Podcasts about operators

What's product-market fit like when you give people the power to do what they never thought was possible?On this rerun of Grit from April 2024, Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, shares how his platform gave billions a new way to create video without cameras, and explores a future where video and audio replace text as the primary way to share knowledge and content.Guests: Victor Riparbelli, CEO and co-founder of Synthesia and Josh Coyne, Partner at Kleiner PerkinsConnect with Victor RiparbelliX: https://x.com/vriparbelliLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorriparbelli/​Connect with Josh CoyneX: https://x.com/josh_coyneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacoyne/​Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

In this episode of Convergence.fm, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, to go behind the scenes of how Shopify not only keeps pace with rapid change but leads it.  The discussion explores how Shopify became one of the first platforms to allow merchants to sell products directly inside ChatGPT, why that move challenges Amazon's dominance, and what it takes to build a company that learns faster than it fails.  Farhan explains the systems that make being first repeatable rather than accidental, including Shopify's internal LLM proxy, MCP servers, experimentation culture, and democratized tooling.  If you are a CEO, COO, or CTO looking to scale through culture, systems, and intentional technology adoption, this episode shows what it looks like to operate with conviction and long-term relevance. Key Topics and Moments: Shopify and OpenAI's commerce integration. The same day OpenAI enabled in-chat shopping, Shopify merchants were already live. Farhan explains what it takes for a company of Shopify's size to move with that kind of speed Competing with Amazon through culture, not size. Shopify has 3,000 engineers compared to Amazon's 35,000+, yet continues to outpace bigger players by focusing on coherence, focus, and empowered execution rather than bureaucracy and scale. The meaning behind Tobi Lütke's April AI memo. Farhan discusses how Shopify operationalized its “AI is non-optional” stance, what baseline expectations look like, and how performance is evaluated in an AI-native organization. AI reflexivity and the “three buckets.” Farhan explains how teams are taught to recognize “AI not allowed,” “AI optional,” and “AI mandatory” problems so that employees develop instinct for when to reach for AI — and when to pick up the screwdriver. The risk of ‘vibe coding' and why hand tools still matter. Farhan shares lessons from real incidents inside and outside Shopify, like the Cloudflare outage caused by unreviewed AI-generated code, and how engineering leaders teach judgment, not just prompting. The LLM Proxy and MCP Servers. Inside look at how Shopify democratized AI across departments by building an internal platform that connects all major models and corporate data sources, enabling every employee to build workflows and ask intelligent questions — not just engineers. AI budgeting vs. SaaS budgeting. Farhan explains why AI usage isn't treated like traditional SaaS spend and how Shopify encourages heavy experimentation by rewarding impact rather than punishing token consumption. Experimentation as a system. How teams are encouraged to show work at 20%, not 80%, and why the speed of learning, not perfection, is the true productivity metric. Subtraction as leadership. Farhan shares how founders and executives must delete outdated processes, rules, and layers of bureaucracy to make room for new ideas — why process should only exist if it makes something possible or 10x better. Hiring and growing AI-native talent. Why Shopify doubled down on internships, hiring 1,000 interns this year and next, and how younger engineers push full-timers to stay current by being born AI-native “centaurs.” Responsibility versus accountability. Why leaders can delegate tasks but not responsibility, and how to stay in the work without disempowering the team. Certainty as intolerance. Farhan's reflection on why overconfidence kills creativity, and how leaders can replace fixed beliefs with wayfinding, curiosity, and adaptive decision-making. Rapid-fire reflections for CEOs. Ashok and Farhan close with lessons on showing unfinished work, modeling curiosity, and removing friction as a cultural operating system. Who Should Listen: Mid-market CEOs, COOs, and CTOs building adaptable organizations that can scale.  Leaders focused on culture and transformation, not just technology adoption.  Operators who want to apply product thinking and modern software practices to traditional industries. Notable Quotes: “We have a baseline expectation of using AI. If you have two people, one using AI and one not, they will both be evaluated the same.” – Farhan Thawar on AI usage expectations  “We don't like waste, but we don't have limits. If you believe in your workflow, use the best model for your problem solving.” – Farhan Thawar on AI token cost and consumption   “You can now buy directly in chat from Shopify merchants. That is a major shift in how people discover and buy online.” – Ashok Sivanand on Shopify launching all their merchants on ChatGPT's Shop feature on the very day it was launched  Related Reading and References: Shopify Blog: Shopify and OpenAI bring commerce to ChatGPT (official announcement) - https://www.shopify.com/news/shopify-open-ai-commerce?podconvergence   Reuters: OpenAI partners with Shopify, Stripe, and others to expand ChatGPT integrations - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/openai-partners-with-etsy-shopify-chatgpt-checkout-2025-09-29/?podconvergence   TechCrunch: Inside Tobi Lütke's AI Memo and Shopify's Cultural Shift - https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/07/shopify-ceo-tells-teams-to-consider-using-ai-before-growing-headcount/?podconvergence  Farhan's opinions about token consumption - https://x.com/fnthawar/status/1930367595670274058  Farhan's article about “looking stupid”- https://medium.com/helpful-com/why-looking-stupid-is-my-superpower-2ee3fe00a748?podconvergence  The Convergence.fm first episode with Farhan in 2024 - https://convergence.fm/episode/from-code-to-culture-how-shopify-thrives-under-farhan-thawars-thought-leadership  The Convergence.fm Episode about Tobi Lütke's leaked AI memo mandate, and our 6 takeaways - https://convergence.fm/episode/shopifys-leaked-ai-mandate-explained-6-takeaways-for-your-product-team  Tobi's memo Tweet - https://x.com/tobi/status/1909231499448401946 Unreasonable Hospitality (book) - https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573  Farhan's Twitter (public handle) - https://x.com/fnthawar  Reflection and Action Steps: Start with your mission. Before choosing tools, clarify what problem you are solving and what your business stands for.  Enable your team. Ask whether you are removing barriers or creating them.  Are employees empowered to experiment?  Model the change. Use AI tools yourself. Share your learnings, wins, and failures openly. F Foster learning. Consider introducing internal forums or “thinking clubs” that encourage curiosity and reflection across your team.  

Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits.https://9operators.com/applovinDespite a one-page website with nothing but his name and a contact button, David Herrmann is easily the world's most influential media buyer. Famous or infamous (especially if you're an ad platform that triggers his X-posting wrath), he's been shaping the face of ecommerce advertising for almost two decades.One part storytelling, two parts tactical insights … David shares his journey from selling MRI machines online to managing over a billion dollars in ad spend. Discover the challenges and triumphs of media buying, creative strategy, and the surprising roles of inhouse versus outsourced agencies. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and industry insights.

I just had an incredible conversation with Jon Wells on the DealQuest Podcast about a real estate niche that most investors have never even considered. After 25 years in Denver real estate, Jon discovered something remarkable: group homes for mental health and sobriety programs that generate 6%+ cap rates with almost zero landlord responsibilities. Here's what struck me most from our discussion: Jon's "fix and flop" philosophy completely changed my perspective. "My best deals were the ones that didn't sell," he told me. Those failed flips that he couldn't unload? They became his most profitable long-term holdings and led him to this overlooked niche. The economics are compelling. While everyone fights over compressed margins in traditional real estate (Jon watched fix-and-flip profits shrink from 25% to barely 10%), group homes maintain 6-13% cap rates even in high interest rate environments. His mentor has accumulated 1,000 beds. Jon manages 30-40 beds that provide what he calls "a great living." The structure is brilliantly simple. Operators funded by Medicaid and grants handle everything - maintenance, tenants, daily management. Property owners collect rent. It's "as close to a triple net deal as you can do" in residential real estate. The vetting process Jon shared was eye-opening. Drawing from his 1990s experience helping people save properties from foreclosure, he applies rigorous financial analysis to operators. The key: finding those with grant funding, solid track records, and willingness to accept purchase options so they treat the property like their own. What impressed me most was Jon's disciplined approach to avoiding shiny object syndrome. After a syndication advisor told him "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole," he pivoted back to what he knows works - paying off mortgages and creating owner-carry notes for stable, predictable income. The lesson? While everyone chases the same crowded strategies, the best opportunities often hide in markets others don't even know exist. Sometimes the path to financial freedom isn't about following the crowd, but about finding overlooked niches that match your values and expertise. Listen to our full conversation on the DealQuest Podcast where Jon reveals his complete framework for evaluating group home opportunities. FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE: https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/jonwells FOR MORE ON JON WELLS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwellsrealtor/ https://abetterwayrealty.com/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/ https://www.coreykupfer.com/ Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

Oil and gas operations rely on heavy machinery and equipment that perform critical tasks, yet most of this equipment remains disconnected from the digital landscape of cloud computing, analytics, and autonomy. This lack of connectivity leaves operators with higher costs, inefficient maintenance, and limited visibility into how their assets are really performing. The traditional approach to equipment design is no longer enough. Operators face pressure to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and cut costs, but without better data and smarter tools, these goals remain out of reach. The industry cannot afford to keep treating its infrastructure as “dumb metal.” You might think that only big equipment suppliers can make smart metal, but IJACK, a Canadian equipment manufacturer, is proving otherwise. By embedding remote monitoring, cloud connectivity, and AI-driven analytics into its products, the company enables operators to troubleshoot issues without rolling a truck, optimize performance across entire fleets, and gain valuable insight from real-time data. In this episode, I speak with Dan McCarthy, President of IJACK, about how his team transformed compressors and pumps into intelligent assets, why the industry needs to embrace innovation, and how a small-town company from Saskatchewan is now serving customers around the world.

In this episode, we sit down with Bill and Josh from Baseball Lifestyle to unpack their incredible growth story, from a high school Instagram account to a projected $150 million business. They share the secrets behind their success, including the power of niching down in a passionate community and the relentless consistency of posting content for years to build an audience. We dive deep into their bootstrapped financing strategy, leveraging first-order profitability and revenue-based financing to scale inventory and marketing. Bill and Josh also discuss the critical operational challenges of hyper-growth, the importance of their unique founder partnership, and how their high-frequency product drop model fuels an impressive customer LTV. Discover how they successfully balanced their DTC roots with a massive wholesale expansion into retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, turning their brand into a nine-figure behemoth.Chapters:00:03:50 - Introduction00:22:35 - Power of a Great Business Duo00:41:44 - North Star Metric for Your Business00:57:21 - Painful Reality of Hyper-Growth01:18:15 - How to Balance Wholesale and E-commercePowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://saras-analytics.typeform.com/to/T8jpuAEb?utm_source=9operator_lp&utm_medium=find_out_moreSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The Dominant Duo – Total Dominance Hour -Foreign operators, last night's sports, MLB Playoffs, Joe Mussatto for Berry Tramel, today's OU press conference and more. Follow the Sports Animal on Facebook, Instagram and X PLUS Jim Traber on Instagram, Berry Tramel on X and Dean Blevins on X Follow Tony Z on Instagram and Facebook Listen to past episodes HERE! Follow Total Dominance Podcasts on Apple, Google and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trio is back together and today we're getting into the topic of the evolution of the media buying role, and how media buying has transformed from button-pushing inside ad platforms to a more strategic role that demands creativity, data fluency, and taking ownership of the entire customer funnel. We explore friend-of-the-show Taylor Holiday's growth engineer concept, how automation is reshaping the skill set needed, and we compare notes on how our companies are structuring our growth and paid media teams.From this, we get deeper into hiring and team culture - what traits we look for in senior marketing hires, how to build and curate self-starting teams, the importance of cultural fit, why marketers today must act like CEOs of their channels, and more.Watch the last week's episode for more on hiring for marketing: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uFeSjSwBqe1e39cLQI78x?si=SZH0mEDkQU6VTqX9_QgMkQIf you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:06:06 - Deconstructing a Successful Product Launch00:22:35 - The Evolving Role of the Media Buyer00:37:48 - The "Marketer First" Mindset00:51:49 - How to Hire for a High-Performance Culture01:03:02 - Going Beyond the Resume to Find the Right FitPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Make your product irresistible, and everything else will follow.That's the philosophy of Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, an AI design platform with an 'anti-PowerPoint approach', used by over 50M people.This week on Grit, he also shares why enduring businesses aren't one person shows, and how their deliberate hiring process shapes and strengthens company culture.Connect with Grant LeeXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins

Marian Pasko - CEO at Paradise Valley Mineral Management (PVMM) joins the podcast to walk through her team's approach to managing mineral rights and working interest. Throughout the episode, Marian showcases how their team's backgrounds uniquely position PVMM to work with Tribal Nations, Endowments, Non-Profits, & Accidental Owners and how they leverage scale to incentivize Operators to accelerate drilling development on their clients minerals.**Disclaimer: This podcast is meant for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.A big thanks to our 3 Minerals & Royalties Podcast Sponsors:--Tracts: If you are interested in learning more about Tracts title related services and software, then please call 281-892-2096 or visit https://tracts.co/ to learn more.--Riverbend Energy Group: If you are interested in discussing the sale of your Minerals and/or NonOp interests w/ Riverbend, then please visit www.riverbendenergygroup.com for more information--Farmers National Company: For more information on Farmer's land management services, please visit www.fncenergy.com or email energy@farmersnational.com

Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits.https://9operators.com/applovinJack Gia shares his expansive journey from enterprise technology to investing to founding Muesly, a prescription skincare brand with over one million customers and $100M in annual revenue.Along with hosts Matt Bertulli and Mike Beckham, they discuss the importance of innovation, learning from failures, and the challenges of building a telehealth platform. Jack emphasizes the significance of community engagement and real customer stories in marketing, as well as the core ethos of DIY. He offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs — a calculated yet action-oriented approach to business.

With over 30 years in wireless—from helping pioneer intercarrier SMS to running mobile identity operations across Americas and Asia Pacific — Eddie DeCurtis saw what others missed: 967 of 1,000 global mobile network operators lack the infrastructure to monetize CPNI data while protecting customers from fraud. The technical challenge isn't building APIs. It's that operators spent billions on 5G infrastructure and now lack capital, internal expertise, and operational frameworks to launch authentication services. In 18 months, Shush went from PowerPoint to 30 employees, supporting 47 network APIs with full GSMA Open Gateway compliance. Eddie shares how understanding regulatory frameworks by jurisdiction, not just deploying technology, became their competitive moat—and why hiring the executive who built T-Mobile USA's authentication platform gave them credibility no competitor could match. Topics Discussed: Why operators repeatedly said "we want to do it, we have no idea how, we have no money, we don't have a platform" Validating the thesis with former AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan before launching Securing a POC with a major operator pre-incorporation—with only a PowerPoint deck The three-legged stool: technology, network integration, and business operations (where competitors fail) Why knowing privacy regulations for CPNI data sharing by country became a deal-closer Reducing network integration from dozens of touchpoints to three specific network elements Supporting 8 Linux Foundation Camara APIs and TS.43 GBA AKA authentication standard Going from 3 to 30 employees and launching at Mobile World Congress on a $75/night Airbnb budget GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Validate with the person most likely to kill your idea: Eddie deliberately chose John Donovan—former CEO of AT&T Communications, board member at Lockheed and Palo Alto Networks—specifically because "he's going to be rough, he's going to totally ask the really hard questions." When Donovan's response was "go raise $40 million and own this space...you're not going to be alone for long," the validation carried weight because it came from someone incentivized to find fatal flaws. Most founders validate with friendly audiences or investors looking for deals. Find the battle-tested executive who has nothing to gain from being kind. Convert pre-product conviction into design partner commitments: Eddie secured a POC agreement with a major operator before Shush incorporated. "I had nothing. I didn't have software. We had an idea, we had a PowerPoint presentation." This only works when you've spent decades building domain expertise and relationships. The lesson isn't "sell vaporware"—it's that deep industry knowledge lets you articulate problem-solution fit so precisely that sophisticated buyers commit before seeing code. Infrastructure founders with 10+ years in-market can accelerate 12-18 months of product-market fit by converting expertise into early design partnerships. The enterprise moat is operational knowledge, not technical capability: Eddie's thesis: "Anybody can come up with the technology. You walk down the street in the Bay Area, 10 developers will develop it for you." Shush differentiated by answering questions competitors couldn't: How do you price SIM swap detection per query? What are CPNI data sharing regulations in Indonesia versus Brazil? How do you navigate internal stakeholder alignment across legal, privacy, and regulatory teams at a tier-one operator? When Eddie told an operator "here's the privacy rules for your country" after they admitted "I have no idea," he closed a knowledge gap that pure technology vendors can't fill. In regulated infrastructure markets, execution expertise beats technical superiority. Target the ambition-capability gap in capital-constrained buyers: Operators told Eddie the same story: eager to launch authentication services, zero clarity on execution, budgets decimated by 5G spending. This created perfect conditions for a full-stack solution. "Mid-market is hard because you have a buyer with problems that are not basic anymore, but they lack the ability to execute." Shush didn't sell point solutions—they delivered technology, integration, and business operations as a turnkey package. Identify buyers with sophisticated needs, strong intent, and constrained internal resources. That's where full-stack platforms win over point tools. Hire the operator who ran your exact use case at scale: Eddie cold-called John Morrowton, who "built this actual product and service offering at T-Mobile USA, from its inception to its execution and ran it for four years." His pitch: "I'm Eddie DeCurtis, how are you? You want a job? You're Chief Product Officer." Hiring someone who'd operationalized authentication services at a tier-one carrier gave Shush instant credibility with operator buyers and compressed years of trial-and-error into institutional knowledge. In infrastructure sales, hiring executives from reference customers eliminates "can you actually do this" objections before they surface. Minimize integration surface area to accelerate deployment: Mobile operators run highly secure networks with limited external access points. Shush "narrowed it down to three network elements that we can communicate with to provide all 47 APIs." Fewer integration points means faster deployment, lower implementation risk, and reduced operator IT overhead. This architectural decision became a sales accelerator. Infrastructure founders: identify the minimal viable integration that unlocks maximum API coverage, then make that your differentiated deployment story.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.  Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

John Catsimatidis, Red Apple Media Owner & Operator, calls into the show along with his wife Margo, to discuss their attendance at the exciting Yankees game last night in The Bronx, before they delve into their upcoming honor at an Italian American event celebrating Columbus Day, their pride in their Italian ties, and their support for maintaining Columbus Day over Indigenous People's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scheduling in oil and gas has long been a weak link. Wells, rigs, frack crews, contractors, and regulators must all line up in precise sequence, but too often the “system” is stitched together with Excel spreadsheets, siloed tools, and a lot of human memory. The result is inefficiencies, costly delays, and endless arguments in daily meetings. That model is no longer good enough. The complexity of modern operations, coupled with volatile markets and new constraints (from labor shortages to tariffs to water management) is making traditional scheduling tools obsolete. Operators that rely on outdated approaches risk losing millions in wasted time and missed opportunities. Spying this problem years ago, Actenum, an AI-enabled scheduling platform that treats scheduling not as a collection of dates, but as a living model of operations, set out to correct this problem. The tool captures constraints, integrates with systems of record, forecasts production, and enables scenario planning, in real time. Companies report faster well delivery, reduced conflicts, smarter forecasting, and millions in direct savings. In this episode, I speak with Owen Plowman, Vice President of Business Development at Actenum, about how smarter scheduling is reshaping oil and gas. We cover real-world client stories, cultural shifts inside organizations, and how AI is opening new optimization opportuntities in planning, turnarounds, and offshore logistics.

What's it like to build the fastest-growing company in American history... and then watch it all come crashing down? We sat down with John Hefter, co-founder of the legendary Amazon aggregator Thrasio, for a brutally honest conversation about the company's wild ride from a multi-billion dollar unicorn to bankruptcy.John takes us from the very beginning, launching from a co-founder's basement with a simple Google search to raising nearly $3.5 billion and reaching a staggering $9 billion valuation. He shares the incredible inside story of "Angry Orange," the pet deodorizer brand that became the "smell of gold" and proved their model could work on a massive scale.But with insane growth came chaos. John pulls back the curtain on the dark side of the Amazon marketplace, battling black-hat sellers and the operational nightmare of acquiring four companies in a single week. He reveals the surreal moment he knew the dream was over, standing at a lavish party in Cabo when he got the call about a single, catastrophic $450 million inventory mistake.This isn't just a business story; it's a cautionary tale about the real cost of moving too fast. Tune in to hear John's unfiltered take on the future of Amazon FBA, his hard-won advice for founders, and what comes after surviving the unicorn rollercoaster.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:05:10 - How Thrasio Started in a Basement00:19:11 - Insane Pre-COVID Growth00:23:18 - Beginning of the End00:41:39 - The Moment It All Blew Up00:53:57 - Future of Amazon FBAPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://saras-analytics.typeform.com/to/T8jpuAEb?utm_source=9operator_lp&utm_medium=find_out_moreSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

We gave control of our hotel inventory away once before. Let's not do it again. At The Lodging Conference, I spoke with Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO of OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group for hashtag#NoVacancyNews, about how hashtag#AI is reshaping hotel search, discovery, and distribution — and what hoteliers must do to stay in control this time. Jeff drew a clear line between the post-9/11 OTA era and what's happening now with generative AI. Back then, the industry leaned on online travel agencies for visibility and lost direct connections with guests. Today, agentic AI tools like ChatGPT could either hand that power back to hotels—or repeat the same mistake. Here's what Jeff shared:

First up today, we're getting into OpenAI and ChatGPT shopping with the Shopify integration - including how we're approaching GEO, why bigger brands might have the edge, and why we're not going all in on optimization just yet.We also dig into SMS and email, where the real limit is on frequency, and the balance between driving conversions short-term vs unsubscribes vs retaining subscribers in the long-term.We share what we've tested, what the data shows about diminishing returns, and why most brands are probably leaving money on the table. We break down the difference between flows and campaigns, why flows can handle more volume, and how post-purchase upsells fit into this, from one-click add-ons to holding orders “double dash” style.We also check in on how podcast ads are performing at Jones Road - what the early results look like, why standard tracking under-attributes, and how we're thinking about picking winners to scale. To finish up, we talk through the first three marketing hires we'd make if we were building a brand from scratch today.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:10:22 - Our Approach to ChatGPT Shopping & GEO00:27:13 - Finding the Real Limit on SMS & Email Frequency00:38:37 - Post-Purchase Upsells: One-Click vs. "Double Dash" Style00:51:51 - Podcast Ads: Jones Road's Early Results & Attribution01:01:18 - Drafting Your First 3 Marketing HiresPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

What if brokers were calling you with storage deals before they even hit the market? The truth is, the best opportunities rarely get blasted out to everyone. Instead, they're quietly offered to a short list of trusted buyers. If you're not on that list, you're already too late. In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo continues his four-part series on building powerful broker relationships. He reveals the exact steps he used to land on one broker's shortlist of qualified buyers, a relationship that led to an off-market storage facility deal you'll never find on LoopNet. You'll hear how brokers actually source deals, what they look for in buyers, and the follow-up strategies that keep you top of mind. Whether you're brand new or already in the game, this episode gives you the roadmap to becoming the kind of investor brokers call first. You'll Learn How To: Get on a broker's shortlist of serious buyers Build lasting, genuine relationships that lead to repeat deals Avoid rookie mistakes that quietly get you blacklisted Communicate your buy box with confidence and clarity Prove credibility even if you've never closed a storage deal Follow up the right way without becoming a pest What You'll Learn in This Episode: (00:00) Why you can absolutely do this if you stay consistent (02:00) How the best storage deals never reach the open market (03:00) The secret to building credibility brokers can trust (05:00) How one relationship led to two off-market storage deals (09:00) Why following up and being genuine opens doors (11:00) The reason quick responses keep you on a broker's shortlist (12:00) Why confidence and professionalism matter more than experience (14:00) How closing one deal accelerates your path to ten (16:00) How to clearly define and share your buy box (18:00) The long game: why trust takes time but pays off Who This Episode Is For: New investors who want to break into storage without competing with dozens of buyers Operators who are tired of seeing deals only after they've been shopped around Anyone who wants to earn brokers' trust and move from “tire kicker” to trusted buyer Why You Should Listen: The storage industry is smaller than you think, and your reputation with brokers determines whether you get first dibs or leftovers. This episode shows you how to position yourself as a trusted buyer who gets the call when hot opportunities surface. If you're serious about building wealth through storage and ready to stop chasing scraps, this is the playbook that puts you at the front of the line. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Scaling a business globally comes down to leaders who align teams and drive them forward together.Snowflake serves over 12,000 customers, and early executives Chris Degnan and Denise Persson share how they scaled the company while keeping the unlikely pairing of sales and marketing perfectly aligned through hypergrowth.They join Joubin Mirzadegan to share insights from their new book, Make It Snow, revealing how they built Snowflake's ‘go-to-market engine' and fostered a customer-first culture across every function.Guests: Chris Degnan, former CRO and advisor to the CEO at Snowflake, and Denise Persson, CMO at Snowflake.Connect with Chris Degnan LinkedIn​Connect with Denise PerssonLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

In this episode of the Investor Fuel podcast, host Michelle Kesil interviews Kenny Rose, the owner of FranShares, a platform that connects investors with franchise opportunities. Kenny discusses the concept of passive franchise investment, the challenges and successes in the franchising industry, and the importance of education for potential investors. He emphasizes the need for good investments to attract investors and shares success stories of franchise owners who have thrived with the right support. The conversation highlights the potential of franchising as a significant asset class and the ongoing support provided to investors through education and resources.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Operations and Operators

What if the best deals in your market were already sitting in a broker's inbox, and you just weren't on their list? The truth is, brokers can be your biggest allies or your biggest roadblocks. If you don't know how to work with them the right way, you'll never see the opportunities that could change your business. In this episode, Alex Pardo kicks off a brand-new four-part series on building powerful broker relationships. You'll learn exactly how to earn their trust, get on their hot list, and position yourself as a serious buyer, even if you're brand new to storage. Alex also shares insights straight from top national brokers about what they actually look for and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that get you quietly blacklisted. Want a shortcut to broker relationships that bring you deals? This episode is where it starts. You'll Learn How To: Build instant credibility with brokers, even if you've never done a storage deal Create a clear buy box that makes brokers take you seriously Avoid rookie mistakes that kill your chances before they start Use community and coaching as built-in credibility with brokers Ask the right questions that show you're thoughtful and professional What You'll Learn in This Episode: (00:00) Why your reputation with brokers matters more than you think (01:00) How to get on a broker's hot list, even if you're brand new (04:00) Why clarity creates credibility and how to define your buy box (07:00) The truth about transparency, and why pretending backfires (09:00) Why being part of a community gives you instant credibility (11:00) How to be a pro, not just a professional (12:00) The questions that waste brokers' time and what to ask instead (14:00) Why brokers need you just as much as you need them (15:00) Sneak peek: what makes brokers pick up the phone for some buyers over others Who This Episode Is For: New investors who feel overlooked or ignored by brokers Operators tired of hearing we'll keep you in mind but never seeing real deals Anyone who wants to move from being a tire kicker to a trusted buyer brokers call first Why You Should Listen: Brokers talk, and your reputation can either open doors or quietly shut you out. This episode gives you the exact playbook for building trust, standing out in a crowded market, and becoming the type of buyer brokers want to work with. Instead of waiting for scraps, you'll learn how to position yourself for first access to the best deals in your market. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/  

Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://www.9operators.com/applovinDive into the inspiring journey of McCoy Merkley from Portland Leather Goods. From answering a Craigslist ad to becoming a pivotal figure in the company's exponential growth, McCoy shares candid insights on transitioning from a one-man army to leading a full marketing team.Discover the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business, the importance of courage in leadership, and the strategic marketing mix that propelled Portland Leather Goods to success. Tune in for a conversation filled with practical wisdom and lots of humor, as McCoy reflects on the lessons learned along the way.

Thinking about selling your company — now or in the next few years? In this episode, Bradley Frisk (Cypress Creek Capital Group / Raymond James) lays out the full exit playbook every founder should hear before taking a call from a buyer. We cover: • Prep that creates real enterprise value (often adding millions before you ever go to market) • How the deal process actually works — IOIs, LOIs, diligence, QofE, data rooms, buyer types • How to plan life after the exit so your net outcome — after tax, wealth transfer, and lifestyle — aligns with your goals ________________________________________ Who this episode is for: ✅ Founders of lower-middle or middle-market companies ✅ Owners fielding unsolicited offers ✅ Operators still 2–3 years away from selling — but want to be ready ________________________________________ Want introductions to professionals mentioned in the episode — or info on the upcoming BOSS (Business Owner Strategy Summit) on Oct 16?

What is the future of e-commerce? In this episode, the Operators tackle the biggest questions facing brands today. We explore the rise of "Agentic Commerce" and the concept of the "Me Store". A future where personal AI assistants curate and conduct our shopping, potentially replacing the traditional e-commerce storefront as we know it.The conversation then dives deep into one of the most critical topics for any founder: brand. How do you distinguish between building an enduring brand versus chasing a fleeting trend? We break down the Stanley cup phenomenon as a case study and debate the best ways to measure true brand power. Is it about pricing power and repeat purchase rates, or is brand evangelism the ultimate metric? Finally, we explore different strategies for brand growth and category expansion, looking at how to stay true to a core customer while still finding new avenues for growth. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the threats, opportunities, and strategic pivots required to win in the next era of commerce.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:06:15 - Stealing Marketing Ideas from 50 Years Ago00:17:47 - How AI Will Change E-Commerce Forever00:36:44 - How Do You Actually Measure "Brand"?00:49:30 - Analyzing Post-Purchase Survey Data00:56:52 - Brand vs. TrendPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://saras-analytics.typeform.com/to/T8jpuAEb?utm_source=9operator_lp&utm_medium=find_out_moreSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Looking for daily inspiration?  Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning.   What's the one premier event that brings the global attractions industry together? IAAPA Expo 2025, happening in Orlando, Florida, from November 17th through 21st. From breakthrough technology to world-class networking and immersive education, IAAPA Expo 2025 is where you find possible.  And, just for our audience, you'll save $10 when you register at IAAPA.org/IAAPAExpo and use promo code EXPOAPROSTEN. Don't miss it — we won't!   Running a modern trampoline or adventure park isn't as simple as “put trampolines in a warehouse and open the doors” anymore. Operators juggle guest expectations, evolving tech stacks, labor realities, and the need to turn first-time visitors into loyal fans. In this conversation, Matt and Josh surface practical solutions with a live panel—Phillip Howell (Best American Trampolines), Greg Spittle (ROLLER), and Brandon Willey (Intelliplay)—covering design, data, kiosks vs. people, post-visit marketing, gamification, and AI. In this episode, Phillip, Greg, and Brandon share how the trampoline park model has matured and what tech-enabled moves will define the next five years. From Warehouses to Polished, Parent-Friendly Parks “We were going into warehouses… 10 to 15,000 square feet of actual trampolines… no party rooms, no decoration on the wall.” Early parks were bare-bones. Today, Phillip emphasizes warm, inviting environments: clean sightlines, framed netting, wrinkle-free pads, murals, and real seating and TVs for parents. The aesthetic isn't vanity - it sets the perceived cleanliness and quality bar the moment guests walk in. Match Online Promises with Onsite Reality “That upfront experience needs to match the experience when I walk through the door.” Brandon flags a common miss: aspirational websites and social feeds that don't reflect the actual facility. Greg adds that outdated online checkout flows lose guests before they arrive. Align visuals and copy with the real experience, and make the digital path to purchase smooth. Before–During–After: Design the Whole Journey “There's a bit of technology in every piece of that journey.” Before the visit: modern web and frictionless online booking. During the visit: clear wayfinding, staffed self-service kiosks (never kiosks alone), and trained team members who intercept stress and upsell thoughtfully. After the visit: structured follow-ups—survey, intercept negative feedback before it hits Google, and segmented re-engagement. Kiosks Need Humans “You can't just leave the kiosks out there and expect success.” Automation works best with people in the loop. The winning model pairs one well-trained team member with multiple kiosks to guide choices, protect the experience, and enable upsells… without leaving a 16-year-old “on an island.” Own the Post-Visit Moment (and the Data) “Trampoline parks have a massive advantage. You have mandatory waivers… it's marketing data.” Use waivers to power segmentation: birthday clubs (30–45 days out), membership offers, and interest-based campaigns. Greg notes birthday bookings often happen ~3 weeks in advance, so time your messages. Automate when possible, but always deliver genuine value in every send. Wearables & Gamification Drive Repeat Visits “After the bands were in place, repeat visitation went up to 78%.” Intelliplay's wristbands track activity, show session status (green to red), reduce PA “time's up” moments, and fuel leaderboards. With demographic data and in-park behavior, operators can create attraction-specific events (e.g., dodgeball nights) and reward systems that keep families coming back. Clean Lines = Clean Minds “You see a wrinkled pad and it looks dirty.” Optics shape reviews. Details like pad tension, framed netting, and tidy sightlines communicate safety and care, prevent “dirty” perceptions that damage ratings even when facilities are spotless. AI Now & Next: Practical, Not Hype “AI is still in its infancy… but options matter.” Today: load SOPs into a private assistant for staff training and guest FAQs; use AI for campaign ideation and drafting. Tomorrow: agentic AI will act on your data, building and running segmented campaigns, surfacing decisions from noise, and personalizing in-park and post-visit experiences. Humans stay central; AI reduces drudgery. Operator Priorities That Don't Change “What's driving my revenue, costs, and guest experience?” Greg's three pillars: Revenue engines (birthday parties remain foundational; memberships rising). Costs (especially labor forecasting by day/week/season). Guest experience (measure, intercept, and improve). Brandon adds: audit your attraction mix and secret shop your own venue regularly, end to end. The Park of the Near Future “Immersive, gamified, personalized.” Expect lighting tied to activity, unified scoring across attractions, persistent profiles, and app-based rewards that feel like arcade redemption—physical prizes today, digital skins tomorrow. Most of all: keep experimenting; iterate quickly, learn, and evolve.   What tech or tactics have moved the needle most in your venue: kiosks, leaderboards, birthday automation, staff training tools, or something else? Share your ideas and questions in the YouTube comments or on social media. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team:   Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas   To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com AttractionPros@gmail.com AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)

Today we've got a jam-packed episode for you, hitting on some of the things that are top of mind for us this week - product launches, Meta, partnerships, and more.First, we get into the value of teasing products and tactics on the best way to do that, how to make sure there's social proof and community buzz from day one, and the role reviews play in building momentum at launch. We also discuss how Hollow turned an organic Joe Rogan plug into a marketing moment, before diving into Meta tactics and what's actually moving the needle for Cody in terms of net new reach, from exclusions and bidding to the way we're approaching mid-funnel.Finally, we get into partnerships and what we've got going on at Jones Road and HexClad - why we're taking bigger swings, how persona-driven funnels fit into our strategies, and why it feels more like portfolio management than simple channel testing.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:11:18 - Pre-Launch Hype Strategies00:20:00 - The Power of Day-One Reviews & Social Proof00:33:40 - Joe Rogan's Organic Hollow Plug00:41:16 - Is Podcast Advertising Worth It?00:50:06 - How to Increase Your New Customer Rate on Meta01:00:02 - Unlocking Growth with Big-Bet Influencer PartnershipsPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

What does it take to reinvent entire industries, over and over again?This week on Grit, Sebastian Thrun, the “godfather” of self-driving cars and massive open online courses, reflects on a career pushing the boundaries of technology across mobility, education, and AI.With Joubin Mirzadegan, he shares why he believes autonomous driving could become the biggest lifesaving technology in history, and how a wake-up call led him to found Udacity to truly democratize higher education.Guest: Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Stealth Startup, founder of Google X and UdacityConnect with Sebastian ThrunXLinkedIn​Connect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

LoRa Alliance CEO Alper Yegin joins Light Reading's Phil Harvey to discuss LoRaWAN's ten-year journey and its role in powering massive IoT. They also examine why leading operators are investing in LoRaWAN alongside 5G, and where the technology shines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cybersecurity industry operates on a fundamental misconception: that consumers want to understand and manage their digital security. After 17 years at F-Secure and extensive consumer research, Dmitri Vellikok has reached a different conclusion—people simply want security problems to disappear without their involvement.This insight has driven F-Secure's transformation from traditional endpoint protection to what Vellikok calls "embedded ecosystem security." The company, which holds 55% global market share in operator-delivered consumer security, has moved beyond the conventional model of asking consumers to install and manage security software.F-Secure's approach centers on embedding security capabilities directly into applications and services consumers already use. Rather than expecting people to download separate security software, the company partners with telecom operators, insurance companies, and financial institutions to integrate protection into existing customer touchpoints.This embedded strategy addresses what Vellikok identifies as cybersecurity's biggest challenge: activation and engagement. Traditional security solutions fail when consumers don't install them, don't configure them properly, or abandon them due to complexity. By placing security within existing applications, F-Secure automatically reaches more consumers while reducing friction.The company's research reveals the extent of consumer overconfidence in digital security. Seventy percent of people believe they can easily spot scams, yet 43% of that same group admits to having been scammed. This disconnect between perception and reality drives F-Secure's focus on proactive, invisible protection rather than relying on consumer vigilance.Central to this approach is what F-Secure calls the "scam kill chain"—a framework for protecting consumers at every stage of fraudulent attempts. The company analyzes scam workflows to identify intervention points, from initial contact through trust-building phases to final exploitation. This comprehensive view enables multi-layered protection that doesn't depend on consumers recognizing threats.F-Secure's partnership with telecom operators provides unique advantages in this model. Operators see network traffic, website visits, SMS messages, and communication patterns, giving them visibility into threat landscapes that individual security solutions cannot match. However, operators typically don't communicate their protective actions to customers, creating an opportunity for F-Secure to bridge this gap.The company combines operator-level data with device-level protection and user interface elements that inform consumers about threats blocked on their behalf. This creates what Vellikok describes as a "protective ring" around users' digital lives while maintaining transparency about security actions taken.Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been core to F-Secure's operations for over a decade, but recent advances enable more sophisticated predictive capabilities. The company processes massive data volumes to identify patterns and predict threats before they materialize. Vellikok estimates that within 18 to 24 months, F-Secure will be able to warn consumers three days in advance about likely scam attempts.This predictive approach represents a fundamental shift from reactive security to proactive protection. Instead of waiting for threats to appear and then blocking them, the system identifies risk patterns and steers users away from dangerous situations before threats fully develop.The AI integration also serves as a translation layer between technical security events and consumer-friendly communications. Rather than presenting technical alerts about blocked URLs or filtered emails, the system provides context about threats in language consumers can understand and act upon.F-Secure's evolution reflects broader industry recognition that consumer cybersecurity requires different approaches than enterprise security. While businesses can mandate security training and complex protocols, consumers operate in environments where convenience and simplicity drive adoption. The embedded security model acknowledges this reality while maintaining protection effectiveness.The company's global reach through operator partnerships positions it to address cybersecurity as a systemic challenge rather than an individual consumer problem. By aggregating threat data across millions of users and multiple communication channels, F-Secure creates network effects that improve protection for all users as the system learns from new attack patterns.Looking forward, Vellikok anticipates cybersecurity challenges will continue evolving in waves. Current focus on scam protection will likely shift to AI-driven threats, followed by quantum computing challenges. The embedded security model provides a framework for adapting to these changes while maintaining consumer protection without requiring users to understand or manage evolving threat landscapes. Learn more about F-Secure: https://itspm.ag/f-secure-2748Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more. Guest: Dmitri Vellikok, Product and Business Development at F-Secure  On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitrivellikok/ResourcesCompany Directory:https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/f-secure Learn more about creating content with Sean Martin & Marco Ciappelli:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. 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In today's episode, we're getting into how and why direct mail can be an impactful part of your retention strategy. We discuss why the first 7–14 days post-purchase are critical, how we're approaching cross-sells and multi-channel retention, what's working from postcards to premium catalogs, and where direct mail fits into our overall growth strategies.We're also joined by Michael Epstein, co-founder of PostPilot, who talks about how the platform makes direct mail fast and easy for brands to actually use. We discuss why coupon codes and QR scans don't tell the full story, how holdout testing gives you a real read on incrementality, and what attribution looks like at the household level. Michael also shares how brands are using predictive targeting and peer benchmarking inside the platform, and why premium catalogs can create a brand moment that digital ads just can't match.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00 Introduction06:02 Multi-Channel Retention Strategies17:53 Customer Experience and Retention Management24:00 Direct Mail Campaigns and Effectiveness30:04 Postpilot and Direct Mail Solutions43:39 Revolutionizing Direct Mail Marketing01:03:29 Optimizing Direct Mail Tactics01:19:36 Acquisition Strategies Through Direct MailPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsPostPilot.https://www.postpilot.com/Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/

Some of the best storage deals you'll ever find aren't on LoopNet, in a broker's inbox, or even listed anywhere at all. They're hiding in plain sight, tucked behind a Dollar General, spotted on Google Maps, or sitting right in front of someone else who just doesn't know what they're looking at. In this episode, Alex Pardo continues his 6-part series on the 16 proven methods for finding off-market storage deals. This is Part 5, where Alex reveals three creative strategies you can put to work immediately: “flying for dollars” on Google Maps, the Dollar General hack, and how to build an army of property finders to send you deals. These methods are all about speed, leverage, and using other people and tools to multiply your results. You'll Learn How To: Use “flying for dollars” on Google Maps to spot mom-and-pop storage facilities Train virtual assistants or even your kids to help you build a steady deal pipeline Leverage the Dollar General hack to uncover hidden opportunities in small markets Recruit property finders, mail carriers, contractors, even friends, to send you leads Use simple tools like DealMachine or Google Sheets to organize and track your pipeline What You'll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] Why the best storage deals are often hiding in plain sight [01:00] Recap of the first 12 strategies in the series [04:00] Strategy #13: Flying for dollars with Google Maps + VA training [10:00] Spotting faded signs and gravel driveways as buying signals [11:00] Strategy #14: The Dollar General hack and why it works [15:00] How to gamify deal finding with your family [16:00] Strategy #15: Building an army of property finders bird dogs [18:00] Tools like DealMachine and simple Google Forms to track leads [19:00] Incentives that keep property finders motivated and bringing you deals [20:00] How Storage Wins members are applying these strategies successfully Who This Episode Is For: New storage investors looking for practical, low-cost ways to find their first deal Operators who want more deal flow without burning money on expensive marketing Anyone who wants to uncover hidden opportunities before the competition ever sees them Why You Should Listen: This episode gives you three powerful but overlooked ways to find deals quickly, even in competitive markets. Instead of waiting for overpriced broker listings, you'll learn how to create your own pipeline of opportunities—so you can buy facilities with less competition and more upside. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits.https://9ops.co/channelsHosts Matthew Bertulli and Sean Frank go behind-the-scenes with Katy Mimari, founder and CEO of +$100M baby brand Caden Lane. Katy shares her 21-year entrepreneurial journey, detailing the motivations behind starting her company, the challenges faced during economic downturns, and her pivotal decision to transition into DTC.She discusses the importance of product expansion, compassionate leadership, and the lessons learned throughout her journey. Katy reflects on the decision not to sell her company along with the personal growth that has come from navigating the complexities of business ownership, going from single mother to blended family, and life.Chapters00:00 The Genesis of Caden Lane09:20 Navigating Challenges and Growth17:46 The Transition to Direct-to-Consumer25:50 Rebuilding and Expanding Product Lines37:06 The Decision Not to Sell: A Personal Journey56:37 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations

This conversation explores the dynamics of remote and hybrid work models, the impact of company culture on brand identity, and the generational differences in workplace engagement. The speakers discuss the importance of flexibility, accountability, and how to navigate controversies within brand communities. They emphasize that a strong culture can enhance brand performance and that the future of work may lie in a hybrid approach that balances in-person and remote interactions. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of branding, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, customer acquisition, and the need for brands to be remarkable. They discuss how successful brands often evolve based on customer feedback and the significance of data in shaping brand strategies. The conversation also touches on the role of influencers and counter-positioning in establishing a brand's identity.Chapters:00:00 Introduction07:55 Balancing Flexibility and Accountability14:30 Generational Perspectives on Work and Learning20:19 The Role of Culture in Brand Identity40:35 The Essence of Branding55:46 Fluidity in Targeting Customers01:05:00 The Role of Data in Brand Strategy01:15:20 The Impact of Influencers on Brand SuccessPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Postscript.https://postscript.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://saras-analytics.typeform.com/to/T8jpuAEb?utm_source=9operator_lp&utm_medium=find_out_moreSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/

Too many dealers still believe profit is made on the sale. The truth is profit is made the moment you acquire the car. If you buy wrong, you're already on a one-way road to margin destruction. While you're sitting at the desk hoping to “retail out of a bad buy,” CarMax and Carvana have been rewriting the sourcing playbook, eating away at your margins, and taking the future of retail automotive right out of your hands.In this episode of Follow The Money, host Frank J. Lopes (President of Strong30 Automotive) sits down with Kevin Kershner of Accu-Trade to break down exactly why profit is not made at the sale, why acquisition-first thinking is the only path forward, and how every dealership needs to start running like a used car powerhouse that also sells new.Kevin and Frank don't hold back. They expose how outdated appraisal strategies, slow processes, and poor sourcing decisions destroy gross before a vehicle even hits the lot. They also reveal how acquisition-first operators win by turning cars quickly, sourcing smart, and making it easy, transparent, and fast for customers to sell their vehicles.You'll learn in this episode:Why profit is won or lost at acquisition, not when the deal is inkedThe biggest mistakes draining dealership gross and how to stop themHow to source smarter and stop buying inventory wrongWhy transparency in appraisals wins both customer trust and long-term retentionHow CarMax and Carvana changed the rules while most local dealers looked the other wayWhy every new car store must be run like a used car operation in order to surviveKey Takeaways for Dealers, GMs, and Sales Leaders:Stop relying on “retail out of it” thinking — it no longer worksProtect your gross by making smart acquisitions up frontBuild staying power by turning inventory quickly and profitablyMeet customers where they are with simple, fast, transparent appraisal processesUse data the way big-box competitors do to identify demand and pay the right money for the right carFrank and Kevin also discuss the mindset shift that separates winners from losers in today's retail automotive world. Dealers who continue to think of themselves as “new car stores that also sell some used” will be left behind. Dealers who embrace acquisition-first thinking, who adopt used car strategies, and who build their culture around sourcing smart will thrive over the next decade.This conversation isn't just theory — it's practical advice from two leaders who live in the trenches of retail automotive. If you're a dealer principal, general manager, GSM, or sales manager, this episode is a wake-up call. The old playbook is dead. The new one starts with acquisition.Follow The Money is the podcast built for retail automotive leaders who are ready to grow, adapt, and dominate. Every Tuesday at 9AM, host Frank J. Lopes brings you straight talk and hard-hitting conversations about dealership growth, leadership, advertising, marketing, sales, and culture. No fluff, no filter, all facts.Retail Automotive, Car Dealership Growth, Automotive Leadership, Dealership Margins, Inventory Acquisition, Car Sales Training, Used Car Dealers, New Car Dealers, CarMax, Carvana, Accu-Trade, Strong30 Automotive, Frank J Lopes, Follow The Money Podcast, Dealership Culture, Sales Management, Automotive Sales Strategy, Gross Profit Protection.

In today's episode, we're joined by George Davis, CMO at Cozy Earth, to talk about their viral social challenge - the Cozy Earth Bed Rot Challenge.George shares the story behind the challenge and how it started as a little MVP test in season one with five employees and a $1k prize, and how it grew into season two with a 24/7 livestream, 50M+ impressions and 15k emails collected. We dig into what worked, where the limits were, the brand's goal of building cultural relevance over direct sales, and how marketing plays of this size stack up against running ads. We also get into the importance of taking big swings and risks, and George shares how brand partnerships and a refined strategy are shaping plans for season three.From there, we dive into incrementality — one of the trickiest parts of performance marketing. We talk through channel holdouts, overlapping signals, directional insights, negative incremental ROAS, long-term readouts, and why the numbers don't always tell the full story.To hear more of our thoughts as the Cozy Earth Bed Rot Challenge played out, listen to: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6z40HWMVQoBFOBY0Xk6S7v?si=1CoayJh-TkaMi2gsylIyZAIf you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:44 Introduction05:09:17 What is the Bed Rot Challenge?18:28:47 Brand Building vs. Driving Direct Revenue33:24:55 The Risk of Failure44:03:84 Deep Dive on Incrementality54:37:06 The Case for Longer Holdout TestsPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/

Most investors never make it past the first page of LoopNet or Google when hunting for storage deals. The problem? That's where the competition is, and it's also where the overpriced scraps live. The real opportunities are hiding in places most investors never bother to look. In this episode, Alex Pardo continues his 6-part series on the 16 proven methods for finding off-market storage deals. This is Part 4, where he shares three of the most overlooked and underused strategies: Facebook Marketplace, the MLS, and going deep into Google searches. These simple, often ignored methods have led to six- and seven-figure deals for Alex and his students, and you'll learn exactly how to apply them.  You'll Learn How To: Find mom-and-pop owners posting rental ads on Facebook Marketplace Set up MLS keyword alerts to catch hidden storage listings Spot mispriced facilities that slip through the cracks on residential listings Use deep Google searches to find small-town brokers with hidden gems Turn every conversation with owners, agents, and brokers into referral opportunities What You'll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] Why consistency, not fancy tactics, is the real key to finding deals [01:00] Why the best opportunities are in overlooked sources [03:00] Using Facebook Marketplace to find direct-to-owner leads [06:00] Pro tips for messaging owners safely and effectively [07:00] How MLS mislistings can turn into opportunities [09:00] How to set up keyword alerts and build agent relationships [10:00] Going deep into Google to find hidden deals [12:00] Why small-town brokers can be your biggest advantage [14:00] Why simple, free strategies often beat sexy marketing tactics [15:00] How the Storage Wins community keeps investors accountable and consistent    Who This Episode Is For: New investors who want creative ways to uncover hidden opportunities Operators tired of fighting over overpriced broker-listed facilities Action takers ready to build consistent deal flow with less competition   Why You Should Listen: This episode shows you how to find storage deals in places 99% of investors overlook. Instead of chasing the same tired listings as everyone else, you'll learn how to tap into unconventional deal sources, build direct relationships with owners, and get to opportunities before anyone else even knows they exist. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

What kind of founder builds a billion-dollar company around something anyone can use for free? Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, joins Joubin Mirzadegan to reflect on two decades of building the platform that now powers over 43% of all websites through cycles of doubt, decline, and reinvention.He also shares how Automattic aligns employees with its mission to democratize publishing and commerce through paid sabbaticals and remote work.Guest: Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and founder and CEO of AutomatticConnect with Matt MullenwegXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Marty McKewon, Director of Renewable Energy and Chief Meteorologist at Indji Systems, during RE+ Las Vegas, the largest renewable energy conference in North America. Marty shares his expertise on how extreme weather events like hail, hurricanes, lightning, and other climate-driven risks how impact solar energy production and what operators can do to mitigate these threats. The conversation highlights the growing importance of weather intelligence and monitoring tools in protecting renewable assets and ensuring long-term project performance. Key Topics Covered Live from RE+ Las Vegas — the biggest clean energy gathering with over 40,000 attendees. The growing risk of extreme weather events and their direct impact on solar operators and project performance. Hail is one of the most damaging and costly risks to solar assets. How Indji Systems supports renewable operators with real-time weather monitoring and decision-making tools. The link between climate change and renewable energy production, and how meteorological forecasting can improve operational resilience. Strategies developers and asset managers can use to reduce weather-related downtime, optimize maintenance, and protect project returns. Marty's outlook on the future of renewable energy operations in a climate-volatile world. Why This Episode Matters As renewable energy capacity grows, so do the challenges of protecting assets from unpredictable weather events. Marty provides practical insights for solar operators, developers, and investors looking to safeguard projects and maximize uptime. This episode is especially valuable for anyone working in asset management, O&M, or project finance who wants to understand how climate risks affect long-term returns.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Marty McKewon Marty McKewon is the Director of Renewable Energy and Chief Meteorologist at Indji Systems, where he helps renewable energy developers, operators, and investors mitigate risk from extreme weather events. With deep expertise in meteorology and climate impacts, Marty has built a career at the intersection of atmospheric science and clean energy operations. At Indji Systems, Marty leads efforts to provide real-time weather intelligence, forecasting, and monitoring tools that protect renewable assets from hail, lightning, hurricanes, and other severe weather events. His work supports solar, wind, and storage operators in improving operational resilience, reducing downtime, and safeguarding project performance. Marty is a recognized expert in how climate change is reshaping renewable energy production. He frequently speaks on the importance of integrating weather intelligence into project development, asset management, and investment decision-making.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com   Marty McKewon Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-mckewon-20597636/ Website:  https://www.indjiwatch.com/ Email:  marty.mckewon@indji.net

Two first-time owners. Day-one chaos. Hockey-stick growth. In this episode, Mike and Matt break down exactly what happened after taking over a 30-year business: the awkward start as younger owners, the 60-day clean-up, the months of “flat” growth, and the breakthrough that took them from ~$100K/month to nearly $500K/month - FAST. We talk real tactics: digging into CRM data, testing multiple growth plays (including failures), finding the winning revenue vein, and building a team with in-person hires + VAs, SOPs, and rapid training. You'll also hear how weekly accountability calls with a fractional CFO changed the game—moving from “do more sales” to celebrating results. What you'll learn - The first 60–90 days after buying a business: what to fix before you try to scale - How to mine your CRM for patterns, pricing power, and hidden revenue - Why persistence beats “perfect strategy” (and how to know when to pivot) - Building a lean hiring + training machine (from 6 to 22+ employees) - The power of a sales scoreboard and weekly financial transparency - Structuring win-win equity so everyone is hungry for growth Who this is for - Operators buying their first business (or considering it) - Owners stuck at a plateau and ready to push for real scale - Leaders who want systems, accountability, and team capacity—fast

Most investors chase deals on LoopNet or wait for brokers to call them back. The problem? By the time you see the listing, you're already too late. The best storage deals never hit the market, they're sitting with owners who don't even realize they're ready to sell. In this episode, Alex Pardo continues his 6-part series on the 16 proven methods for finding off-market storage deals. This is Part 3, where he reveals three of his most powerful strategies: direct mail that actually works, raising relationship capital, and networking your way into deals most people never hear about. These aren't gimmicks, they're repeatable systems that have created six- and seven-figure opportunities for Alex and his students. Want to shortcut your learning curve?  You'll Learn How To: Run direct mail campaigns that owners actually respond to Build relationship capital so deals naturally flow your way Turn casual conversations into off-market opportunities Use networking groups and associations to position yourself as the go-to storage buyer Create a follow-up system that keeps you top of mind with motivated sellers What You'll Learn in This Episode:  [00:00] Why starting small beats blasting thousands of mailers [01:00] Direct mail best practices that still work in 2025 [05:00] The $150K profit deal Alex closed from one letter [08:00] Why relationship capital is more valuable than money [13:00] Real success stories from Storage Wins members who used this approach [18:00] The networking formula: conversations → conversions → contracts → cash [21:00] Where to network (BNI, SSA, REI groups, chambers, and more) [22:00] How to stand out and be remembered after every new connection [24:00] Why you only need 1–2 strategies to get consistent results Who This Episode Is For: New investors who want a step-by-step roadmap to their first facility Operators who are frustrated by overpriced, broker-listed deals Anyone ready to build consistent deal flow without burning out   Why You Should Listen: This episode gives you three more powerful ways to uncover hidden storage deals and gain a serious advantage over the competition. Instead of fighting over scraps, you'll learn how to create your own pipeline of opportunities, build trust with owners, and buy right, so you can grow your portfolio with less stress and more upside. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

The venture capital landscape is evolving, and a founder's choice of fund size and partner could make or break their business. In this episode, CJ sits down with Kyle Harrison, General Partner at Contrary and writer of the Substack Investing 101, to make sense of the changing incentives and power dynamics in the field of venture capital. He explains how capital agglomerators and cottage keepers are playing dramatically different games, how the ethics of backing competitors have changed since the advent of AI, why a fund's size is its strategy, and what the potential pitfalls of dilution could be for founders. The conversation also covers why the line between hype and tangible business value in AI is so blurry, the role of narrative as an economic driver, and why the most valuable thing a VC can offer might just be "borrowed credibility.”—LINKS:Kyle Harrison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-harrison-9274b278/Contrary: https://www.contrary.comInvesting 101: CJ on X (@cjgustafson222): https://x.com/cjgustafson222Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.comLINKS MENTIONED:* “The Unholy Trinity of Venture Capital”: * “The Horse, The Jockey, or The Whole Race?” * Endowment Eddie on X (@endowment_eddie): https://x.com/endowment_eddie* “Institutionalized Belief In The Greater Fool”: * “The Unbundling of Venture Capital”: * “The Productization of Venture Capital”: https://kwharrison13.com/essays/the-productization-of-venture-capital—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:23) Sponsor – Navan | Rillet | Pulley(07:13) VC Models: Cottage Keepers Versus Capital Agglomerators(11:16) Balancing Taking On Money and Finding Great Investments(16:35) Sponsor – Brex | Aleph | RightRev(20:54) Founder-Friendliness: The Ethics of Backing Competitors(26:33) When Fund Size Sabotages Outcomes(32:32) The Sins of Omission Versus Commission(36:02) The Dilution Trap for Operators in Venture-Backed Companies(38:17) Underestimating the Magnitude of the Outcomes(40:35) AI Hype, Valuation, and Real Business Impact(45:37) Market Psychology: Narrative and Story As Economic Drivers(48:21) Valuation: Cursor and Windsurf(52:50) The Unbundling of Venture Capital: What Founders Really Hire VCs For(1:01:47) Things To Consider When Choosing a VC(1:04:35) FTX Lessons & Compounding Growth(1:10:02) Kyle's Predictions for the Future of VC—SPONSORS:Navan is the all-in-one travel and expense solution that can give you access to exclusive, proprietary Nasdaq-validated data that reveals what's happening with corporate travel investments. See the Navan Business Travel Index at https://navan.com/bti.Rillet is the AI-native ERP modern finance teams are switching to because it's faster, simpler, and 100% built for how teams operate today. See how fast your team can move. Book a demo at https://www.rillet.com/metrics.Pulley is the cap table management platform built for CFOs and finance leaders who need reliable, audit-ready data and intuitive workflows, without the hidden fees or unreliable support. Switch in as little as 5 days and get 25% off your first year: https://pulley.com/mostlymetrics.Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus, they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Find out more at https://www.brex.com/metricsAleph automates 90% of manual, error-prone busywork, so you can focus on the strategic work you were hired to do. Minimize busywork and maximize impact with the power of a web app, the flexibility of spreadsheets, and the magic of AI. Get a personalised demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. For RevRec that auditors actually trust, visit https://www.rightrev.com and schedule a demo.##VentureCapital #VC #Startups #Founder #FundSize This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

The apps and websites we use every day depend on systems most of us never see.Jay Kreps joins Joubin Mirzadegan to share how Confluent became the ‘central nervous system' for companies like Expedia and eBay, letting them respond to business operations instantly.They also break down why the myth of AI-driven efficiency falls short, and why building truly transformative companies takes far longer than most people expect.​Guest: Jay Kreps, Co-Founder & CEO of ConfluentConnect with JayXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

Live Trademarks, Patents and Franchise Investing New Livestream guest- Jeff Holman I'm happy to have Jeff Holaman join me on a live broadcast. Jeff has 20+ years of experience solving complex business and legal problems for entrepreneurs and companies in growth phases. Tune in and we'll be discussing having your very own attorney on staff! Well, part of one anyways. We'll also be talking about patents, trademarks and the effects of tariffs on e-commerce businesses. This is a ‘must see event' for Franchise Investors & Operators, Entrepreneurs. Find Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/ Jeff's website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/ You may also enjoy this video I did about IP and Brand value in small business: https://youtu.be/0CcQV2yiycI

In this episode, I discuss the guaranteed path to business failure as the lack of a specific quality in both your own and your employees' personalities. Listen to this and learn how I became a business success. Send me a textDownload my FREE 8-Figure Playbook This playbook walks through the exact process I used to build from $0 in 2016 to $50M+/year today across multiple franchise brands Grab it here: https://brianbeers.kit.com/b79cf77012 Let's connect: Find me on X InstagramLinkedInYouTube

Here's the secret no one tells you, the best storage deals never hit the market. They're sitting quietly with mom-and-pop owners who haven't raised rents in years and would sell tomorrow if someone just asked. In this episode, Alex Pardo reveals three of his most powerful strategies for finding these hidden gems, even if you're brand new and have zero connections. You'll learn how to spot undervalued facilities, start real conversations with owners, and uncover deals with built-in equity before your competition even knows they exist.  You'll Learn How To: Use the Rent Gap Sniper Method to find properties with huge untapped value Spot hidden opportunities just by reading broker offering memorandums Turn Google Maps into a deal-finding machine even from your couch Approach mom-and-pop owners the right way so they actually want to talk to you Build confidence and clarity so you can move fast when a great deal shows up What You'll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] Why the best storage deals never hit the market [01:00] How Alex cracked the code on finding mom-and-pop facilities [02:30] The 16 ways to find off-market deals and the 3 we're focusing on today [06:00] How the Rent Gap Sniper Method uncovers hidden profits [08:00] Real-world examples of facilities with massive upside [14:00] Using Google Maps to spot mom-and-pop operators [19:00] The telltale signs of an underperforming facility [21:00] How to cold call owners without being salesy [26:00] The 4S Cashflow Framework for turning conversations into contracts [32:00] Real success stories from Storage Wins members [35:00] Why conversations, not chasing, are the key to finding deals Who This Episode Is For: Investors struggling to find good deals in today's competitive market People who want to break into storage but feel like they don't know where to start Operators who are tired of chasing overpriced, on-market facilities Why You Should Listen: If you've been stuck chasing dead-end leads, this episode will completely shift your approach. You'll walk away with a repeatable system to find off-market storage deals and start building relationships with owners, so you can buy facilities with less competition, more equity, and bigger upside. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

In a year defined by uncertainty, this RE+ special episode of Interchange Recharged flips the script from “build more” to “get more from what you've got.” Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, is joined by Alex Bamberger, VP of Digital Solutions at RES, to look at how owners are squeezing extra megawatt-hours from operating wind, solar and storage, opening OEM-level data, pairing software with smart hardware, and retuning controls for site realities. You'll hear real uplift figures (think low-single-digit AEP gains that add up to a year's worth of new installs at fleet scale) that show how new tech is optimising renewable energy assets.Then we widen the lens to the grid itself. Systems architect and founder and CEO of Dynamic Grid Kay Aikin makes the case that smarter controls, storage and flexible demand can raise distribution utilisation far beyond today's approximate 45%. Sylvia and Kay look at how performance-based models could unlock faster, cheaper reliability without waiting on every substation rebuild. You can find more on this at www.dynamicgrid.aiFinally, GridStor's VP of Finance Anna Astretsova breaks down the storage finance reality: plenty of capital, but higher costs. What's the impact been of OB3 on storage? Learn how safe-harbouring, earlier procurement, bankable tolling structures and better cycling assumptions are getting deals done, and why FEOC, tariffs and interconnection queues are reshaping who wins. It's been a packed first day of RE+, so get the key insights right here on the show.Make sure you're following wherever you listen to the podcast so you don't miss any of the coverage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if you could get storage deals sent straight to your inbox without cold calling, expensive mailers, or fighting over scraps with 20 other investors? The truth is, the smartest operators aren't chasing deals, they're attracting them. In this episode, Alex pulls back the curtain on the exact system he uses to become the go-to storage guy in his market where brokers, investors, and even owners think of him first when a facility hits the market. No hype, no gimmicks. Just a simple, repeatable way to position yourself so deals naturally flow to you. You'll Learn How To: Position yourself as the trusted storage expert in your market Create a steady flow of deal opportunities without spending a dime on ads Use simple “bread crumb” strategies to stay top-of-mind with owners and brokers Turn everyday conversations and social media posts into deal pipelines Build long-term relationships instead of transactional one-off deals What You'll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] Why knowing a seller's why is more important than their asking price [01:00] The big marketing mistake most storage investors make [02:00] How Alex became the go-to storage operator without spending a dime [04:00] The breadcrumb strategy that gets strangers and friends to send deals your way [07:00] Why long-term relationships matter more than short-term transactions [10:00] Coaching moment: helping a student push past fear on a live seller call [14:00] How imperfect action leads to confidence and mastery [15:00] How to plug into the Storage Wins community and get your first facility Who This Episode Is For: New or aspiring storage investors struggling to find their first deal Operators tired of burning money on direct mail, cold calls, and ads Investors who want to shift from chasing opportunities to attracting them Why You Should Listen: This episode gives you a practical playbook to stop feeling like you're always one step behind and instead position yourself as the investor people think of first. If you're ready to move from hustle-and-grind marketing to a system that brings deals directly to you, this episode could change the way you approach storage investing. Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/ Have conversations with at least three to give storage owners, brokers, private lenders, and equity partners through the Storage Wins Facebook group. Join for free by visiting this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Can a no-code giant reinvent itself in the AI-native era?This week on Grit, Airtable CEO Howie Liu shares what it means to “refound” a company, how speed comes from tearing up old playbooks, and why conversational AI is reshaping his product—and his company.Guest: Howie Liu, Co-Founder & CEO of AirtableChapters:00:00 Intro01:04 First startup & YC04:06 Salesforce acqui-hire07:31 Life-changing exit at 2211:07 Scaling too fast, layoffs14:04 Sparks vs. coasting growth19:33 Two years to launch24:04 Could AI Build It Faster?27:06 Vibe coding & AI startups36:47 Everyone can build software41:08 Refounding Airtable with AI51:04 Sprint vs. marathon58:15 Cap tables & control01:03:29 Always be hiring01:05:00 What grit meansLinks:Connect with HowieXLinkedInConnect with AirtableWebsite: airtable.comXLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comLearn more about Kleiner Perkins