Podcasts about connect with nathan

Are you struggling to reach your target audience online? In this #podcast episode we break down the importance of going back to the basics find your audience. Learn how focusing on fundamental #marketingstrategies can help your business grow and attract the right customers. Whether you're new to online marketing or looking to refresh your approach, this video is packed with actionable tips to improve your online presence. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your business to the next level! Marketing topics our guest Nathan Yeung covers are: Websites SEO Google Ads Facebook Ads AI Tools Don't forget to leave us a review and  follow our podcast for more valuable tips on reaching your target audience and growing your business! Who is our Guest Nathan Yeung and Why Should You Trust Him? With over six years of experience as a leader in marketing operations, Nathan helps mid-market businesses build, enhance, or support their marketing functions and drive value creation. As the Vice President, CMO Services at Find Your Audience Marketing Partner, I lead teams of marketing managers, graphic designers, media buyers, coordinators, and freelancers to develop and implement marketing strategies for organizations across various industries. My background in finance, consulting, and marketing has given me the analytical skills, business acumen, and creative vision to deliver a marketing service that collaborates on an operational level. I offer a non-disruptive approach that provides strategies and tactical plans, as well as project management and cross-functional technical expertise, priced at the same cost as your FTE marketing manager or team. I also have multiple marketing certifications from  @Google   @bing  ,  @semrush  , and  @HubSpot-CRM  which demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on the latest trends and best practices in the field. Connect With Nathan: http://www.findyouraudience.online/  

Nathan Day is a tech entrepreneur and founder of BTCMap.org. He has built, sold, invested in, and advised tech businesses over the years he is now focused on bitcoin, building BTCMap.org, gamertron.net and delivering bitcoin education for kids. CONNECT WITH NATHAN@btcmap on Twitter Nathan's Website Bitcoin for Kids (Lessons)GamertronSats-ManCONNECT WITH JOSH@joshuafriedeman on Twitter @joshuafriedeman on LinkedIn @joshuafriedeman on VIDA @joshuafriedeman on Youtube SHOW SPONSORSSwan: Start buying Bitcoin or download your free copy of "Inventing Bitcoin" River: Hosted Bitcoin mining with payouts in as little as five days Oshi: Reward your customers for paying in Bitcoin COMMUNITY Connect with the Bend Bitcoin Meetup on Twitter @BendBitcoin or on Meetup.Find a local Bitcoin Meetup near you with Oshi! Mentioned in this episode:Invest in Bitcoin CompaniesApply to invest with Lightning Ventures today!Invest in Bitcoin Companies w/Lightning Ventures

Do you ever get overwhelmed and frozen into inaction by how much is going wrong these days? Everywhere you look, it's bad news? If so (me too), AND I have some good news: we've got great medicine for that on this week's episode, where you'll hear from Shaun ‘The Viking' Zimmer. Shaun is a Devoted Father, Viral Meme King, Life Coach, Health Enthusiast, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Rescuer of Masculinity, Protector, Provider…and man of God. Soon to be launching a new offering called ‘I Believe In Us', and host of the brand new The Viking's Voice podcast. Time-Stamps: 05:28 Shaun Zimmer on becoming the man he is today 08:42 How Shaun became a man of God 18:59 How Shaun has used psychedelic plant medicine to connect with God 22:28 "You Sound Fuckin' Crazy" God and Psychedelics 30:57 On Being A Voice for Sovereignty 47:14 How to get started with health and fitness (a surprising first bit of advice) 56:20 How to avoid focusing too much on all the things that are 'wrong' and instead focus on what you CAN do 01:02:21 What does 'we are already free' mean to Shaun Zimmer? Connect With Nathan & Support The Podcast https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/review (Please take a moment to leave a review) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/instagram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Instagram (private or optionally to share on a future episode)) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/telegram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Telegram (private or optionally to share on a future episode)) Links to Shaun 'The Viking' Zimmer and his work: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shaunjzimmer https://thevikingondemand.com/ His new podcast The Viking's Voice: https://anchor.fm/shaun-zimmer/ Links & things discussed in this episode: https://asillypoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Father-Daughter-love.jpg (Link to a Shaun Zimmer meme) https://geni.us/e1Rg8 (7 laws of spiritual success -deepak chopra) https://ikonick.com/products/butterfly-lips?_pos=2&_sid=9ea1d21b3&_ss=r&variant=40136051228717 (Ikonick Butterly Lips artwork) (from Shaun's shower story) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH3kQNEmXCg (Shaun Zimmer handing out roses at the trucker convoy) “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” ― Anonymous A pacifist is someone who is very dangerous but is choosing peace (can't find the source) “Depression is your avatar telling you it's tired of being the character you're trying to play.” – Jim Carrey Listen to https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzLwgaK3o8/ (the we are already free poem) Connect With Nathan & Support The Podcast https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/review (Please take a moment to leave a review) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/instagram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Instagram (private or optionally to share on a future episode)) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/telegram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Telegram (private or optionally to share on a future episode))

Have you ever felt like you just don't have what it takes to be healthy, vibrant and living a life of meaning? Like you missed the boat, and it's just too late for you? Today's guest is a powerful invitation and reminder that healing and sovereignty are always just one choice, one inflection point, away. Thomas P. Seager, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering & the Built Environment at Arizona State University in Tempe AZ. His teaching and research is focused on a new approach to personal development called Self-Actual Engineering, which is about redesigning ourselves, our relationships, and our lives to realise more of our fullest potential. He is also the CEO of Morozko forge, an ice bath cold plunge I would LOVE to get my body into! I honour his courage in sharing his vulnerability and authenticity with us and am grateful to have had this change to chat. Enjoy! Connect With Nathan & Support The Podcast https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/review (Please take a moment to leave a review) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/instagram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Instagram (private or optionally to share on a future episode)) https://we-are-already-free.captivate.fm/telegram (Send Nathan a voicenote on Telegram (private or optionally to share on a future episode)) Timestamps: 04:40 How Thomas P Seager went from being obese for much of his life to a healthy mid 50's man with high testosterone 05:54 On the madness of diet for a small planet and the lies of modern nutrition 09:48 What it means to be a good husband 14:44 The turning point for Thomas and why his wife didn't believe him 17:36 The 10000 foot tow-rope 19:22: The fat daddy workout and letting go of pride 20:42 Accidentally attending a ballet class (and then going back for a year) 22:05 'The great food diet' 24:31 On the mistake of making ultimatums 27:02 His prostate health scare and how he healed it 29:48 The beginning of the Morozko Forge Ice Baths 30:48 Treating prostate issues with keto and ice baths at 52 years old 31:25 The unexpected high testosterone surprise and how he did it! 38:43 What is Self Actual Engineering? 40:56 The ideal psychological paradigm for creating factory workers... 45:56 What inspires us to give up belonging, comfort and pleasure? 48:08 Why full autonomy might not always be the thing you need 49:22 On realising that he's an asshole 51:31 On supporting people where they are in their journey 54:22 The only way to work at the top of the hierarchy of needs 55:34 What prevents us from being free 56:31 How unresolved trauma controls the present and what to do about it 58:05 How to heal trauma from a position of control 58:30 On having a do-over 59:59 Don't judge yourself for the traumas you carry from your childhood 01:01:02 Inherited ancestral trauma 01:03:48 The story you tell yourself is more important than what happened Links to Thomas P Seager and his work: Thomas Seager's Blog: https://seagertp.substack.com/ (https://seagertp.substack.com/) Morozko Forge - The cold plunge ice bath https://www.morozkoforge.com/ (https://www.morozkoforge.com/) Thomas on IG https://www.instagram.com/seagertp/ (https://www.instagram.com/seagertp/) Morozko forge on IG https://www.instagram.com/morozkoforge/ (https://www.instagram.com/morozkoforge/) Links to books and things mentioned in the episode: https://geni.us/8lx0L (Diet for a small planet) (bad book) https://geni.us/aTORnI (No more mr nice guy) - Robert A Glover (book) https://seagertp.substack.com/p/coming-soon (Self Actual Engineering) https://geni.us/yBM0K (Maslow's hierarchy of Needs) Viktor Frankl - https://geni.us/LpfA (Man's search for meaning) https://geni.us/dqREK (Maslow on management) https://geni.us/teq9JF (Change your brain, change your life) https://geni.us/Q71wi5K (Unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness) https://geni.us/sMLc0A (The Body keeps the score)...

Known by the world as “The Greatest Adventure Racer”, Nathan showed the world his prodigious leadership skills—by winning six world championship out of fifteen world championship events across the globe. Adventure racing enraptured his youthful heart after attending the Outdoor Adventure Program. Nathan’s favorite part of racing is to refine every mistake his team encountered; transforming them into better decision-making outputs that would aid his team into winning the entire race. Currently, Nathan dedicates his time building a harmonious and willful family—the thing he inherited from his mother.   In this episode, you will hear about: Nathan’s mischievous history How Nathan found his calling Why being a parent is not the “end” of your adventure Learning from mistakes in racing Dealing with pressure and uncertainties Nathan’s “Winner’s Philosophy”   [03:01] Nathan originated from a family who were adventurer at heart in terms of camping, fishing and diving but not in extreme sports like mountain climbing and hiking. He enjoyed being one with the environment and its exploratory nature. [05:01] Growing up free-willed and mischievous, Nathan felt the unhealthy directions he was heading into. Even though he felt the excitement, he knew there was no future waiting for him by going to that path. [06:28] How Nathan found his calling: He got the opportunity by attending the Outdoor Adventure Program. It was a pilot program for twelve boys where it involves challenges that frightened the participants but Nathan found interest from it. He fell in-love with the outdoor sports and the adventure of being in the wilderness. [08:46] Nathan’s brother is exceptional at multiple sports like soccer, rugby, cricket but he discovered outdoor sports and the might of his endurance. He found the thing that was for him and he went off. [11:01] Nathan and Jodie, who is an outdoor educator, decided to have a family. They wanted to build their family through their strengths as a couple and outdoor athletes, offer their children with meaningful experiences and teaching them with lessons they have learned in life. [12:46] Many people predicted that by being a young parent, it is the end of your sporting career. But Nathan and Jodie defied expectations and prove the people who doubted them wrong. [16:30] Nathan’s children are all involved in high school adventure racing where his eldest daughter and son belong to the senior team while his younger daughter is in the junior team. [18:52] Adventure racing was not a thing until Jodie started an adventure club with the goal to compete in the nationals. In just five years, the school won championships from nothing. [20:30] Nathan deliberately took a step back because he did not want to put pressure to his children by being too involved in the school’s activities. However, he coaches the teams by making a training program for them or if they wish to seek advice from him. [22:43] In 1999, the Southern Traverse in New Zealand was Nathan’s first adventure. [26:00] Learn small things from the race in terms of the checkpoints, route choices, trails and being critical with the chosen equipment. Through this, you can make better decisions on your next race. [32:37] Even when Nathan’s had kids, he still attended adventure racing since he was essentially employed by Seagate as an adventure racer. However, he felt the need to take a break due to the difficulty of balancing family matters and his pressing heart condition. [38:23] The pressure comes from the team’s standard. If you know what it feels like to underperform as a team and get beaten up by better teams, then you are good to go. [44:04] To navigate the uncertainties during an adventure race, you need to accept what happened as soon as possible. Have the solution-based thinking and focus on what things will be helpful to navigate that moment. Stay calm, be rational and identify the mistakes committed and the solutions you formulated to fix it. [51:04] If you are in a challenging spot, Nathan encourages people to think what you will say first and if that will help your team. [55:58] To become a winner, you need to be prepared to lose it—have the confidence to do the best for your team even if you put yourselves out of the race. [01:00:57] You always do more when you’ve got to race. CONNECT WITH NATHAN! Website: https://nathanfaavae.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathan.faavae JOIN MY ADVENTURES!   JOIN MY INNER CIRCLE! If you would like to support the podcast – this space that I'm creating and these conversations that I'm having – please join my inner circle at https://www.patreon.com/GoSonja. Patreon is my online membership community that enables you to support my creative work as well as get access to more amazing resources!    Subscribe and Review I’d love for you to subscribe to my podcast. Each week, Tales of Toughness takes a deep dive into how to overcome limiting beliefs, developing awareness into why you compete, and understanding what makes high-performers tick. The goal is to help develop more confidence and toughness both mentally and physically. If you’re feeling really generous, I’d love for you to give me a review over on iTunes. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps me out a ton! If you really enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at https://gosonja.com/podcast to download it.   *** EPISODE CREDITS:   If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.   He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Nathan Long, as the President of Quest Trust Company, oversees the operations of the company and aids in improving the practices implemented. After joining his brother, Quincy and the Quest Trust Company team in 2007, Nathan has aided in growing the company to over ninety employees located in four different cities, with continued expansion expected in the near future. Prior to working at Quest Trust Company, Nathan was in the automotive industry for over 17 years as an upper level executive for Automotive Investment Group, AIG, and participated in growing the ABC Nissan Branch in Phoenix, Arizona. Nathan also holds the title of Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP), from the Institute of Certified Bankers. Throughout his time with Quest, Nathan has focused his time and efforts on providing superb customer service and developing excellent educational resources. As a devout vegan, Nathan loves animals and has a passion for cooking. In his spare time, he can be found working with rescued animals and travelling.   CONNECT WITH NATHAN: http://w2cap.questtrust.com KEY TAKEAWAYS: Interrupting Events in Your Life Why should you use an SIDRA to build generational wealth Setting up IRA’s for your children, good idea? Personal Examples of how Nathan has used his IRA’s for him and his children? What are benefits of leaving your IRA to your children? In your experience, what has been the best/coolest IRA investment you’ve done. What about an ugly investment? If you knew about SDIRAs long ago, what would you do differently? Episode Sponsor: http://w2cap.questtrust.com Links mentioned in this episode: w2capitalist.com/shop/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/REIforTheW2/

Do you think you're either talented at something or you're not? Is success in any area of your life dependent on your gifts or is it a product of consistent work? In this episode we do a deep dive into what it means to have a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset. Nathan shares how creating a powerful mindset can actually help us create incredible results in any area of our lives. Nathan is an Entrepreneur, Holistic Health Coach, an Athlete and has coached hundreds of people with having great health and in creating amazing results in their businesses. He got started on his entrepreneurial journey about 10 years ago and decided to start coaching people in creating success on the side. He is very passionate about helping and coaching people with creating powerful mindset. CONNECT WITH NATHAN: https://instagram.com/nathanzpmccullough CONNECT WITH US: https://glamourandpurpose.com

Matt and Zac interview Nathan Kollar. They talk about Church Planting, Punk Music, and . Sponsor – CEPNet.com Connect With Nathan – Facebook Risen Church Nashville Stuff Nathan Mentioned – Big Toe for Thumb Urban Islands Project Steve Pike Danny Parmelee Kurtis Parks Sticky Teams Arrested Development Lectio Divina Pop Punk Five Iron Frenzy Enneagram Richard Rohr Enneagram How I ... Read More

Zac and Karolin interview Nathan Batres. They talk about difficult times in ministry, trying to decide what to do, and different ways to minister. Sponsor – CEPNet.com Connect With Nathan – Facebook Stuff Nathan Mentioned – Rêver Group Me Slack The Last Arrow Center Church Review Intro Music – Rockin’ Riff, by NICOLAI HEIDLAS Outro Music – In Your Robotic ... Read More

Alba Rodriguez is on a mission to solve hunger and malnutrition in Mexico. Alba is the founder and CEO of Gricha, a company that sources crickets as the main ingredient in a high-quality, sustainable protein powder. On this episode, I sat down with Alba to talk about how she came up with the idea to feed people crickets, how she got started as an entrepreneur and what it's like building a business from the ground up. Her story will inspire you, whether you are launching your own startup or looking for a creative way to solve a problem. Thanks for listening! Alba’s quest for the perfect cricket cookie Alba had no idea that she would be the founder of a successful startup in Guadalajara, or that she would be promoting eating crickets for a living. While she was studying nutrition at university, Alba’s eyes were opened to the fact that animal-based protein was not a long-term viable option. With this in mind, she set out to find an alternative food source. As it turns out, crickets were the solution. When processed into a powder, crickets contain twice the protein of chicken or beef. Alba tested over 500 cookie recipes before she found one that tasted great and could be easily recreated. Once she had the formula, she took to Facebook to sell the idea, even before she had her own line of products. Problems are often an opportunity waiting to be discovered Like many entrepreneurs, Alba looked at a problem that did not have a clear solution and saw an opportunity to affect change and better the lives of people around her. Alba sets a great example for future entrepreneurs, in that if you are willing to create a high-quality product that solves a problem, there is a high likelihood you will be able to generate sales. Convincing her family and friends that crickets were a viable food source was not without its challenges, but her end goal was clear and she has been able to get her business off the ground as a result. Starting a business is hard, no matter where you are A steady paycheck from an established company might be easier, but for Alba and many other entrepreneurs, the challenges of solving a problem or launching a new product far outweigh the security of a “regular” job. I asked Alba to share what it’s like to be a female founder in Mexico, as well as some of the challenges she faced with Gricha. Besides learning how to cook, she also had to convince business associates that she was in the game long-term. Many businessmen in that region assume that female founders are only in business as a transition to having a family, so long-term planning is not always considered. Alba said she drew inspiration from her parents, both of whom pursued higher education then started companies of their own. As an entrepreneur, not knowing what to do next may be the scariest part As an entrepreneur, you may not always know what your next move is, or the right strategy for growth. Alba says sometimes you don’t have a clear idea what to do next, but you don’t have the time to delay, so you have to step out and do your best, regardless of the outcome. The products you are producing are important, but they are not the only things to consider. Alba was open about the fact that she doesn’t know much about hiring new employees, sourcing product manufacturing, and product distribution at this stage, but she is learning them because that is what her company will need. Outline of This Episode [1:15] Nathan introduces Alba Rodriguez [4:00] Have you ever wondered what cricket protein tastes like? [7:00] Alba’s background in research and her start as an entrepreneur. [13:15] Trust the process, even if it takes you 500 attempts [20:30] What happens when you can’t supply the the market demand for your product? [24:15] What’s it like living in Guadalajara [25:45] Starting a business is hard, no matter where you are [27:00] What’s it like being a female founder in Mexico? [29:45] The best advice Alba has received [35:15] What advice would she give her younger self? [40:00] Gricha is moving online [41:00] Bonus material in Spanish Resources & People Mentioned Gricha I will teach you to be rich BOOK The hard things about hard things   Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn

When I first got to Chile in 2010, it took me five years to understand all the nuances of how business was conducted. There are several important cultural differences between LatAm and the US that foreign entrepreneurs should pay attention to if they want to be successful. There are also very important differences across Latin American countries that should also be accounted for. Here is a distilled list of what I’ve learned about doing business across borders. Adapting to a local culture If you're planning to do business in Latin America, start by learning Spanish. If you plan to do business in Brazil, learn Portuguese. Knowing the local language eliminates one excuse a client or business partner might have to not do business with you. When launching a startup in Latin America, it is also critical to adapt the business to the local market. Even if the idea is successful in the United States, an exact clone in LatAm will often fail. The companies that have learned to be successful at this figured out how to adapt quickly, so as to make the locals comfortable with the idea.   Lastly, foreign entrepreneurs should understand that Latin America is not monolithic. Each country has its own traditions, history and business practices. Language barriers, economic conditions, and the acceptance of new technologies are all factors that should be considered when launching a startup. Money does not always equal value Venture Capital does not flow in Latin America like it does in Silicon Valley. There is less overall capital available for startups, the valuations for LatAm companies are much lower than their counterparts in the United States, and many Latin Americans prefer the security of working at a larger, more established company. Startups are considered uncertain, even if they pay more money up front. In the United States, many employees will jump at the chance to have stock options in the company they work for. Employees in Latin America take a completely different approach to stock options, usually preferring cash in hand rather than taking a risk with company stock. If foreign entrepreneurs will spend the time to educate their LatAm employees on the benefits of stock options, they stand a better chance at being successful and retaining employees.   If software is eating the world, Latin America might be dessert Latin America is proof that you don't need an abundance of technology to be profitable. There are several large companies I know of that see millions of dollars in revenue that are still tracking sales on paper and using typewriters. This is not to say that these companies couldn’t benefit from tech, but many of those products are not available like they are in the United States. For foreign entrepreneurs, offering a viable solution to this problem could potentially be very lucrative. If your startup believes in hiring the best person for the job, not just the person with the best credentials on paper, then Latin America offers a distinct advantage. Larger companies usually only hire people who have graduated from the top universities. I have hired several employees who did not graduate from a prestigious university, but have the tech skills that startups are often looking for. If these individuals lived in the US, they would be snapped up for tech jobs by companies like Google, Facebook, and Uber.   Cutting through the red tape   If you called me and said “Nathan, I'm starting a business in Chile, what do I need to know?,” I would tell you to be prepared for the bureaucracy, it’s a long and tedious process. Simple paperwork can take weeks to get approved, the fees are higher than in the united states, and there are several government rules that cannot be avoided. I would also tell you to avoid the gringo price, meaning that foreigners will always be charged more, so it’s a good idea to find a local business partner who understands this and recruit their help. There are multiple communication dynamics in Latin America that foreign entrepreneurs should be aware of. For example, “yes” can mean “yes, no or maybe.” If a customer service representative doesn't give you the satisfaction you're looking for, hang up and call again. I am always surprised at how often this works. I have found the best way to move a project forward is to propose solutions to the problem, and don't take no for an answer right away. Outline of This Episode [2:45] Learn Spanish or Portuguese [3:33] If cloning, adapt to local culture [5:15] Latin America is not monolithic [8:15] Latin America is not Silicon Valley [10:30] Don’t expect Silicon Valley valuations [12:30] Hiring employees is more conservative [14:15] Most employees don’t understand stock options [15:45] It’s hard to raise money [17:45] Sales people are terrified of getting fired [19:35] Exits are harder [21:40] If software is eating the world, Latin America is dessert [22:40] B2B is where the money is [23:20] Don’t follow cultural hiring biases [26:25] Yes Can Mean Yes, No or Maybe. No Can Mean Yes, No or Maybe [31:15 ] What “being early is the same as being wrong” means [32:30] Bureaucracy [37:15] Avoid the gringo price [38:40] If customer service doesn’t give you satisfaction, hang up and call again [39:15] Propose solutions to problems [39:40] Don’t take no for an answer right away [40:10] Press means nothing Resources & People Mentioned  Uber Salesforce Facebook.com Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn

Sometimes the best ideas happen while sharing a meal. In the case of GroupRaise, it’s not just ideas that get shared, but a percentage of the profits as well. GroupRaise is a fundraising organization that partners with restaurants across 50 states to offer time slots where local organizations and international charities can book fundraisers in a few clicks. But most people don’t realize that GroupRaise is one of the most cost effective ways of getting new clients into the restaurant and getting them to come back again. Of 100 people who go to a GroupRaise, 40 are new clients, 82 spend more than average and 96 come back in the future! On this episode of Crossing Borders, Sean Park, one of the GroupRaise co-founders, joined me at the Magma Partners office in Chile to talk about how he helped start the tastiest way to change the world. This is a great conversation I think you will enjoy!            Position yourself to lead, regardless of where you are Every entrepreneur could tell a different story of how they gained leadership experience when they started and the most notable lessons they learned along the way. For Sean Park, that story started in South Korea, led him to Canada and then eventually Chile. “I moved to Canada on my own to attend school when I was 14,” he said. Soon after finishing school, Sean traveled back to South Korea to serve as a medic in the military, as was required by the Korean government. At 21 years of age, he was leading more than 50 people for several months at a time. “Most 21-year-olds don’t get that kind of leadership exposure,” he stated. That experience allowed him to learn the process of creating a leadership culture, a skill that he now uses to manage a remote GroupRaise team in Santiago, Chile. Check out the rest of his story, he shares some great leadership perspectives.            How I got to Chile and why I never left After two years in the military, Sean received an invitation to join the GroupRaise project. This ultimately led him to Chile, where his team received funding from Start-Up Chile. When I asked him why he never left, this is what he had to say. “I didn’t have to convince anyone that staying in Chile was a good idea,” he laughed. There were business reasons, as well as personal that influenced the decision. Besides developing a local team that worked very well together, the lifestyle Chile affords was also a motivating factor. After living in snowy Canada for 10 years, the sunny weather offered him the chance to get out and explore. “Bi-weekly, I go up into the mountains, or I go to the beach and surf” he offered. For anyone who has an interest in Chile, Sean offers a great taste of the culture one might experience.   The first is the most important I asked Sean to share advice for leaders building teams across borders, and what challenges remote teams might face. “The first employee you hire is the most important...you need to hire someone who can lead because they will establish the culture for all of the employees that come after,” Sean said. For him and his co-founders, a deep trust was established early on, which then became a foundation for the culture he wanted to build within the company. He also emphasized the importance of clear communication, and how building a “culture sheet” can organize how companies handle issues and answer important questions around company identity and long-term vision.       A remote team is not the same as outsourcing Sean and I addressed a common misconception that remote teams are “just support” for the teams based in the United States. Remote teams are often seen as “outsourcing” work when in reality, they carry as much responsibility and importance as their US partners. Businesses are going to operate within the reality that works best, that makes the most sense for that company, Sean said. Remote individuals are one thing, teams are another. He shared that companies with remote teams should pay careful attention how communication is happening across borders. To solve some of these issues at GroupRaise, the company assigns specific tasks for certain days, they plan times to share content with teams in other countries and time zones and work to communicate everything, not just the “necessary” information. Sean says that the sensitive communication dynamics means an increased level of detail and planning, a culture that is strong at GroupRaise. There is a ton of great content that he talks about, so make sure to listen to this episode.      Outline of This Episode [3:00] Sean’s background, From South Korea to Canada to Chile [12:30] Why Sean considers his military experience invaluable [16:00] Sean shares valuable lessons and advice from the restaurant industry   [19:30] How to build an effective leadership team [24:15] Sean’s transition to Chile and the entrepreneurial lifestyle [29:30] Unique leadership struggles Sean had to overcome [34:10] The outsourcing misconception   [37:30] Practical steps to build a strong employee culture [46:15] Sean’s advice to his younger self: learn how to learn [49:30] The value of knowing where you are headed next      Resources & People Mentioned GroupRaise Delivering Happiness BOOK How to Win Friends and Influence People BOOK   Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn

Juan Vera joins me in this episode of Crossing Borders to talk about entrepreneurial business in Latin America. Juan’s experience as an engineer and CEO has helped him start several businesses, then scale those businesses to Mexico and the United States. Listen to hear Juan share how he bootstrapped his early startups to eventually raising several million in venture capital, and everything he learned along the way. The early adopter Juan shared that his love of building new things and automating systems started as an engineer in college. Even though he is now known for his expertise in the tech space, his entrepreneurial mindset started when he was 17, working in construction and later real estate. Juan said that the term “entrepreneur” did not exist in Columbia around the time he finished college. All he knew was that he wanted to start his own business, so he left his stable job to build a new company. He shares what he learned about innovating and what he would tell his younger self just starting out.       Ahead of the curve In the late 90’s, portable digital tech was almost unheard of, certainly in the mobile sales force. While everyone else was capturing information on paper, Juan found a way to surge ahead of the competition and add value to his clients. Juan shared how he and his team disrupted the mobile sales space by creating mobile sales software that allowed information to be transmitted electronically. Since this was before smartphone technology, his software created a massive shift in how business was being conducted and allowed him to scale his company nationwide. He offers many great ideas on how to innovate that are still relevant to today’s tech startups. Find a need, then create a product to solve it Juan’s approach is to look for the need and then build a product that meets that need. If a company follows this formula, he says, they will continue to build trust and create client loyalty. That formula has worked for him many times and drives his innovative spirit. It has also allowed his companies to be very successful. His practical advice in this area is useful to any business looking to launch a new product or service.    Scaling across borders Juan started his first company in Columbia, then expanded to Mexico City and eventually the United States. He shares real-world experience on how businesses can cross borders. Knowing when to scale, not how is most important, he said. Take advantage of personal connections, set aside resources for a growth year and build the basics are just a few of the things he recommends businesses focus on before scaling up.   Outline of This Episode [4:00] How Juan started as an entrepreneur [16:30] What he learned from his first failed startup [20:30] Juan offers practical advice on raising startup capital [26:30] Juan on how he started Nimblr.ai, his current company [30:30] The importance of capitalizing on strengths in different countries   [37:30] Everything you should know about scaling across borders [40:00] Knowing when to scale vs. how to scale, and why building the basics matters [42:30] How to know if your company is ready for global expansion   Resources & People Mentioned Juan Vera Sysgold https://nimblr.ai Spring Mobile Solutions Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Blue Messaging Truello SMS service Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn

Most people in Silicon Valley would not intuitively think of building startups in Guadalajara, Mexico. But Mak Gutierrez is part of a team working through Hackers and Founders to support and fund startups in one of the most historic cities in Latin America. In this conversation, Mak and I talk about his background, how Science Fiction has influenced his thinking about the future and the role of tech in the world, and why Guadalajara is one of the best places in Latin America to start a company. The first time playing multiplayer games over dial-up was an eye-opening moment for Mak Gutierrez. It’s always fascinating to hear the turning points that start an entrepreneur or tech startup founder in the direction they go. Mak Gutierrez says that he was always interested in the possibilities that could come from computers and technology, but when he played his first game of “Doom” in a multi-player environment via dial-up, his eyes were opened to what technology might be able to do in the future. We’ve come a very long way from dial-up and Mak says it’s only the beginning. You can hear what he’s doing as part of the Hackers and Founders team to support and encourage the development of companies in Guadalajara, Mexico and how he’s come to believe that smaller tech companies in developing countries will one day be the backbone of their economies. I think Latin Americans have largely been followers rather than leaders. ~ Mak Gutierrez During our conversation about Science Fiction and the role it’s played in Mak’s vision of technology and the future, Mak said that he thinks there hasn’t been much Science Fiction to come out of Latin America because the culture has not been focused on producing leaders, people who see a bigger vision of the future than normal. He’s hoping to change that as he works with Hackers and Founders to not only inspire and encourage innovation and startups in Guadalajara but to cast a wider vision for what could come of Latin American innovation in the global marketplace. You’ll enjoy hearing Mak’s enthusiasm so I hope you will listen. Why value is not created by polishing, it’s created by producing. Mak Gutierrez says one of the most valuable lessons he’s learned in building his own companies and in supporting startups in Guadalajara Mexico is that value is not created for the end-user of any product or service by the business waiting to release until things are perfectly polished. Nobody will be helped until you actually produce something - and whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be perfect. You can hear how Mak suggests startup founders think about the development and release of their products and services, on this episode of Crossing Borders. Few Latin American startups fail because they lack capital. In any country, including those in Latin America, there is nothing more important for a startup than to find a need and meet it. And those needs typically come from the local environment and the needs it contains. In Latin America in particular, those needs tend to be fundamentally beneficial to the culture at large and therefore have a transformative impact. Mak Gutierrez says when he’s helped startups in Guadalajara understand that mindset, they are able to get the funding they need without a problem - because it’s obvious that the company is seeking to meet a need that is in great demand. That’s a winning situation for the startup and for its investors. Mak’s story and insights are so helpful… I hope you take time to listen. Outline of This Episode [1:18] Mak’s work in Guadalajara, building the Hackers and Founders team and program. [6:59] How Mak became interested in tech and began learning. [10:12] The role science fiction has played in Mak’s growth and ideas. [17:10] The difference speaking a different language has on your cultural perspective. [23:48] Mak’s steps into coding and building small businesses. [35:10] The support Mak received from family as he built his own businesses. [41:13] Mak’s experience at 500 Startups. [46:36] Changes that have happened in Guadalajara’s business culture in recent years. [50:24] What it’s like to live in Guadalajara. [56:48] Mak’s view on what’s important in building an ecosystem in Latin America. [1:02:50] Why American’s should consider Latin America for startups and investment in startups. [1:06:50] What people tend to misunderstand about Latin America and Guadalajara. [1:12:39] The next steps for Mak and Hackers and Founders. Resources & People Mentioned Hackers and Founders Hackers and Founders Facebook Page Episode 24 with Jonathan Nelson Episode 16 with Santiago Zavala Ray Bradbury Isaac Asimov Liu Cixin, Science Fiction author “The Remembrance of Earth’s Past” - the “Three Body” trilogy eLance 99 Designs Santiago Zavala Jonathan Nelson 500 Startups Shilpa Dalmia & Chandini Ammineni Fontacto Evernote Intel Makerfaire Campus Party - 25k person event in Guadalajara Epicentro Eventbrite www.Meetup.com Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this episode - would you mind subscribing and leaving a rating and review? SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW ON iTunes SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW ON Stitcher  

Every startup has a growth curve. It looks different for each company depending on many factors, but my guest on this episode says founders need to push their company through its growth curve as fast as possible. Thomas Allier left his home in Paris France to found a startup in Columbia. It's not the normal path of a Latin American company but his decision paid off. His company - Viajala - is now the largest discount flights search engine in Latin America. You’ll enjoy this conversation. Family doesn’t always understand when a founder quits everything to launch a startup. When I asked Thomas Allier what his family’s reaction was when he told them he was going to leave his secure job in Paris and move to Columbia to start a Latin American company, he laughed. That’s often the reaction people have to those who are willing to take the risk required to build a company that adds value to the marketplace. And Thomas is one of those people who has made good on his ambitious decision. In this episode of Crossing Borders you’ll hear his story and walk through the steps he took to expand his discount flight search company from Columbia, to Mexico, to Argentina and Brazil, and beyond. The growth of a Latin American startup can be frustrating, but there’s always a way. The bureaucratic nature of government can be pretty frustrating at times. But in Latin America, it happens on an entirely higher level. That can be problematic for startups as they try to navigate the laws and red tape to provide their services to the end user. But Thomas Allier says there’s always a way to make it happen if you are willing to be patient, work with the system, and keep at it. You’ll be inspired by his unrelenting attitude, so be sure you take the time to listen. The startup growth curve requires that you move fast to make the most of your opportunity. That’s what Thomas Allier says as advice to any founder or entrepreneur who’s considering a startup. He says if he could start all over he’d do things at a much faster pace simply because you don’t have your funding forever and you need to make the most of the opportunities that arise when they come. Thomas has a lot of great advice for anyone who’s trying to grow a business. It’s a great conversation. Simple things are best. That’s what gives startups an advantage. When Thomas Allier was telling me about books he’s read recently he mentioned that one of the things he learned from the recent biography of Steve Jobs is that simple is better. It’s what makes the user experience of Apple products so powerful. He says startups have the same advantage because they have to work lean and smart in order to compete. He believes that founders who focus their growth curve on staying simple will ultimately come out the winners. Outline of This Episode [0:12] Who is Thomas Ailler? [4:10] Why Latin American airlines don’t share their data. [6:19] How Thomas decided to attack the problems he’d experienced in travel in Latin America. [8:22] Why Thomas was attracted to Startup Chile even though he was from France. [13:50] The beginning states of the company in Chile and Columbia. [20:43] What it is like day to day in Medellin, Columbia (where Thomas is based). [25:17] Recruiting and finding talent in Medellin. [28:19] The expansion efforts made to move into Mexico. [33:54] Doing business in Mexico and Brazil as a Columbian company and why it’s better for a startup to keep things simple and centralized. [36:50] The steps taken to expand into Brazil and Argentina. [40:17] The reaction of Thomas’ family when he announced he was moving to Columbia. [41:57] Thomas’ advice to American companies or founders considering Latin America. [46:30] The challenges and strategies of working with a distributed team. [50:37] Thomas’ advice to his younger self if he were starting over. [55:04] Advice to those considering a startup. [57:45] Resources Thomas recommends to other entrepreneurs. Resources & People Mentioned https://viajala.com.co/ - Thomas’ company Startup Chile Rakuten JetSmart Kickstarter Azul - Lowcost airline in Brazil Flybondi - Lowcost airline in Argentina Parallel18 Sebastian Vidal Expedia Accent Capital - Colombian fund Velum Ventures BOOK: Remote by Jason Fried Basecamp FirstRock Capital Rappi - Colombia grocery delivery app, A16Z invested Cornershop - Mexican/Chilean grocery delivery app, $21M investment Indie VC  - Investing in real businesses in the US Kayak BOOK: Steve Jobs BOOK: Let My People Go Surfing Patagonia Lessons from Latin American Entrepreneurs   Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn If you enjoyed this episode - would you mind subscribing and leaving a rating and review? SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW ON iTunes SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW ON Stitcher

It’s always exciting when I get to sit down with someone like Sebastian Vidal. In his experience working as part of the Startup Chile team and now as the leader of Parallel18, a startup accelerator based in Puerto Rico he’s been part of the launch of over 1000 startups. Can you imagine the insights, connections, and lessons-learned a guy like that has? That’s what I wanted to tap into in this conversation, so be sure you take the time to listen. Why a startup accelerator in Puerto Rico? The Parallel18 team welcomes innovators from around the globe and helps them scale from Puerto Rico into global communities beyond the Island. Not only is Puerto Rico a beautiful place to base a company, it’s also positioned uniquely with tax structures that favor startups, infrastructure and travel connections that make it a world-class place to do business, and the ability to connect with entrepreneurs and investors from across the globe. The Parallel18 experience is one you should seriously consider if you are starting a company. Startup funding runs out when you don’t focus on one specific thing. When I asked Sebastian Vidal about the main lessons he’s learned in working as part of startup accelerators he immediately mentioned the importance of new companies having a clear and consistent focus. When a team or founder is distracted or pulled away from the company’s primary mission by various things or ideas that come up, traction is lost and funds are wasted. In Sebastian’s experience, it’s one of the main reasons he’s seen startups fail. That's why the Parallel18 mentors major on clear focus and the companies that are formed in the program come out stronger as a result. Startups not only need a strong team, they need a team that is closely aligned. In the startup culture, you often hear how important it is to have a strong team of qualified individuals that serve as the foundation of the company. No arguments here. But Sebastian Vidal says that there’s an additional aspect of the team that needs to be carefully considered: the chemistry and alignment that exists between those team members. If you have a capable, competent team but they are not aligned and heading in the same direction, with the same sense of purpose, you’re going to have problems. Everything from splits down the middle of the company to improperly allocated funds could be the result. Find out how Sebastian has seen alignment become the do or die issue for many startups, on this episode of Crossing Borders. When you become an entrepreneur in Latin America, you can change cultures and countries. One of the things Sebastian Vidal loves about his role with Parallel18 is that he gets to see dramatic positive changes happen in cultures across Latin America due to the way the new companies that come out of the Parallel18 startup accelerator influence them. Individual lives are changed. Economies grow. Sometimes entire governments restructure, all due to the way a new, innovative company adds value to the culture. You can hear Sebastian describe these kinds of changes and how Parallel18 has had a hand in it, on this episode. Outline of This Episode [1:35] How Sebastian made the transition to Puerto Rico from Chile. [4:20] The challenge of starting Parallel 18 from scratch. [6:08] The role Sebastian played in Startup Chile. [11:00] Lessons learned working with over 1000 startups. [22:15] Learning the lesson that focus is of paramount importance. [27:01] The changes Sebastian made starting over with Parallel 18 in Puerto Rico. [35:55] New perspectives from working with companies in Parallel 18. [40:22] What types of companies should apply to be part of Parallel 18? [47:05] How to connect with Sebastian and Parallel 18. Resources & People Mentioned Parallel 18 The Parallel 18 Facebook Page Startup Chile Invest In Lines, Not Dots (article) Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn  

The mindset of many entrepreneurs has transitioned from profit-first to responsibility first, and it’s a good thing. In a competitive space like the world of fashion, it may not seem that building a successful sustainable clothing brand is the best move - but Jason Grullón and the team at Virtu have made it happen. In this conversation, I talk with Jason about how he transitioned from Law School into the world of fashion and has created a company that is not only profitable but is producing quality clothing in a socially responsible way. Socially responsible companies can be amazingly profitable. The key to Virtu as a socially responsible clothing brand is their Latin American producers. Hand crafting all of the Virtu clothing is a workforce based in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, with plans to expand to Haiti soon. But before you judge them for chasing a cheap source of labor, look again. The company is paying a higher wage than is typically paid in these poor countries and is doing so intentionally to raise the bar for the entire community. In addition, the company is committed to putting 50% of its profits back into the communities of its producers. They are not only in this to make a profit, they are in it to make a difference in the lives of those who work for them and the communities they live in. Profit and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. The importance of traceability in building a transparent sustainable clothing brand. It’s important to Jason and the entire team at Virtu that consumers know that the claims made by the company about helping local producers are true. The company’s traceability feature allows you to know exactly who made the item of clothing you purchase and where they made it. Right on the garment, you’ll find a tag that introduces you to the person who made your item and it includes a web link that enables you to learn more about them, their community, and their personal story. It’s the company’s hope that one day a system will be in place that will enable consumers who care to do so, to communicate directly with the person who produced their item to find out exactly how their purchase has made an impact in their life. People are going to criticize but you have to do what you set out to do. When I compared Virtu to the model followed by Tom’s Shoes, perhaps the most well-known socially responsible company, Jason was quick to say that even Tom’s has its share of naysayers. But his attitude was as positive as the difference he’s making. He said that people are going to find fault, but you can’t let that deter you from making the difference you want to make. I enjoyed my conversation with Jason immensely. He’s an example of a Latin American entrepreneur who’s making a big difference in the lives of real people who truly need an opportunity. Find out more about Jason and the Virtu story, on this episode of Crossing Borders. Outline of This Episode [0:25] Who is Jason Grullón? [1:51] What is virtu and how does the company work to change people’s lives? [3:08] Why Jason’s company uses employees from a slum. [5:06] Meeting the demand of the Kickstarter success. [8:50] The difference the company is making by paying the living wage for the Dominican Republic. [13:04] Finding producers in Bolivia and the organic process that happened. [18:01] Why the company is profitable because it is socially responsible. [22:14] How did Jason wind up going to law school and moving into fashion? [26:43] The business opportunities that exist in the Dominican Republic. [31:51] Jason’s predictions about the D.R. economy and business climate in the future. [34:39] The mistakes companies make when attempting a sustainable brand. [41:22] The social and PR benefits of having Virtu provide business uniforms. [45:09] Advice Jason would give to himself if he were starting over. [48:52] The response Jason’s friends and family had to his business ideas. [52:17] Streamlining and expanding to Haiti as the company moves ahead. Resources & People Mentioned http://www.virtu.rocks/ - sustainable fashion Startup Chile GroupRaise Episode 5 of Crossing Borders with Devin Baptiste Kickstarter Tom’s Shoes Unicef U.S. Aid Guillaume Vaslin-Reimann - Jason's business partner and cofounder of Virtu Fabrice Grinda - Entrepreneur/Investor with tech team in Dominican Republic Instacarro - Brazilian startup with Dominican Republic tech team Connect With Nathan www.NathanLustig.com www.MagmaPartners.com On Twitter On LinkedIn