From Start-Up to Grown-Up

#94: From Startup to Grown-Up: Jonathan Wolf, co-founder and CEO of ZOE - The growth of a founder, the most important leadership skills, and how to raise 7 million euros in 3 weeks.

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 44:05

Jonathan Wolf is the co-founder and CEO of ZOE, the science-based nutrition company using data to transform how people eat. In this candid conversation, he joins Alisa to explore what it takes to build a mission-driven company, how to lead with more clarity and transparency, and why the way we eat is more broken and more fixable than most people think.ZOE's origin story is as unconventional as it is inspiring. After scaling Critéo into a billion-dollar business, Jonathan stepped away with no plan and plenty of questions. That wandering period led him to microbiome researcher Tim Spector, and from there, to the bold idea of using AI and big data to personalize nutrition at scale. Eight years and 250,000 microbiome samples later, ZOE is running the world's largest nutrition science study and has launched a free app to help people assess their food in real time.In this episode:Why Jonathan left the world of adtech in search of purposeHis sabbatical was a challenging period of self-discovery.The importance of relationships over ideas became clear to him.How he navigated the founder's journeyThe scientific gaps in mainstream nutrition adviceWhat most people misunderstand about ultra-processed foodHow ZOE turned a research project into a product that helps millionsWhat coffee can reveal about your gut microbiomeWhy leadership gets easier when you stop trying to be likedHow Jonathan uses one key question to make sure he's actually being heardWhy ZOE launched a free tool to put science into people's handsHow to communicate clearly as a CEO without over-explainingWhy repeating your message 100 times is part of the jobHow to hire people who care more about the mission than the resumeWhat coaching and therapy taught Jonathan about being an effective leaderWhy ZOE's shift to a free app was a strategic business decisionHow to scale without losing sight of your company's purposeJonathan also shares the emotional and psychological journey of leadership: learning to make hard calls without sugarcoating, building teams that stick, and staying grounded while leading a fast-growing company.ZOE's new free app is now available in the US. It uses AI to analyze any food item or meal for its processing risk and nutritional quality, helping people make smarter choices instantly. If you care about your energy, mood, and long-term health, this episode will change how you think about food and leadership.Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

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#93: From Startup to Grown-Up: Kass and Mike Lazerow, Serial founders; co-founders of Buddy Media (sold to Salesforce for $750M) - How to survive a failed acquisition, stay married to your co-founder, and enjoy the journey of entrepreneurship.

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 88:55

Kass and Mike Lazerow are serial entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and co-authors of the upcoming book Shoveling Sh!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success. They join Alisa to share an unfiltered look at what it really takes to build companies, navigate chaos, and stay married through it all.Known for founding Golf.com and Buddy Media, which they sold to Salesforce for $745 million, Kass and Mike have also backed more than 100 early-stage startups. Their portfolio includes Scopely, acquired for $5 billion, and Liquid Death. In this conversation, they recount the wild highs and lows of startup life, from raising three kids while raising capital to walking away from a higher offer because it came with too much risk.You'll hear about:The dot-com crash that nearly killed Golf.com and how they raised money to buy it back from bankruptcyThe early bet they placed on Facebook that became Buddy MediaWhy did they choose Salesforce over a larger offer from GoogleHow they built a radically transparent culture that kept employees during a 3-month no-pay periodWhat it's really like to sell a company for hundreds of millions, then stay on as an employeeHow ego, secrecy, and shiny-object syndrome kill foundersWhat it takes to choose the right co-founder and build a business that lastsThey also share what it's like to run companies as a married couple, including how they divide responsibilities, handle stress, and maintain date nights through multiple exits and pivots.Also in this episode:The story behind Mike's near-death health crisis and how it changed his entire mindsetWhy Kass believes in minivans and Mike believes in showing up for everythingThe advice they give to every founder they backedHow their kids learned more from watching than listeningTheir new book, Shoveling Sh!t, hits shelves on June 3, 2025. It captures 50 hard-earned lessons that can help any founder become a better leader and build a life that actually works.About Kass & Mike: Kass and Mike Lazerow are entrepreneurs and investors best known for building and selling Buddy Media, a leading social media marketing platform, to Salesforce for $745 million. They co-founded Golf.com early in their careers and have since supported more than 100 startups as investors and advisors. Notable investments include Scopely and Liquid Death. They are also sought-after speakers, writers, and podcast guests. Their book Shoveling Sh!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success is out June 3, 2025.Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

#92: From Startup to Grown-up: David Ko, CEO of Calm — from gaming to mental health, tools to combat burnout, and the rituals you can use in your own meetings

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 52:06

David Ko is the CEO and board member of Calm, the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and mindfulness. A former healthcare executive and tech operator, David previously served as COO of Zynga, held senior roles at Yahoo!, and founded a healthtech company acquired by Calm. He is the bestselling author of Recharge, and has been recognized by TIME, LinkedIn, RockHealth, and NYU Stern for his leadership in digital health.What you'll learn:How David transitioned from gaming to healthcare through mission-driven insightThe real story behind Calm's evolution from sleep and meditation to global mental healthWhy David uses “battery level” as a tool for checking in at workHow leaders can model vulnerability without sacrificing authorityWhy burnout stems from poor workload management, not just long hoursThe power of shared purpose in turbulent timesHow Calm uses rituals like Jay Shetty meditations and Zoom-free days to reinforce its cultureWhy sleep, diet, and presence are core to David's leadership performanceHow transparency builds trust even when the news isn't goodWhy the conversation around mental health needs to start at the topSome takeaways:➡️ Stress is not the problem. Unchecked, unacknowledged stress is. Good stress can fuel resilience and performance.➡️ “How's your battery?” is a more meaningful check-in than “How are you?”➡️ Burnout often comes from lack of clarity and excessive task stacking, not too many hours.➡️ Leaders must explain the why behind priorities and remove as much as they assign. ➡️ Transparency about culture survey results builds psychological safety. ➡️ Rituals like 90-second meditations help reset and re-center teams. ➡️ Leadership can be lonely. Trusted colleagues make a critical difference. ➡️ Presence matters more than hours. Back-to-back meetings are not a badge of honor. ➡️ Sharing your own mental health journey is not weakness. It's how resilient teams are built. ➡️ “We take better care of our phone batteries than our mental health batteries.” Time to change that.Where to find David Ko:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveko/ Calm: https://www.calm.comBook: Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery One Conversation at a TimePodcast: Recharge (available on major platforms)Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

#91: From Startup to Grown-up: Mike Seckler, CEO of Justworks — how to run a great board process, how to avoid self-inflicted wounds, and the value of taking big risks early in your career

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 81:58

Mike Seckler is a two-time entrepreneur and tech startup founder who led a company through the dot-com boom and bust, and now leads the charge as CEO of Justworks, the HR tech company focused on uplifting small businesses. In this conversation, he shares hard-earned lessons from building one of the earliest SaaS HR startups, navigating turbulent markets, and guiding Justworks through major transitions. We dive into founder resilience, building high-functioning boards, scaling culture in a hybrid world, and why mission-driven support for small businesses matters now more than ever.What You'll Learn:How Mike evolved from first-time founder to CEO of JustworksThe “self-inflicted wound quotient” every founder faces—and how to reduce itHow values shape Justworks' culture and decision-makingThe impact of structured, intentional board leadershipWhy Justworks pulled its IPO and why it was the right callLessons from integrating a remote team post-acquisitionHow to stay adaptable without losing momentumWhy stepping back (even for vacation) makes you a stronger leaderBalancing in-person U.S. operations with global remote teamsThe importance of staying close to your end userKey Takeaways: ➡️ Minimize your “self-inflicted wounds”: Founders often make early decisions—co-founder choices, board composition, capital structure—that can hinder growth. Mike calls this your “self-inflicted wound quotient.” Keep it low. ➡️ Good governance starts with leadership: Don't wait for your board to self-organize. Set norms, prep materials early, and lead it the way you'd lead your exec team. ➡️ Clarity beats comfort: From acquisitions to layoffs, Mike emphasizes over-communicating the why and making decisions that would “look good on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.” ➡️ Culture isn't what you say—it's what you do: Values like “comradery” and “grit” must be defined through behavior and reinforced through recognition, awards, and storytelling. ➡️ Board building is strategic: Justworks' board includes domain-specific experts—from healthcare to global payments. Choose members like you'd build your C-suite. ➡️ Hard decisions made early pay off later: Fix the roof when it's sunny. The cost of delay is always higher. ➡️ Remote vs. in-person is not either/or: Justworks combines in-office culture in the U.S. with distributed international teams, intentionally designing for both. ➡️ Real leadership means managing your energy: Mike learned from parenting that being the calmest person in the room is often your superpower. ➡️ Mission attracts the right people: Employees at Justworks are deeply motivated by its purpose—to serve small businesses as heroes of the economy. Where to find Mike Seckler:LinkedInJustworksConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

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#90: From Startup to Grown-Up: Jeff Byers, Co-founder and CEO of Momentous — Transitioning from NFL player to CEO, managing cultural clashes during a merger, and navigating the high-pressure world of growth-stage leadership

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 71:40

Jeff Byers is the co-founder and CEO of Momentous, a high-performance wellness company delivering science-backed products used by elite athletes, military operators, and high-performers worldwide. A former NFL player and two-time USC football captain, Jeff brings both personal and professional insight to optimizing performance and building values-driven companies.What you'll learn:Why Jeff says effort and attitude are the only things you can control—and how they ground him in tough momentsThe cultural clash behind merging two wellness companiesHow “speed over consensus” became a core value at MomentousWhy returning to in-person work cost talent but aligned cultureHow EOS helped reset their operating rhythmBuilding high-integrity partnerships with leaders like Huberman and StarrettLessons from Pete Carroll on consistency and energyWhy growth-stage CEOs must “reset the scoreboard” and stay curiousTakeaways:Control what you can: Effort and attitude define how you show upMerge carefully: “Equals” often clash without clear directionCulture lives in person: Jeff prioritized cohesion over convenienceDecide fast on people: Delays around misfits create dragEarn trust: Authenticity attracted elite advisorsBalance roles: EOS clarified vision vs. executionYou define you: Not your title—your choicesFind Jeff:LinkedInMomentousIn this episode: (00:00:00) Expectations in growth-backed companies (00:00:23) Intro to Jeff (00:02:00) NFL to CEO journey (00:03:52) Life as a pro athlete (00:05:28) Teamwork, rhythm, winning (00:09:10) Athletic mindset in startups (00:11:06) Stress rituals, effort & attitude (00:14:02) Purpose-driven leadership (00:19:15) Founding Momentous (00:30:51) Merger lessons (00:35:25) Cultural alignment (00:42:27) In-person work benefits (00:48:38) Standing out in supplements (00:54:20) Partnering with leaders (00:57:59) Co-founder dynamics (01:02:23) Imposter syndrome (01:10:22) Curiosity = leadership growthConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

#89: From Startup to Grown-Up: Kevin Evers, author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift — unpacking Taylor Swift's rise to the top; when to take big risks; and how to build a rabid fan base

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 54:46

Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review, where he shapes groundbreaking research and develops award-winning and bestselling books on high performance, creativity, innovation, marketing, and digital disruption. He's also written popular essays on brain science, persuasion, unpredictability, and the power of storytelling.Kevin holds degrees in English and Film Studies, and his forthcoming book with HBR Press, There's Nothing Like This, offers a strategic analysis of Taylor Swift's unmatched ability to evolve her brand without losing her audience.Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 - IntroductionAlyssa Cohn introduces Kevin Evers and the topic of Taylor Swift's strategic genius.00:01:55 - Building Intimacy with FansDiscussion on how Taylor Swift creates a close relationship with her fans.00:02:04 - Controversies and SuccessOverview of Taylor's famous fights and controversies and their impact on her career.00:03:04 - The Idea Behind the BookKevin explains the inspiration for his book on Taylor Swift.00:13:05 - Inner Compass and DriveExploration of Taylor's determination and her "killer instinct."00:20:25 - The Kanye West IncidentAnalysis of the infamous VMA moment with Kanye West and its implications.00:34:14 - Collaboration and GrowthDiscussion on Taylor's collaborations with producers and her evolution as an artist.00:39:34 - The Importance of RiskKevin shares insights on the importance of taking calculated risks in business.00:44:37 - Re-recording Old MusicDiscussion on Taylor's strategy to re-record her old albums and its significance.00:48:34 - Antifragility ConceptKevin explains the concept of antifragility and how it applies to Taylor's career.00:53:25 - Advice for FoundersKevin offers advice to startup founders based on insights from Taylor's career.00:54:10 - ConclusionResources & References

#88: From Startup to Grown-Up: Eddie Kim, Co-founder and CTO of Gusto - Wearing different “hats” as a leader; learning to get his hands off the keyboard and enable others instead; and how to build a growth mindset

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 43:08

Eddie Kim is the CTO and cofounder of Gusto, which serves 400,000+ small and medium-sized businesses nationwide by helping them onboard, pay, insure, engage, and provide benefits for their teams, in one integrated, friendly, and easy-to-use platform. Eddie's career has been shaped by chance encounters, a passion for software, and a deep commitment to growth. Before Gusto, he launched his first company—an experience that ultimately led him to reconnect with his future co-founder, Josh Reeves.In this episode, Eddie opens up about co-founder dynamics, leadership struggles, scaling a company, and the surprising tools he uses to stay aligned with his team.Episode Highlights & Timestamps

How Daniel Yanisse Scaled Checkr to $700M+ and Overcame the Post-Hypergrowth Crisis

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 42:11

In this episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, host Alisa Cohn sits down with Daniel Yanisse, co-founder and CEO of Checkr, to discuss the exhilarating rise and the challenges of sustaining a high-growth company. Checkr revolutionized the background check industry, scaling from a $1M revenue run rate in just three months to processing millions of background checks annually. But with hypergrowth came intense operational, cultural, and leadership challenges.Daniel shares how he navigated:Hiring at hyperspeed—and why some employees quit on day one.The "hangover" after hypergrowth—losing key executives and investor pressure.How to hire and retain top executives—and avoid common leadership hiring mistakes.Revising a company mission to balance fairness and safety while scaling.The "Fly High, Fly Low" leadership approach—balancing strategy and deep operational insights.This episode is packed with real-world lessons for founders, CEOs, and startup leaders facing the challenges of rapid growth, leadership transitions, and market shifts.

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#86: Peter Attia, MD, Founder of Early Medical — improving your lifespan and healthspan, the centenarian decathlon, and the process of making major life changes (Repost)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 44:29

Peter Attia, MD, is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. He is the host of The Drive, one of the most popular podcasts covering the topics of health and medicine. Dr. Attia received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine and trained for five years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery, where he was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including resident of the year. He spent two years at the National Institutes of Health as a surgical oncology fellow at the National Cancer Institute, where his research focused on immune-based therapies for melanoma.Learn more about Peter here | Websitehttps://www.peterattiamd.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#85: Isabelle Freidheim, Founder of Athena Capital — The benefits of being an only child, creating opportunities for women in finance, and unlocking hidden talent

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 69:33

Isabelle Freidheim is the founder and managing partner of Athena Capital. She is the youngest chairman of a publicly traded company in the U.S. In her role as managing partner of Athena Capital, Freidheim oversees the company's strategic direction and leads its efforts in identifying and investing in technology companies.Freidheim is an entrepreneur and investor with more than 15 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, SPACs and IPOs. She founded Athena in 2020. Athena Capital invests at the intersection of private companies preparing to go public or considering M&A exits. Athena's platform includes board members of Fortune 100 companies and CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, company founders and investors. Freidheim is one of Inc's 250 Female Founders in 2024, a member of The Council on Foreign Relations and an alumna of Fortune's Most Powerful Women.Find out more about Athena Capital | Websitehttps://www.athenacap.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#84: Ethan Evans, Executive Mentor and Former Amazon VP — Managerial myths debunked, how to create a safety net for your career, and why everyone should write online

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 51:06

During his 15+ years at Amazon, Ethan Evans helped invent Prime Video, Amazon Video, Amazon Appstore, Merch by Amazon, Prime Gaming (formerly Twitch Prime), and Twitch Commerce. He led global teams of over 800 and holds more than 70 patents. Ethan has reviewed 10,000+ resumes, conducted 2,500+ interviews, made 1,000+ hires, and was an Amazon Bar Raiser and Bar Raiser Core Leader, responsible for training and maintaining Amazon's group of interview outcome facilitators.Ethan helped advocate for and draft the Amazon Leadership Principle (LP) “Ownership” — the words, “They never say ‘that's not my job.'” are Ethan's (read the story).At Amazon, Ethan promoted 8 reports from Senior Manager (Amazon L7) to Director (Amazon L8), contributed to 25+ Director promotions, hired 10+ Directors internally and externally, and drove the promotion of 3 engineers to Principal. Of his former reports, 2 are current Amazon VPs (L10) and 5 are C-Suite outside Amazon.Ethan retired from Amazon as a Vice President in September 2020 to pay forward his good fortune.Prior to Amazon, Ethan spent 12 years at 3 startups.Ethan now teaches leaders to become true executives. Subscribe to Ethan's newsletter, Level Up, for ongoing career advice, and consider joining the Level Up Career Community. Ethan also offers a range of Leadership Development Courses (live online and on-demand) that go in-depth on topics like “Breaking Through to Executive,” “Managing Up Successfully,” “Leadership Networking,” and more. If you'd like to connect, you can find Ethan on LinkedIn.Contact Ethan on his website for inquiries about corporate training, speaking requests, and podcast appearances. | Websitehttps://www.ethanevans.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#83: Chip Conley, Founder at Modern Elder Academy — Using regret as fuel; how and why founders need to shift their identities; how to manage people older than you; and his favorite interview question (Repost)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 74:32

Chip is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), where a new roadmap for midlife is offered at a beautiful oceanfront campus in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and forthcoming campuses in Santa Fe, NM. His five books have made him a leading authority at the intersection of psychology and business. Chip had tons of wisdom to share in this talk, including how to use regret as fuel for the future, what founders can learn when they shift their identities, how to manage people older than you, what Chip learned from the people that he mentored, and his favorite interview question. Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share! Resources MentionedFinish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top: https://bit.ly/3jtlA2NLife Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age: https://amzn.to/3HFPjOaWisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder: https://bit.ly/3YjOxwQFollow Chip Conley on:Website: https://chipconley.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChipConleyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/chipconleyauthorConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#82, Gary Vaynerchuk, Serial Entrepreneur and Chairman of VaynerX — The importance of kind candor, how to get over your insecurity, and why you need to embrace social media (Repost)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 30:27

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as "GaryVee," is a serial entrepreneur, the Chairman of VaynerX, and 5x New York Times Best Selling Author. He is a leading global mind on what's next in culture, relevance, and the internet. Gary possesses an uncanny ability to recognize trends and patterns early to help others understand how these shifts impact consumer behavior. He is one of the most forward-thinkers in business. Gary's approach sits at the intersection of business and culture. He keenly understands how to bring brand relevance to the forefront. “It's not a hokey thing to say you have to enjoy the journey. It's the only sustainable thing.” That's one of the wisdom bombs from my latest guest on From Start-up to Grown-up, the legendary Gary Vaynerchuk- Chairman of Vayner X and the author of his brand new book, Day Trading Attention.Here are a few more of the many great takeaways Gary offered during our discussion:“Chasing the short-term is the number one strategy that makes people fail.”“Entrepreneurship is a constant game of losing with occasional wins.”“There's nothing that happens on earth that doesn't start with attention.”Learn more about his book, Day Trading Attention | Website garyvaynerchuk.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#81: Colin Bryar, Co-Author of "Working Backwards;" former Chief of Staff to Jeff Bezos — How Amazon built its processes, the birth of the 6-page memo, and how to instill psychological safety in a competitive culture

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 82:24

Colin Bryar is a business advisor and technology leader whose career has focused on optimizing business strategy, technology, and operations. He is a former top-level executive at Amazon, where he spent more than 12 years – much of it in the early aughts during the company's period of unmatched innovation – serving as a tech VP, leading the operations for IMDb.com, as well as shadowing and working directly with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to help with all aspects of Amazon's business including strategy, technology, and operations.Bryar is also the co-founder of Working Backwards, LLC where he coaches and advises executives at both early stages and established companies around the globe, helping them to implement the management practices developed at Amazon. He also serves as an advisor for Singapore-based online marketplace, Carousell.Learn more about Colin | Websitehttps://www.workingbackwards.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#80: David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-Owner of 37signals— Creating with first principles, acting with courage, and working in a world with no managers

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 80:28

David is the creator of Ruby on Rails, Co-Owner of 37signals, best-selling author, Le Mans class-winning racing driver, antitrust advocate, investor in Danish startups, frequent podcast guest, and family man.He writes regularly on HEY World and speaks on The REWORK Podcast. Hundreds of thousands of programmers around the world have built amazing applications using Ruby on Rails, an open-source web framework he created in 2003, and continues to develop to this day. Some of the more famous include Github, Shopify, Airbnb, Square, Coinbase, and Zendesk.For my newest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, I talk with David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-Founder of 37signals, to explore his journey of innovation, remote work, and unconventional management.Learn more about DHH | Websitehttps://dhh.dk/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#79, Shegun Otulana, Founder and CEO of Harmony Venture Labs—From Nigeria to unicorn founder; bootstrapping a profitable business; learning to embrace feedback

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 71:14

Shegun Otulana is a seasoned entrepreneur, advisor, mentor and investor. Drawing from his experience as a bootstrapped startup founder who found incredible success, his mission is to empower the next generation of builders by sharing his lessons learned to guide their entrepreneurial journeys. In addition to mentoring founders in his community – many of whom have gone on to launch successful companies – he also enjoys sharing his insight with startup leaders, business associations, academic institutions and other growth-minded groups.In 2013, Shegun founded TheraNest and its parent company, Therapy Brands, a software platform for mental, behavioral, substance and physical rehab providers and organizations. In 2021, he exited the business for $1.25 billion, the largest software exit on record in the state of Alabama.Prior to establishing Therapy Brands, Shegun founded Zertis Technologies, a computer software consultancy company. Today, he continues his “idea lab” approach as the Founder of Harmony Venture Labs (HVL), an idea and growth studio that owns and operates a family of technology companies.In this powerful episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, I sit down with Shegun Otulana, who bootstrapped his way from Nigeria to building a $1.25B healthcare tech company in Birmingham, Alabama.What struck me most about Shegun's journey?➡️ The power of constraints as blessings - limited funding forced profitable growth from day one➡️ Culture needs rituals - it's not enough to have values, you must memorialize and celebrate them➡️ Leadership growth requires vulnerability - others see you differently than you see yourselfOne of my favorite insights: "Your nature is your nature, but you need to find people who complement what you don't bring to the table." Shegun openly shared how he learned to build strong remote teams by finding cultural champions when that wasn't his natural strength.When Shegun could only raise $250,000 in 10 months for his healthcare SaaS company, he turned that constraint into motivation. Without the luxury of burning cash, he had to build profitably from day one. Rather than seeing limited capital as a barrier, he viewed it as a blessing that forced disciplined growth - a mindset that ultimately led to a billion-dollar exit.It's about intentionally designing incentive structures that make your team feel safe to experiment and learn.Learn more about Shegun | Websitehttps://shegunotulana.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#78: Jake Schwartz, Co-Founder and former CEO of General Assembly—Navigating startup chaos, what a startup and the Beatles have in common, and the wisdom of looking back on the journey

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 73:13

Jake Schwartz is a serial entrepreneur, investor and advisor. Until 2020, Jake Schwartz served at CEO of General Assembly (GA), the global leader in education and career transformation, which he co-founded in 2011. He grew GA to over 1,000 employees on five continents. In 2018, GA was acquired by The Adecco Group. Jake Schwartz co-founded and serves as Chair of Brave Health, a mission-driven company focused on expanding access to high-quality, affordable care for mental health and addiction. Jake Schwartz was named E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 and one of Crain's “40 under 40” in 2015. Jake holds a BA from Yale and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a former CFA Charterholder.When you hear the founding story of any startup, it can often feel like it was destined.That the end was clear at the beginning and the founders held an unwavering gaze.We often think launching a successful company requires:Defining roles from day oneHolding to an unchanging visionWork through a clear path to get there.That's one way to do it!But what if there's another approach?What if building a successful startup isn't about following a strict formula, but about embracing serendipity and intuition?Jake Schwartz, Co-Founder and former CEO of General Assembly, didn't have a conventional playbook. Looking back a decade later, he felt like they were forming a band.Just get together, start creating, figuring things out as you go.What I took away from this discussion:Passion > perfect plan. Flexibility > rigidity early on. Evolution > clear vision.By following their intuition and leaning into serendipity, Jake and his co-founders discovered a unique formula for success.Learn more about Jake and Brave Health | Websitehttps://bebravehealth.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#77: Jake Kloberdanz, One Hope Winery Co-founder — Building “Girl Scout Cookies” for adults, building community, and scaling philanthropy

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 82:00

Jake Kloberdanz is the founder of ONEHOPE, a pioneering wine brand with a mission to create a positive social impact. Under his leadership, ONEHOPE has donated tens of millions of dollars to over 40,000 non-profits and grown from zero to producing over one million bottles per year. The company boasts a world-class vineyard in Napa Valley and has garnered more than 30 wines with 90+ point ratings. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine, ONEHOPE has raised over $100 million in funding. Jake has been honored as a "Top 40 Under 40" by Wine Enthusiast and a "Top 30 Under 30" by Forbes. He serves on the boards of 8VC and After the Fire, and is a sought-after speaker, having presented at the UN Global Summit, TED, and leading universities like Stanford and MIT. A graduate of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and a two-time national rugby champion, Jake is an advocate for "Cause-centric Commerce," integrating purpose into business models.This new episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up features an in-depth conversation with Jake Kloberdanz, the Co-Founder and CEO of One Hope Winery, who's reshaping how business and philanthropy intersect. From selling wines out of a U-Haul to building a company that's donated over $10 million to meaningful causes, Jake's story is nothing short of inspiring.Jake talks about his original idea to create “Girl Scout Cookies for adults” and how that evolved over time. He also talks about his evolution as a leader as the company overcame turbulence, how he learned the importance of clarity and how he developed his frameworks for communication. Learn more about One Hope Winery | Websitehttps://www.onehopewine.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#76: Susan McPherson, Founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies — Investing in dormant ties, networking superpowers, and converting nerves into strength

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 41:19

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. As the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on brands and social impact, she brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, PR, and sustainability communications. Susan is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting and a sought-after speaker at major events like the Massachusetts Conference for Women and Techonomy. She has contributed to outlets like Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and has appeared in NPR, CNN, and USA Today. Susan invests in and advises women-led startups and is involved in several boards and advisory groups, including The 19th News and Just Capital. This episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up dives into the world of networking and relationship-building with Susan McPherson – a “super connector” who leverages her extensive network to help others and grow her own business, McPherson Strategies!Susan shares her insights on the significance of rekindling dormant ties, the benefits of dormant connections, and the importance of proactive outreach in networking.Susan started her company at the bold age of 48, reaching out to a staggering 500 people in her network, demonstrating the power of asking for help and the value in promoting others. She's full of practical tips - including hosting your own events collaboratively and keeping the conversation focused on what others need. We'll also hear about her smart approach to follow-up after events, employing the "ten touches rule" to keep her contacts engaged.Prepare to be inspired as Susan discusses her entrepreneurial journey, overcoming personal and professional low points, and the joy she finds in team growth and recognition. Stay tuned as we learn that it's never too late to start, it's okay to be afraid of failure, and that, at times, success is serendipitous – often resulting from seeds we plant long before they bear fruit.Learn more about Susan | Websitehttps://www.susanmcp.com/ Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#75: Jeff Shiner, CEO of 1Password — Earning the right to lead, how to thrive while bootstrapping your company, and how to hire senior executives

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 69:48

Jeff Shiner is the CEO of 1Password, a leader in human centric security and privacy. Since joining in 2012, Jeff has grown the company from 20 people to a 900-employee global organization with a $6.8 billion valuation. Today, 1Password enables over 100,000 businesses and millions of individuals to navigate the digital world without fear or friction when logging in – and in less time. The company has been recognized on the Forbes Cloud 100 list and Quartz's Best Companies for Remote Workers. Prior to joining 1Password, Jeff held leadership roles at IBM Canada and Rosetta and has a demonstrated history of growing technology companies. Jeff also currently serves on the Board of Directors of GenomOncology, a company that provides the healthcare community with data-driven insights to improve cancer care. Jeff is a noted speaker at events like Web Summit, Collision, and the C100. He also provides regular commentary to top-tier publications like Fast Company, Forbes, ZDNet, and VentureBeat, among others. When he's not busy being a CEO, Jeff enjoys watching the 49ers, spending time on his tractor, and adding to his LEGO collection with his son – he's the proud owner of more than 1,000 pounds of bricks!This episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up features Jeff Shiner, CEO of 1Password, who offered an unguarded look into his journey scaling a company from 20 people to 1200 employees.This episode is particularly valuable for first-time founders, as Jeff covers how to mitigate the lonely job as a founder by making smart hires, what you can do to cultivate a strong team through reflective hiring practices, and the activities that can ground you and give perspective.This is such a powerful and practical episode that will bolster all founders and leaders with resolve! Learn more about 1Password | Websitehttps://www.1Password.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#74: Seth Godin, Author and Marketing Strategist — showing up for yourself, creating conditions for your best work, and how to deal with massive rejection (Repost)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 48:57

Seth is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 20 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn). His book, This is Marketing, was an instant bestseller in countries around the world. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!).By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has been able to motivate and inspire countless people around the world.In 2013, Seth was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame. In an astonishing turn of events, in May 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame as well. He might be the only person in both.Imagine a world where people work where they are respected, where the work - not the employee - is thoughtfully criticized, and where managers create the conditions for employees to do the best work of their lives. Seth Godin does a deep dive on all of these and so much more in our conversation, sharing concepts from his brand new book The Song of Significance that reimagines what work and leadership can be.Find out more about Seth | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#73: David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist at Nash Squared and host of TechTalks podcast — How to become an "intrapreneur," the importance of consistent behavior over vanity metrics, and how to learn to trust yourself

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 61:20

David is Nash Squared's Group Technology Evangelist. He crafts podcasts, hosts video debates, speaks, moderates conferences, and chairs keynote stages. He's a passionate advocate for technology, dissecting its challenges and opportunities. David has worked at Nash Squared since 2007, where he has developed a deep understanding of the technology and talent markets. Recognised as Computing's Digital Ambassador of the Year (2018), he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every conversation. Since 2015 he has been editor and host of Tech Talks, a show about leadership and technology currently ranked as one of the most popular podcasts in the world.David Savage is this episode's guest, who reinforces why it's so important to realize that trusting ourselves is a skill. And like all skills it can be developed! In addition to learning about trusting yourself, you'll also hear from David how to become an “intrapreneur,” the importance of establishing consistent behavior, and how that applies to strengthening our personal branding.Learn more about David and Tech Talks | Website https://www.nashsquared.com/techtalksConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#72: Kim Scott, Author of Radical Respect and Radical Candor — Building your team's muscles to address discomfort, cutting through workplace politics, and why you need a purple flag

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 82:47

Kim Scott is the author of Radical Respect and Radical Candor. Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google.Being able to hold a candid and caring conversation with someone is an essential part of leadership. My next guest on From Start-Up to Grown-Up is Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor and her new book, Radical Respect.Kim delivers a masterclass in building respect and kindness as the foundation of a company's DNA with several strategies you're going to want to use immediately.You'll learn how to create an environment where employees feel safe. You'll also learn that empowering yourself and your employees to challenge openly and diplomatically can lead to building a successful company.Learn more about Kim | Websitekimmalonescott.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#71: Matt Reustle, CEO of Colossus — Lessons from a first-time CEO, how to analyze a career pivot, and the art of a great question

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 76:38

Matt Reustle is currently the CEO of Colossus, a business that creates, curates, and distributes top-quality content for investors and entrepreneurs. He is the primary host of the Business Breakdowns podcast. Prior to Colossus, Matt worked in institutional investing. Most recently on the investment team at Raven Capital Management. Matt spent the first decade of his career at Goldman Sachs splitting his time between the Sales & Trading and Research divisions.If you're thinking about a career pivot, if you're trying to be a great leader in your company, or if you're interested in podcasting, check out this great episode of From Start-up to Grown-up with Matt Reustle. Matt is the CEO of Colossus Media and host of the podcast Business Breakdowns.Matt shares so honestly why leadership isn't just about wins but about creating sustainable systems of growth and communication, how empathy is foundational for meaningful connections, and why there is an unlimited amount of friction running a company and how to find balance.Learn more about Colossus | Websitewww.joincolossus.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#70: Mike Michalowicz, Author and Entrepreneur — The right way to hire; practical exercises for team retention; and how to come back from rock bottom

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 71:04

Mike Michalowicz is the entrepreneur behind three multimillion-dollar companies and is the author of several business books, including Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan and his newest book, All In.Mike is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and business makeover expert for MSNBC. He regularly travels the globe as an entrepreneurial advocate.We are going all in on the newest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up with author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz!Mike is a great story-teller and you'll laugh out loud and come away with some great wisdom. Mike shares practical exercises for team retention, how to come back from rock bottom, and the right way to hire people - interviews are over rated!You'll also learn from his personal stories about the value and power of having an array of mentors, why companies thrive when leadership focuses on the human experience for both clients and employees, and how to build stamina to succeed as an entrepreneur.Learn more about Mike at Website | mikemichalowicz.comhttps://www.mikemichalowicz.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#69, Rahul Vohra, Co-Founder and CEO of Superhuman — How to craft core values, tactics for implementing culture to help you achieve company goals, and the importance of moving quickly

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 52:03

Rahul Vohra is the Co-Founder and CEO of Superhuman. He is also a Technical Advisor at Boldstart Ventures, an investor and advisor at Partender, and an investor of sendwithus and Easy Post. He received his bachelor of arts in Computer Science at the University of Cambridge. Rahul shares the lessons he learned from being a serial entrepreneur, how and why he learned to meditate, what he does to build trust with his team, and the pros and cons of being a celebrity founder. Rahul shared so many great insights the first time he was on the show I had to have him back!This time we're taking a deep dive on instilling powerful values and culture within a rapidly growing company. We talked about: ✅ How and why to create values in your company at the start: A step by step practical process you can use immediately.✅ The need to evolve your leadership: As a founder and CEO you should always be identifying your highest and best use and using that as your guide.✅ The importance of asking hard questions: It can be awkward, but it's essential to be rigorous with yourself and your team as your company grows. Learn more about Superhuman | Websitehttps://www.superhuman.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#68, Gina Bianchini, Co-Founder and CEO of Mighty Networks — The secret to building communities, managing self-worth as a CEO, and why humor is a leadership superpower

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 66:29

Gina Bianchini is the CEO & founder of Mighty Networks, a digital business platform that powers what it calls people magic. People magic is advanced technology and AI that connects the most relevant and interesting people to each other in the context of community, courses, events, and paid memberships.She's also the author of the 2022 Wall Street Journal best selling book, Purpose: Design a Community & Change Your Life. Mighty is trusted by brands from TED to Tony Robbins, Mindbody, LAUNCH by Mel Robbins, Esther Perel, Matthew Hussey, Jim Kwik, BODi, Gym Launch, and Fortune.Meet the next guest of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, Gina Bianchini!Gina Bianchini is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Mighty Networks, and my latest guest on From Start-up to Grown-up.Gina's life has been devoted to building communities, and in this episode she describes the important nuances you can use to build your own communities as well as simply improve your relationships. Gina also shares what she's learned on her journey as an entrepreneur and a leader. Learn more about Mighty Networks | Websitehttps://www.mightynetworks.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#67, Gary Vaynerchuk, Serial Entrepreneur and Chairman of VaynerX — The importance of kind candor, how to get over your insecurity, and why you need to embrace social media

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 29:58

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as "GaryVee," is a serial entrepreneur, the Chairman of VaynerX, and 5x New York Times Best Selling Author. He is a leading global mind on what's next in culture, relevance, and the internet. Gary possesses an uncanny ability to recognize trends and patterns early to help others understand how these shifts impact consumer behavior. He is one of the most forward-thinkers in business. Gary's approach sits at the intersection of business and culture. He keenly understands how to bring brand relevance to the forefront.“It's not a hokey thing to say you have to enjoy the journey. It's the only sustainable thing.” That's one of the wisdom bombs from my latest guest on From Start-up to Grown-up, the legendary Gary Vaynerchuk- Chairman of Vayner X and the author of his brand new book, Day Trading Attention.Here are a few more of the many great takeaways Gary offered during our discussion:“Chasing the short-term is the number one strategy that makes people fail.”“Entrepreneurship is a constant game of losing with occasional wins.”“There's nothing that happens on earth that doesn't start with attention.”Learn more about his new book, Day Trading Attention | Websitegaryvaynerchuk.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#66, Mary-Catherine Lader, COO of Uniswap Labs — How you know you're ready to take on more risk, why you should create anti-values, and the importance of community

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 65:37

Mary-Catherine Lader is the Chief Operating Officer of Uniswap Labs. She previously was a Managing Director at BlackRock, and Chief Operating Officer of the firm's Digital Wealth business and head of its climate tech business, Aladdin Sustainability. She began her career as an investment analyst with Goldman Sachs' Special Situations Group and served on the staff of the World Economic Forum's Davos gatherings for a decade. In our talk, you'll hear about:➡️ Decentralized Leadership: How Uniswap's unique autonomous governance structure influences their products and corporate journey.➡️ The Uniswap Approach: How they balance the drive for building public infrastructure with the demands of running an equity-focused business, all while maintaining a hands-off approach to the governance community.➡️ Cultivating Company Culture: Rituals, Transparency, and Empowerment. Learn how Uniswap Labs is fostering a learning-rich environment and driving employee engagement through university sessions and regular updates.Learn more about Uniswap | Websitehttps://www.uniswap.orgConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#65, Gregory Galant, Co-Founder and CEO of Muck Rack — Pros and cons of bootstrapping, building a scrappy culture, the importance of building a network

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 80:45

Gregory Galant is the co-founder and CEO of Muck Rack, a platform enabling PR teams to work together to find the right journalists for their stories, send customized pitches, build meaningful relationships with the media, monitor news and quantify their impact. It's used by thousands of organizations, including Taco Bell, Pfizer, Golin, International Committee of the Red Cross, Knight Foundation, Kauffman Foundation and Penguin Random House. Muck Rack is also the solution of choice for journalists, who use Muck Rack's free, automatically updated portfolios to showcase their work and provide information about what stories they're looking for. Greg is also the co-creator and executive producer of The Shorty Awards, which honor the best of social media. After being rejected by countless secret societies, Greg secured membership in Twitter and Instagram's exclusive first name club -- follow him at @gregory on both platforms.In this discussion Greg and I go deep on his experiences. Listen to our conversation to learn all about:➡️ Co-founder dynamics: The power of complementary skills and the dangers of too much similarity.➡️ Hiring: How to know when it's time to hire someone and what to look for when you're running lean. ➡️ Managing challenges: How to handle the stress that comes with building a startup - or doing anything challenging.Learn more about Greg's company Muck Rack | Website https://www.muckrack.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#64, Kristi Herold, Founder and CEO of JAM — Pivoting during a crisis, leading through playfulness, and creating joy in the workplace

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 57:16

Kristi Herold is the CEO of JAM, a global business connecting people through play, and one of the largest recreational sports leagues in the world. Since 2020, JAM has produced 3,500+ corporate team-building events in over 30 countries. Kristi consults and speaks on how to move a culture from surviving to thriving. Her bestselling book, "It Pays to PLAY," is a rich resource to help organizations playfully connect with their teams and improve retention, engagement, and overall workplace culture.Here are three takeaways from our talk:- Pivot with Purpose When faced with adversity, like the 18-month revenue hit from the pandemic, Jam Group's shift to virtual events and culture consulting didn't just salvage the business. It highlighted how play can create bridges and bolster morale even in the toughest times.- Create Joy at WorkKristi's entrepreneurial wisdom reminds us that injecting playfulness into the workplaceâ€”be it through music sessions, sports teams, or creative meetingsâ€”can significantly uplift employee engagement and translate into happier customers and improved profitability.- Lessons in Leadership Embracing vulnerability, from owning up to mistakes to combating imposter syndrome, Kristi's approach underscores the power of radical candor and the significance of building social connections within teams for a stronger and more resilient organization.Learn more about Kristi | Websitehttps://www.kristiherold.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#63, Matt Abrahams, Author and Lecturer at Stanford University — Embracing vulnerability in leadership, the art of feedback, and how to personalize your pitch

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 66:08

If you've ever found yourself stumbling over words in a high-stakes presentation or wondering how to turn a dinner party into a deeper connection, this is the conversation you need to hear. Plus, for all the leaders out there, we have expert insights on managing emotional reactions to feedback and fostering a culture of open dialogue for transformative organizational growth.Prepare to enrich your entrepreneurial toolkit and communicate with confidence, empathy, and a little bit of small talk finesse. Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB's Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. Outside of the classroom, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. He also consults for the United Nations' Secretary General's Strategic Planning and Communication Office. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. His new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously, such as navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others. Learn more about Matt | Websitehttp://mattabrahams.com Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#62, Sal Di Stefano, Co-Founder of Mind Pump Media — How authenticity drives growth, how you know you have the right cofounders, why being right is not the goal, and how physical strength drives your leadership

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 86:51

Get pumped for this episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up!I sat down with Sal Di Stefano, the co-founder of Mind Pump Media. You'll learn how he and his co-founders propelled a fitness podcast into a multifaceted business empire.I loved his perspective on embracing the journey, how authenticity drives growth, and the importance of NOT being right.This is a health-conscious conversation for your body and your mind, you're going to gain so much from it!Sal Di Stefano is a personal trainer and co-founder of Mind Pump Media and co-host of Mind Pump, an online radio show/podcast that is dedicated to providing truthful fitness and health information. He is also the designer of the Muscular Adaptation Programming System (MAPS Fitness Products). Sal is dedicated to prioritizing health over appearance, and he aims to shift the direction of the fitness industry from aesthetic- and insecurity-based to one based in self-love and self-care.Learn more about Sal | Websitewww.mindpumpmedia.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#61, Rob Ryan, Co-Founder of Ascend Communications — Embracing a bootstrap mentality, picking the right spouse, and handling the mental and physical toll of entrepreneurship

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2024 71:57

My guest for the latest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up is Rob Ryan, Co-Founder of Ascend Communication. Ascend was acquired by Lucent Technologies in 1999 by Lucent Technologies.Rob is a fount of knowledge about entrepreneurship and courageous leadership. He's also a great story teller and a hoot! Check out this clip for a sneak peek into our talk where Rob talks about something important for your company's long term success: profits. As an early internet pioneer, Rob Ryan served as principal architect in developing the V.32 Modem. He also developed the ethernet blue book standards for the first ethernet chips used in server farms as well as establishing the first decentralized network while working at DECNET.Ryan is the founder, past chairman and CEO of Ascend Communications. Ryan earned national attention when he grew his 1989 start-up company, Ascend Communications, to more than $2 billion in sales. Lucent Technologies acquired Ascend in 1999 for approximately $22 billion in what was termed at the time the "largest technology merger ever."Effectively, Ascend helped create the modern Internet by building all of the infrastructure equipment that powered the Internet worldwide. At the end of 1995, Rob won the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Northern California (including Silicon Valley). Rob also was selected as the Cornell University Entrepreneur of the Year for 2002. Following Ascend's success, Rob has helped build several start-up and early-stage ventures into multi-billion dollar companies, including Right Now Technologies and Silicon Spice, among others. His entrepreneurial successes have transformed businesses using his Sunflower Model®.In 2020 Rob co-founded SunVia, a metaverse infrastructure management company helping to usher in the new age of the internet. Rob also is the co-founder of Sunflower Academy, a non-traditional mentorship platform that utilizes the Sunflower Model® to help startup companies and entrepreneurs realize their full potential.Follow Rob on LinkedIn | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#60, David Meltzer, Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing, and Peter Goldstein, Entrepreneur and author of The Entrepreneur's IPO — The surprising way money impacts your life, the three forms of ignorant arrogance, and how to prepare to take your company

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 33:20

This new episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up features a dynamic tag team of David Meltzer, the Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing, and Peter Goldstein, entrepreneur and the author of “The Entrepreneur's IPO”!You'll hear about David's complete rebirth in his life and career journey as he shares the surprising ways that money impacts your life, and Peter shares solid gold advice about how you can prepare to take your company public.David Meltzer is the Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing, and a legendary sports executive. He formerly served as CEO of the renowned Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment agency, which was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire. He is one of the world's top Entrepreneurs, Investors and Business coaches. David has been recognized by Variety Magazine as their Sports Humanitarian of the Year and awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.Learn more about David | Websitehttps://dmeltzer.com/ Peter Goldstein is a seasoned entrepreneur and capital market expert with over 30 years of experience. His diverse background in international business has equippedhim with valuable insights across various markets and industries.Peter began his entrepreneurial journey as the Founder and CEO of a specialty food distributor, pioneering the farm-to-table organic produce industry in renowned NewYork City restaurants. He is also the author of The Entrepreneur's IPO: The Insider's Roadmap to Taking Your Company Public.Learn more about Peter | Websitehttps://pgoldstein.co/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#59, Jim McKelvey, Co-Founder of Block (formerly Square)— Building a team of missionaries, what true innovation takes, and the importance of timing

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 68:51

How do you find your new idea?What does it take to attract a team of true believers?And what does glass-blowing have to do with entrepreneurship? Hint: the key is timing.All of these questions are answered in my newest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up with Jim McKelvey, the Co-Founder of Block (previously known as Square)!Jim McKelvey is best known for co-founding Square, now called Block. He also founded LaunchCode.org, which has provided free training and jobs for thousands of aspiring programmers. He is the former Chair of the St. Louis Federal Reserve and a trustee of Washington University. Jim is also an artist/designer. Art of Fire is the world's top textbook on glassblowing and his industrial designs are in both the Smithsonian and Museum of Modern Art. He co-founded Third Degree Glass Factory, one of the top centers for glass artwork. He is currently working on a plastic-free diaper. Jim's book, The Innovation Stack, explains how industry-creating innovations actually happen.Learn more about Block | Websitehttps://block.xyz/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#58, Josh Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder of Gusto — Upholding the platinum rule, taking control of your attention, and a framework for hiring people who are in love with your problem

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 71:17

If you're looking for inspiration to upgrade your leadership for 2024, you'll want to listen to my conversation with Josh Reeves, CEO and Co-Founder of Gusto on the newest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up.These are just three topics from our talk that are fantastic guides to follow into the new year:➡️ The key to hire the right people for your company ➡️ The one rule that will help you manage everyone. ➡️ The most important meeting to add to your calendar (hint: it's with yourself.) Josh Reeves is the CEO and co-founder of Gusto, a startup on a mission to create a world where work empowers a better life. By making the most complicated business tasks simple and personal, Gusto is reimagining payroll, benefits and HR for modern companies. Gusto has offices in San Francisco and Denver, and its investors include Google Capital, General Catalyst, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and the founders of Instagram, Stripe, Nest, PayPal, Yelp, Box and Eventbrite, among others.Learn more about Gusto | Websitehttps://www.gusto.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#57, Jon Beckstrand, CEO of MasterControl — Developing a leadership code, how to look forward to hard conversations, and ways to repurpose stress

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 75:27

Does your company have an employee bill of rights?Jon Beckstrand put one together for his team as CEO of MasterControl.That's just one of the strategies that Jon has used at MasterControl to grow the company and successfully execute a pivot. We talked about his leadership philosophy, his tools for learning, and how he's come to embrace having difficult conversations. Listen to the rest of it for helpful strategies you can use right now to become a better leader. Jon Beckstrand is responsible for the overall direction and vision of MasterControl. Since his leadership began in 2002, MasterControl has enjoyed robust growth, introduced an array of new solutions, continued the company's push for innovation, and advanced its position as a leading provider of quality management software and services for regulated companies.Over the course of his 20 years in the software industry, Beckstrand has served on the executive team of a midmarket financial services-focused software provider and advised software and IT companies on company strategy and mergers and acquisitions as part of a team at KPMG in Chicago and Silicon Valley.Learn more about MasterControl | Websitehttps://www.mastercontrol.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#56, Bob Muglia, Former CEO of Snowflake — Having a values-based vs. performance-based company, rooting out dysfunction, and getting fired by Steve Balmer twice

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 68:35

What is the real impact of one bad apple on your team?What's it like to work directly with Bill Gates? What's your playbook for coming in as CEO of a promising company - like Snowflake - and taking them from 0 revenue to $100M in 5 years? On this episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, Bob Muglia, the former CEO of Snowflake and author of The Datapreneurs: The Promise of AI and the Creators Building Our Future, answers all of these and more. You'll learn about his time at Microsoft, including getting fired by Steve Ballmer not just once, but twice, the good and bad lessons he learned from Microsoft in how to lead people. You'll hear his exact playbook when he came into Snowflake, a company with 0 revenue. And you'll learn key leadership lessons like how he builds a values-based company and how he holds people accountable without making them feel bad.Bob Muglia is a data technology investor and business executive, former CEO of Snowflake and past President of Microsoft's Server and Tools Division. As a leader, Bob focuses on how innovation and ethical values can merge to shape the Data Economy's future in the era of AI. He serves as a board director for emerging companies that seek to maximize the power of data to help solve some of the world's most challenging problems.Learn more about his book, The Datapreneurs | Websitethedatapreneurs.comConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#55, Jerry Colonna, Author and Executive Coach — the distinction between vulnerability and honesty, the power of radical self-inquiry, and why you need to heal core wounds to be a great leader

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 67:15

Not all feedback is created equal. Giving positive feedback offers far more benefits than simply showing gratitude for someone's work. It also helps as a vital step to personal self-discovery and self-inquiry. This is a central theme of Jerry Colonna's brand new book, Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong.Jerry joins me on the newest episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up to discuss the process of radical self-inquiry, why it's essential for you to do if you want to grow, and the difference between honesty and vulnerability.Jerry helps people lead with humanity and equanimity. His unique blend of Buddhism, Jungian therapy, and entrepreneurial know-how has made him a sought-after coach and leader, working with some of the largest firms in the country.In his work as a coach, he draws on his experience in Venture Capital (VC) as Co-founder of Flatiron Partners, one of the most successful, early-stage investment programs. Later, he was a partner with J.P. Morgan Partners (JPMP), the private equity arm of J.P. Morgan Chase.As a partner with J.P. Morgan Chase, Jerry launched the Financial Recovery Fund with The Partnership for the City of New York, a $10 million-plus program aimed at creating grants for small businesses impacted by the attacks on the World Trade Center.Along with a strong commitment to the nonprofit sector, Jerry is the author of two books: REBOOT: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up and REUNION: Leadership and the Longing to Belong.Reboot was met with critical acclaim, stirring up a big question in the hearts and minds of people: “How have I been complicit in creating the conditions I say I don't want?” Jerry's second book, Reunion, builds on this question, asking us what benefit we get from the conditions we say we don't want.Learn more about Jerry at reboot.io | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#54, Jim Kwik, Brain Coach and Author — How to find your dominant question, what we can learn from trauma, and the framework to move your vision forward

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 52:12

We often ask each other “What's your why?”Go a step deeper and ask: “What's your dominant question?”Jim Kwik is a brain coach and the author of the #1 WSJ bestseller, “Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life.” One of the many fascinating things we discuss is the idea of the dominant question - why it's so important and useful if you want to do big things in this world.Listen to this brand new episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up to hear all about the most important question to ask yourself, a process to make sure you move your vision forward, the simple methodology you can use to move your vision forward.Jim Kwik is an internationally acclaimed authority in the realm of brain optimization, memory improvement and accelerated learning. With over 30 years of experience, Jim has dedicated his life to helping people tap into their brain's full potential. From overcoming learning challenges after a childhood brain injury, Jim embarked on a journey with the mission to leave no brain behind. Through his teachings, Jim inspires others to unlock their inner genius, empowering them to live a life of greater power, productivity, and purpose.This November, Jim is unveiling an expanded edition of his New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, "Limitless - Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, Unlock Your Exceptional Life." Since its debut in 2020, "Limitless" has emerged as a touchstone in the field, garnering praise from global thought leaders and luminaries. The book has equipped countless readers with tools for unparalleled productivity, personal transformation, and professional triumph – including the future of work, brain nutrition, brain types, and how AI will impact our daily lives. This new edition is tailored for those keen on staying ahead in our fast-changing world.Recognized globally for his expertise in brain empowerment and renowned as the world's #1 brain coach, Jim's influence is vast. Through Kwik Learning, present in 195 countries, he's revolutionizing global learning methods. From students and tech mavens to CEOs, from Hollywood celebrities to professional athletes, Jim's teachings resonate with a diverse audience. Industry giants like Google, Virgin, Nike, SpaceX and 20th Century Fox, along with institutions like Harvard and the United Nations, have embraced his methodologies. His collaborations with entities such as the U.S. Air Force and the Cleveland Clinic further highlight the extensive scope of his influence.Jim is also behind the phenomenal success of the podcast "Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik." His podcast boasts millions of listeners and more than 60 million downloads, and is a testament to his ability to connect and inspire. Learn more about Jim here — Websitehttps://www.jimkwik.com Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#53, Gareb Shamus, Founder of ACE Comic Con— Going from passion to product, how to keep yourself in the game, and why inclusion fosters new businesses

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 78:36

Gareb Shamus is a visionary in the Superhero and character-based franchise worlds. Throughout the last 30 years, he's made a tremendous impact on geek and nerd culture and formed relationships with an unrivaled collection of artists, writers, toy developers, game designers, and celebrities. Gareb founded Comic Con as we know it today, producing 180 events with millions of tickets sold, reaching billions of people worldwide. He is also the founder of Wizard, ToyFare, and Anime Insider magazines with over 100 million issues sold in 75 countries His most recent endeavor, ACE Universe, achieved instant success having produced seven events over two years with the most popular Superhero celebrities that were live-streamed to massive global audiences. Comic Con, the largest comic, sci-fi, and fantasy event in the world, almost never happened. That's because as a young founder, Gareb Shamus, the founder of ACE Comic Con, was on the brink of shutting down his upstart comic magazine, Wizard. Gareb turned to his father and got some surprising, life-changing advice. This episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up is a highlight reel of Gareb Shamus, a superhero visionary, who championed inclusion in his business by focusing on a niche market. You will learn about perseverance, how to take the fuel of your passions and harness it into a product, and how inclusion drives profits. Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#52, Joe Landolina, Co-Founder and CEO of Cresilon— Starting a company in his dorm room, finding the right investors; and the importance of transparent communication

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 73:16

At 17 years old, inventor and entrepreneur Joe Landolina invented a medical breakthrough that is transforming at-home and in-patient wound care. Landolina conceived an adhesive hemostatic gel composed of plant-based polymers that could adhere to a wound site and simultaneously support the natural clotting process. To refine and manufacture the gel technology he invented, Landolina with his partner Isaac Miller founded Cresilon (formerly Suneris), which has since grown into a medical device company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. As Chief Executive Officer, Landolina is now gearing up to take the company's proprietary product VETIGEL to the veterinary market-offering a faster, more reliable solution in hemostasis for veterinarians performing both routine treatments and complex operations in clinics every day. As the face of Cresilon, Landolina meets with investors, clinicians, and industry key opinion leaders, alike, to keep a pulse on the market, meanwhile leading all strategic initiatives internally.Landolina's research background is in biocompatible polymers; in 2013, he was selected as a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar in recognition of his outstanding potential in scientific research. In 2014, Landolina was named a TED Global Fellow and has since traveled around the world representing Cresilon. Landolina is also a former Innovation Consultant at his alma mater, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and on the board of eLab NYC, which supports the development of NYC as the new world leader in life sciences entrepreneurship.Joe Landolina is a force of nature! He was doing chemistry experiments as a teenager, and ended up starting his company, Cresilon, at 17-years old. We talked about his back story and how he learned management and leadership skills, as well as plenty of ups and downs along the way. We also talk about where he got his first clean room (hint: you can buy one too) and what happened when he tried an experiment on his cousin.Learn more about Cresilon | Websitehttps://www.cresilon.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#51, Joel Jackson, Co-Founder and President of Lifeforce — Working with celebrity founders, taking in feedback without getting defensive, and frameworks for learning from experience

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 74:11

Joel Jackson is co-founder and President of Lifeforce, the first clinically integrated health optimization platform. He is a Canadian entrepreneur and executive who has led technology organizations across healthcare, consumer goods, and wellness. Most recently, Joel was CTO of Upgrade Labs, a personal optimization and recovery company based in Santa Monica, California. Prior to Upgrade Labs, Joel led the engineering team for The Honest Company, a direct-to-consumer company focused on improving the health and sustainability of baby products.How do you manage working with someone who has a larger-than-life personality?Joel Jackson, Co-Founder and President of Lifeforce, has worked with figures like Jessica Alba, Dave Asprey, the biohacker and founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and his new venture Lifeforce was co-founded with self-help guru, Tony Robbins.Joel shared so many valuable insights in this conversation, including what it was like to have to shut down his first startup, how he's able to handle big personalities, and his process to deliver blame-free debriefs on projects. We also talk about how he's learned to take in feedback without getting defensive - a valuable skill for all of us.Learn more about Lifeforce | Websitehttps://www.mylifeforce.com/Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#50, Jerry Neumann and Elizabeth Zalman, Authors of Founder Vs. Investor — Learn to love fundraising, handle board dynamics, and how to speak VC

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 75:07

Liz is an infrastructure and information security expert. She is a two-time founder / CEO of venture-backed companies, building the first to a successful exit and the second to a multi-hundred-million-dollar business. Elizabeth has raised more than $100 million in venture capital from the most renowned investors in the world, and is a frequent speaker and guest at industry events and tech podcasts.Jerry Neumann has been an investor and early-stage advisor to groundbreaking technology companies for more than 25 years. He has been called one of New York's “50 Most Important VCs” by Business Insider. Jerry also teaches innovation and entrepreneurship at Columbia University.This episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up has lots to celebrate, as my guests Jerry Neumann and Elizabeth Zalman launch their brand new book, Founder Vs. Investor, and this is also the 50th episode of the show!!I couldn't have asked for better guests for this milestone, who shared a wealth of knowledge for startups and founders about how to actually love fundraising, what you can do to better manage the dynamics of a mercurial board room, and get a walkthrough from Jerry about how to speak VC!Find out more about Jerry and Elizabeth | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#49, Joe Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of Loom — Why it's essential to track your time; how to get better at fundraising; getting your head right to make good decisions; and how to decide to keep building your company, even if it means sleeping on a mattr

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 73:08

Joe Thomas is the CEO and co-founder of Loom, the video communication platform for async work. Joe leads Loom in its mission to empower effective communication, wherever work happens. Prior to Loom, Joe served as Director of Product at MyLife.com and Director of Operations at MediaPass. He also co-founded Redesign Agency while in college at Indiana University.While leading Loom, Thomas has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes Cloud 100, and America's Best Startup Employers.When Joe Thomas started working on Loom, he and the team pivoted 3 times in 9 months. But they finally got the idea right, and now “Loom” is a noun, meaning “send me a video.” In this great discussion, Joe and I go deep in what it's like to tinker with a concept over and over until you finally get it right. We discuss what he learned in his many “at bats” at fundraising, how and why he tracks his time, and the value that his meditation practice has brought to him as a CEO and as a human.This new episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up has so many pearls of wisdom from Joe - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!Find out more about Joe and Loom | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#48, Vishal Sunak, Founder and CEO of LinkSquares — Decision-making frameworks, the most potent management technique, how to build a fierce network from scratch

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2023 46:10

Vishal Sunak is the founder and CEO of LinkSquares, the trusted legal technology partner for over 1,000 in-house teams, including Wayfair, ProPharma, TIME, The Boston Celtics, and Commvault. LinkSquares' market-leading, AI-powered contract lifecycle management and legal task management solutions surface business intelligence with speed, accuracy, and scale. Vishal is widely recognized as a thought leader in the legal technology space, where he has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for legal teams, while elevating their visibility within the enterprise.In 2021, Vishal was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year, one of the most competitive business awards for ambitious leaders who are building and sustaining successful, dynamic companies. Vishal was honored as one of Boston Business Journal's 2022 40 Under 40, celebrating the Boston area's young professionals who are achieving the most in their careers and giving back to the community. LinkSquares' rapid growth ranks No. 10 in Massachusetts and No. 379 overall on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies, landing a top spot for the second year in a row. The company also ranked No. 100 on the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ awards, recognizing the most innovative, fastest-growing technology companies in North America. Internationally, LinkSquares placed among the top ten percent on Financial Times' 2023 ranking of The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies. LinkSquares is recognized as a best place to work locally and nationally by Inc., Boston Business Journal, and more.Outside of LinkSquares, Vishal mentors local Boston-based startup founders, plays covers and the blues on his guitar, and spends time adventuring with his wife and two young daughters.Vishal Sunak, the Founder and CEO of LinkSquares, is a shining example of how you can succeed by doing the work and consistently building. He talks me through his process for decision-making, how he learned about his business he knew nothing about at the beginning, and why and how you can rely on your network to thrive if you build it the right way.Find out more about Vishal and LinkSquares | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#47, Randy Komisar, Entrepreneur and Investor — Lessons learned from a professional gambler, the role of luck your career, and they key decisions that drive the quality of your life. the power of improving your life through the quality of individual dec

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 69:46

Randy Komisar is an entrepreneur and investor at Kleiner Perkins.Previously, he was a co-founder of Claris Corp., served as CEO for LucasArts Entertainment and Crystal Dynamics, and acted as “virtual CEO” for such companies as WebTV and GlobalGiving. Randy also served as CFO of GO Corp. and as senior counsel for Apple Computer, following a private practice in technology law.Randy is a founding director of TiVo and serves on the Roadtrip Nation Advisory Board and Orrick's Women's Leadership Board. He is the author of the best-selling book,The Monk and the Riddle, as well as several articles on leadership and entrepreneurship. He is also the co-author of Straight Talk for Startups, the insider best practices for entrepreneurial success, Getting to Plan B, on managing innovation, and I F**king Love that Company, on building consumer brands.This conversation with Randy Komisar is just spectacular! We dive right into how he turned his interview with Neil Young from disaster to success, why growing up with a professional gambler sharpened his communication skills, the way that luck factors into your career, and the way to maximize your chances of serendipity coming your way.You'll learn pearl after pearl of wisdom from Randy in our conversation, including a crucial question he asks as an investor to any entrepreneur to assess what they're made of. Randy's such a great storyteller, and this discussion is not to be missed! Find out more about Randy and Kleiner Perkins | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#46: Anouck Gotlib, Cofounder and CEO of Belgian Boys — Building a company when you're a creative, dealing with your cofounder when he's also your spouse, and the power of a walk out song

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 57:25

Anouck Gotlib, the Cofounder and CEO of Belgian Boys - a sweet snack company out of Brooklyn, NY, - started her career in fashion. With no business background, she ended up cofounding Belgian Boys with her husband and did a whole bunch of learning by doing. In this episode of From Start-up to Grown-up, hear about her fascinating journey, her very fresh approach on mundane things like the company handbook, and how her mission to spark moments of happiness gets brought to life. Anouck also talks about how her work with her coach has helped her, and why she has a walk on song. Find out more about Belgian Boys | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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#45: Carolyn Rodz, Cofounder and CEO of Hello Alice — How to transform setbacks into learning, the best question to ask future employees, and how to build a strong cofounder relationship

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 67:49

An investment banker turned three-time award-winning Latina entrepreneur from Bolivia, Carolyn serves as the Cofounder and CEO of Hello Alice (helloalice.com), a smart technology that helps business owners find the right path to start and grow their companies. Carolyn is a long-time advocate for underestimated founders and believes technology-driven data will prove the business case for inclusion. During her time at Hello Alice, Carolyn was recognized as a "17 Women to Watch," by Inc. Magazine, and selected by Mayor Turner of Houston to co-chair the Women and Minority Small Business Task Force in 2019.This episode is a masterclass on entrepreneurship!Learn why it's not a good idea to compare yourself to others, who you need to look for to bring on your team, how to handle being on the ropes financially, and the questions you should be asking as a founder. Find out more about Hello Alice | WebsiteConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

#44: Lauren Bush Lauren, Founder and CEO of FEED — Building a business while making an impact, when not to take advice, learning to be direct, and how public service shaped her leadership

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 63:59

Lauren Bush Lauren is the founder and CEO of FEED, the impact-driven lifestyle brand, making products that help feed the children of the world. A native of Texas, Lauren attended Princeton University where she majored in Anthropology. As a sophomore, Lauren had the opportunity to travel with the UN World FOOD Programme. While visiting regions across Central America, Asia, and Africa, Lauren witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty and hunger that people are facing all over the world. Using this experience as an inspiration, Lauren found FEED as a tangible way for her peers to make an impact in fighting childhood hunger. Try, try again.If you believe in your mission like Lauren Bush Lauren, the CEO of Feed does, don't take no for an answer.Learn how she combined her passions with a way to make an impact on the world, how she learned exactly who she needed on her team, and the mistakes made and lessons learned throughout the hiring process. Find out more about Feed | Website For more stories and advice on founders and CEOs, head to alisacohn.com To stay up to date on future episodes and learn more from Alisa, sign up for her newsletter.If you like what you hear, please subscribe to the podcast!Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!