Podcasts about billion dollar company

What happens when an organization removes all managers—and proves that freedom and accountability can thrive together? In this episode of The Conscious Capitalists, hosts Timothy Henry and Raj Sisodia sit down with Doug Kirkpatrick, founding financial controller at Morningstar—the world's largest tomato processor—and a leading voice in the global movement for organizational self-management.Doug shares how Morningstar eliminated traditional hierarchies to build a self-managed system rooted in clarity, trust, and purpose. Drawing from his early experience that ignited a lifelong questioning of authority, Doug walks us through the foundational principles that continue to guide Morningstar's success—from dynamic budgeting to emergent leadership and personal responsibility.As self-management principles spread across industries and sectors, Doug reflects on the broader potential of this approach to not only transform how organizations operate—but to reshape how we live, lead, and relate to one another. His insights reveal how empathy, courage, and radical trust can redefine capitalism for the better.Listeners will gain insights into:How Morningstar functions without bosses or traditional hierarchyThe first-grade moment that inspired Doug's journey toward self-managementThe mechanics of dynamic budgeting and decentralized decision-makingWhy empathy and natural leadership are essential in self-managed teamsHow self-management fosters agility, resilience, and innovationThe personal and societal impact of values-based, self-led systems**If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience.Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.comThis show is presented by Conscious Capitalism, Inc. (https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/) and is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Rithu Jagannath as Lead Producer, and Nathan Wheatley as Editor.Thank you for your support!- Timothy & RajTime Stamps00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:42 Introducing Doug Kirkpatrick02:15 Doug's First Grade Story04:10 Morningstar and Self-Management Principles07:27 Implementing Self-Management at Morningstar09:22 Financial Management in a Self-Managed Enterprise17:05 The Role of Leadership and Natural Leadership20:47 Hiring and Empowerment in a Self-Managed Organization24:55 Commitments and Colleague Letters of Understanding31:39 Intensive Onboarding and Continuous Development33:06 Innovative Organizational Models34:23 Exploring Holacracy and Simple Rules37:14 Impact of Self-Management Beyond Work40:13 Morningstar's Resilience During COVID-1943:05 Handling Business Challenges and Legal Issues45:21 Self-Management and Conscious Capitalism50:40 Leadership and Empathy in Self-Management59:17 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Agenda: 00:00 – The Most Unfiltered Episode Ever Begins 03:30 – Does OpenAI Even Matter? Sam Lessin Says Maybe Not. 05:45 – TVPI Is Bullshit?  09:20 – Asset Gatherers vs Real Investors: Who Actually Wins? 12:15 – The Death of the Billion-Dollar VC Fund? 16:00 – Mid-Tier VC Funds Are Getting Annihilated 21:00 – Chime: Great Exit or Missed Opportunity? 27:00 – The War on Relevance: What Companies Truly Matter? 33:00 – If You're Not a Billion-Dollar Company, Do You Even Count? 37:10 – Mary Meeker's AI Report: What Everyone Missed 39:50 – $600B in AI CapEx—Where Is the Revenue?! 43:40 – What Could Trigger the First AI Crash? 51:10 – The Existential Dread Missing in Most B2B Startups 58:30 – Will AI Reduce Your Startup to Just a Pipe? 01:01:10 – IPO Market Is Back: What Actually Matters Now? 01:06:50 – YC Startups at $60M Valuations: How Should You Play It? 01:10:00 – Why 3% Ownership Could Still Work—Maybe 01:11:30 – Will Elon Still Be Tesla CEO by 2027? Place Your Bets 01:14:10 – Will Meta Release a Closed AI Model? And Does It Even Matter? 01:17:30 – The Real Challenge of Managing 11 Companies and 58 Kids Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile's Regulation A+ Offering. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing in private company securities is not suitable for all investors because it is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. It should only be considered a long-term investment. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. Private company securities are also highly illiquid, and there is no guarantee that a market will develop for such securities. DealMaker Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer, and member of FINRA | SIPC, located at 105 Maxess Road, Suite 124, Melville, NY 11747, is the Intermediary for this offering and is not an affiliate of or connected with the Issuer. Please check our background on FINRA's BrokerCheck.    

Fan Favorite: This episode originally aired on: February 16, 2022. What up, homies! It's your girl Lisa Bilyeu, and welcome back to the Women of Impact podcast, where we dig deep, break down barriers, and build the life of our dreams! Today, I'm bringing you a mega-inspiring convo with a true force of nature, Payal Kadakia! Guys, if you've ever felt tethered by expectations or like the world is pulling you away from your true passion—listen up. Payal Kadakia, the brains and the beating heart behind ClassPass, is here to drop some serious wisdom. She's navigated the complexities of cultural identity and societal pressures to create a billion-dollar company—all while staying true to her love for dance! It's all about finding your freedom train and getting the hell off the one that doesn't serve you. We're diving into the expectations train, exploring how Payal hit the brakes on what she 'should' do and started carving her own unique path. Trust me; this episode is all about unlocking your identity, embracing your true calling, and being bold enough to pursue it. So, whether you're an entrepreneur at heart fighting against the tide or someone who's ready to just own your unique self, Payal's story is the blueprint you've been waiting for! SHOWNOTES 00:00 Dance: A Path to Personal Fulfillment 05:13 Living Authentically Without Guilt 07:43 "From Corporate to Entrepreneur: A Journey" 09:56 Embracing Dual Identity Through Dance 13:48 Balancing Dual Communities 16:22 Dance Teacher Role Reversal 21:42 Overcoming Pressure to Prioritize Ambition 22:36 Setting Boundaries for Emotional Health 27:14 "Finding Your True North" 30:32 Embracing Risk with a Plan B 32:41 "Living by 'Must' Drives Success" 38:48 Embracing Emotions, Reviving Momentum 41:47 Cultural Passion Fuels Unicorn Success 44:39 "Facing Failure Head-On" 45:54 "Transform Fear into Action" 50:25 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Business 54:08 Balancing Professional and Personal Success 55:54 Quarterly Goal-Setting for Impact 59:02 "Check Out This Book!" FOLLOW PAYAL KADAKIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payal/ Website: https://lifepassbook.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code WOI at check out.  BIOptimizers: Head to⁠ https://bioptimizers.com/impact ⁠and use code IMPACT for 10% off.  OneSkin: Get 15% off with code LISA at ⁠https://oneskin.co ⁠ Netsuite: Download the new e-book Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders at ⁠http://NetSuite.com/women⁠ ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:  apple.co/womenofimpact ********************************************************************** FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're diving into a conversation about one of the most important shifts happening in business right now. Did you know the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurship and business ownership is actually women? And at the forefront of that movement is today's guest, a true powerhouse whose story is as inspiring as it is game-changing. Our guest is Suneera Madhani — a visionary entrepreneur, FinTech innovator, and champion for women in business. Suneera is the trailblazing founder of Worth, a revolutionary platform that uses patent-pending AI technology to help small businesses gain fair access to capital. It's a bold, brilliant idea that's leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs everywhere. But her story didn't start at the top. Before founding Worth, Suneera built Stax Payments from the ground up, transforming a simple idea into a multibillion-dollar company with over $140 million in recurring revenue. Along the way, she made history as one of the first female CEOs to build a unicorn — a rare feat in the male-dominated world of FinTech. Her journey is one of resilience, grit, and relentless ambition. From selling credit card machines out of the trunk of a Volkswagen Beetle to being laughed out of boardrooms, she's faced every challenge head-on and proved the doubters wrong time and again. Today, she's not only a successful entrepreneur but also an angel investor, advisor to more than a dozen boards, and a sought-after speaker who's shared her wisdom on some of the world's biggest stages — from Meta and Harvard Business School to South by Southwest and beyond. In this episode, we'll unpack Suneera's incredible rise, her mission to shatter ceilings for women in business, and the lessons she's learned while bootstrapping billion-dollar ventures, navigating biases in leadership, and balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family life. It's a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and what it takes to redefine an entire industry — and you're going to want to hear every word.   Episode Highlights: 00:22:00 Who is Suneera Madhani? 02:30:00 Suneera Madhani's Early Entrepreneurial Journey 05:08:00 The Game-Changing Idea and Rejection 08:22:00 Building a Billion-Dollar Company 14:10:00 Key Components of a Billion-Dollar Business 18:40:00 The Importance of Team and Culture 21:13:00 Building a Winning Team 22:09:00 The Importance of Networking 22:30:00 Hiring Strategies and Challenges 25:41:00 Reflecting on the Journey 31:39:00 Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs 38:50:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Contact Info: Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/   Subscribe to the Podcast:

1996 wurde Nagarro von Manas Human gegründet und hat sich über die Jahre zu einer Billion-Dollar-Company entwickelt. Ein weltweit tätiges und erfolgreiches IT-Beratungsunternehmen muss aber nicht unbedingt hierarchisch sein. Arbeitskultur geht auch anders, erklärt Vera Reichlin-Meldegg. Sie ist bei Nagarro für für People, Culture und Communications in Europa verantwortlich und hat diesen Bereich selbst mit aufgebaut – inspiriert durch ihre Zeit in Indien. In dieser Folge erzählt sie von Nagarros Arbeitskultur und gibt Einblicke, wie das Unternehmen tickt.Die Themen:- Namenswechsel zu Manas Human- Unternehmensorganisation nagarro- Mitarbeiter:innen weltweit- Superkraft: Caring-Werte- Praxisbeispiele für flexible Netzwerke- Wie Chancengleichheit gelebt wird- Lern-Demokratie & Gamification- Resignation am Arbeitnehmermarkt- So funktioniert Führung bei Nagarro- Fazit: Das macht Nagarros Kultur besondersWenn dir diese Folge gefallen hat, lass uns doch fünf Sterne als Bewertung da und folge dem Podcast auf Spotify, Apple und Co. Für Anregungen, Kritik, Feedback oder Wünsche zu künftigen Gästen schick uns jederzeit gerne eine Mail an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback@trendingtopics.at⁠.

Join Kamyabi Network: https://kamyabinetwork.com/Guest Introduction: Joining us today is Shajee Aijazi, a Toronto-based designer with over 10 years of experience crafting impactful digital products and design solutions. As the Founder of Design Garage and with previous experience as Sr. Lead UX Designer at Autodesk and Senior UX Designer at OPENLANE, Shajee focuses on creating user-centric designs that address both user and business needs. His expertise spans UX design, user research, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver strategic UX solutions. Shajee also shares his knowledge as a UX Design Mentor at the Institute of Emerging Careers and holds a Bachelor's in Design from the Indus Valley School of Art and ArchitectureDo not forget to subscribe and press the bell icon to catch on to some amazing conversations coming your way!#thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #ui #graphicdesign #shajeeaijaziSocials:TBT's Official Instagram: / thoughtbehindthings Muzamil's Instagram: / muzamilhasan Muzamil's LinkedIn: / muzamilhasan Shajee's LinkedIn: / shajeeaijazi Shajee's Instagram: / shajeeaijazi Podcast Links:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkf

Subscribe at ⁠www.thisnewway.com⁠ to get the step-by-step playbooks, tools, and workflows.In episode 4 of This New Way, Aydin sits down with Andrew Waitman, CEO of Assent, to explore how a billion-dollar B2B SaaS company is transforming operations, product development, and team productivity with AI. Andrew shares how Assent went from under $1M to nearly $200M ARR, became one of the earliest adopters of GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT Enterprise, and how they now embed AI-driven OKRs across every team.You'll hear real use cases: from summarizing messy trip reports, generating synthetic bills of materials for secure testing, and accelerating supplier document reviews — to measuring impact on productivity and profitability. Andrew also offers actionable insights on how to drive AI adoption across teams, how CEOs should personally lead the AI charge, and which tools he uses daily to stay ahead.You'll walk away knowing how to start small, scale fast, and turn AI into a measurable force multiplier across your org.⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠ to check out the AI-generated timestamps, episode summary and transcript.. . .Like this episode? Be sure to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review and share the episode with someone who will benefit from listening.. . .TIMESTAMPS:00:35 Andrew's background and Assent's growth journey02:37 The scale: 18,000 suppliers, 200 compliance topics05:07 The post-ChatGPT transformation and Vista Equity OKRs06:09 Early adoption of GitHub Copilot & ChatGPT Enterprise08:51 Trip report improvements using AI synthesis09:35 Generating synthetic bills of materials for safe testing12:26 Where AI drives efficiency: entity resolution, part matching, document validation13:12 Measuring AI's impact: productivity, quality, and profitability17:32 Expanding customer success capacity without adding headcount20:37 How to drive company-wide AI adoption (hackathons, Slack, evangelists)24:10 Andrew's personal AI workflows & deep research routinesTOOLS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:AI Tools & PlatformsGitHub Copilot (Microsoft) → adopted early for engineeringChatGPT (OpenAI, including Enterprise license) → used across teams for synthesis, rewriting, summarizationPerplexity AI (Pro) → used for deep research reportsInternal AI Use Cases & SystemsSynthetic bills of materials → generated using AI to safely test software without exposing sensitive customer dataAutomated document review → handling millions of supplier documents for complianceEntity resolution → using AI to match the right supplier or part across massive datasetsPart resolution & document validation → automating complex checks in the supply chainCompany-Wide AI Adoption Tools & MethodsOKRs (Objectives & Key Results) → embedded AI goals at company, team, and functional levelsAI hackathons → internal competitions to inspire creative use casesSlack channels → for sharing, evangelizing, and discussing AI applications internallyPersonal CEO Tools & WorkflowsPerplexity deep research → running 12–15 deep research reports per dayAI summarization & rewriting → e.g., turning multi-page trip reports into professional one-page summaries

What happens when a founder decides to step off the venture capital treadmill and build a business focused on sustainable growth instead of unicorn status? Sahil Lavigna's journey with Gumroad provides a refreshing alternative to typical Silicon Valley narratives.Gumroad eliminated office space, stripped back to core functionality, and rebuilt around a simple promise: helping creators earn a living with minimal friction.This pivot proved remarkably successful. With a business model charging just 5% plus 30 cents per sale (significantly lower than competitors), Gumroad has grown to $11.1 million in annual revenue while supporting creators earning over $5 million monthly.Sahil's transparent approach, exemplified by his article "Reflecting on my Failure to Build a Billion Dollar Company," resonated deeply with creators disillusioned by the hyper-growth startup model. His practical advice rings true for founders everywhere: solve real problems, charge fair prices, keep costs low, and protect your work-life balance.Subscribe to hear more stories of entrepreneurs building location-independent businesses on their own terms, and share this episode with someone forging their own path in the world of remote work.Refer a Remote Work Expert As a Guest On The ShowClick here remoteworklife.io to subscribe to my free newsletter Connect on LinkedIn

Alan Barnhart is the CEO of Barnhart Crane & Rigging, which gives away 50% of its profits and he believes is God’s company. His personal commitment to earn a normal person salary makes Alan one of the most unique members of the Army.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/premiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Barnhart is the CEO of Barnhart Crane & Rigging, which gives away 50% of its profits and he believes is God’s company. His personal commitment to earn a normal person salary makes Alan one of the most unique members of the Army.Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/premiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​Hamish Edwards hasn't told his story in detail before. and so you get to hear it for the first time. Renowned for co-founding Xero with Rod Drury in 2006 in his accounting companies' boardroom, before they ever moved to said apartment. As a practicing accountant at the time and working with Rod, Hamish played a pivotal role in Xero's early growth, shaping the product and expanding its customer base across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom by closely collaborating with accounting firms.In this episode, Hamish tells us how and why Xero was founded and what he is doing now with https://www.firmcheck.com/. We discuss the importance of obsession in achieving success and whether all founders have to be obsessed or not. Now worth in the vicinity of $300 million, we ask Hamish: Has success changed you? If you are a founder looking to go global, this one is not to be missed.This podcast is brought to you by our amazing sponsor in Vanta and could not be done without them.

Send us a textMaster business finance for free with 100+ video lessons—no gimmicks, no hooks, just valuable knowledge: https://www.byfiq.com/What does it really take to lead the financial strategy of a billion-dollar company?Steve Coughran reveals the three biggest lessons he learned as CFO—insights that every business leader needs to know. From simplifying financials to uncovering hidden risks on the balance sheet, these takeaways can help you drive massive value.But the most important lesson? It's not what you think. Tune in now to find out.Disclaimer:BYFIQ, LLC is a wholly owned entity of Coltivar Group, LLC. The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.byfiq.com/terms-and-privacy-policy for additional important information.Get your copy of Cash Flow today!Continental US: Claim your free copy hereWorldwide: Available on Amazon Support the show

In this solo episode, Casey kicks off 2025 by sharing his renewed focus on foundational habits and the inspiration they bring to living an excellent life. Reflecting on personal routines, he highlights two practices: revisiting his long-standing commitment to a book-a-week (or month) challenge and embracing Jocko Willink's 10-minute burpee routine as a mental and physical game-changer.Casey dives into Am I Being Too Subtle? by legendary entrepreneur Sam Zell, unpacking Zell's unique journey and the five principles that defined his success: thinking contrarian, managing risk, valuing relationships, keeping things simple, and staying curious. Through Zell's incredible stories—like building a real estate empire, crafting billion-dollar deals, and forging lifelong partnerships—Casey explores timeless lessons that resonate in both business and life.This episode offers practical insights for starting the year with intention, learning from extraordinary lives, and adopting habits that drive success, fulfillment, and joy in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the PT Entrepreneur Podcast, Doc Danny dives into the marketing genius behind Coca-Cola. While he's not a soda drinker, his visit to the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta revealed the power of branding, storytelling, and emotional marketing. He breaks down Coca-Cola's strategic moves—like free drink coupons, iconic bottle design, and emotional advertising—and how PTs can apply these lessons to build a recognizable and lasting brand. Tune in to learn how to craft a brand identity that resonates, builds loyalty, and stands out from the competition.   Resources Mentioned: Visit PhysicalTherapyBiz.com to learn more about scaling your practice and schedule a consultation with the team. Join our 5-Day Challenge at physicaltherapybiz.com/challenge Apply at physicaltherapybiz.com/apply Leave a 5-star review on iTunes if you enjoy the podcast! Encourage a friend to do the same! Join our free PT Entrepreneur Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/ptentrepreneurv

Oscar Höglund, Co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound, is leading one of the world's largest music and sound effects libraries. The platform's music now soundtracks videos that amass a staggering 2.5 billion views daily on YouTube and TikTok alone. Oscar's innovative approach has not only empowered creators worldwide but also attracted substantial investments, such as a $450 million funding round in 2021, valuing the company at $1.4 billion. In this episode, Oscar shares the journey of building Epidemic Sound, touching on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the role of curiosity and collaboration, and the power of diverse life experiences in shaping leadership. We explore the importance of music in content creation, and how AI is transforming the industry. Episode 62 Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:08 Oscar Explains How Problem-Solving Is Attached to Curiosity 00:08:43 How YOU Can Use Problem-Solving to Build Companies 00:10:15 How Military Service Shaped Oscar's Life 00:13:17 From Military Instructor to Ski Instructor (BIG TWIST) 00:14:51 How Oscar Finally Got into Business School & Found His Path 00:20:40 How Traveling Can Make Your Extremely Valuable 00:24:03 THIS Was Oscar's Bad Decision 00:28:16 Oscar Explains How Being Different Led to His Success 00:32:45 Understanding the Super-Power of Diversity in Your Team 00:35:13 Oscar Reveals the Secret for Trusting Your Gut (Never Fail Again) 00:40:20 The Origin of Epidemic Sound 00:44:07 How the Music Industry Actually Works (SECRETS) 00:50:05 This Is How Epidemic Sound Revolutionized the Music Industry 00:54:58 The Real Mission of Epidemic Sound (Core Values) 00:58:20 How Epidemic Sound Changed the Content Creation Game 01:03:36 How Working with Epidemic Changed EVERYTHING For Artists 01:05:32 How Epidemic Changed Artist Compensation Forever 01:11:48 Understanding the Internet's Sound 01:14:55 Integrating AI Into Epidemic's Ecosystem 01:17:24 Oscar Talks About the Future of AI In Music Creation 01:26:38 How to Build a Team & Create Company Culture 01:38:16 Steps to Build a Truly Successful Business If this podcast is helping you, please take 2 minutes to rate our podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, It will help the Podcast reach and help more people! Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/12jUe4lIJgxE4yst7rrfmW?si=ab98994cf57541cf Apple Podcasts (Scroll down to review)- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-decisions-podcast/id1677462934 Find out more about Epidemic Sound: https://www.instagram.com/epidemicsound/ Join our discord server where we connect and share assets: https://discord.gg/zwycgqezfD Bad Decisions Audio Podcast

Turning around a struggling company isn't for the faint of heart, but Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies, is proving it can be done—and done well. Leading 30,000 employees and steering billions in revenue, Kate is tackling one of the toughest challenges in business: shifting a telecom giant from “playing not to lose” to “playing to win.” In this episode, Kate opens her fresh and fearless playbook on what it really takes to transform a culture: it starts with clarifying your mission and getting everyone aligned. She shares bold, practical strategies like fostering trust, teaching resilience, and encouraging courageous conversations that push teams forward, not sideways. We'll also unpack why most leaders fail at culture change (and it's not for lack of trying), how to break silos by getting close to the action, and the non-negotiables for any leader's first 100 days. If you're ready to rethink what it means to lead and create a culture that wins, you don't want to miss this one.  ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Episode OverviewIn this episode of Between Two COOs, host Michael Koenig interviews Jon Mark, COO of Vestwell, a leading provider of digital platforms for workplace savings and investment programs. Vestwell supports nearly 25,000 small businesses, over a million savers, and $25 billion in assets under management across all 50 states.They discuss Vestwell's mission to close the savings gap, its innovative approach to financial wellness, and Jon's career journey from Bridgewater to COO at Vestwell. Key Topics Covered1. Vestwell's Vision and Product Offerings• Simplifying workplace savings through innovative digital platforms.• Expanding beyond 401(k)s to include student debt paydown, 529 education savings, and more.• Recent acquisition of Gratifi from Morgan Stanley to help employers support student loan repayment.2. The Retirement Crisis• Addressing the lack of sufficient retirement savings in the U.S.• The role of state-sponsored retirement programs and employer-provided plans.• Larry Fink's warning about the coming retirement flood.3. AI in Financial Wellness• Vestwell's integration of AI to enhance user experiences, including a new AI chatbot.• Using AI to simplify complex financial concepts and empower financial advisors.4. Jon Mark's Career Path• Transition from VP of Strategy to COO at Vestwell.• Mentorship, curiosity, and deep problem-solving as key drivers of career progression.• Lessons learned from working at Bridgewater and applying them to operations at Vestwell.5. Navigating Risk and Strategy• Managing risk by tying decisions to money, time, and outcomes.• Balancing mission and growth by focusing on small and medium-sized businesses.• Using a “chassis” approach to consolidate financial tools for broader impact.6. Operational Challenges in a Regulated Industry• Overcoming complex regulatory requirements.• How Vestwell builds scalable, efficient processes within strict constraints.7. The Role of the COO• A COO's need to handle diverse domains—engineering, HR, healthcare, and more.• Strategies for managing imposter syndrome and fostering collaboration.• Building a transparent culture through metrics and regular communication.8. Mission-Driven Decision Making• How Vestwell aligns its strategy with its mission to close the savings gap.• Clear objectives, OKRs, and open communication as tools to drive alignment. Memorable Moments• Jon's story about solving three major operational issues in one night before an acquisition deal closed.• Insights on how Vestwell is innovating in financial wellness while maintaining a mission-oriented approach. Key Quotes• “You can't just approach problems with jargon—you need to deeply understand the substance.”• “Having a tangible North Star is critical. For us, it's funded accounts—it's the metric that matters most.”• “At the end of the day, strategy and tactics are just bets with different time horizons.” About the HostMichael Koenig is the host of Between Two COOs, a podcast that dives into the stories, strategies, and advice of today's top Chief Operating Officers. Learn more at betweentwocoos.com. 

Happy new year besties! In honor of the fresh year that is 2025, as many of you will be kicking off your fitness journey's, what better way to kick off the year than with the founder of a billion dollar health company Lisa Bilyeu! Lisa and her husband Tom co-founded Quest Nutrition, a health food company, which sold for $1 billion dollars. Yes you heard that right, 1 BILLION! Lisa walks me though her journey to help create Quest and her current mission to support women through her content and podcast! Check out Lisa on IG HERE or listen to her podcast at https://www.youtube.com/@LisaBilyeu Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok! Got a financial question you want answered in a future episode? Email us at podcast@yourrichbff.com Thank you to our sponsors: Amazon One Medical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan McCrum investigated a story at Wirecard that had him fearing for his safety.British journalist Dan McCrum usually writes about businesses for the London-based newspaper, the Financial Times. In 2014 he got a tip off alleging there were so-called gangsters behind a much-feted German company called Wirecard. The company had started small, taking care of the technical part of processing online payments. But by the time Dan starting looking into it, it was entering the big league. And what he discovered took him into unchartered territory: of international spies, underworld deals and fraud on a massive scale.The chief executive Markus Braun was arrested in 2020 and is now on trial in Germany. He denies all charges against him and says he himself was deceived. At the request of Germany, Interpol issued a red notice for the arrest of Wirecard's former Chief Operating Officer, Jan Marsalek. He is believed to have fled to Russia.Dan's written a book about his investigation called Money Men: A Hot Startup, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth.Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Jo Impey Editor: Munazza KhanGet in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

Marc Benioff is the co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, the second-largest software company in the world. He started programming at age 15, selling his first program for $75, and went on to build Salesforce into a company worth more than $300 billion that also owns Slack, Tableau, Quip, and MuleSoft. Marc is known as a marketing legend, and is now leading Salesforce into the era of AI agents. In our conversation, we discuss:• The importance of maintaining a beginner's mind• His approach to product launches and marketing• Managing through tough times and layoffs• His relationship with Steve Jobs and lessons learned• Why Salesforce is betting big on AI agents• Many stories from his entrepreneurial roller coaster• Much more—Brought to you by:• Cloudinary—The foundational technology for all images and video on the internet• Enterpret—Transform customer feedback into product growth• Coda—The all-in-one collaborative workspace—Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/behind-the-founder-marc-benioff—Where to find Marc Benioff:• X: https://x.com/benioff• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbenioff—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Marc Benioff and Salesforce(03:54) Marc's early career and domain names(05:59) The App Store story and lessons from Steve Jobs(15:18) Lessons from launching Salesforce(22:03) The importance of keeping a beginner's mindset(29:53) Why Marc calls Salesforce the “25-year startup”(31:47) Agentforce(36:09) Why Marc says AI is the defining technology of our lifetime(40:12) AI's impact on the workforce(42:31) Entrepreneurs need to be like conductors(46:02) Failure corner(50:32) The future of AI agents(56:34) Final thoughts and farewell—Referenced:• Bill.com: https://www.bill.com• App Store: https://www.apple.com/app-store/• Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com• Oracle: https://www.oracle.com• Larry Ellison on X: https://x.com/larryellison• Siebel Systems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siebel_Systems• Saba Software: https://talentedlearning.com/lms-vendor-directory/saba-software• Tom Siebel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomassiebel• Avon: https://www.avon.com• Salesforce Chief Has Pulled Some Crazy Stunts: https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-benioff-salesforcecom-chief-has-pulled-some-crazy-stunts-2012-3•  Matthew McConaughey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officiallymcconaughey• Woody Harrelson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodyharrelson• “Ask More of AI” with Matthew McConaughey: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnobS_RgN7JaxOsLD8WH0I9E6osK3UrfI• Marc's tweet about the ad with McConaughey and Harrelson: https://x.com/Benioff/status/1866175950062239784• Chris Rock on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrock• Sushi Iwa: http://www.sushiiwa.jp/en/• Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1145/• Neil Young Archives on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilyoungarchives• Mount Tam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tamalpais• Spirit Rock: https://www.spiritrock.org• Jack Kornfield: https://www.spiritrock.org/teachers/jack-kornfield• Agentforce: https://www.salesforce.com/form/agentforce/demo• Minority Report on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Minority-Report-Tom-Cruise/dp/B00A2FSSHK• Peter Schwartz on X: https://x.com/peterschwartz2• UCSF Health: https://www.ucsfhealth.org• A.I. Chatbots Defeated Doctors at Diagnosing Illness: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/health/chatgpt-ai-doctors-diagnosis.html• Does AI improve doctors' diagnoses? Study puts it to the test: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241113123419.htm• A.I. Will Transform the Global Economy—if Humans Let It: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/special-series/ai-transform-global-economy.html• Wargames on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Wargames-Dabney-Coleman/dp/B0011EQBOS• Her on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Her-Joaquin-Phoenix/dp/B00KATY250• AI (Einstein) at Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/in/artificial-intelligence• Salesforce Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Airkit.ai: https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/salesforce-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-airkit-ai• Salesforce Buys Big Data Startup RelateIQ for Up to $390M: https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/11/salesforce-buys-big-data-startup-relateiq-for-up-to-390m• Salesforce to cut workforce by 10% after hiring ‘too many people' during the pandemic: https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/04/salesforce-to-cut-workforce-by-10-after-hiring-too-many-people-during-the-pandemic• Michael Dell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdell• Bret Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettaylor• Akio Toyoda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akio_Toyoda• Kaizen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaizen• TRS-80: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80• CLOAD Magazine: https://archive.org/details/cload_newsletter—Recommended books:• Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Fleet-Novel-Next-World/dp/054470505X• Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company—and Revolutionized an Industry: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Cloud-Salesforce-com-Billion-Dollar-Company/dp/0470521163• Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change: https://www.amazon.com/Trailblazer-Business-Greatest-Platform-Change/dp/1984825194—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

In this episode of Chew On This, Ash and Ankit are joined by Rob Schutz, a serial entrepreneur, as he discusses his experiences building marketing teams and scaling businesses across various industries, including pet products (BarkBox), men's health (Ro), and domain acquisition (Snagged). He emphasizes the importance of initially focusing on a few key marketing channels that are already showing promise, rather than diversifying too early. He also shares insights into navigating regulatory hurdles in the healthcare industry and the challenges (and rewards) of acquiring valuable domain names. The conversation touches on building strong teams, the role of community in brand building, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in marketing.

In this episode of The Ops Authority Podcast, we're diving deep into the operational journey with Amber Monaco, owner of "You Need an Amber." From her start as a Navy paralegal to becoming a sought-after operations specialist, Amber shares invaluable operators' insights for professionals at all stages. We explore strategies for diversifying your operational skills, optimizing large-scale corporate environments, and balancing personal life with professional growth. Whether you're managing projects, navigating corporate structures, or planning your next career move, this episode is full of tips to refine your operational skills and position yourself for future success. For full show notes, check out www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/262 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram Brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network

In the ever-evolving landscape of business communication, platforms like WhatsApp are no longer just messaging apps but have transformed into powerful platforms enabling businesses to connect with their customers in groundbreaking ways. In the latest episode of Startups in Focus, our Managing Director Carlos Espinal and our Principal Felix Martinez, dive deep into this topic with Tarek Khalil and Mohamed Elbadwihi, co-founders of Rasayel, exploring how they are leveraging WhatsApp to redefine business communication. They also explore: - the evolution of WhatsApp as a platform and its impact on business communication, driven by its mass usage and business demand, highlighting the complexities of compliance and global usage variations; - the strategic choice of focusing on WhatsApp due to its global prevalence and trusted infrastructure; - the potential of building a billion-dollar company on platforms like WhatsApp, drawing parallels with Salesforce and Shopify; - how to navigate platform risks. About Rasayel: Rasayel focuses on enabling businesses to interact with customers via WhatsApp, which they see as the future of business communication, offering a more personal and immediate interaction compared to emails and phone calls. Tarek and Mohammed foresee significant business opportunities as WhatsApp evolves, aiming for Rasael to become a leading player on the platform. Show Notes: Tarek Khalil - linkedin.com/in/tarek-khalil-wa/ Mohamed Elbadwihi - linkedin.com/in/amuno Carlos Espinal - linkedin.com/in/carloseduardoespinal/ Felix Martinez - linkedin.com/in/felixjmartinez/ Rasayel - rasayel.io Seedcamp - seedcamp.com Get in Touch with Rasayel: For businesses, investors, or users eager to explore further into Rasayel, the easiest way to reach them is—fittingly—through WhatsApp via their website. Dive Deeper: Betting on WhatsApp - Tarek Khalil, Co-founder and CEO of Rasayel, wrote a thesis for anyone who wants to understand, build, or invest in the future of the WhatsApp platform. [https://justmessaged.substack.com/p/betting-on-whatsapp] Overview: 00:00 Can WhatsApp Sustain a Billion-Dollar Company? 00:25 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 01:05 Founders' Backgrounds and Journey 03:16 Lessons Learned from Previous Startups 05:29 The Birth of Octopods and Rassayel 08:10 How Rassayel Helps Businesses 10:36 WhatsApp as a Platform 13:34 Platform Risks and Meta's Strategy 21:24 Global Usage of Messaging Apps 23:53 Global Messaging Trends and WhatsApp's Dominance 24:47 Trust and Confidentiality in Messaging Platforms 25:47 WhatsApp's Strategic Development and Market Penetration 27:45 Navigating Multiple Messaging Channels 32:07 WhatsApp Business Platform: Features and Compliance 37:34 Future of Business on WhatsApp 45:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Jeff Fenster Show, Bruce Cardenas shares his incredible journey from personal security to helping build one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. with record years of over 57,000% growth. He dives deep into the power of purpose-driven business strategies, how he navigated massive challenges, and what it takes to turn opportunities into billion-dollar success stories. Bruce emphasizes the importance of making a difference in people's lives and reveals key lessons learned along the way. Tune in to hear inspiring stories of impact, growth, and the mindset needed to lead with purpose.

Christopher Kaufman is a co-founder and the Chief Creative Officer of StockX, an online marketplace for sneakers, collectibles, and clothing. StockX, launched in 2016, uses stock market principles for trading items with transparency and authenticity. Beyond his role at StockX, Kaufman has been involved in other ventures and continues to engage with the entrepreneurial community, sharing his experiences and insights with students and aspiring entrepreneurs​ Connect with Christopher Kaufman! instagram.com/kaufstagram x.com/kauf CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 0:59 - Meet Christopher Kaufman 5:39 - Chris's Painting Collections 6:40 - Has Chris always been a Collector? 7:10 - Chris on StockX and Art Clvb 12:13 - How does StockX handle sneaker/clothing/collectible verification? 18:40 - Chris on StockX's Two-Verification Process 20:38 - StockX's Verification Process Success Rate 25:42 - Chris on StockX's Verification Costs 27:49 - Chris on StockX's Sellers making Multi-Million dollar Businesses 31:12 - How do people make money on StockX? 34:07 - How does Sneaker Backdooring Work? 37:19 - How does E-commerce affect the Retail Market? 42:12 - Are Luxury Brands Declining in Hype Nowadays? 48:34 - Chris on the valuation of Andy's TNF x Supreme Atlas Jacket and other collectibles 55:59 - Chris on Why and How he started Art Clvb 1:04:10 - Chris on the consequences of breaking the Blockchain chain of ownership 1:06:31 - Chris on Cryptocurrency and Collecting NFTs 1:11:20 - Chris on Logan Paul's Fractional Sale of Pokémon Cards 1:14:22 - How does Fractional Ownership work? 1:17:26 - Chris's thoughts on investing in Watch Collections 1:21:25 - Chris on buying power through every generation 1:25:20 - Has traveling nowadays become Consumerism? 1:26:23 - Chris's thoughts on Replicas 1:29:52 - Chris on his criteria for buying things 1:32:10 - What products does Chris think are underrated? 1:34:14 - Chris on choosing what products to buy 1:35:34 - Chris's recent life discoveries 1:37:07 - Chris's goals for the next six months 1:37:49 - Connect with Chris Kaufman 1:38:21 - Outro

Kerry Lutz interviewed Scott Jarred, a wealth management and real estate expert, about his journey from a Section 8 apartment to building a billion-dollar company. Scott shared his experiences and emphasized the importance of hard work, creating opportunities for others, developing good habits, and being comfortable with discomfort as key factors in his success. He also discussed the pivotal role of managing emotions in financial decision-making and personal development, emphasizing the importance of emotional quotient (EQ) alongside intelligence quotient (IQ) and experience.  Scott Jarred and Kerry Lutz also discussed the challenges of navigating through economic downturns and finding opportunities amidst adversity. They shared their personal experiences during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2009 real estate market crash, emphasizing the significance of resilience and optimism in overcoming challenges. Additionally, Scott Jarred discussed his successful real estate investment approach, emphasizing the importance of cash management and uncorrelated assets to protect clients' funds during market downturns.  Finally, Scott Jarred and Kerry Lutz delved into the evolving dynamics of office work and the implications for real estate and investment. Jarred emphasized the need for companies to adapt to a hybrid model by creating vibrant and attractive office spaces that foster collaboration and productivity. He shared examples of repurposing real estate to make it more lifestyle-oriented, highlighting the shift towards a more appealing work environment. Find Scott here: Invest.com and here: ScottJarred.com Find Kerry here: FSN and here: inflation.cafe

Eynat Guez leaped from a comfortable corporate job to co-founding Papaya Global. Despite numerous investor rejections, she stayed true to her vision, proving the market need for her innovative solutions. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, she turned her startup into a global payroll and HR solutions powerhouse valued at $3.7 billion. In this episode, Eynat reveals the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, underscoring the importance of resilience and adaptability in achieving success. Eynat Guez is the co-founder and CEO of Papaya Global, a leading global payroll platform. ​She has been recognized among Forbes Israel's Power Women and Fortune's most powerful women in startups.   In this episode, Ilana and Eynat will discuss: - The hardest parts of being an entrepreneur - The best way to deal with negative feedback - The loneliness of the CEO role - Eynat's struggle to raise capital while pregnant - Strategies for dealing with rejection - The importance of client-centricity - Balancing motherhood with a demanding career - The differences between building and scaling a company - How to stay motivated through setbacks - The significance of humility in leadership - The importance of a supportive network - And other topics…   Eynat Guez is the co-founder and CEO of Papaya Global, a global payroll and workforce management platform valued at $3.7 billion. Raised in Israel, she started her career in HR and technology, holding key roles in Africa and China before founding Papaya Global in 2016. Eynat champions diversity, maintaining a 50% female workforce and advocating for Israeli-Palestinian economic cooperation. She has been recognized among Forbes Israel's Power Women and Fortune's most powerful women in startups. Eynat holds a BA in Political Science and Business Administration from the Open University of Israel. Connect with Eynat: Eynat's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eynatguez/ Resources Mentioned: Papaya Global: https://www.papayaglobal.com/  

In this episode of Between Two COOs, host Michael Koenig sits down with Valentin Gruber, COO of HomeToGo, to explore the inner workings of the vacation rental aggregator and its strategy. HomeToGo went public via a SPAC in 2021, reaching a valuation of $1.2 billion after raising $150 million in VC funding. Valentin shares insights into the company's growth, its approach to balancing marketplace and software solutions, and the strategic importance of acquisitions. The discussion delves into leadership principles, decision-making frameworks, and how HomeToGo navigates market complexities while competing with giants like Airbnb. Valentin also provides an entertaining look at innovative cost-saving measures the company employed, highlighting the unique culture at HomeToGo. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in strategic growth, leadership, and the evolving landscape of the vacation rental market.00:00 Introduction to Between Two COOs00:16 Valentin Gruber's Background and Home2Go Overview01:01 Home2Go's Market Position and Public Listing01:57 Home2Go's Business Model Evolution05:16 Scale and Transactions at Home2Go07:19 Subsidiaries and Acquisitions15:36 Strategic Planning and Problem Solving22:39 Leadership and Company Culture24:20 Management Approach and Decision-Making Techniques25:45 Balancing Learning and Expertise28:59 The Importance of Pre-Reads in Decision Making32:41 Leaders Staying Connected to Problems33:54 Understanding SPACs and HomeToGo's Public Journey38:20 Strategic Use of SPAC Funds39:18 Evaluating and Executing M&A Deals42:05 Memorable Moments and Financial Discipline46:26 Conclusion and Farewell 

✔ Sources: ► https://cointelegraph.com/news/deutsche-telekom-plans-bitcoin-mining-btc-prague ► https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/fetch-ai-invests-100-million-in-ai-blockchain-tech/ ► https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/fetch/ #bitcoin #crypto #cryptocurrency #bitcoindailynews #cryptonews The information provided by Pleb Underground ("we," "us," or "our") on Youtube.com (the "Site") our show is for general informational purposes only. All information on the show is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SHOW OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SHOW. YOUR USE OF THE SHOW AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SHOW IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Building a Billion Dollar Company with John Hewitt In this episode of the Profit Answer Man, we are joined by renowned American entrepreneur John Hewitt as he shares insights on scaling a business to a billion dollars and the right time to franchise. John Hewitt is a renowned American entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the business world through his innovative ideas and strategic thinking. He is best known for his success in the tax preparation industry, having founded two of the largest tax preparation companies in the United States - Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax. Both companies represent two of the top 100 largest retail organizations in North America. In this episode, you will learn the following: Budgeting based on both best and worst-case scenarios rather than fixed projections. Flexibility in adjusting expenses based on actual revenue outcomes, ensuring financial stability A proactive approach to managing growth by adjusting hiring practices based on performance Strategic workforce planning and financial management to sustain growth and adapt to changing market conditions. Assessing one's own strengths and weaknesses truthfully Seek out individuals who bring expertise in areas where the CEO may be lacking. Links: https://www.loyaltybrands.com/ john@2@loyaltybrands.com   Hi, I'm the Profit Answer Man Rocky Lalvani! I help small business owners simplify their financial reports to make more informed business decisions with fewer hassles. We utilize the Profit First system created by Mike Michalowicz Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Schedule your free, no-obligation intro call: https://bookme.name/rockyl/lite/intro-appointment-15-minutes Check out our website: http://profitcomesfirst.com/ Questions: questions@profitanswerman.com Email: rocky@profitcomesfirst.com Relay Bank (affiliate link) - https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst  Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Profit First Toolkit: click here to sign up This episode is part of the SMB Podcast Network. Find other great interviews from around the internet just like this one at https://www.SMBPodcastNetwork.com Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs. #profitfirst

SummaryIn this video, Somi Arian shares what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Learn about scalability, agencies, and more! If you're wondering how to make your business successful, this video is a must-watch!TakeawaysWhen starting a business, think about what people want and how you can provide it to them in a more efficient way than your competitors.Building a personal brand on LinkedIn involves creating valuable content, listening to what resonates with your audience, and associating with industry experts.Even with limited resources, it is possible to build a good enough personal brand by taking risks, being consistent, and focusing on content creation.The choice between running a bootstrapped company or a venture-backed unicorn depends on personal preferences and the stage of life one is in.Investors should consider the potential of female founders and not let biases or polished pitches overshadow their potential for success.Chapters00:00 Trailer01:30 Who is Somi Arian 06:30 Understanding Scalable vs Non-Scalable Businesses11:30 Why agency business are not scalable 14:50 Competing in the SaaS Market18:40 Building a Network of VCs and LPs20:20 Building Successful Businesses in Different Verticals23:55 Giving People What They Want26:25 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn31:35 Building a Personal Brand on a Limited Budget37:07 Choosing Between a Bootstrapped Company and a Venture-Backed Unicorn40:19 EndingConnect with Mudassir

How is Chili Piper becoming a billion dollar company? In this episode of the Grow Your B2B SaaS Podcast, Joran Hofman interviews Alina Vandenberghe, the co-founder and CEO of Chili Piper, a B2B SaaS company that helps sales teams automatically schedule appointments with leads They Instantly turn inbound leads into qualified meetings. They discuss Chili Piper's journey to becoming a billion-dollar company, including their valuation and mistakes along the way. Alina shares her personal motivation and the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your own path and not listening to others' advice. Alina also provides advice for growing a B2B SaaS company, from zero to 10K MRR and beyond.  Key Timecodes (00:52) Chili Piper's Journey and Valuation (03:13) Personal Questions and Motivation (04:37) Lessons Learned and Regrets (05:35) Chili Piper's Future Plans and Expansion (07:28) How Chili Piper Was Built on Their Own Terms (08:26) Growing Talent and Unconventional Decision Making (09:19) Biggest Challenges and Personal Growth (10:44) Overcoming Layoffs and Building Trust (12:01) Looking Back and Building Confidence (13:57) Chili Piper's Future Goals and Impact (14:53) The Value of Trusting Your Own Path (15:51) Dealing with Competition and Market Dynamics (20:56) Advice for Growing from 10K MRR to 10 Million ARR (23:51) Advice for SaaS Founders on Their Journey (24:47) The Importance of Understanding Different Departments (26:15) Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Learning

Join Suneera Madhani, the unlikely entrepreneur who scaled her idea into a billion-dollar business, as she unveils her secrets to creating a life of success and fulfillment. In this episode, Suneera shares her daily and weekly routines that have been instrumental in scaling her business and creating an incredible life for herself. She delves into the importance of habits and consistency, offering practical advice for integrating effective routines into both personal and professional life. From the weekly Sunday Zoom Out and CEO dashboard to integrating exercise and mindfulness, Suneera offers invaluable insights on forming habits and achieving balance. Tune in to gain actionable strategies for honing your daily routines, improving productivity, and fostering a healthier, happier lifestyle. After listening to this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools and inspiration to build better habits and achieve sustainable success in all areas of your life. Connect with Suneera: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ Connect with CEO School: https://www.instagram.com/ceoschool/

Hosts @sm (Winnie)  @kevingibbon (Shyp, Airhouse)

Jason Fried, the maverick co-founder of Basecamp, revolutionized the tech industry with his radical approach to work culture and project management. Rising from humble beginnings, Jason's journey to the summit of Silicon Valley was anything but conventional. Defying the status quo, he challenged the relentless hustle culture pervasive in the tech world, advocating for a more balanced and humane approach to work. With Basecamp, he not only built a billion-dollar empire but also ignited a fervent debate on the very nature of work itself, shaking the foundations of corporate America with his provocative ideas on remote work, minimalism, and the sanctity of uninterrupted focus.   Yet, beneath the glittering facade of success lies a darker truth: Jason's relentless pursuit of innovation often bordered on obsession, leading to tales of extreme work hours and clashes with traditional corporate structures. His unapologetic stance against venture capital and his fierce commitment to maintaining autonomy over Basecamp raised eyebrows in an industry fueled by billion-dollar investments and aggressive growth. Despite the controversies, Fried remains a polarizing figure, celebrated by some as a visionary disruptor while criticized by others as a provocateur whose methods challenge the very fabric of modern corporate culture. Love him or loathe him, Jason Fried's impact on the tech landscape is undeniable, forever altering the way we perceive work and productivity in the digital age.

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Episode 97: On this episode, I talk with Sahil Lavingia about his 2019 essay titled “Reflecting on My Failure to Build a Billion-Dollar Company.” Sahil is the founder & CEO of Gumroad, an e-commerce platform for creators. Gumroad does nearly $20m per year, is highly profitable, and has no full-time employees. In the essay, Sahil talks about leaving Pinterest as its second employee in 2011, to build his life's work…a company called Gumroad that would be worth billions of dollars, IPO one day an employ hundreds of people. But that's not what happened. In 2015, Sahil laid off 75% of Gumroad's staff to keep the company alive. Of course firing some of his best friends was heart-wrenching. But possibly just as difficult for Sahil was the death of his dream to build a venture-backed unicorn. The heart of this article & much of what you'll hear Sahil talk about during our conversation is the emotional journey post-layoffs & the decision to build a profitable “boring” lifestyle business. Reflecting on My Failure to Build a Billion-Dollar Company: https://sahillavingia.com/reflecting Send us an email and let us know what you think of the idea! foundersjournal@morningbrew.com #FoundersJournal #Startups #Entrepreneur Listen to Founder's Journal here: https://link.chtbl.com/OV4W93_W Watch Founder's Journal here: https://www.youtube.com/@FoundersJournal/  Subscribe to Morning Brew! Sign up for free today: https://bit.ly/morningbrewyt Follow The Brew! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/morningbrew/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/MorningBrew Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@morningbrew Follow Alex! Alex Lieberman (@businessbarista) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#144: David Weekley is the Founder & Chairman at David Weekley Homes, which is one of the largest national homebuilders. He is also one of the most well respected homebuilders in the nation. Throughout more than 45 years of home building excellence, David Weekley Homes has earned hundreds of awards for design, quality and Customer Satisfaction, and have established a solid reputation for delivering on their Brand Promise to provide the best in Design, Choice and Service for more than 115,000 Homebuyers. And over the course of his company's history, David's formula for providing exceptional Customer Satisfaction has remained the same: hire your industry's best and keep them happy, so they'll in turn go the extra mile and delight our Customers. This rewarding workplace culture has even been recognized 17 times by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.At 23, David teamed up with his older brother, Dick, to establish David Weekley Homes in Houston, Texas, in 1976. David worked as a Salesperson, Purchasing Manager and Builder. To differentiate his homes from competing national companies, he paid close attention to home design. The company was selling close to 600 homes a year in Houston alone, leading David to grow his Team of talented people and earning us recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation by Inc. magazine.Even though much has changed since 1976, their Purpose of Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives has never wavered.On the show David shares his story, the impact of family, gives a masterclass on growing and operating a company, choosing to give away half his time and resources, creating a great culture, taking action, choosing where and how to spend your time giving back, focusing less on you and more on others and much more! Be sure to check out davidweekleyhomes.com for more info on his company, as well as his foundation the Dove Tail Impact Foundation at dovetailimpact.org I would also highly encourage you to read his two books The Gift & The Giver & The Board & The CEO, which you can find in the show note links and wherever books are sold. Be sure to get a pen and paper and take a lot of notes. Enjoy the show!  Books Links:Gift and Giverhttps://www.amazon.com/Giver-Gift-Principles-Kingdom-Fundraising/dp/0764217747 The Board and the CEOhttps://www.amazon.com/Board-CEO-practices-organizations-relationship/dp/1547270160/ref=asc_df_1547270160/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=266094129756&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1128576369343960034&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1024323&hvtargid=pla-569924923811&psc=1&mcid=1cacdc10f6033231aae31dfa5201a4a4&gclid=CjwKCAiAqY6tBhAtEiwAHeRopezrpbl739Ji2QUs5fM28bwKGlbkNqe8f1PDt_J4IEGA9IpjyY4n-hoCnHMQAvD_BwE 

Welcome to another episode of In Search of Excellence! My guest today is the amazing Jesse Itzler.Jesse is a serial entrepreneur who has built and sold five companies, including Marquis Jet and Zico Coconut Water. He is an Emmy Award winner, a former rapper and former manager of Run DMC, a globally recognized keynote speaker, and a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball team.He's also a passionate endurance athlete who has run more than 35,000 miles over the last 25 years, including 50+ marathons. Jessie is also the author of two awesome best-selling books, Living with the Seals 31 Days: Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet and Living with the Monks: What Turning off My Phone Taught Me About Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus. Time stamps:01:54 The influence of Jesse's parents- They showed up for everything- They let him explore- They didn't over-schedule him- Didn't teach him about hard work, he watched them doing it04:12 How much is his personality a part of his success?- He has problems with memorizing things- He is great at storytelling- His personality was essential for his success05:58 The entrepreneurial gene- Jesse's grandfather was born in poverty in Russia- He immigrated to America and came with nothing- Jesse's grandfather and father worked very hard- Jesse grew up middle-class07:42 Should kids go to college?- Jesse went to everything and was exposed to knowledge and people- His mom encouraged him to be curious and take every opportunity- He was aware of the time and urgency12:50 The start of Jesse's career – getting a foot at the door- Jesse's record deal – go to every door until someone says yes- He got a deal from a record label called Delicious Vinyl- It's essential to get a foot at the door and get into the system 16:47 The ridiculous offer and believing in yourself- Started the music business doing commercial jingles- He lived on his friend's couches- Someone offered him $10,000 for 10% of his future earnings- Can you? vs. Will you?20:32 The advice to young entrepreneurs- Some businesses require capital- Selling out equity to employees, friends, and family- Under-promising and keeping things simple is a better strategy- Take advice, go through the pros and cons, and think through the worst-case scenario24:39 How to bounce back from a failure?- Sold his business for $1 million- Tried many different things and failed- Extremely enthusiastic about trying fun things and projects- Sold celery and carrot sticks and loved it even without the profit- In business, three strikes and you're not out 29:30 Is there a time to stop trying?- Jesse kept going despite failures- He never stopped- The tolerance of embarrassment- Never got embarrassed by his failures31:51 The value of relationships- Wanted to start a private jet company but didn't have jets- Met with the president of the largest private jet company in the world – Net Jets- Got the deal and built a $5 billion companyResources Mentioned:Type in EXCELLENCE15 for 15% off The Big A## Calendar! Sponsors:Sandee | Bliss: BeachesWant to Connect? Reach out to us online!Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

Join host Susan Sly as she engages in a powerful conversation with the remarkable Kathy Coover. Together, they discuss the depths of entrepreneurship, navigating crises, and forging ahead despite life's most challenging hurdles.   Kathy imparts invaluable wisdom on handling crises with grace, emphasizing the importance of mentors, professional guidance, and maintaining a positive outlook. She unravels her daily triumvirate—physical, mental, and spiritual wins—to foster resilience and maintain focus.   Moreover, she addresses the challenge of focus in a world brimming with distractions, underscoring the significance of clarity in one's goals and unwavering determination. Kathy's healing journey after a severe injury is a testament to the transformative power of focus and commitment. (This special edition was recorded in front of a live studio audience).   About Kathy Coover: Kathy Coover is the co-founder and co-chairman of a global brand in the direct sales industry.  As a pioneer in the health and wellness arena, she has helped transform people's livelihoods into meaningful businesses that create wellbeing, fulfillment, and health.  Long before the gig economy existed in the United States, Kathy saw a sea change coming. Her business is responsible for economic growth, community improvements, and a health and nutrition wave like no other.   Connect with Kathy: Website  www.KathyCoover.com Instagram  @cooverkathy Facebook @kathy.coover.7   About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is a Tech Co-founder, a tech investor, best-selling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and host of the highly acclaimed podcast – Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. Susan has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox, Lifetime Television, The CBN, The Morning Show in Australia and been quoted in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and more. She holds Certificates in Management and Leadership, Technology and Operations, and Strategy and Innovation from MIT. Susan is the author of 7 books. Her book project with NY Times Best Selling Author, Jack Canfield, made six Amazon Best Selling lists.   Connect With Susan: Twitter @Susanslylive Twitter @rawandrealentr1 LinkedIn @susansly Facebook @susanslylive Website https://susansly.com/ Join Susan's Insider's List   https://susansly.com/insider/

Written version: https://www.justgogrind.com/p/tory-burch More about the Just Go Grind newsletter: Learn the tactics, strategies, and stories of world-class founders. I spend 20+ hours each week researching founders like Sam Altman, Melanie Perkins, and Patrick Collison, sharing the best insights with you every Sunday. Subscribe to the Just Go Grind newsletter: https://www.justgogrind.com/subscribe Upgrade to Just Go Grind premium and get: 4 founder deep dives each month Audio editions of the newsletter in a private podcast feed Access to a founder community and weekly office hours Upgrade to premium: https://www.justgogrind.com/upgrade 

Davis Smith is the Founder and Chairman of Cotopaxi, an outdoor brand with a humanitarian mission. The company has assisted over 4 million people living in poverty. The company has been profitable for the last 4 years and is expected to do $160M in revenue in 2023, up from $55M just two years before. In April 2023, Davis resigned after 10 years as CEO to lead a mission for his church in Brazil for three years. Davis is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year and was recognized as Utah's Businessperson of the Year in 2022. He is an adventurer who has floated the Amazon on a self-made raft, kayaked from Cuba to Florida, and explored North Korea. In Today's Episode with Davis Smith We Discuss: 1. From Selling $6M Worth of Pool Tables to the Amazon of Brazil to Founding Cotopaxi: How did Davis scale a pool table business to $6M in revenue? What were Davis' biggest takeaways from building the Amazon of Brazil, raising millions in VC funding and the business failing? How did depression and 36 hours on a sofa lead to the a-ha moment for Cotopaxi? 2. The Billion Dollar Company, Rejected by 100 Investors: How was the early fundraising journey for Davis with Cotopaxi? Why did so many investors say no? What was the best VC meeting he has ever had? Why do women understand Cotopaxi better? What does Davis believe are the biggest misalignments between VCs and Founders? Why does Davis believe we need a new type of financial product to fund long term projects? What are the biggest elements of fundraising that Davis believes founders do not understand? 3. Scaling Cotopaxi to $150M in Revenue: What are Davis' biggest lessons on what works and what does not from scaling Cotopaxi to $150M in revenue? Why did Davis not lay anyone off but decide everyone should take a pay cut instead? How did that go down? Why does letting people leave work earlier lead to better talent wanting to join your company? Why does Davis believe that you absolutely can build a huge business with balance in your life? 4. Life, Parenting, Marriage: Why does Davis believe that so many entrepreneurs chase the wrong thing? What do they chase? What should they be chasing instead? How does Davis analyze his relationship to money today? Does it make you happy? What does great parenting mean to Davis? How has that changed over time? How does marriage change when comparing pre-kids and post-kids? Was Davis nervous about becoming a father for the first time at the age of 24?

Today's guest is Hristo Borisov, cofounder and CEO at Payhawk, a financial system that combines credit cards, payments, expenses, and cash into one integrated experience. Hristo has raised over $236 million with Payhawk from Lightspeed Ventures, Greenoaks, QED investors, and many more. Today, Payhawk is valued at US$1 billion, making it the first Bulgarian startup to achieve Unicorn status. Prior to founding Payhawk, Hristo worked at Telerik as software engineer and a product manager. In this episode, we talk about his founding of Payhawk, the challenges he encountered as an entrepreneur, lessons learned from scaling Payhawk into 32 countries, and much more.

On today's episode on the Digital Social Hour, Mark Douglas talks about partnering with Ryan Reynolds, Building a billion dollar brand with MNTN and how he is using artificial intelligence. BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: Jenna@DigitalSocialHour.com APPLY TO BE ON THE POD: https://forms.gle/qXvENTeurx7Xn8Ci9 SPONSORS: Opus Pro: https://www.opus.pro/?via=DSH HelloFresh: https://www.hellofresh.com/50dsh Deposyt Payment Processing: https://www.deposyt.com/seankelly LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode on the Digital Social Hour, Mark Douglas talks about partnering with Ryan Reynolds, Building a billion dollar brand with MNTN and how he is using artificial intelligence. BUSINESS INQUIRIES/SPONSORS: Jenna@DigitalSocialHour.com APPLY TO BE ON THE POD: https://forms.gle/qXvENTeurx7Xn8Ci9 SPONSORS: Opus Pro: https://www.opus.pro/?via=DSH HelloFresh: https://www.hellofresh.com/50dsh Deposyt Payment Processing: https://www.deposyt.com/seankelly LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 Sean Kelly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmikekelly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About Zillah Byng-Thorne Zillah Byng-Thorne is a world class leader. She was most recently the CEO of Future PLC, where she transformed the company from a struggling business to a thriving publishing giant with a market cap of over $1 billion. Before turning Future around, she was the CFO of Auto Trader. Zillah has established herself as a visionary leader in the publishing field and is a frequent speaker and also a board member of several well known organizations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keith Rabois is a general partner at Founders Fund, co-founder of OpenDoor, current CEO of OpenStore, part of the PayPal Mafia, worked at Square, and had many other important roles throughout Silicon Valley. This conversation was recored at the BUILD Summit in New York. Topics include common traits of the best founders, operating in uncertain chaotic environments, balancing transparency, fundraising, & more. ======================= Trust and Will has simplified the process of creating and managing your will or trust online. They leverage a data-driven, design-first approach and amazing customer support to help you protect your legacy from the comfort of your home starting at just $159. Sign up today for 10% off using ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://trustandwill.com/pomp⁠⁠⁠ ======================= Get Better Crypto Data: Do you want faster, easier crypto data? Sign up for Velo Data, a new product that we have been working on to solve this problem: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠velowaitlist.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ======================= Pomp writes a daily letter to over 250,000+ investors about business, technology, and finance. He breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand language while sharing opinions on various aspects of each industry. You can subscribe at https://pomp.substack.com/

In this episode, Todd Henry interviews Liz Elting, the co-founder of billion dollar translation solutions company TransPerfect, about her new book Dream Big and Win and her entrepreneurial journey.Liz shares her experience of leaving her job at a finance company and starting TransPerfect, a language solutions company, in an NYU dorm room. She discusses the concept of perfecting existing ideas rather than inventing something entirely new, highlighting the importance of identifying gaps in the industry and providing better solutions.They also discuss the importance of taking calculated risks and reinvesting in the business to achieve long-term goals, and Liz's decision to stay with TransPerfect until it became the world's largest language solutions company.Key Takeaways:1. Dreams alone are not enough for success. Taking action and employing verbs is essential.2. Perfecting existing ideas can be just as successful as inventing something entirely new.3. Taking calculated risks, especially in the early stages of entrepreneurship, can lead to long-term success.5. Minimizing financial commitments and being willing to throw yourself into your business.If you want to receive weekly inspiration and practical tips from Todd Henry, subscribe to the newsletter 3 Things at toddhenry.com/subscribe. Mentioned in this episode:Please Support Our Sponsors:Aeropress: Shouldn't coffee taste like it smells when you first open a bag of beans? AeroPress Coffee makers combine three brew methods into one easy to use coffee press, unlike other presses, AeroPress uses filtration to keep out bitter grinds and air pressure to extract the purest, freshest flavors. Try the new Clear Aeropress and get 15% off at Aeropress.com/creative. Zbiotics: Zbiotics is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It was invented by PhD scientists to tackle rough mornings after drinking. Visit Zbiotics.com/accidental and use code ACCIDENTAL for 15% off your first order.

In today's episode, I speak with David Rogier, the mastermind behind MasterClass. Drawing inspiration from his grandmother's resilient journey as a Jewish refugee in NYC, David embarked on a mission: democratizing access to world-class experts. From securing heavyweights like Serena Williams to James Patterson, he shares the nuanced strategy and the importance of selective mentorship. We also touch upon the meticulous approach to prototyping at MasterClass, ensuring each course resonates with learners. Beyond the mechanics, David emphasizes the role of empathy in shaping the platform, striving for genuine connections in a digital age. Join us for an insightful exploration into the ethos and evolution of MasterClass. __________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

#25: I'm interviewing Ankur Jain, the CEO & founder of Bilt Rewards, the first-ever rewards program along with a credit card that lets you earn points on rent without any transaction fees or charges. He fought relentlessly to change regulations to be able to make his business idea happen, and in less than a year, he had built a billion-dollar company: Bilt. Ankur and I discuss the single most important thing you need to build a successful company (and no, it's not just about having a good business idea!), and he gives us networking tips for and his top travel hacks as a self-proclaimed travel enthusiast.  Ready to start earning points on your rent? ⁠Sign up for Bilt Rewards here.⁠ To apply for the Senior Podcast Producer position at Erika Taught Me: https://erikakullberg.com/producer-application Special thanks to our partners: Webull (free stocks) - erikataughtme.com/invest Aura - erikataughtme.com/aura Bilt Rewards - erikataughtme.com/bilt Thanks for tuning in and come back every Tuesday for a brand-new episode! Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.  Prefer video or want closed captions?⁠ Watch this episode on YouTube. Did you enjoy the episode?⁠⁠ Please leave us a review here⁠⁠: https://erikakullberg.com/review (just scroll to the bottom and tap on “leave a review”) It really helps the podcast especially since we're just getting started. Even just a sentence is perfect! Follow the podcast @erikataughtme across platforms.  ⁠Connect with me on Instagram.⁠ For more information, go to⁠ https://www.erikataughtme.com/⁠. Get on my personal finance & investing course priority waitlist here. https://erikakullberg.com/3DMoney Get my Mastering YouTube course, to learn how to grow a YouTube following and monetize it. https://erikakullberg.com/MasteringYT  ⁠Get more of my free resources.⁠