast, discussing his career and the strategies behind growing successful businesses. Ryan, who has been involved with nearly 100 companies, shares insights from his experience at Simplus, which he grew to over $650 million in revenue before its acquisition by Infosys.
He emphasizes understanding customer personas and the importance of one-on-one interactions in driving business success. Ryan also shares his approach to fundraising, building the right team, and navigating the challenges of scaling a business. He advocates for deep customer understanding, sticking to a defined ideal customer profile (ICP), and the strategic use of AI in RevOps.
Takeaways:
Jump Right In: Don't hesitate to dive into challenges head-on. Taking decisive action is often the first step toward finding effective solutions.Identify High-Impact Areas: Focus on areas that have the biggest impact on your organization. Itâs important to prioritize tasks and projects that drive the most significant results.Value One-on-One Time: Prioritize precious one-on-one time with your team. Personalized attention can foster stronger relationships and address individual needs more effectively.Deliver Consistently: Consistent delivery of work and results builds trust and reliability within your team and with stakeholders. Ensuring that you follow through on your commitments is a great way to build loyalty.Communicate Often: Regular communication is key. Whether it's calling individual team members or holding regular meetings, keep the lines of communication open to ensure everyone is aligned.Focus on Direction, Not Speed: While speed can be important, it's more crucial to ensure that your team is moving in the right direction. Align on goals and ensure everyone is headed toward the same objectives.Quote of the Show:
âIt's so important that as an entrepreneur, we're humbleâŠAnd I think a lot of entrepreneurs lose precious years because they don't ask enough questions.â - Ryan WestwoodLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwestwood/Website: https://www.fullcast.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Fullcast
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In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Minshew, Co-Founder and former CEO of The Muse, to discuss her journey in the tech and entrepreneurship space. She shares her experiences from fundraising challenges and building a team to the crucial leadership lessons she learned along the way.
Kathryn emphasizes the importance of being comfortable with making unpopular decisions and the impact of integrating experienced executives into a growing company. She also delves into her recent adventures in advising companies, investing in Broadway shows, and potentially planning her next entrepreneurial venture.
Takeaways:
Accept That Not Everyone Will Support Your Choices: As a leader, you may have access to information that others donât, which can lead to misunderstandings. Focus on acting with integrity and staying true to your values.Encourage Open Dialogue but Know When to Decide: Foster a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing dissenting opinions. However, there comes a time when you must make the final decision and stand by it.Continuously Reevaluate Leadership Approaches: Regularly assess and refine your leadership strategies. Engage with diverse perspectives through reading, mentoring, or coaching to enrich your approach.Adopt a Collaborative Mindset: Effective leadership involves seeking advice and fostering collaboration. Welcoming external insights can enhance your decision-making and strengthen your teamâs capabilities. Learn from Setbacks: Challenges and failures can offer valuable lessons. Use feedback from rejections or setbacks to improve your methods and strategies for future success.Quote of the Show:
âI think culturally we often still want women to be women. Really caring, really kind, really likable⊠but I also have to make hard calls to run a business. People punish women more when they perceive those things are in conflict.â - Kathryn MinshewLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-minshew/ Twitter: https://x.com/kminWebsite: https://www.kminshew.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kminshew/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
How can predictable schedules, clear expectations, and a learning mindset boost company performance, strategic success, and leadership effectiveness? In this weekâs episode, we dive in with the leading pioneer of unified interaction management, Dan Michaeli, Co-Founder and CEO of Glia, and explore his 12-year journey.
Michaeli emphasizes the importance of predictable schedules and clear expectations in driving company performance and executing strategic objectives. The discussion also covers his growth as a CEO, his approach to hiring and building an executive team, and lessons learned in sales and disrupting an industry. He shares personal insights on maintaining a learning mindset, staying sane amidst challenges, and the importance of continual adaptation in business.
Takeaways:
Fostering a Learning Mindset: Embrace a mindset that prioritizes identifying and filling knowledge gaps through diverse resources. Proficiency and situational awareness in various domains can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness.Leverage Immediate Application for Learning: Utilize real-time opportunities to apply newly acquired knowledge. This experiential approach reinforces learning and builds proficiency.Importance of Executive Search and Hiring Power: Consistently dedicate time and effort to personally source and recruit top talent. Engaging directly with candidates as a CEO can significantly boost response rates and attract high-caliber individuals.Adapting and Rebranding for Growth: Be prepared for rebranding as part of your company's evolution. Rebranding, coupled with a strategic refocus and fundraising, can catalyze significant growth and redefine market positioning..Communicating and Managing Change: Use established business rhythms to introduce and manage changes. Connecting change to regular and predictable events helps in gaining team buy-in and maintaining organizational agility and clarity.
âThe first step is really understanding what the gaps in your knowledge are, and then it's really driving to plug those gaps as effectively as possible.â - Dan Michaeli
Quote of the Show:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmichaeliWebsite: https://www.glia.com/
Links:Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is someone whoâs been building and selling successful companies for 25 years. A well-known and widely respected name in the SaaS community, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder and CEO of G2, Godard Abel.
Godard joins host David Politis to discuss his journey building multiple successful businesses. Godard examines the importance of having the right co-founders, the benefits of a dialed-in team, as well as struggles when scaling a business. He delves into fundraising experiences and managing leadership transitions.
The importance of trusted co-founders. Having co-founders that are equally committed to bringing the company vision to life helped motivate Godard to continue with G2âs mission.Getting off the ground with reviews. After putting out G2âs alpha, Godard relied on receiving reviews at events like Dreamforce. They eventually started putting QR codes at the end of keynotes and handing out hoodies to gain thousands of new reviews. Struggles with Silicon Valley. G2 struggled to gain investors initially, unsuccessfully pitching themselves to investors in California. It wasnât until they focused on local Chicago opportunities that significant investments were made into G2.Indirectly flooding Accel. Entrepreneurâs pitch Accel for fundraising started including G2 Grids in their decks en masse. This constant visibility got Accel to see the value in G2 and brought Godard back from Salesforce to scale the company. Giving executives space to operate. While he still has consistent communication and 1 on 1s, Godard is a firm believer of giving executives freedom and responsibility within their roles.Patience when hiring executives. David and Godard agree that rushing an executive hiring process is one of the easiest ways to hire the wrong person. Taking the time to find the right match, even if you have to wait for an individual, is worth the time.
Takeaways:Quote of the Show:
âI'm not like imposing my operating ideas on them, but I wait for them to come and ask. And then I try to be a good advisor, you know, but I let that be they pull⊠versus me pushing.â - Godard AbelLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/godardabelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godardabel/Website: https://www.g2.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor that has invested in over 40 companies. He is one of the best when it comes to connecting people, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder and CEO of Hunt Club, Nick Cromydas.
Nick joins host David Politis to discuss his journey from a collegiate tennis player to a tech entrepreneur. Nick examines the importance of hiring curious and passionate people, as well as the importance of transparency. He delves into his innovative all-hands meetings and how they evolved over time.
Takeaways:
Entrepreneur from the start. Nick had been an entrepreneur his whole life. He started reselling tennis equipment as a kid, then built an online platform to connect college athletes and alumni, and now is a Co-Founder of one of the largest leadership search firms in the world.A culture of asking questions. Hunt Club has been able to establish a monthly all-hands meeting dedicated to transparency, allowing the rest of the company to share their successes and perspectives, and open and honest communication within the company.Leading with curiosity. Nick has found that many in the executive search industry donât come from a solutions oriented background. When hiring for their team, they prefer to hire someone who is curious and willing to better understand the problem in front of them.Having a passion outside of work. If an employee was ever passionate about something outside of their work, a good leader should work to recreate that passion for something in the business. Nick actively looks for passions when hiring new employees.Bouncing back from rejection. The economic effects of the pandemic killed an acquisition deal of Hunt Club and caused an 80% loss in revenue shortly after. They were able to cut leadership compensation, cut costs, and capitalize on the new and unique deals to be exceeding goals a few months later.Speed to resiliency. The time it takes to get over issues gets shorter as time goes on. What took weeks to get past when you start your business could take minutes to get over in the future.Quote of the Show:
âIf you donât really build a culture where people are comfortable asking a really hard or direct question, or asking something that they donât know, itâs impossible to actually close the gap on what you're trying to build together.â - Nick CromydasLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/nickcromydas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cromydas/Website: https://www.huntclub.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is an entrepreneur with a passion for getting people into the tech industry. With over a decade spent trying to improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder and CEO of Pursuit, Jukay Hsu.
Jukay joins host David Politis to discuss his journey helping people get jobs in tech. Jukay examines the importance of having a mission-driven team, the challenges of going remote, and the importance of communal activity. He delves into adapting to change and how he sees AI affecting the workplace.
Takeaways:
Helping people earn more. Pursuit's fellowship program helps individuals transition from low-wage jobs to successful careers in tech, increasing the average income of their fellows from $18,000 before Pursuit to over $90,000 at their first job after Pursuit. The impact of a mission-driven team. Pursuitâs mission is not one that can be achieved easily. Finding and hiring team members that share the same mission as Jukay helps keep his employees motivated and makes the payoff after successes even greater for all involved.Ease and struggles of going remote. While many were able to easily transition into a remote environment during Covid-19, some fellows asked to remain in person as they do not have the ability to continue from home. Jukay highlights how important it is to understand how much access to technology their community has outside of Pursuit.Technology changing industries. Jukay saw how technology was actively changing industries all over. He chose to focus his business on technology in order to make as big of an impact as he could.The need to veto experts as CEO. CEOs will often get guidance or opinions from many stakeholders before making decisions. It is important to remember that a stakeholderâs expertise in one field wonât always translate to a similar field or situation.People and AI. Jukay shares his thoughts on AI being introduced into the workplace. He points out that AI is just a tool and that people skills and problem solving in a business setting will be necessary no matter how much technology changes.Quote of the Show:
âIt doesn't feel like work. It just feels like things I'm interested in and care about, and solving things.â - Jukay HsuLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/jukayhsu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jukay/Website: https://www.pursuit.org/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is an entrepreneur with a work ethic that is second to none. Dedicating himself to helping SaaS companies grow and supporting founders, this guest is none other than the founder and CEO of SaaStock, Alex Theuma.
Alex joins host David Politis to discuss his journey building the largest SaaS community in the world. Alex examines the importance of having an executive coach, the benefits of growing your community, and the risks of a founder led business. He delves into the significance of hiring a mission-driven team and how SaaStock overcame Covid-19.
Takeaways:
The Impact of an executive coach. Alex spent much of his early time in SaaStock helping other entrepreneurs, but wasnât helping himself in the same way. Having an executive coach allowed him to navigate the company through Covid-19 and grow to be a better leader.Community building first. SaaStock started as a collection of blogs, podcasts, and chat groups dedicated to supporting founders. It wasnât until he received overwhelming support and a desire for more that the conferences began and a business formed around it.Growing into the future. In addition to the conference, SaaStock has begun expanding to better fill the needs of founders. This includes a membership to build a SaaS focused YPO and a fund to help support founders financially as well.Risks of a founder led business. When a founderâs identity is closely attached to the business, the overall impact and growth potential of that business is at risk if the founder decides to step away.Building a mission-driven team. The work that SaaStock does, especially in events, is both hard and rewarding. Having a team that is motivated by that reward and aligns with company values is crucial in building a successful team.Overcoming Covid-19. Covid-19 brought in-person events to a halt and threatened the stability and cash flow of SaaStock. They were able to quickly pivot and became one of the first start-up events to hold a virtual conference, running for two days to capture the global community.Quote of the Show:
âWhen you're there and you see the smiles on the faces and you see the value that people are getting from it, it does energize you.â - Alex TheumaLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/alextheuma LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextheuma/ Website: https://www.saastock.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is an entrepreneur who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit through his journey of founding and selling four successful companies. This illustrious guest is none other than the founder and CEO of Spiff, and now Senior Vice President of Product at Salesforce, Jeron Paul.
Jeron joins host David Politis to discuss his extensive career, including selling his latest company to Salesforce. Jeron examines the importance of assembling a high-quality executive team, the benefits and challenges of using headhunting firms, and the vital role of maintaining close involvement with the product. He delves into the significance of engineers understanding their CEOâs expectations and the advantage of involving investors in key search processes.
Takeaways:
Build a strong executive team. It is crucial to have the right people in the right positions at the senior level. Leaders should focus on assembling and nurturing their executive team for overall company success.Balance short-term necessity with long-term fit. While it can be tempting to rush hires out of necessity, itâs critical to find the right fit for long-term success. Investing time upfront saves future complications.Get deeply involved in product development. Have a hands-on approach in the early stages of product development to ensure that the foundation is robust and scalable. Leaders should understand their products at a deep level to guide their teams effectively.Navigate investor and acquirer relationships. Establishing early connections with potential investors and acquirers on your terms can position your company favorably for future exits or acquisitions.Understand the importance of a partner in search firms. The success of using a search firm is often attributed more to the individual partner you work with than the firm itself. Leaders should seek firms with robust networks and partners who are highly regarded.Ask for personal feedback. Leaders should be prepared for and open to constructive feedback, even when itâs tough. Developing self-awareness and humility is key to personal and professional growth.Maintain work-life balance. Despite the challenges, leaders need to strive for a balanced approach to work and family life. Recognizing the need for presence at home can be just as important as business success.Quote of the Show:
âCompanies can be bought or sold. You want to be bought. You don't want to be sold.â - Jeron PaulLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/jerondanielpaul LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeron-paul-35824/ Website: https://spiff.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week is an entrepreneur who is passionate about combining good taste and good for you ingredients. This leader in the good for you sweets industry is none other than Founder and CEO of Sweet Lorenâs, Loren Castle.
Loren joins host David Politis to discuss their journey from surviving cancer in her early 20âs to being sold in over 25,000 supermarkets. Loren reflects on how her experiences led her to focus on creating sweets that tasted good, didnât make you feel bad after eating them, and were available to those with gluten or other food allergies. Discover her insights for creating a strong core product, the importance of product quality, and the tactical brand impact of maintaining high standards.
Takeaways:
The impact of quality. Sweet Lorenâs is an allergen free brand, so mitigating health and safety risks is their top priority. By investing in and maintaining the quality of their allergen free food, they built a trust with their customers.Standing out in the crowd. Loren had to stand out among a sea of thousands of competing products. This drove her to focus heavily on conveying her productsâ top selling points on their packaging design.Make it easy for your customers. Customers in the modern market demand excellence, so it is important to both provide excellence and make it as easy for the customer as possible to implement your product into their lives.Importance of standing by your brand. When a supplier sent a large order of contaminated flour, Loren made the decision to not compromise on her brandâs integrity and took a loss for not using any of that contaminated shipment.The importance of mentorship. Sweet Lorenâs took off from day 1 and she quickly realized how overwhelming it could be. Having business mentors allowed her to be vulnerable about herself and the business and get constructive feedback to boost her confidence.Creating a strong core product first. Many in the food industry expand into new items within a few years, but Loren took 9 years to cement herself in the cookie dough market before exploring other product offerings.Building a team. Having a second daughter made her realize how important having a capable team around her was. Hiring a president allowed her to focus on what she was good at and step away if needed to without impacting the day to day of the business.Quote of the Show:
âHonestly the bigger our customer base gets, the more passion I get about it because the more we have people saying you've changed our lives.â - Loren CastleLinks:
Twitter: https://x.com/LorenBrillLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-brill-castle-56887121/Website: https://sweetlorens.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast -
Joining the show this week are two individuals who embody the idea of perseverance and grit, whoâve bootstrapped their way to become a leader in the electronic waste industry. This dynamic duo is none other than Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Revivin, John Fazzolari and Anthony Serina.
John and Anthony join host David Politis to discuss their journey from storage unit offices to industry leaders. John and Anthony reflect on how their upbringings affected their entrepreneurial mindsets and their struggles to find product market fit. Discover their insights for creating a strong office culture, building and maintaining customer relationships, and the impact of staying bootstrapped throughout their growth.
Takeaways:
A companyâs values evolve as the company continues to develop. You should have your values written down and communicated to everyone, but expect them to change over time. Donât let rejection slow you down. Instead, use it as motivation to keep going. John and Anthony faced plenty of rejection when starting out, but they persisted and found their place in the market without significant support.Bootstrapping provides freedom to grow your company how you want. John and Anthony werenât able to secure funding, and if given the chance they prefer the freedom that it provided as there are no boards to answer to when making big decisions.Having a marathon mindset can be a great help to push through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Building a business doesnât always go exactly how you expect, so focus on your goalâs destination rather than how you get there.Making Co-CEOs work isnât for everyone. While most contemporaries have advised against it, John and Anthony have known each other for decades and were able to split duties while staying aligned on the same overall goal to become successful Co-CEOs.When youâre starting out, go the extra mile to build relationships with your clients. Show them you care and that their feedback is valuable, as it can lead to customer loyalty.Quote of the Show:
âGreat companies have been built without capital, but not without people.â - John Fazzolari âNo matter how much we communicate something, we could always communicate more of it.â - Anthony SerinaLinks:
Johnâs Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fazzAnthonyâs Twitter: https://x.com/antserinaJohnâs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-fazzolari-5b94b62b/Anthonyâs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-serina-ba656121/Website: https://www.revivn.com/Ways to Tune In:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast - Mostrar más
