Episodes
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Kieran Donovan is the Founder and CEO of k-ID, a company dedicated to protecting children and teens online. Earlier this year the company raised a 45mUSD Series A round led by A16Z and Lightspeed Venture Partners. With a background in privacy law, Kieran combines his expertise with a commitment to creating age-appropriate online experiences.
On this episode we talk about:
Challenges of trust and safety in digital spaces for kidsHow traditional controls often fall short of creating safe online spaces for children.Why parent involvement is critical in creating positive online experiences for kids.Insights on navigating legal, ethical, and technical challenges in the trust and safety space.How advancements in AI and tech can support safer digital environments.==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Mathias Eklof is a Swedish impact entrepreneur and investor with Hype Ventures. He has remained steadfast in supporting Ukrainian founders as war continues raging on in Ukraine. Since his last appearance on the show in 2022, he has been spending considerable time in Kyiv and with his military background being able to offer unique insights into Ukraine’s tech and investment scene during this critical period. More recently Mathias has co-founded a new higher education product called Pareto School, which offers an alternative to traditional business education.
On this episode we talk about:
Applying the 80/20 Pareto principle in life and businessReimagining business educationThe role of AI and skillful prompting in educationThe power of cohort-based learningListen to the first part of this recording discussing building companies in wartime Ukraine on the previous episode from this Tuesday!
Listen to the 2022 recording with Mathias on episode 70: https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/70-mathias-eklof-hypeventures
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Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Missing episodes?
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Mathias Eklof is a Swedish impact entrepreneur and investor with Hype Ventures. He has remained steadfast in supporting Ukrainian founders as war continues raging on in Ukraine. Since his last appearance on the show in 2022, he has been spending considerable time in Kyiv being able to offer unique insights into Ukraine’s tech and investment scene during this critical period. More recently Mathias has co-founded a new higher education product called Pareto School, which offers an alternative to traditional business education.
On this episode we talk about:
The mood on the ground in Kyiv tech sceneChallenges with mobilization and “booking”Investing when founders and key people can be mobilizedGrowth of Ukrainian DefenseTech sectorListen to the second part of this recording discussing the future of education on the next episode this Thursday!
Listen to the 2022 recording with Mathias on episode 70: https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/70-mathias-eklof-hypeventures==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on dealing with self-delusion and self-awareness:
Defense mechanisms like denial keep people from recognizing uncomfortable truths about themselvesThe importance of self-awareness in understanding personal thoughts, emotions, and behaviorsJournaling of thoughts and feelings and regular self-talk can help with self-awareness
Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani is the co-founder of Mindvalley, a life transformation platform with a following of 20 million, as well as a writer, speaker, mother and philanthropist. She is one of the most successful businesswomen in Estonia. Kristina has set her mission to help people heal their most important relationship in life - the relationship with self. To achieve this, Kristina has recently released her new book called “Becoming Flawesome” and the book has become the No. 1 bestseller in the US on the lists of the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.Listen to the full conversation with Kristina here on Episode 131:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/131-kristina-mand-lakhiani
===============Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Uve Poom is the Head of Operations at Tenity Tallinn - one of the 6 hubs in Tenity's international ecosystem. Tenity is a global fintech accelerator and VC. In addition to advising startups in Tenity's portfolio, he also works with financial and state institutions to drive their innovation agendas. Uve firmly believes in building ecosystems and leveraging the strength of weak ties. Before completing his MA at Stanford, Uve spent 5 years as CEO of the Unitas Foundation (founded by 2x Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar) and as a fundraising consultant at Civitta, a leading independent management consulting firm in the Baltics and CEE.
On this episode we talk about:
Building an Ecosystem for FinTech and Climate FinanceFundraising Landscape in 2024Traits of a Standout FinTech CompanyBest Practices for Founders in Building and Maintaining Investor RelationshipsThe Role of ESG and Climate FinTechOpportunities and Challenges in Neo-Banking and Digital Lending==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on focusing on what differentiates successful content creators:
Focusing on quality/engagement of the audience not the sizeFinding your X-factor and the true authentic selfAvoiding mimicking other creatorsElvis Kruze is the founder of Eksplodemedia - a content creation strategy and execution agency. Elvis has helped his clients get over 1Bn views in the past 2 years on social media. He is working with famous YouTubers such as Mike Thurston and runs an agency that specializes in helping brands, influencers & entrepreneurs produce consistent short form content to grow organically.
Listen to the full conversation with Elvis here on Episode 173:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/173-elvis-kruze
===============Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Andreas Helbig is a partner at Atomico, one of Europe’s leading venture capital firms, focusing on B2B SaaS, vertical SaaS, and B2B marketplaces. With extensive experience in the tech and investment space, Andreas leads Atomico’s coverage in the Nordic and Baltic regions, helping to drive innovation and scale in some of Europe’s most promising startups. One of Europe's Venture capital juggernauts, Atomico announced a massive $1.25 Bn raise across 2 funds just a month ago.
On this episode we talk about:
How AI is transforming businesses and why founders need a clear AI strategy.Atomico’s $1.2 Billion FundWhy startups without AI can still be attractive to investors and how to stand out.The importance of founder-investor relationships and how they can impact success.The differences between the US and European tech ecosystems and their potential.Insights into how startups can scale efficiently and manage the challenges of growth.==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on focusing on the key principles of successful B2B sales:
How to Apply "Sell, Demo, Build" philosophyIncrease FOMO, reduce FOMU (Fear of Messing Up)Decide if you are selling reduced costs or increased revenueKalev Kaarna is a Mentor at Creative Destruction Lab and recently became ex-VC at Superangel where for the past 5 years Kalev operated as an investor and startups coach two in one. Kalev has specialized in propelling early-stage software and deep-tech startups to significant growth, with a keen focus on AI/ML, robotics, logistics, mobility, and SaaS B2B sectors. His prowess in guiding startups through initial challenges, especially in the Nordics and Baltics, is marked by his success in leading Superangel's accelerator program, where 33 startups collectively raised €40M.
Listen to the full conversation with Kalev here on Episode 146:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/146-kalev-kaarna
===============Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Ervins Grinfelds is the Co-founder of TestDevLab, a leading quality assurance and software testing service provider that works with global tech giants such as Microsoft, Zoom, and Twilio. TestDevLab has grown from a small startup to a company with more than 500 employees, all without external funding. Ervins is passionate about ensuring that software products meet the highest quality standards, and he brings invaluable insights into the importance of trust, scaling a service business, and the role of quality assurance in the tech ecosystem.
On this episode we talk about:
Why founders often only turn to QA when s%&t hits the fanHow TestDevLab expanded from a small team to a company with over 500 employees and global clientsThe balance between people-driven services and product-based scalabilityHow to ensure trust and reliabilityHow TestDevLab has managed to remain profitable and grow without external investment.==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on focusing on the US market for B2B startups:
US companies are more innovative and have larger budgetsSilicon Valley still beats all other hubsHow good investors can push founders to take bold betsKaan Eren is a Principal at 500 Emerging Europe, the Istanbul-based arm of the 500 Global organization. The team in Europe has recently raised its second fund and is boasting several unicorns among its investments. Kaan concentrates on the Eastern and Central European regions, with a particular focus on the Baltics. Before his current role at 500, Kaan had a successful career in investment banking, after which he transitioned to the dynamic world of startup investing.
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/142-kaan-eren
Listen to the full conversation with Kaan here on Episode 142:
===============Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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Rokas Peciulaitis is the Founder and Managing partner of Contrarian Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in climate tech investments across Europe and Israel. With a background in trading and finance, Rokas brings a unique perspective to venture investing. His firm focuses on backing ambitious founders tackling climate change with innovative business models and sustainable solutions.
On this episode we talk about:
Why climate tech investing is difficultScaling ClimateTech startupsHow to build companies that create both economic and environmental valueAttracting scientists and technologists to build impactful solutions How artificial intelligence can accelerate ClimateTech==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on the frugal culture that has helped the company grow into a unicorn. This was recorded during the fundraising craze when profitability was not a VC expectation across the board, but now it is:
How to remain frugal after raising hundreds of millionsPractical tips for measuring ROI of different activitiesMartin Villig is a Co-Founder of Bolt, one of the most widely known Estonian unicorns and a global leader in modern mobility. Martin has been an entrepreneur for more than 20 years and is an integral part of the Estonian startup community. In recent years, he has been especially active in social impact projects with such initiatives as coding school kood/Johvi and the Good Deed Education Fund for solving acute problems in the education sector.
Listen to the full conversation with Martin here on Episode 44:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/44-martin-villig
===============Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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The support for this episode comes from Leadfeeder - turn anonymous pageviews into concrete sales pipeline.
Imagine knowing which companies are checking out your site, tracking their behavior on your site, and integrating all this into your CRM.
That’s exactly what Leadfeeder does for you. Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe for a FREE demo and get a FREE EXTENDED premium trial by mentioning the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast.
Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe
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Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini are co-founders of Black Unicorn PR, an agency specializing in helping tech companies reach global media and audiences. With extensive experience working with such companies and friends of the show as Klaus, Nordigen, INZMO, eAgronom and Startupwiseguys, Julia and Mauro have become experts in building trust, awareness, and brand equity for early-stage companies.On this episode we talk about:
The importance of PR for startups and how it builds trust and brand equityBasic PR “hygiene” for startupsCommon misconceptions about PRNewsworthiness: What makes a story attractive to journalistsStrategies for startup founders to do their own PR before hiring an agencyHow PR can support fundraising efforts and enhance a company’s reputation==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an insight from our previous conversation on combining entrepreneurship with investing as well as investment principles:
Be mindful of not working on problems in stagnant marketsThere needs to be good chemistry between founder and investorAllan Martinson is a legendary Estonian entrepreneur and investor with a rich history in technology and media. Starting his entrepreneurial journey in the early '90s, he founded the Baltic News Service, a pivotal news agency in the Baltic region. Martinson's career spans across various roles, including key positions at Starship Technologies and Xolo. With over two decades of investment experience, he has significantly contributed to the Baltic tech ecosystem, fostering innovation and growth.
Listen to the full conversation with Allan here on Episode 156:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/156-allan-martinson===
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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The support for this episode comes from Leadfeeder - turn anonymous pageviews into concrete sales pipeline.
Imagine knowing which companies are checking out your site, tracking their behavior on your site, and integrating all this into your CRM.
That’s exactly what Leadfeeder does for you. Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe for a FREE demo and get a FREE EXTENDED premium trial by mentioning the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast.
Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe
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Silver Laus and Siim Raadik are the founders of Shroomwell, an innovative Estonian company dedicated to harnessing the power of functional mushrooms and fungi to improve human health and the environment. With over a decade of experience in the mushroom industry, Silver and Siim have become pioneers in producing high-quality, scientifically backed mushroom-based wellness products. They are passionate advocates for the potential of mushrooms not only to enhance cognitive function and immunity but also to create sustainable, eco-friendly solutions that could significantly impact industries ranging from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. Shroomwell combines the wisdom of ancestors with modern-day science and run farms in Estonia, Sweden and USA covering an area of over 700 hectares, that’s 2x size of central park in New York.On this episode we talk about:
The role of mushrooms in enhancing human health and productivity.The environmental impact of fungi and their potential to address issues like pollution and climate change.The underappreciated importance of mushrooms in the global ecosystem and why they are gaining popularity.Key challenges in the functional mushroom industry, including quality control and regulation.The science behind various types of mushrooms and their specific benefits (e.g., Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi).Scaling mushroom-based innovations for global environmental sustainability.Use promo code: POS20 to get 20% off your first purchase at https://shroomwell.com==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an excerpt from our previous conversation with Taavet Hinrikus on brave early stage building decisions and scrappy marketing tactics of Wise (Ex-Transferwise):
How to build trust when nobody knows your companyMaximizing marketing efficiency on low budgetsSwitching your mindset from waiting to doingTaavet Hinrikus is a partner at Plural, a VC investing in founders on a mission to change the world through technology. He co-founded the legendary Estonian unicorn Wise (initially Transferwise) in 2010, where he was CEO and later Chairman, which went public in the first-ever direct listing in Europe in 2021. Prior to that, Taavet was Skype’s Director of Strategy until 2008, starting as its first employee. He’s been an active investor supporting more than 100 companies globally. More recently he co-founded Jōhvi Coding School to help increase the number of people with coding skills in Estonia.
Listen to the full conversation with Taavet here on Episode 160:
Link to SpotifyLink to Apple Podcastshttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/160-taavet-hinrikus==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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The support for this episode comes from Leadfeeder - turn anonymous pageviews into concrete sales pipeline.
Imagine knowing which companies are checking out your site, tracking their behavior on your site, and integrating all this into your CRM.
That’s exactly what Leadfeeder does for you. Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe for a FREE demo and get a FREE EXTENDED premium trial by mentioning the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast.
Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe
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Nick McEvily is a seasoned entrepreneur and product strategist with a track record that speaks volumes. Backed by Mark Cuban and with over $40 million in venture funding, Nick has developed multiple top 5 ranked apps in the App Store and played a pivotal role in scaling one of his companies to become the #2 fastest growing software company in North America in 2023, according to Deloitte. With a deep expertise in finding and maintaining product-market fit, Nick’s insights on human-centered design, product obsession, and scaling businesses are invaluable to any aspiring entrepreneur.On this episode we talk about:
Defining and Achieving Product-Market FitHow to Recognize False Indicators of SuccessStrategies for Listening to UsersBalancing Data and Intuition in Product DevelopmentMaintaining Product-Market Fit Over TimeFostering a Culture of Experimentation and Risk-takingResources referenced in the episode:
Superhuman Product Market Fit framework - https://review.firstround.com/how-superhuman-built-an-engine-to-find-product-market-fit/Jobs to be done framework - https://jobs-to-be-done.com/jobs-to-be-done-a-framework-for-customer-needs-c883cbf61c90==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an excerpt from our previous conversation on the importance of validating your product before building it:
How to get ture validation for your productWhat is fake validationWhy you should not be afraid to do things manually at first
Martins Vaivars is the CEO and Co-founder of RivalSense, an AI-based tool designed to help businesses monitor their competitors. He is a serial entrepreneur, this being his fourth company, thus on top of practical AI software building knowledge, Martins also brings plenty of learnings from his previous startups.Listen to the full conversation with Frank here on Episode 169:
Link to Apple PodcastsLink to Spotifyhttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/169-martins-vaivars==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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The support for this episode comes from Leadfeeder - turn anonymous pageviews into concrete sales pipeline.
Imagine knowing which companies are checking out your site, tracking their behavior on your site, and integrating all this into your CRM.
That’s exactly what Leadfeeder does for you. Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe for a FREE demo and get a FREE EXTENDED premium trial by mentioning the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast.
Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe
====
Olesja Bondarenko is the Founder and CEO of Nanordica Medical, a cutting edge deep science medtech company developing wound dressings using nanotechnologies. The company recently raised 1.75mEUR from such investors as Superangel and Specialist VC and they have leapfrogged the long medtech time to revenue by launching a product for animals before shipping a product approved for human use.On this episode we talk about:
Introduction to Nanotechnology and MedtechChallenges of Building a Deep Tech StartupImportance of Regulatory and Business Development in MedtechFundraising and Communicating with InvestorsScientific Mindset vs. Business DevelopmentIterative Processes in Product DevelopmentResources referenced in the episode:
Book Traction by Gino Wickman - https://books.google.lv/books/about/Traction.html?id=88b51eSsiXgC&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=yNATO Innovation Fund - https://www.nif.fund/==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/
Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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This is an excerpt from our previous conversation on the importance of adjusting your personality to each sales prospect:
What AI tools you can use to prepare. Why mirroring is important. How much of it is natural and how much can be taught. How not to become creepy with the abundance of information available online.
Link to Apple PodcastsLink to Spotifyhttps://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/episodes/172-frank-sondors
Frank Sondors is a seasoned sales expert and the Founder and CEO of Salesforge. With over a decade of experience in the sales industry, Frank has honed his skills in helping businesses navigate the complex landscape of sales and distribution. Frank’s company, Salesforge, is at the forefront of this innovation, helping businesses streamline their sales processes and improve their email outreach. Salesforge is also one of the truly most Baltic startups - a company based in Estonia with founders from Latvia and Lithuania. They recently secured half a million in pre-seed funding, but even before that have managed to build their ARR to $1M with a team of just 4 people.
Listen to the full conversation with Frank here on Episode 172:==
Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTA
Connect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/
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