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The Startup Executive

The Startup Executive

By Grayson Faircloth

Are you a current or future leader at a startup / scale-up company? Tune into The Startup Executive to hear from current executives on what it takes to become an effective startup executive.

You'll hear from Founders, C-Suite Executives, and Venture Capitalists on their take on building startups and becoming the next great Startup Executive.
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The #1 Question That Will Fast Track Your Career Into a Leadership Role (with Sam Estes of Authenticx)

The Startup ExecutiveDec 20, 2022

00:00
41:17
The Vertical SaaS Bug + A Career Switch (w/ Nick Tippmann of TipTop Ventures)

The Vertical SaaS Bug + A Career Switch (w/ Nick Tippmann of TipTop Ventures)

Nick Tippmann's podcast episode delves into his rich entrepreneurial background, influenced by a family legacy of successful business ventures. His early foray into entrepreneurship began with a high school electronics business, which laid the foundation for his commerce skills. At Indiana University, he aimed to learn about starting substantial businesses, a journey that led him to the world of tech startups and venture capital. His pivotal experiences include witnessing family entrepreneurship, discovering tech startups in his senior year, and playing a significant role in the growth of Greenlight Guru in the medical device industry.


Nick's educational path took a turn when he chose to drop out of college, opting instead for self-education through influential blogs and books like "Venture Deals" and "The Lean Startup." He actively applied his learning by participating in startup weekends and joining the Brandery Accelerator, which provided valuable networking opportunities. After a period of reflection on his entrepreneurial experiences, Nick decided to join Greenlight Guru, leveraging his expertise in community building and growth marketing to contribute to the company's scaling efforts.


Throughout the episode, Nick shares personal preferences such as his love for ketchup over ranch, salsa over guacamole, and being a night owl. He has a penchant for coffee during all-nighters, enjoys concerts more than movies, and favors digital books, particularly audiobooks, over podcasts. Nick's career insights emphasize the synergy of learning with action, the strategic importance of networking, and the necessity of adaptability in the face of market realities. His story is a compelling example of the entrepreneurial spirit, continuous learning, and the importance of adaptability in the dynamic startup landscape.



[00:00-06:24] Nick Tippmann: Entrepreneurial Journey and Preferences

[08:17-12:08] Defining Moments in a Tech Entrepreneur's Journey

[12:38-13:39] Choosing a College Major with an Entrepreneurial Family Background

[16:02-17:36] Understanding the Genesis of Large Companies and Tech Startups

[17:54-20:41] Reflecting on the Early Realization of Entrepreneurial Ambitions

[21:37-25:20] Nick's Pivot from College to Startups and Self-Education

[25:51-27:11] Discovering Venture Capital and Self-Education

[27:13-28:07] Choosing Self-Education Over Formal Schooling

[28:21-31:46] Learning and Action: From Theory to Startup Experience[32:55-34:05] From Startup Weekend to Accelerator: A Founder's Journey

[35:33-36:18] Joining Antecs as the Business Lead through the Brandery

[36:18-37:54] Reflecting on a Transformative Six-Month Journey

[39:32-42:42] Reflecting on Early Entrepreneurial Challenges and Learning Experiences[42:42-44:00] Building a Media Company and Learning from Early Entrepreneurial Experiences

[44:00-44:35] Networking and Bootstrapping a Tech Media Startup

[50:14-54:09] GreenLight Guru's Vertical SaaS Strategy and Quality Management Software Evolution

[01:01:18-01:04:48] Tips for New Angel Investors

[01:07:34-01:11:01] Transition from Part-Time to Full-Time Investing

[01:12:00-01:12:30] Connecting with Support and Gratitude: A Conversation with Nick



Links:


Guest:

Nick Tippmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktippmann/


Co-hosts:

Grayson Faircloth:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/


Crystal Bell:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalbell-profile/



May 01, 202401:13:26
Dropout to C-Suite. The Power of Data, Marketing, and HUSTLE. (w/ Shawn Schwegman of CoContent.ai)

Dropout to C-Suite. The Power of Data, Marketing, and HUSTLE. (w/ Shawn Schwegman of CoContent.ai)

Shawn is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in startups and high-growth companies. He has held C-suite roles and has a rich history in sales, marketing, product, technology, strategy, and operations. His success is attributed to unconventional experiences rather than a formal education.


Shawn's career began with various jobs, including cooking and sales, before he found his passion in technology. He quickly rose through the ranks at PC Upgrades, leading to significant roles in tech startups. His transition to marketing at Overstock was pivotal, where he grew affiliate marketing revenue significantly and implemented data-driven strategies.


Shawn emphasizes understanding customer buying behavior and aligning marketing strategies accordingly. He advocates for rapid testing and learning from failures to refine marketing approaches. At Overstock, he used competitive intelligence and data analysis to drive growth, including using entire product categories as loss leaders to boost overall sales.


Over time, Shawn has learned the importance of empathy and celebrating team successes. He acknowledges the need for continuous improvement in his leadership and management skills.


Shawn co-founded DemandJump to help marketers make better decisions using data and competitive intelligence. The company initially focused on marketing attribution but pivoted to content optimization using AI, leading to successful outcomes like dominating search rankings for specific topics.


Time Stamps:


[00:00:09-00:00:51]  Introduction of Shawn Schweigman, his background, and what led him to his current success.


[00:03:23-00:04:07]  Shawn describes himself as a nerd and discusses his strengths in data analysis and technology.


[00:04:07-00:04:55]  Shawn talks about his current projects, Ulla and co-content.ai, and his passion for AI and marketing.


[00:05:05-00:06:21]  Shawn reflects on the different eras of his career, starting from his early 20s to his current focus on marketing and technology.


[00:07:06-00:09:45]  Shawn shares his diverse work experiences before entering the tech industry and the lessons learned from each job.


[00:10:01-00:14:04]  Shawn recounts his first job in the tech industry at PC Upgrades and his rapid career progression within the company.


[00:14:11-00:15:30]  Discussion on the importance of learning to sell and Sean's experience with sales in different roles.


[00:15:49-00:20:51]  Shawn's time at Overstock, his transition from CTO to VP of Marketing, and the strategies that led to significant company growth.


[00:21:06-00:22:09]  Shawn explains how he grew the affiliate marketing segment at Overstock and the importance of networking and deal-making.


[00:23:05-00:25:36]  Shawn discusses the use of competitive intelligence data in marketing and how it contributed to Overstock's growth.


[00:26:00-00:32:55]  Shawn's post-Overstock career, advising companies on growth, and the inception of DemandJump.


[00:33:30-00:39:06]  Shawn talks about the importance of personalization in marketing and how it varies depending on the context and audience.


[00:39:54-00:43:17]  Shawn reflects on his leadership style, the importance of celebrating success, and the evolution of his EQ.


[00:43:56-00:48:24]  The DemandJump era, the initial vision for the company, the challenges with attribution, and the pivot to content marketing with AI.










Apr 10, 202401:06:03
How Marketing and Culture Drive Real Enterprise Value (w/ Kyle Lacy of Jellyfish)

How Marketing and Culture Drive Real Enterprise Value (w/ Kyle Lacy of Jellyfish)

In this episode, Kyle Lacy's success in building world-class marketing organizations, authoring books, and transitioning to tech companies showcases his strategic vision and adaptability. His emphasis on leadership, mentorship, and innovative marketing strategies has been instrumental in driving his career forward. Kyle's ability to connect with audiences, foster strong relationships, and take calculated risks has set him apart as a thought leader in the industry. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring marketers and executives seeking to achieve success in their careers.


Time Stamps:

[00:03:12] Rapid Fire Fun Questions

[00:07:21] Extracurricular activities and passions.

[00:10:56] Ego-driven growth and learning.

[00:18:07] Personal branding and content production.

[00:20:15] Failing and finding success.

[00:25:06-00:25:17] Managing a content marketing team.

[00:29:18] Working across different time zones.

[00:36:14] Why Lessonly?

[00:42:20] Great marketing campaigns.

[00:43:02] Taking calculated marketing risks.

[00:47:43] Overcoming career failures.

[00:54:43] Marketing playbooks and brand voice.

[00:57:39] Building a strong professional network.










Mar 06, 202459:06
Lessons from 400+ Time Entrepreneur (Fred Cary of Idea Pros)

Lessons from 400+ Time Entrepreneur (Fred Cary of Idea Pros)

In this episode, Fred shares his journey from building a resume to building a legacy. Having started multiple successful companies and impacted the lives of thousands, Fred's goal is to make a difference in the lives of a billion people. The conversation covers various topics, including Fred's personal brand, his experiences with acquisitions and going public, and his approach to being a well-rounded startup executive. Tune in to learn from Fred's expertise and hear his answers to some pertinent questions.


Time Stamps:

[00:03:38] Fred’s Rapid Fire Round.

[00:07:01] Entrepreneurship and self-discovery.

[00:13:15] The reward of entrepreneurship.

[00:15:09] Perseverance and Entrepreneurship.

[00:19:24] Market analysis importance.

[00:23:26] Talking to investors effectively.

[00:28:01] Apple's emotional connection with consumers.

[00:31:03] Dog walking service growth.

[00:37:00] Pro-entrepreneurship and boxing.

[00:39:06] Perseverance in business.

[00:46:01] Dentistry innovation opportunities.

[00:49:51] Advice for young entrepreneurs.

[00:52:31] Where to find the book.


Links Mentioned:

IdeaPros website: IdeaPros.com

Fred Carey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialfredcary/








Feb 27, 202454:19
From Comic Book Dreams to Tech Reality with Mike Reynolds of InnovateMap

From Comic Book Dreams to Tech Reality with Mike Reynolds of InnovateMap

Throughout his childhood, Mike Reynolds had always been fascinated by comic books. He was not just an avid reader; he was also a budding artist, drawing superheroes and creating his own comic books. However, as he grew older, Mike realized that his passion for drawing was more a hobby than a career path.

His fascination for technology and business steered him towards a different path, leading him to pursue a degree in business and computer science at Purdue University. From there, he began his career in the tech industry during the boom of consulting in the late 90s, working at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and later at Aprimo.

In 2014, after nearly 15 years in product management, Mike founded Innovatemap, a company that helps businesses dream, design, and deliver meaningful software products. His journey from a comic book enthusiast to a tech visionary is a testament to his adaptability, passion, and relentless pursuit of knowledge and efficiency. Today, Mike continues to find ways to innovate and drive forward in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Show Highlights

02:26 Mike reveals his dislike for ketchup and preference for guacamole.

04:04 Mike shares his love for coffee and concerts.

05:12 Mike discusses his reading habits, favoring audiobooks and podcasts for efficiency.

06:22 Mike expresses his preference for podcasts over audiobooks.

07:10 Mike provides a brief background about himself, his family, and his journey into the tech industry.

08:38 The dream of becoming a comic book artist and how it evolved into a tech career.

10:00 Mike’s early career in tech consulting and how he was drawn to software over hardware.

13:52 Mike shares how he knew he wanted to go into tech, attributing it to his interest in business applications and software.

15:47 Grayson discusses how product management became a hot field during COVID.

16:02 Mike’s journey at Aprimo, starting as a software consultant.

17:10 Mike talks about his transition into product management, prompted by his natural instincts and feedback from the Aprimo team.

18:56 Importance of the product’s role in a company.

20:22 Mike discusses the genesis of InnovateMap and the decision to focus on digital products.

22:10 Mike explains the three components of a successful digital product: marketable, valuable, and usable.

24:15 Mike discusses how Innovatemap works with clients to create successful digital products.

26:38 Mike shares how Innovatemap grew organically through the success of the products they helped to create.

28:00 Mike talks about the challenges of managing a growing team and the importance of maintaining the company culture.

32:17 Mike discusses the formation of their early team and the importance of networking in business development.

33:42 Mike talks about the therapeutic and learning benefits he gained from networking.

36:16 Mike emphasizes the value of community and the importance of giving back.

38:36 The approach to balancing work and family life.

43:00 Mike highlights the significance of a founder's passion for the problem they're solving rather than the product itself.

48:26 Mike discusses the challenges faced by technical products in securing funding due to their focus more on the product than the problem it solves.

52:45 The importance of a founder's ability to effectively communicate their vision to their team.

54:16 The significance of having a compelling product narrative that clearly conveys the product's value is discussed.

56:55 Mike highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the target market and the problem the product is solving.

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Mike Reynolds on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-reynolds-innovatemap/

https://innovatemap.com/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/



Dec 14, 202301:07:31
The Importance of Purpose and Leadership (w/ Lauren James of Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation)

The Importance of Purpose and Leadership (w/ Lauren James of Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation)

Lauren James is the executive director of the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation (MDLF). She is a Hoosier by birth and choice, hailing from Bluffton, Indiana. Lauren pursued her college education at Ball State University and has had a diverse career, including internships at the Indiana State House, the Lieutenant Governor's Office, and the Indianapolis Colts and a number of roles at ExactTarget and Salesforce before joining MDLF.

Lauren is passionate about making a positive impact and is involved in various community organizations, including the United Way of Central Indiana and the Indiana Repertory Theater. She shares insights on relationship management and event marketing, highlighting the importance of building connections and creating memorable experiences. Mentorship has played an important role in her career, so she intentionally dedicates time to mentoring weekly. Ultimately, Lauren believes in the importance of purpose and passion in the professional world and shows up boldly and authentically in her career and in her community. Lauren concludes by discussing her goals for MDLF and the impact she hopes to make in the state of Indiana.

Show highlights:

4:43 A background on Lauren’s life

9:23 Don’t be afraid to become a beginner

13:53 Bringing passion into the professional world

22:55 What it’s like to have mentors

25:15 Learnings from the book “Atomic Habits”

27:24 Why it’s never too late to go for “it”

31:35 Doing a little bit of everything

39:39 There is always a platform where you can pour your passion into

48:42 Things that make an event special

51:35 Remembering and connecting with people

1:01:02 Advice to younger self


LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Lauren James on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenpetersenjames/

https://www.mdlfindiana.org/


Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

 

Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less - Book by Greg McKeown

Atomic Habits - Book by James Clear

Dec 06, 202301:03:19
How Politics, the Private Sector, and Non-Profit Service Roll-up into a Successful Technology Career with Emily Krueger of 16 Tech

How Politics, the Private Sector, and Non-Profit Service Roll-up into a Successful Technology Career with Emily Krueger of 16 Tech

The convergence of public policy, business, and non-profits offers a wealth of opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

Emily Krueger, CEO of 16 Tech Innovation District, shares her journey from working in the political arena to becoming a startup executive. She discusses the importance of being open to new opportunities and the value of having a broad range of experiences. Emily also highlights the role of government in supporting startups and the challenges and rewards of leading a nonprofit organization.

By embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, leveraging government support, and building vibrant startup ecosystems, we can create a future where innovation and community impact go hand in hand.

Show Highlights:

01:28 Emily's background and unique perspective as a tech entrepreneur's spouse

03:07 Emily's journey into the political arena

04:18 How Emily ended up working for Senator Lugar

10:04 Why Emily recommends pursuing grad school after professional experience 

11:46 The importance of considering function, industry, and geography in career pivots 

13:23 Working at Baxter Healthcare and managing Senator Lugar's reelection campaign

16:08 Transferable skills from government sector: adaptability, writing, customer service 

18:09 Learning from mentors, observing decision-making, and writing like Senator Lugar 

26:53 Why Emily joined LDI 

27:48 Variety of experiences for Emily at LDI 

30:09 Transition from chief of staff to 16 Tech’s executive role 

33:32 Entrepreneurial journey of 16 Tech

38:54 Importance of sustainable business models for non-profits

41:41 Engineering serendipity in the face of COVID

45:58 Government's role in helping startups develop and grow

54:49 Indianapolis' opportunities for young professionals to get involved

55:20 Traits that make an effective board member

57:52 How visibility changes the dynamic of being a startup CEO

58:08 CEO's role as chief storyteller and cheerleader

59:57 How to progress in a career at the intersection of public policy, business, and nonprofits 

1:01:40 Importance of seeking roles where you can have the largest impact

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Emily Krueger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilykrueger2010

Check out 16 Tech’s website: https://16tech.com/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ Email: grayson@sonamation.com   Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Nov 21, 202301:06:04
Creating and Scaling Successful Learning Programs (w/ Julien Clement of Workato)

Creating and Scaling Successful Learning Programs (w/ Julien Clement of Workato)


Technology and education are now inseparable, and Julien Clement, Director of Certification and Automation at Workato, shares the importance of continuous learning and education for personal and professional growth. He recalls his experience at HubSpot and the challenges of scaling the HubSpot Academy, emphasizing the need to balance quality and quantity in certification programs. 

Additionally, our guest talks about the effects of artificial intelligence on education, what is required to adjust to the shifting environment, and he offers insightful guidance on how being flexible and having a problem-solving outlook are essential for success in a scale-up business.

Show highlights:

1:25 How Julien started on his career

8:25 Seize every opportunity

13:49 Why HubSpot would invest in something that has no ROI

16:46 The people that make up HubSpot

25:02 HubSpot's higher education initiatives

27:24 The push backs that come with partnerships with higher ed

29:17 How to determine what viewers want to see in HubSpot

35:00 How to convince people to dig deep into learning

37:42 Creating a good product with your team

40:19 Challenges that come with scaling user base and goals

50:07 Keeping products up to date

56:44 Transitioning from HubSpot to Workato

1:04:24 Building content strategy in Workato

1:05:24 Big differences of Workato from HubSpot

1:08:40 Will AI replace basic admin works

1:13:50 Advice for people who want to pursue the education space

LINKS MENTIONED

 

Connect with Julien Clement on LinkedIn:

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julien-pierre-clement/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn:

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

 

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

 

Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin:

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/


Oct 18, 202301:16:42
Growing a B2B Media Startup to $50M+ in Revenue (with Zach Jones of TechnologyAdvice)

Growing a B2B Media Startup to $50M+ in Revenue (with Zach Jones of TechnologyAdvice)

In this episode, Zach Jones, the Chief Revenue Officer of

TechnologyAdvice, shares his journey from starting as an intern to becoming a C-level executive. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and outpacing the business. Zach discusses the growth of TechnologyAdvice, the acquisitions they have made, and their focus on owning and building audiences. 

Our guest also talks about the impact of AI, content, and SEO on their business and the importance of maintaining high-quality, relevant content.


With a background in B2B media, Zach has played a key role in TechnologyAdvice's expansion into a worldwide organization. He is passionate about providing better experiences for B2B tech buyers and helping them make informed technology purchasing decisions.

Show highlights: 

2:07 Zach Jones’ humble beginnings 9:45 Shifting focus to B2B  12:13 Zach’s journey from being an intern to a boss 17:35 The power of reading books and working hard 18:46 Sales is a numbers and effort game 21:04 Be diligent in using your time 23:55 Becoming productive remotely 25:57 Revenue equation explained 30:03 How Technology Advice grew over the past 10 years 37:36 What makes Zach's company unique 40:01 Audience development as the biggest function within the business 41:48 Balancing earning revenue and keeping the audience 45:20 How first-party data plays a direct impact on their business 47:54 Handling time and trust differences between clients 50:43 Bidding for better spots in the newsletter for more traffic engagement 53:27 How to keep subscribers closer 58:18 Venturing into localizing sites to cater to customer requests 59:49 How AI will affect business 1:01:34 Importance of having a growth mindset and say yes to opportunities

 

LINKS MENTIONED

 

Connect with Zach Jones on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joneszach/

 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

 

Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Oct 13, 202301:02:41
Lessons from a First-Time Founder with Mike Preuss of Visible.vc

Lessons from a First-Time Founder with Mike Preuss of Visible.vc

Leading a startup company is surely intimidating and comes with tons of ups and downs. But do non’t fear, as it also brings valuable life lessons and satisfying rewards you can use for a lifetime.

In this episode, Mike Preuss, CEO and founder of Visible, shares his journey as a first-time founder and the lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses his background in technology and entrepreneurship, his experience in the Orr Fellowship, and how he started Visible to solve the problem of investor-founder communication. Our guest also talks about the importance of trusting your gut as a founder, the value of building relationships with investors, and the key metrics investors care about when evaluating startups.

Visible is a platform that helps founders update investors, manage fundraising, and track KPIs in one place. Mike’s background in technology and entrepreneurship and experience as head of business development for Formstack taught him useful skills that he now uses in his own company. He is also passionate about helping founders succeed and has a deep understanding of the investor-founder relationship.

Show highlights:

1:33 Mike's humble beginnings

5:34 Orr Fellowship explained

12:30 Hustle and confidence as useful learnings

17:25 The advantages and disadvantages of B2B and B2C

22:57 How Visible grew over the past years

26:45 Advice to first-time time business founders

35:38 Changes in business products

37:30 Raising money as a start-up founder

42:25 Why you need to be educated about financing your company

47:39 Raising funds by frequently updating current investors

52:29 The proper way to communicate with investors

56:04 Early-stage companies are a team more than anything

57:50 Ways to pitch your team as a big strong suit for potential investors

1:03:19 Living with no regrets

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Mike Preuss on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpreuss/

Email: mike@visible.vc

Website: https://visible.vc/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/


Sep 27, 202301:05:23
How to Run, Scale, and Exit a Professional Services firm with Michael Burton, Stitch

How to Run, Scale, and Exit a Professional Services firm with Michael Burton, Stitch

What does it take to become a great CEO? No leader is perfect, but with an exceptional mindset, careful preparation, and the ability to utilize strengths and weaknesses, you can achieve success and inspire others.

In this episode, Michael Burton, CEO of Stitch, shares his background in building and scaling professional services businesses. He discusses the importance of being customer-facing and the value of a "Get things done" mentality in project management. Michael also emphasizes the need for a diverse team and the value of finding the right people to complement your weaknesses. 

Michael is an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in building and scaling professional services businesses. Burton describes his first job as a consultant at Baker Hill, where he worked on implementing technology solutions for banks and credit unions, as a valuable experience that gave him great exposure and allowed him to practice essential skills.

Our guest also walks us through his journey in transitioning from a project manager to a CEO and the challenges he faced in managing resistance to change. Michael also discusses the acquisition of Lev and the factors that contributed to its high multiple exits. He concludes by talking about Stitch and its focus on helping marketers get the most out of Braze.

Show highlights:

1:55 A little background on Michael's life

5:45 Project management experiences that helped him become successful

10:25 The misconception about CEOs

12:49 Camaraderie and your company's uniqueness can draw people to be on the same page as you

16:28 Invest time and resources in college graduates

20:55 Being "right in front of customers" as a driver to success

29:04 Significant wins that led him to the CEO position

34:40 Dealing with people as a newbie CEO

38:27 Know your strengths and weaknesses and find people to fill your gaps

43:33 Focusing on a specific niche is important

55:35 The good in having more competitors

58:07 Recruiting starts with company culture

1:00:54 Why services businesses are harder to get moving

1:06:10 Letting go of the responsibility of owning every decision 



Sep 22, 202301:10:40
From HR to CEO: Dawn Lively-Jenkin's Journey in the Startup Industry

From HR to CEO: Dawn Lively-Jenkin's Journey in the Startup Industry

In this episode, Dawn Lively-Jenkins, chief executive officer and co-founder of Fullstack, walks us through her over 11 years of experience in the human resources industry. She started her career working for a third-party management company that oversaw assisted living and nursing homes in Indiana. She then moved on to work for a professional employer organization (PEO), where she worked her way up to a co-director position.

In 2016, Dawn joined Developer Town as their HR lead, and in 2017, she started laying the groundwork for Fullstack PEO. Dawn is passionate about creating a positive and transparent work culture and helping businesses navigate the complexities of HR.

Our guest emphasizes the importance of culture and development in an organization and highlights the unique perspective that an HR background brings to the role of CEO. She also provides insights on managing HR during periods of rapid growth and offers tips for effective employee recognition and professional development.

Show Highlights:

00:42 Dawn's background

03:26 Becoming a CEO was not in her plan

13:20 What is a professional employer organization (PEO)

17:18 What a company should look for in a PEO

20:27 Managing human resources and the onboarding process

27:40 Getting to a certain mass before you have a culture to rely upon

31:14 Mixing friendship with business

34:06 The mistake she made as a PEO

38:28 Not everybody is meant to be a mentor

47:47 A proper approach to achieving continuous learning and professional development in a start-up business

53:53 Getting involved is essential

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Dawn Lively-Jenkins on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-lively-jenkins-she-her-hers-9558b08/

Website: www.fullstackpeo.com

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Sep 13, 202357:23
Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Technology with Brian Millis

Exploring the Intersection of Psychology and Technology with Brian Millis

How is psychology related to business? They both deal with understanding and building relationships with people.

In this episode, Brian Millis, a leadership consultant and the vice president of sales and marketing at ADVISA, talks about his education in psychology and liberal arts and how he stumbled into the software startup world. He also shares his experience managing a lab and conducting research on the effects of sleep deprivation on children's behavior and cognitive functioning. Brian reflects on the valuable skills he gained from his first job and why he decided not to pursue a Ph.D.

Brian looks back on his over 11 years of experience in the industry and how he worked with a wide range of clients to help them improve their leadership skills and create a positive work culture. He also emphasizes the value of building relationships and listening to customers in sales.

Our guest then explains his role at ADVISA and how the company helps struggling leaders become more effective in their roles. Brian highlights the significance of data in understanding and improving leadership practices.

Show Highlights:

00:43 A background on Brian's life13:18 The best salespeople have to be interested in what they're doing17:37 An unexpected career in Technology22:17 Transition from recruiting to SaaS25:35 Brain science meets business28:28 You have to connect to people on a human level32:06 Journey from an entry-level role to director of sales37:48 Success leaves clues; be a student of it41:50 Every step has been opportunistic53:48 Work culture is the byproduct of how people behave and what's normalized55:53 Building an intentional culture is not a quick fix01:07:51 The way you see things is just your perspective

LINKS MENTIONED*

Connect with Brian Millis on:

Advisa website: https://www.advisausa.com/team/brian-millis/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmillis/Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianmillis?lang=enWebsite: http://www.brianmillis.com/about-me.html

Check out Max Yoder’s book, Do Better Work at https://dobetterwork.com/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Aug 29, 202301:14:02
From Importing Bikes to Tech Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Success with David Kerr

From Importing Bikes to Tech Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Success with David Kerr

In this episode, David Kerr, managing director at Allos Ventures, a venture capital firm based in the Midwest, shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his high school days when he imported bikes from Italy to his experience running various businesses in his twenties. He then transitioned into the tech world and eventually became the CEO of Tinderbox, a software company that was later acquired.

David discusses the importance of knowing your risk profile and passion when starting or buying a business. He also emphasizes the value of building relationships and providing support to portfolio companies as a venture capitalist.

Business does not only revolve around numbers but also trust and connections. Here, you will get to know the value of patience, being proactive, and being intuitive in every step of your business career.

Show Highlights:

1:01 How David started his entrepreneurial journey

06:06 David's fascination with the enterprise of business

11:50 The pros and cons of running a business

16:00 Know your risk capital appetite before starting a business

21:21 Work with people you like and respect

27:50 People buy from people they trust

30:59 Artificial Intelligence's role in productivity

38:08 Be patient, raise your hand, and keep your eyes open

47:02 How to convince people to invest in your company

01:05:20 Value board meetings as strategy sessions

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with David Kerr on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kerr-9b0b501/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidckerr?lang=en

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/


Aug 02, 202301:06:07
Connecting the Dots: From Call Center to Sales Assembly with Tanner Lacey

Connecting the Dots: From Call Center to Sales Assembly with Tanner Lacey

How important is peer learning in sales training and development? It helps you build relationships that are crucial for your overall success.

In this episode, Tanner Lacey, head of New Member Sales at Sales Assembly, discusses the significance of establishing relationships and the value of go-to-market strategies. He also provides insights into sales commissions and the common mistakes companies make in their compensation plans. He also emphasizes the need for simplicity and transparency in commission structures.

Our guest has a background in early-stage startups and a passion for go-to-market strategies. He is dedicated to helping teams improve their sales skills and become more effective in their roles.

Tanner explains the different stages of startup growth and the challenges and opportunities that come with each stage. He highlights the importance of hiring the right people and building a strong team. Tanner concludes by discussing the role of partnerships in sales and the focus on relationship selling at Sales Assembly.

Show Highlights:

2:01 Tanner's family background

5:23 How Tanner's previous experience as a call center agent relates to his current job

9:30 How marketing helps in sales

19:25 You can crowdsource knowledge

21:32 The misconceptions about commissions

30:57 Growing pains are necessary

37:11 The upside of choosing a downgraded job title

46:37 What is foundational training?

52:41 How to assess business progression?

1:01:08 Selling learning and development

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Tanner Lacey on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanner-lacey/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Jul 22, 202301:04:07
How a College Dropout turned CEO revolutionized the Event Tech Industry (w/ Yarkin S of Socio)

How a College Dropout turned CEO revolutionized the Event Tech Industry (w/ Yarkin S of Socio)

Coming up with ideas is great, but executing is better. Yarkin Sakucoglu did both. He found the right people, launched Socio, failed a lot, constantly adapted to the needs of the business, and successfully merged with WebEx Events about 5 years later.

In this episode, we are excited to introduce Yarkin Sakucoglu, whose impressive accomplishments have earned him a spot on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list. Alongside Grayson and Crystal, he shares how he met co-founders, built a company at 19 years old, failed more times than he can remember, and found and gave mentorship along the way.


Show Highlights:

01:58: Recounting the story of migrating to a foreign country and meeting the co-founders 03:26: Describing how Socio was the first big break in entering the business world 04:19: Sharing childhood entrepreneurial experience of selling phone accessories in Turkey 06:59: Emphasizing that ideas are precious, but the execution is everything 10:12: Highlighting the importance of building an application and learning distribution as an essential part of running a business 12:35: Acknowledging the significance of listening to customers' needs to improve the product 14:11: Stressing the essence of having the right people to work with and build a business 20:27: Celebrating the progression in the development of one's business 25:21: Acknowledging the pressure of being a single child and chasing the dream 30:19: Discovering the benefits of email communication in reaching a wider audience for the business 33:14: Explaining the five central departments of the company 36:41: Describing the cycle of trying, messing up, learning, and having the right mentors to grow 40:39: Acknowledging that failure is a part of the job 45:45: Recognizing that a fresh approach can change things from the usual 48:34: Explaining the process of ROI and how to manage it better with data analysis 54:20: Sharing experiences of partnering with Cisco 58:35: Anticipating the things Yarkin looks forward to in his marketing venture 1:01:00: Listing the considerations to take into account when entering the business world


LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Yarkin Sakucoglu on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarkin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysakucoglu?lang=en

 

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Jul 12, 202356:15
Building a Scrappy ABM Mindset for yourself and your business (with Mason Cosby of Sales Assembly)

Building a Scrappy ABM Mindset for yourself and your business (with Mason Cosby of Sales Assembly)

What's the benefit of being the least knowledgeable person in a room? It exposes you to the greatest opportunities for learning in your career.

In this episode, Mason Cosby discusses the advantages of surrounding yourself with a diverse range of networks, which can eventually lead to finding your tribe. He also recommends intentionally building a network on LinkedIn by sending out connection requests to targeted accounts and writing one's own obituary to live life in a way that aligns with career goals.

Mason started as an account executive at a parenting magazine in Mississippi before transforming into a marketing director for a FinTech company in the B2B tech SaaS space. He emphasizes the importance of accountability and the lifetime value of a customer.

His journey wasn't as smooth as it sounds; he was laid off due to the pandemic. But he sees every setback as a chance to stand taller and grow stronger, and he shares how he spent his time self-educating to make himself more employable.


Show Highlights:

1:44 A background on Mason's business


4:21 The first job that led to Mason's growth as a marketer


7:55 You're held accountable for the lifetime of the customer
1

4:48 When Mason realized the importance of dedicating himself to self-education


20:15 Benefits of learning account-based marketing in the agency world


21:41 Difference between account-based and scrappy account-based marketing


23:08 ABM is not a strategy, it is a mindset


24:13 Why it's good to start your account-based program without any technology


34:31 The reason why sales and marketing are not aligned together


40:58 The 30, 60, and 90-day review with sales assembly


47:16 What should be the goal of every marketer in the first 90 days


48:13 Ways how to effectively track your success


52:10 Getting into the minds of people despite lack of experience as a CRO


56:14 How the LinkedIn community can help you find your tribe


58:55 The blessing of being the dumbest person in a group


1:08:10 Alternatives to starting a podcast and a script for how to reach out to cool people

1:14:14 Why it helps to start writing your obituary now


LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Mason Cosby on:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoncosby/


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmason

The Marketing Ladder Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-ladder/id1596462333

Hero on a Mission: A Path to a Meaningful Life by Donald Miller
:

https://www.amazon.com/Hero-Mission-Path-Meaningful-Life/dp/1400226945


Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/


Email: grayson@sonamation.com


Connect with Crystal Bell on:


https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Jun 15, 202301:12:51
The Startup Executive Welcomes New Podcast Co-host, Crystal Bell!

The Startup Executive Welcomes New Podcast Co-host, Crystal Bell!

Two minds are greater than one. With another voice and mind, more relevant topics could be explored and discussed, broadening the scope of our knowledge.  

In this episode of the Startup Executive Podcast, Grayson Faircloth introduces Crystal Bell as a new co-host, and they discuss their goals for the podcast, which include having conversations with guests about a wide range of topics, learning from their experiences, and helping guests share their stories at scale. They also emphasize the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives and learning from each other.

Crystal and Grayson have a "get-to-know-you" episode to introduce themselves and discuss their expectations and goals for the podcast. They will explore the concept of "micro mentors" and how everyone can learn from each other. They emphasize the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives, and how the podcast can help people achieve that.


Show Highlights:

01:18 Grayson and Crystal discuss the reason for bringing in a co-host

03:47  Starting the conversation by introducing themselves

07:36  Crystal shares her first reaction to being invited to be a part of the podcast

10:06  Setting goals and expectations for the future of the podcast

21:55  Highlighting people and values as an investment that makes the business run

26:03  Exploring their favorite food experiences and preferences

29:11  Swing big type of thing scenarios as business motivation

33:47  Grayson narrates the story of the IOS App Development

39:33  Understanding the boundaries over being a troublemaker

45:34  Crystal talks about the motive for majoring in Civil Engineering

47:48  The Journey of Water Quality Research and Camp Kelly

56:35  Mentoring in groups versus one-on-one

59:49  Leadership Camps and building friendships

1:04:20  Grayson and Crystal discuss what being a start-up executive means


LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Crystal Bell on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/ 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: grayson@sonamation.com


Jun 01, 202301:06:34
Building World Class Digital Communities and the Importance of Perseverance (with Matthew Volm CEO and Cofounder of Atomic)

Building World Class Digital Communities and the Importance of Perseverance (with Matthew Volm CEO and Cofounder of Atomic)

Have you ever wondered what makes people successful? It's their hard work and perseverance in the face of life's challenges. Rising above failure is the first step towards a new mission and vision for success.

In this episode, Matthew Volm, the CEO and co-founder of Atomic, will inspire us to reignite our ambitions and persevere in pursuit of our goals. He will share with us his first and current startups, adding to the collection of stories from his life journey.

Matthew shares his insights on how to bounce back from any setback. He'll encourage you to bet on yourself, while also highlighting the importance of nurturing both your professional and creative sides. You'll be inspired to pursue growth and progress in every aspect of your life.

Show Highlights

02:17 Matthew's path to accounting

05:43 Understanding finance and business operations

08:23 Embracing problem-solving and idea generation

16:29: The power of storytelling in marketing

20:21: Celebrating small and big wins along the way

23:45: The challenges of accepting new technology in the market

28:00: How to shut down a company

31:14: The challenge of transitioning from business owner to employee

32:34: Starting a new and better product aimed at the market

34:01: Explaining the rise of the new start-up

38:41: Reasons for starting a community to highlight content

44:05: Steps to start your own community

50:06: Listing the features of Slack that benefit users

54:34: The human element in handling a growing community

58:56: Building a community through targeted prospecting

1:01:27: How to get people to use product innovation

1:06:22: What Matthew would tell his younger self

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Matthew Volm and learn more about Atomic, head on to: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewvolm 

Website: https://www.onatomic.com/about 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

May 11, 202301:09:25
How to Activate your Untapped Network in Recruiting (with Scott Sinatra CEO and Co-founder of Bountiful)

How to Activate your Untapped Network in Recruiting (with Scott Sinatra CEO and Co-founder of Bountiful)

Are you looking to build an exceptional team? Effective recruitment and referral methods, it is highly possible to attract outstanding candidates.


In this episode, Scott Sinatra, CEO and Co-founder of Bountiful, inspires us to elevate our professional and personal capabilities. He shares his success story and how he was inspired to build Bountiful based on his own journey of referrals and recommendations.


Scott is optimistic about startups and he shares how he leveraged his own skills and experiences. He also guides us through the process of building a diverse and robust team of people who are not just looking for a job but also a company they are passionate about.


Show Highlights:

01:18 - Brief introduction about Scott's background

02:24 - Scott shares how he developed skills and connections with Parametric Technology Corporation.

04:32 - Scott talks about his experiences with Glassdoor and how it led him to work with LinkedIn.

10:15 - The difference between having a safety net and embracing innovation with various ideas is discussed.

15:35 - Scott shares his inspiration for diversifying homogeneous professional teams.

17:24 - Scott discusses the challenge of creating a great team within six degrees of separation.

23:34 - The big impact of the network effect in introducing diversity is emphasized.

27:25 - Scott explains how a company can be complementary to the market ecosystem.

30:59 - The power of scoring methodology for fast recruitment breakdown is explained.

44:06 - The cold start problem is identified as a core challenge in building a company network.

49:48 - Things to consider when thinking of starting a new company are discussed.

52:59 - Scott expresses his appreciation for CEOs who make working under pressure look easy.


LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Scott Sinatra and learn more about Bountiful, head on to:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/scott-sinatra-b399312

Website: https://www.bountiful.us/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Apr 27, 202352:37
From Accidental Salesman to Sales Coaching Expert (with Rob Lime from Lushin, Inc)

From Accidental Salesman to Sales Coaching Expert (with Rob Lime from Lushin, Inc)

Are you looking to skyrocket your business's sales? Sales are a key indicator of how well a business is performing in the market. Sales coaching can guide us to the next level in the world of business.

In today's episode, we are joined by Rob Lime, an integral part of Lushin Inc., who shares with us how to achieve the highest profits through increased sales and improved company performance. He also discusses his personal journey of becoming a sales coach, despite not being a natural salesperson.

Rob highlights the importance of sales as a reflection of a company's competence and stresses the significance of improving sales skills and values in order to boost performance.

Show Highlights:

02:39 Sales coaching is the most enjoyable and significant part of the job

04:33 Rob stumbled into sales accidentally

10:35 Rob had a problematic relationship with money at the beginning of his sales journey

13:53 Being uncomfortable talking about money as a Sales Person

16:34 Self-assessment as part of the diagnostic process of sales coaching

20:04 CEOs do not see some issues that can hurt their business

27:00 Big companies can get away with worse sales people

29:43 Great salespeople do not mind being interviewed

32:21 Money tolerance is essential for business success

34:54 Overcoming rejection is key to succeeding with brilliant ideas

39:58 Sales coaching involves discovering

42:32 Asking good questions is a common trait among top salespeople

45:23 Hiring decisions affecting sales people achievement levels

47:12 Training commitment is challenging

48:34 Revenue is not the only measure of success

52:18 Relationships are overrated in sales

55:38 Asking how the meeting ended is a better question than how it went

57:04 Great sales managers prioritize the team's well-being.


LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Rob Miles and learn more about Lushin Inc., head on to: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roblime/ 

Website: https://www.lushin.com/ 

Email: rob@lushin.com 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Apr 20, 202301:02:25
How to Maximize Your Professional Development as an Executive (with J. Ryan Williams)

How to Maximize Your Professional Development as an Executive (with J. Ryan Williams)

Are you interested in learning how to effectively lead your team? Your leadership directly impacts the success of your team. Executive coaching has proven to be a valuable tool for CEOs and executives seeking to improve their leadership skills and guide their companies toward success.

In today's episode, we are joined by J. Ryan Williams, CEO of REACH-ABLE, an executive coaching firm focused on revenue leadership teams. Ryan will provide insights on how to effectively handle sales and share his personal story of self-determination that has contributed to his professional success.

Ryan's natural curiosity sparked his interest in executive coaching, and he is passionate about helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. His vision of creating a better world through people improvement has enhanced his skills and expertise.

Ryan's executive coaching experience spans high-potential leaders from generation-defining technology companies such as Zoom, Lyft, and Airbnb, as well as veterans of the US Navy SEAL Teams and Top Gun instructors. His clients all possess outsized potential and the capacity for enormous impact in their organizations.

As a sales leader, Ryan built a $58M sales team and sales training program for 350 sales reps at AdRoll, Inc Magazine's fastest-growing advertising company of 2011 and 2012. He later joined a Y Combinator-backed data startup as VP of Sales, where he grew revenue from $4-$12M and supported a $15M Series B fundraise. Ryan has been an invited speaker at LinkedIn, Adobe, Lyft, Asana, Stanford University, Haas School of Business, and the University of Chicago.

J. Ryan's coaching practice has been recognized by Business Insider and Forbes, underscoring the value and expertise he brings to his clients.


Show Highlights:

01:41 - Helping Clients Master Sales Through Executive Coaching

04:45 - Self-Determination as the Core of Executive Coaching

07:00 - Ryan's Journey from Education to Sales to Coaching

14:03 - Natural Curiosity: A Key Factor in Ryan's Success

17:31 - The Importance of Making a Positive Impact on the World

22:00 - The Montessori Method as an Inspiration for Sales Coaching

29:19 - Finding the Right Coach for the CEO

37:08 - The Difference Between Mentoring and Coaching

45:17 - A Story of an Executive Power Move

50:35 - Assessing Your Potential to Improve Your Professional Standing

54:08 - Asking "What Could You Do?" Instead of "Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?"

56:33 - Strategies for Receiving Feedback and Developing Your Skills

1:04:32 - The Four Elements of Trust in Executive Coaching

1:18:25 - Different Types of CEOs and Their Unique Challenges


Links Mentioned:

Connect with J. Ryan Williams and learn more about REACH•ABLE, head on to: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jryanwilliams/ 

Website: https://itsreachable.com/ 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Apr 13, 202301:20:13
The Non-Technical Skills Needed to be an Effective RevOps Leader (with Mallory Lee of Nylas)

The Non-Technical Skills Needed to be an Effective RevOps Leader (with Mallory Lee of Nylas)

Marketing is one of the keys to reaching potential customers and boosting sales. That’s why investing in a great marketing strategy designed by experts will help you get ahead of the competition. How can you use marketing to open up more opportunities for your business?

In this episode, we have Mallory Lee as our guest. Mallory was a former Marketing Budget and Operations Manager at ExactTarget and the current Operation Vice President of Nylas. With a wealth of experience across both Revenue and Business Operations, she effortlessly juggles leadership duties between the two.

Mallory shares her experiences of learning and improving in marketing analytics and operations. She also shares tips on how to be efficient in marketing, including working in teams, hiring better people, and many more!

Show Highlights:

01:16   Mallory’s introduction to ExactTarget 8 days after graduation
09:10   How motivation can impact your decision making
10:31   The effect of big brands in giving you a list of opportunities
14:37   Why Mallory prefers working with marketing teams over solo work
24:04   The importance of hiring the right people to specialize in a certain area
26:00   How better communication with the sales team can result to a better performance
27:30   The need for higher EQ to become an effective leader
28:25   What prompted Mallory to join Terminus
45:21   How Mallory was introduced to Nylas

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Mallory Lee and learn more about Nylas, head on to:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorylee/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/
Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Mar 15, 202350:03
Helping People and Companies reach their Full Potential (with Joe Jordan of Ship Sigma)

Helping People and Companies reach their Full Potential (with Joe Jordan of Ship Sigma)

Helping People and Companies reach their Full Potential (with Joe Jordan of Ship Sigma)

Do you want to set your team up for success? Then surround yourself with amazing people and ask great questions. The opportunity is endless if only you understand the value of connectivity and the power of multiplication.

In this episode, we have Joe Jordan, the Chief Revenue Officer at ShipSigma, a supply chain data analytics software that helps shipping companies reduce costs without changing anything operationally in their business.

During the conversation, Joe shares his sales leadership journey and how he supports his team to reach their full potential and achieve company success.

Joe also discusses how to unwire your brain to understand what matters, the beauty of working in a fast-paced environment such as a startup, and the value of customer relationships to create success.

Episode Highlights:

01:36   Joe’s background and how he got to Indianapolis

06:55  How Accelerant helped Joe to grow and succeed as a leader

14:43  Joe’s personality and core values as a leader

19:35  The focus of the Chief Revenue Officer role

25:19  Leaving every meeting with clarity and commitment to win

28:19  Joining ShipSigma

35:30  The difference and benefits of working in different business sizes

41:18  How to help the team to reach their full potential

44:06  Joe’s favorite suit and tie color scheme and favorite sport

LINKS MENTIONED:

High volume shipper? Go here for a complementary analysis on how much you could save using ShipSigma

Connect with Joe Jordan and learn more about ShipSigma, head on to:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joekjordan

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamason.com

Jan 10, 202346:14
The #1 Question That Will Fast Track Your Career Into a Leadership Role (with Sam Estes of Authenticx)

The #1 Question That Will Fast Track Your Career Into a Leadership Role (with Sam Estes of Authenticx)

Do you want to move quickly from an individual contributor to a leadership role? Then you need to listen to the people around you. Get their ideas and use that information to make decisions and grow.

Today, we have Sam Estes, the Senior Vice President of Revenue at Authenticx, a SaaS platform that works with large healthcare providers to help them understand their patients and use it to make informed, proactive decisions.

Prior to working with Authenticx, Sam first worked in different sales leadership positions at Aerotek, Paycom, and Bluecrew. He continuously built his career from an individual contributor to now one of the sales leaders of the startup.

In this episode, Sam talks about the first and most important avenue for the growth and development of leaders. He shares his leadership journey, the challenges of coming from a more established company to a startup, and the role of the company’s environment and culture in long term success.

Episode Highlights:

01:42    Sam’s first sales job and his career progression

04:14    Fulfillment in managing and leading people to success

07:48  LinkedIn connection with the CEO of Authenticx

10:40  How Authenticx solve problems in the healthcare industry

15:45  Sam’s leadership role and game plan to help Authenticx

18:15  The most important role of leaders

26:35    Creating a feedback-rich environment

29:25  What metrics do startup companies need to look into to scale

33:00  Simple recipe for growing your leadership career

36:31    Handling leadership conversation with the team

38:04  Sam’s favorite non-American food and hobby outside of work

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Sam Estes on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-estes-88389957/

Website: https://authenticx.com

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: grayson@sonamation.com

Dec 20, 202241:17
Why Experimentation is More Important than Scale at an Early Stage Startup (with Sara Croft of Innovatemap)

Why Experimentation is More Important than Scale at an Early Stage Startup (with Sara Croft of Innovatemap)

What do you think is the best marketing strategy to grow and scale a startup? You probably aren't going to like this, but the hard truth is there is no perfect solution.

Everything can change, and to be able to grow, we need to experiment and change for the better.

In today's episode, we have Sara Croft of Innovatemap, a digital product agency that helps companies of all sizes dream and delivers valuable digital products and services to the market. Sara was the first marketing hire of the startup and paved her way to becoming one of the marketing leaders as the company's Principal of Growth Marketing.

With no marketing background, Sara started as a marketing intern at a non-profit. She fell in love with the idea of blending art and solving client problems through marketing and pursued it as a long-term career.

During the conversation, Sara shares her unusual journey to marketing, how she uses art and creativity to uplevel her marketing career, and how aspiring leaders can find marketing strategies and tactics to grow the business and their leadership careers.

Episode Highlights:

01:04       Sara's internship in art and marketing

05:57       Being a marketing generalist

09:21       Honing her writing and content marketing skills

11:29       Sara's biggest lesson and win in her marketing leadership career

18:40       Stop focusing on the perfect solution and start experimenting

21:55       Innovatemap background and how Sara got involved

31:45       The LinkedIn post that sparked the podcast

37:12       How to use data to impact the marketing success of the startup

44:49       The strategies and tactics that work for Innovatemap

51:57       Using feedback loops in marketing

57:58       What skills early stage leaders need to uplevel their leadership career

01:05:31  Sara's restaurant and book recommendations

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Sara Croft on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saracroft

Sara’s book recommendation:

>> Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement


Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Dec 12, 202201:09:47
Creating a strong Customer to Product Feedback Loop (with Abby Warner of LaunchCodes)

Creating a strong Customer to Product Feedback Loop (with Abby Warner of LaunchCodes)

What is the best way to keep customers happy and achieve business success? Connect and communicate with them! Ask for their feedback and use it as a strategy to improve and scale. It gives customers a positive experience and makes your job easier.

Today we have Abby Warner, the Co-Founder & COO of LaunchCodes, an e-commerce technology and discovery platform that makes product drops and launches easy, predictable, and secure. Prior to Launch Codes, Abby also worked in different leadership roles in the startup tech space.

Her naturally curious and creative problem-solver personality enables her to quickly move from being an individual contributor to having a leadership role at various startups and eventually co-founding her own startup.

Throughout the conversation, Abby shares her journey in the startup and tech industry, her career progression, and the challenges along the way. Abby highlights the importance of understanding the product and considering customer feedback in long term business success.

Episode Highlights:

01:21    Abby’s background

08:34  Creative problem solving

19:04  Developing a Customer <> Product feedback loop

22:58  How to train and convert teams and customers to transition

28:24  The power of daily team stand ups in promoting good communication

33:16  What it takes to become a startup executive from being a individual contributor

38:20  Abby's journey to 120Water

53:50  Focusing on what matters to scale a startup

59:54  Abby's new startup, “Launch Codes.”

01:07:36 Abby’s book recommendations and how to connect with her

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Abby Warner on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbywarner/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abby41231

Abby’s book recommendation:

>> The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

>> Startup Cxo: A Field Guide to Scaling Up Your Company's Critical Functions and Teams

>> Startup CEO: A Field Guide to Scaling Up Your Business

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Dec 01, 202201:01:11
How High Alpha Determines if a startup has Product Market Fit (with Egan Montgomery)

How High Alpha Determines if a startup has Product Market Fit (with Egan Montgomery)

Want to grow fast in your career? Then work with the smartest people that you can find.

Today, we have Egan Montgomery, the Director of Go-To-Market at High Alpha, a venture studio based in Indianapolis. High Alpha helps B2B SaaS startup founders and companies launch and scale through their unique venture studio model.

Egan's passion for helping others and his intentional actions led him to succeed in his career and become a startup leader.

In this episode, Egan talks about the role of venture studios in helping startup companies launch and scale. He touches on the common problems of startup founders and companies, how to find product market fit, and how startups can move fast and grow quickly in their business.

Episode Highlights:

02:36   Interesting story of how Egan came to and why he stayed in Indiana

06:38  Egan's early career growth at DemandJump

09:13  The difference between working in a startup and a large established company

12:05  How Egan works with a venture studio like High Alpha

19:13  The willingness to absorb, learn and work with new ideas

21:52  How High Alpha helps startup founders succeed 

25:40  High Alpha's approach to determining product market fit

34:07  What are the criteria for identifying the ideal customer profile

40:29  How startup executives can be more involved in the investor side of the business

45:27  The growth of Egan as a leader after working with startups

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Egan Montgomery on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/egan-montgomery/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eganmontgomery

High Alpha: https://highalpha.com

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Nov 22, 202249:18
The Number 1 Responsibility That Sales Leaders Should Focus On (with Ryan Ketchum of Woven)

The Number 1 Responsibility That Sales Leaders Should Focus On (with Ryan Ketchum of Woven)

From student athlete to business owner to sales professional and leader. Different roles with one main goal, to succeed.

Ryan Ketchum is the Senior Director of Sales at Woven, a startup tech company designed to help other fast-growing companies seamlessly hire great engineers. Before working at Woven, Ryan began his career as a trainer and successful business owner in the fitness world, building his skills as a great salesperson and leader.

Now Ryan utilizes his sales knowledge and leadership experience to lead Woven's sales team.


In this episode, Ryan Ketchum joins us to share his experience and expertise in sales, coaching, and leadership to grow a startup business. Ryan talks about his different career transitions, challenges, business realizations, and shares his insights as to what it takes to be successful in any career role.

Episode Highlights:

01:26        Ryan’s academic and professional background

05:20        The first sales experience in fitness business

09:32        Selling the path to customers

13:17        Leveraging network and creating educational platforms

18:03        How Ryan found Woven

25:42        Moving backward in career title

34:27        The importance of coaching time for organization

38:11        Ryan’s characteristic and responsibilities in his different titles

44:45        The impact of mentors and coaches

48:34        Woven’s product market fit development

01:04:51   The passion to win but win together

01:08:09   How to be successful in your leadership career

Connect with Ryan Ketchum:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-ketchum/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Nov 16, 202201:04:56
How Webex Events (Socio) scaled their CX team from 0 to 60 people (with Joe Watkins)

How Webex Events (Socio) scaled their CX team from 0 to 60 people (with Joe Watkins)

A strong customer department is the backbone of a fast growing SaaS business. Joe and the rest of the Customer Team at Socio built a world class customer experience. Listen to learn how!

Oct 18, 202259:26