Podcasts about spark networks

Co-Host Zach Schleien (https://mountaintoppodcast.com/spark) My returning guest Zach Schleien has founded dating companies and now serves as the General Manager of Matchmaking for Spark Networks. Over the course of his career, he's learned a thing or two about what attracts men and women to each other. So what are the mindsets, trigger and attitudes that make attraction happen at the primal, psychological level? Well, obviously physical attraction matters (hence Zach's commitment to video dating), but how that works differs between men and women. It has been said that none of us should expect to 'punch above our weight' in the looks department, but we see exceptions around us all the time. What is that attributable to? Is it true that if a guy has a great job or lots of money it'll cover over 'a multitude of sins' in the looks department? What do women find attractive that's in relatively short supply among men here in the post-modern era? Was David DeAngelo right when he famously said, 'attraction is not a choice'? What is the general rule that governs what the media tells us is 'attractive'? What happens to our sense of attraction as we cross cultures and travel to different countries? Are all pretty women attractive? What about women who know they're beautiful, and seem to think they can get by on their looks alone? How do dating apps mess up our entire mindset about attraction? And on that note, are we really attracted to women we think we're attracted to, or are our minds playing tricks on us (again)? And if we really don't have our type figured out yet, what's the disarmingly obvious solution to solving the puzzle? Get in on the Masterclasses For Men, reserve your half-hour of FREE phone time with me and MORE at https://mountaintoppodcast.com.     === HELP US SEND THE MESSAGE TO GREAT MEN EVERYWHERE === The content in this show is NEVER generated by AI. I discovered it can't handle a joke a long time ago. Meanwhile, I'll keep the practical, actionable ideas coming as well as the entertaining part...all for free. If you love what you hear, please rate the show on the service you subscribed to it on (takes one second) and leave a review. As we say here in Texas, I appreciate you!

Chelsea Grayson, a distinguished business leader with vast experience in both law and high-profile executive roles, joins the podcast to discuss her impressive career trajectory. Having held CEO positions at major brands like True Religion, American Apparel, and Spark Networks, Chelsea now serves on several high-profile boards, including Beyond Meat. Throughout the conversation, she offers valuable insights into leadership and scaling companies, drawing from her experience running large organizations with thousands of employees.In addition to her corporate expertise, Chelsea emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, particularly in large companies. She also explores the nuances of leadership, such as the critical role of strategic delegation, the necessity of a strong CFO, and how to maintain a healthy company culture. Reflecting on her journey, she shares how navigating change and balancing innovation with stability have shaped her approach to leading big brands and guiding entrepreneurs through their own growth challenges.CHAPTER TITLES02:00 - Introduction to Chelsea Grayson04:11 - Career Evolution from Lawyer to CEO06:13 - The Importance of Regular Communication08:12 - Delegation and the Art of Scaling10:08 - The Role of a Strategic CFO12:05 - Addressing Company Culture14:06 - Understanding the Role of a Board of Directors16:01 - Speed vs. Stability in Big Companies18:09 - Maintaining Entrepreneurial Innovation20:00 - Managing Change in Large OrganizationsConnect with Chelsea Grayson:SOCIALS - Chelsea GraysonConnect with Rudy Mawer:LinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter

We're thrilled to announce that the third season of Hiring Matters is officially in the books!  Over the last 18 months, we've hosted over 40 incredible guest interviews with leaders from Global Medical Response, Sancora, Boost, Spark Networks, and many more.  We've tackled hot topics like bad interviewing practices, the pitfalls of hiring based on potential friendships, and the importance of solid job descriptions. Now, we're gearing up for an even more exciting fourth season!

How do you build trust with investors who tap you for the CEO role? How do you prepare yourself to lead companies through some of their toughest moments, including bankruptcy, and guide other companies through their transformations as a board member?Chelsea Grayson, managing partner of corporate restructuring at Pivot > and former CEO and board member of brands like American Apparel, True Religion, and Spark Networks, has steered many ships through rough waters, including post-chapter 11 turnarounds, corporate wind-downs, and firing CEOs for cause. She has transitioned from board member to operator and back again, and is currently sharing her expertise on the boards of Xponential Fitness and Beyond Meat.Listen as Chelsea discusses her legendary journey from law firm partner to GC, CEO, Board Member, and now managing partner of an all-star corporate restructuring company, and offers tips to lawyers who are looking to find a board seat.Read detailed summary: https://www.spotdraft.com/podcast/episode-46Topics:Introduction: 0:00Rising to partner at Jones Day and Loeb & Loeb, two big LA-based law firms: 3:00Transition to in-house legal (and a CEO role) at American Apparel: 9:35Tips for building relationships with investors: 15:11Managing CEO transitions: 18:34Joining boards and positioning yourself as a good board member: 26:30Becoming CEO of True Religion Jeans during a turnaround: 34:19Sitting on the board of Sugarf ina after a bankruptcy turnaround: 37:45Stepping into a tech CEO role at Spark Networks: 42:00Founding Pivot >, a corporate restructuring company: 47:39Book recommendations: 55:08What you wish you'd known as a young lawyer: 58:10Connect with us:Chelsea Grayson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseagrayson24/Tyler Finn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerhfinnSpotDraft: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spotdraftSpotDraft is a leading CLM platform that solves your end-to-end contract management issues. Visit https://www.spotdraft.com to learn more.

Ever wondered how top leaders master the delicate dance between empathy and accountability, seamlessly weaving them into their leadership fabric to inspire, guide, and drive results? Today, we embark on a journey of discovery with our distinguished guest, Chelsea Grayson. With a rich tapestry of experience helming iconic brands like American Apparel, True Religion Jeans, and Spark Networks, while serving on multiple private and public boards, Chelsea has honed her expertise to navigate the intricate balance between empathy and accountability. As we delve into her insights, we'll uncover how she cultivates trust, fosters engagement, and harnesses the transformative power of executive coaching to shape a culture of success. Join us as we unravel the secrets and strategies essential for becoming not just a leader but a respected leader in today's dynamic business landscape. About our Guest: Chelsea A. Grayson made history as the first female CEO of True Religion and chaired its Audit Committee. She also led American Apparel as CEO, a $650M apparel manufacturer with a 50-country footprint, overseeing significant operational improvements before its successful sale to Gildan Activewear Inc. Currently, Chelsea serves as interim CEO and board member of Spark Networks, and on the boards of Xponential Fitness, Morphe Cosmetics, and Goodness Growth Holdings. She is also an Executive in Residence at Wunderkind. With a background in law, Chelsea's expertise spans corporate governance and M&A. She holds Board Leadership and Corporate Governance Fellowships with the NACD and advises UCLA's Department of English. She is a recipient of the In-House Impact Award from The Recorder (The American Lawyer) and of the 40 Under 40 Recognition Award from the M&A Advisor. She was also named one of "L.A.'s Top 40 Dealmakers" in the Los Angeles Business Journal's "Who's Who in L.A. Law". About Your Host: Ken Schmitt is the CEO and founder of TurningPoint Executive Search. He is also the author of "The Practical Optimist: An Entrepreneur's Journey through Life's Turning Points". Ken was raised in an entrepreneurial family and brings a uniquely authentic voice to his podcast, blending life, family, and business together. Ken is a seasoned expert with almost three decades of experience in executive recruiting. In his podcast, he focuses on revealing the secrets of recruiting, retention, and real HR strategies. The podcast is not preachy, academic, or theoretical. It provides authentic perspectives on the challenges, triumphs, and quirks that make the hiring game both exhilarating and unpredictable. Twice a month, Ken offers tactical advice and industry insights to empower listeners to navigate the intricate world of executive recruiting confidently. "Hiring Matters" is your go-to resource for elevating your hiring game and equipping you with the tools to build, grow, and lead truly exceptional teams. Brace yourself for Ken's "Recruiter Rant" episodes, where he shares unfiltered insights and behind-the-scenes revelations about the industry's hidden secrets. Get ready to gain more than expected from this informative and engaging podcast. Follow Ken on LinkedIn Powered by TurningPoint Executive Search: Helping business hire right. Chapters: 03:05 Introduction to Chelsea Grayson and her Leadership Journey 08:33 Challenges of Traditional Approaches to Marketing 10:19 Defining Innovation in Different Industries 13:01 Transition from Board Member to CEO 18:41 Training Leaders to Manage Vulnerability and Accountability 22:00 Imparting Leadership Style and Approach to Others 23:25 The Value of Executive Coaching for Leaders 24:21 The Importance of Effective Communication in Leadership and Crisis Management 32:16 Understanding Perspectives: Making Decisions on Social Issues 47:02 Advice for Up-and-Coming CEOs: Running Larger P&Ls and Engaging with the Board 48:22 Being Proactive, Decisive, and a Good Listener: Valuable Leadership Traits 36:23 The Role of Social Media in Communication and Brand Management 39:13 Consistency with Company Values and Brand in Communication 41:05 Building a Diverse Board for Different Perspectives 44:11 Making Difficult Decisions and Taking a Stand 45:05 Continuous Learning and Staying Informed 48:51 Empowering Employees as Brand Ambassadors   Keywords: leadership, vulnerability, accountability, engagement, executive coaching, fresh perspectives, communication, leadership, crisis management, CEO, employees, board members, stakeholders, social issues

Analyse von Björn Loose, Partner bei Cavalry Ventures und Stephan Jacquemot, Investment Partner bei TS Ventures:Das Berliner FinTech Lemon Markets hat eine Bafin-Lizenz für den Wertpapierhandel erhalten, wodurch es anderen Unternehmen Dienste im Bereich Aktien und ETFs anbieten kann. Lemon Markets plant das Unternehmen, seine Präsenz in Europa auszubauen und sich als Spezialist im Wertpapierhandel zu etablieren.Spark Networks, eine US-deutsche Dating-Firma, wurde trotz eines geschätzten Werts von über 100 Millionen Euro für nur 164.000 Euro an die MGG Investment Group verkauft, wobei die Aktionäre leer ausgingen. Dieser Verkauf erfolgte aufgrund eines Restrukturierungsplans gemäß dem StaRUG-Gesetz, der den Gläubigern die Entscheidung über das Schicksal des Unternehmens überließ.Genannte Links:Artikel: Zum Schnäppchenpreis: Hedgefonds übernimmt deutsche Dating-PlattformArtikel: So wehren sich Aktionäre der Dating-Plattform gegen eine mögliche Übernahme Weitere Links: Unsere einzigartige Plattform mit allen Informationen, Akteuren und Unternehmen der deutschen Startup-Szene Unser täglicher Startup-Newsletter mit über 25.000 begeisterten Abonnenten: Hier findest Du eine Übersicht.Fragen/Anmerkungen an die Redaktion? Sende eine E-Mail an redaktion@startup-insider.comAlle Infos zu ausgewählten Werbepartnern findest du hier.→ Lust auf mehr Podcast? Hier findest du unser Verzeichnis mit den top 100 internationalen Startups- und Tech-Podcasts

In this episode, host Amir welcomes Sue Nallapeta, the CTO of Trusted Health, to discuss the implementation of AI in products and the importance of data quality. They emphasize the need for a solid framework and data structure before integrating AI solutions. Sue shares examples of how AI can bring value to customers and improve business outcomes. They also explore how Trusted Health, a marketplace connecting nurses with jobs, incorporates AI into their operations. Tune in to gain insights into leveraging AI effectively in your product. Highlights [00:02:27] Leveraging AI in healthcare.  [00:03:51] Nurses uploading their resumes.  [00:08:12] Data governance and AI.  [00:12:35] Complexity of nursing recruitment.  [00:16:46] AI's presence in every workflow.  [00:19:30] Technology trends and industry evolution.  [00:24:43] Understanding nursing complexities.  [00:26:10] Nursing complexities. Sushma (Sue) Nallapeta is the Chief Technology Officer at Trusted Health, where she leads a team of more than 100 engineers who are building the leading career marketplace for healthcare professionals. Sue has more than 15 years of experience leading engineering teams across various consumer-facing businesses and marketplaces, including Apartment List, Zoosk (acquired by Spark Networks), and Kodak Gallery (acquired by Shutterfly). She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives and for creating products that help people solve everyday problems through the power of technology. Sue serves as a mentor and a resource for other aspiring female engineers and engineering leaders through her work as an ambassador for SheTO and as a mentor with Plato. Sue holds a master's degree in Computer Science and is a mother to an 8-year-old daughter. linkedin.com/in/sushmanallapeta twitter.com/sushmars --- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

Tired of the same old product management strategies? Welcome to the Product Team Success Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of product leadership. I'm your host, Ross Webb, and in this episode, we've got a game-changer for you! Meet our guest, Noam Auerbach, a true visionary in the field of product management. He's the Vice President of Product Management at Spark Networks, and he's here to spill the beans on how to supercharge your product's growth.

Spark Networks (Ticker: LOV) is a publicly traded company that operates several online dating platforms, experiencing strong revenue growth amid the pandemic, but facing competition and risks associated with user data privacy and security. At the end of the month, we will publish an Arch Capital episode that will cover the company: Match Group. Listen closely as Brett and Ryan go through the history, financials, and future prospects of Spark Networks. Enjoy the show! ****************************** This episode is sponsored by Stratosphere.io, a web-based terminal for financial data, KPIs, and more. Try it out for FREE or use code “CCM” for 15% off any paid plan. Sign up here: https://www.stratosphere.io/ ****************************** Subscribe to our Substack to receive free show notes and charts that go along with every episode: https://chitchatmoney.substack.com/ Want updates on future shows and projects? Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chitchatmoney Contact us: chitchatmoneypodcast@gmail.com Timestamps Company Background | (3:18) Industry | (14:07) Management & Ownership | (17:54) Balance Sheet | (23:38) Earnings | (29:36) Valuation | (34:11) Our Analysis | (36:06) Disclosure: Chit Chat Money hosts and guests are not financial advisors, and nothing they say on this show is formal advice or a recommendation. Brett Schafer and Ryan Henderson are general partners and portfolio managers at Arch Capital. Arch Capital and its partners may hold securities discussed on this show.

When Alon Carmel launched JDate in 1997, he wasn't a pioneer in the online dating industry. He wasn't even a pioneer in the online Jewish dating industry. In fact, by the time he had the idea for Jdate, the Web already contained over a hundred Jewish themed dating websites. But rather than seeing all that competition and thinking the market was saturated, Alon saw the competition and figured: "It must be a good business."Recognizing the opportunity, Alon and his friend, Joe Shapira, focused on creating a popular brand. And it worked.From lavish parties to billboards across Times Square, Alon wanted to make sure everyone in the world knew about Jdate, even if not everyone was his customer. The result was the world's most popular dating website for Jewish people and a strategy for online dating focused on niche communities that Alon and his team expanded well beyond Jewish dating. It ultimately led to Spark Networks, one of the largest and most profitable networks of dating websites in the world.For a complete transcript of the episode, click here.

John Volturo is a credentialed International Coaching Federation (ICF) Executive Coach and the President of the ICF in Los Angeles (ICF-LA). He is recognized nationally as one of a few individuals who has served in multiple C-Suites as an out member of the LGBTQ+ community in both public and private companies.John works with leaders to develop individuals and teams. His focus includes helping leaders of all identities show up authentically, and with confidence, presence, vision and clarity, in alignment with their values, so they may produce better conversations, better decisions, and better outcomes. As a former Senior Executive, Chief Marketing Officer, General Manager and Board Member at startup to established enterprise-size companies, John built diverse and inclusive global teams, led companies through transitions and, through sound strategy, tight execution, team leadership, and an indomitable spirit, helped to generate over $1.5B in top-line growth.John work includes Twitter, Capital One, IBM, Slack, Viacom, Spark Networks, Bertelsmann, Guthy-Renker, and Frontdoor. John has an MBA, is a Master Practitioner in Energy Leadership, is a Conscious Business Coach, and is an LGBTQ+ and DEI advocate. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband Adam and their twin girls.Learn more at https://volturocoaching.com/. Juliana Wells, from Long Island, NY is a junior at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She is on the pre-health track majoring in sociology with a minor in chemistry. Juliana is passionate about human rights and steadfast in her belief in equality and justice for all. She loves kids and plans to pursue a career focused on children's health. Juliana was one of the very first Student Ambassadors at Smile Train, an international children's charity providing training, funding and resources to local medical professions to provide free cleft and lip palate repair. She was thrilled to be interning at Smile Train this summer. In her free time Juliana enjoys reading, baking, exploring different teas, yoga and playing mahjong.Joey Waters has been in education for almost twenty years as a middle and high school English teacher, News Literacy instructor, and Assistant Principal.  Moreover, Joey has served as a teacher mentor liaison and then as the administrative coordinator of that same program for the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District.  Joey's passion is teacher engagement and bolstering student opportunities to pursue their passions and excel beyond the confines of the classroom.  Joey has presented at various conferences on topics ranging from creating inclusive classrooms to the social emotional significance of accessible literature.  In addition to her background in education, Joey has experience running a small business and works as a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. Joey is a graduate of Boston College, has taken a number of management courses through Hofstra University's MBA program, and has a degree in Education from C.W. Post, Long Island and in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University.  She is currently an Assistant Principal with the Syosset Central School District on Long Island.

Spark Networks' CEO Eric Eichmann (LOV): sex vs. love: which business model penetrates a broader market online? Kroger (KR) says it's losing the battle against organized crime. Affirm Holdings (AFRM) extends  “buy now, pay later” beyond its Pelaton business. Amazing year for cloud consultant Teradata Corporation (TDC), but storm clouds appear. A mixed verdict for Apple vs. Epic Games. DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub sue New York City. The Drill Down with Cory Johnson offers a daily look at the business stories behind stocks on the move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diese Woche zu Gast in unserem Marketing Transformation Podcast ist Michael Schrezenmaier vom europäischen MarTech-Unicorn Pipedrive. Wir sprechen über die besonderen Herausforderungen eines SaaS-Unternehmens in der Marketing Organisation und wie groß dessen Relevanz im gesamten Werbeerfolg ist. Was ist außerdem erfolgsentscheidend, um im Haifischbecken des CRM-Marktes die Schlacht um den Kunden gewinnen zu können? Das und viel mehr erfahrt ihr in der aktuellen Folge! Michael ist COO und Co-CEO von Pipedrive. Vorher war er Vorstand und COO von Spark Networks, einer weltweit erfolgreich agierenden Dating Company. Klein gestartet mit eDarling begleitete er die Transformation des Unternehmens aus dem Rocket-Umfeld bis an die New Yorker Börse.

This week, we are joined by Chelsea Grayson, Board Member of Spark Networks (former CEO of True Religion and American Apparel), and Frank Dunn (Owner of Nutrizone https://www.nutrizone.net/) where they discuss their journey in love and weigh in the recent business dealings in the entertainment world. Tune in to how they have navigated through the challenges in being in an interracial relationship, as well as maintaining the time and effort needed to keep up with their busy careers. There are many gems to be learned to apply to your career and relationship, you will not want to miss this episode! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/grassroutespo... Twitter www.twitter.com/GrassRoutesPod www.twitter.com/killabh www.twitter.com/Regular_Naz www.twitter.com/iamwylson www.twitter.com/KrisCapital Instagram www.instagram.com/grassroutespod/ www.instagram.com/killabh/ www.instagram.com/regular_naz www.instagram.com/iamwylson www.instagram.com/kriscapital/ Shot/Edited: www.instagram.com/arorishotya Grass Routes Podcast is a deep dive into the Culture, touching on the future, past and present of the hosts Brandon ‘Killabh’ Hall, Regular Naz, Wylson and your favorite influencers, celebrities and artists. Our podcast explores the honest, personal and vulnerable stories, thoughts, opinions and introspective statements that helped shape our guests and hosts into who they are, their careers and more.

Florian Heinemann is a Founding Partner at Project A Ventures, where he is responsible for the areas of marketing, CRM, and business intelligence. Before co-founding Project A, he was Managing Director at Rocket Internet with the same areas of responsibility (2007-2012). During his time at Rocket, he was mainly involved at Zalando, Global Fashion Group, and Spark Networks (aka eDarling/Affinitas).Prior to Rocket, Florian was Co-Founder and Managing Director of JustBooks/AbeBooks being in charge of marketing and product (1999-2002, exit to Amazon in 2008). Then, he was co-heading the online marketing department of Jamba! and the online dating portal iLove (2003-2005, exit to Verisign). In 2006, he was Co-Founder of the online marketplace antibodies-online.com (exit to Broadoak).Moreover, he has been an investor/business angel in more than 80 startups including Trivago (seed investor), Zalando (founding investor), Audibene (seed investor), Home24 (founding investor), CityDeal/Groupon (founding investor), Betreut.de/Care (seed investor), ClassPass (early stage investor), Mimi Hearing (early stage investor), Bitbond (seed investor), Lillydoo (early stage investor), and the Code University (seed stage investor).Apart from his Project A-related board activities he sits on the board of Koerber AG and About You and the digital advisory boards of Henkel and Oetker. Florian Heinemann, Project A Ventures | Making It Real Podcast with Jan Brinckmann | Episode #5 00:00 How Florian got into the Entrepreneurship domain 02:45 Florian's role as a founder in the early internet days 05:05 Knowing your strengths and growing into an expert in your field 12:26 Should you join a startup with funding or start your own venture for best possible learnings? 18:46 Florian's entrepreneurial path and his start at Rocket Internet 23:13 Rocket Internet's first ventures and how they decided which new companies to launch 30:35 What Rocket Internet underestimated 34:50 Advantages of B2B business models over consumer businesses 37:18 The role of sales is mostly underestimated in B2B 38:36 Why Florian left Rocket Internet and started Project A Ventures 43:05 Was Florian scared of starting his own company? 46:25 Florian's advice for founders who want to make it real Download the one-pager for curated top learnings of this episode → https://makingitreal.io/5

Er ist COO des Unicorns Pipedrive und Erik Siekmanns digitaler Vorreiter! Michael Schrezenmaier erzählt in dieser Folge nicht nur wie gute Führung funktioniert, sondern auch wie er sich strukturiert. Zuvor war Michael Vorstand und COO von Spark Networks, einer weltweit erfolgreich agierenden Dating Company. Damals startete er mit eDarling und begleitete die Transformation eines Unternehmens aus dem Rocket-Umfeld bis an die New Yorker Börse. Unbedingt reinhören! Michael Schrezenmaier auf LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelschrezenmaier/ Folge mit Uwe Horstmann https://digitalevorreiter.podigee.io/35-startup-investments-mit-uwe-horstmann-general-partner-project-a-ventures Christoph auf LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christophburseg/ Kontaktiere uns über Instagram: www.instagram.com/vodafonebusinessde/ Und wenn Du mehr zu unseren Business Cases erfahren möchtest, besuche diesen Link: www.vodafone.de/business/featured-digitale-vorreiter/business-cases/ Email für Feedback: digitalevorreiter@podstars.de

Dans ce nouvel épisode d’Exitroots j’interviewe Ludovic Huraux, co-fondateur du site de rencontre Attractive World devenu célèbre par son slogan que nous connaissons tous : « site de rencontre pour célibataires exigeants ». Dans ce podcast on revient en détail sur cette histoire entrepreneuriale passionnante et sur l’un des plus beaux exit de startup tech française. Vous allez découvrir les enjeux d'une startup positionnée sur un marché monopolistique et en pleine ébullition. Plus récemment Ludovic a lancé sa nouvelle startup, Shapr, application de rencontre pour professionnel. Ce "gourou de la rencontre" continue de faire parler de lui et je vous invite à découvrir ce nouveau projet et télécharger l’application.

With friend and co-founder Alex Mehr, Shayan Zadeh came to US from Iran at a time when both countries had no diplomatic relations or direct flights. They went on to study computer science, work at NASA and Microsoft, and start Zoosk – an Inc 5000 dating platform that went on to exit for $250 million. On this episode of the Startup Exits Podcast, we chat with Shayan about: • Coming to US as a founder • Generating and filtering startup ideas • Weathering a storm vs. Beating a dead horse • Early days of Zoosk and key pivot • Why have two CEOs at a startup? • Cancelling an IPO Shayan Zadeh is currently the CEO of DressBarn. Startup Exits is brought to you by StartupSoft. New episodes every month, subscribe for more.

In this episode I speak with Executive Coach, John Volturo about how we can encourage our authenticity in the workplace. We explore how much is too much when it comes to changing who we are for our work. We dive into how workplaces can stifle our authenticity and leave us conforming to social norms and ultimately hustling for our worth. Join us as we break down all the ins and outs of remaining true to who you are even in environments that are telling us not to. About Today’s Guest:John Volturo is an Executive Coach and International Coaching Federation LA Chapter President-Elect. He served in executive management for 20 years, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer and Board Member at startups and for midsize to large private and publicly traded companies. At IBM, Slack, Bertelsmann, Guthy-Renker, Spark Networks, HAVAS, Frontdoor, and Tony Robbins. John helps leaders upskill, align vision, overcome obstacles, and hire, train, and retain talent. He is part of the LGBTQ community, a DEI advocate, speaker, panelist, lecturer, podcaster and soon-to-be author with an MBA and certifications in Energy Leadership™ and Conscious Business Coach.Connect with John:Website InstagramFacebook Linkedin"This Is Me" tip of the episode:When facing the fear of being yourself, pause and ask yourself "what if you took the chance, whats the worst that could happen?"Song of the episode: Lorde - A World AloneAbout the Host:Matt Landsiedel is a transformative coach, intuitive, podcast host, and author from Calgary, Canada. Matt specializes in teaching people how to heal shame and embody their authentic self so they can enjoy meaningful connections in their lives. His areas of expertise are working with gay men and people with emotional eating and food addiction leading to weight issues.Inspired to Be Authentic is a mission Matt has purposefully created. Through his content and coaching, he offers you inspiration to share more of your truth with the world. He does this by teaching you life changing skills and sharing energetic transmissions that inspire you to show up courageously in your own life by practicing vulnerability. In his spare time, you can find Matt traveling the world, writing, reading, working out or doing yoga, meditating and contemplating life, spending quality time with family and friends, hanging out with his cat Darryl, watching hockey, and spending time building his coaching business.► Take my new FREE course: Embody Your Truth ► MattLandsiedel.com► Read my latest book► Facebook► Instagram

Spark Networks 2019 Financial Results, Dating App Crush Covid-19 Survey, Blind Date & Second Date on Skout and MeetMe, IDEA Webinar

This podcast interview focuses on product innovation that has the power to help Not for Profits raise more donations and achieve their cause faster. My guest is David Semerad, CEO of Kindest.David is a driven entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in the software development field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in information technology from the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. He also studied at Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany and Universidad de Malaga in Spain and is a member of the Forbes Agency Council as well as the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC).In 2004 he co-founded STRV, a one-stop mobile app and web development shop working with top-tier startups and brands. In addition to STRV has spun off several companies. The Game, acquired by Spark Networks in 2014, followed by Surge, the world’s 3rd largest gay social network (3M+ users) and one of the world’s fastest food delivery startups Ordr.David’s work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Wired and TechCrunch.What triggered me to invite David to my podcast was his most recent startup Kindest. Kindest and here is why: Just as nonprofits rely on the generosity of their donors, Kindest business model relies on optional tips. It’s what allows Kindest to remain completely free for all nonprofits that need them. In our podcast interview we explore the underserved market for small and medium sized Not for Profits and how the basic needs of donors – transparency - are even today still not met. We also discuss Kindest business model, and how exactly that business model gives them the ultimate incentive to do exactly the right thing for their ideal customer. And this pays off.Here are some of his quotes:There is a huge opportunity to bring something extremely, intuitive, simple and effective in the hands of nonprofits, because right now all the tools available there are focused on large nonprofit organizations that have big teams in house. But actually, the fun fact is that there is 1.5 million nonprofits in the US, and 92% of them are actually small to medium size. And no one is focused on those 92% of nonprofitsThey don't have a marketing expert in house. They don't have an engineer in house and there is no tools available for them. So we decided to jump into the space. We basically build a solution that is extremely easy, effective, and also free to help all their fundraising and donor management needs. Whereas we don't charge any monthly or annual fees. We don't take any cut on donations and everything is just directly going to nonprofit.During this interview, you will learn three things:That creating a cool-looking app doesn’t always mean it will take off. If people are not waking up in the middle of the night around the idea of your solution, it likely doesn’t solve a valuable and urgent problem.That momentum starts when you’ve created a solution that gives your users their focus back and allows them to do what they are good at. Why its key to avoid conflict of interest by aligning your mission and your business model. If the two are optimally aligned it will create your flywheel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Diese Woche zu Gast in unserem Marketing Transformation Podcast Michael Schrezenmaier. Michael ist Vorstand und COO von Spark Networks, einer weltweit erfolgreich agierenden Dating Company. Klein gestartet mit eDarling begleitete er die Transformation eines Unternehmens aus dem Rocket-Umfeld bis an die New Yorker Börse und zeigt auf wie man neue Akquisitionen erfolgreich ins eigene Framework integriert. Außerdem gibt er uns einen Einblick in die Entwicklung des Dating Marktes, wie sie es in einem hoch kompetitiven Umfeld schaffen effizient Marketingbudgets zu steuern und nach 7 Tagen schon den CLV auf 24 Monate mit einer Genauigkeit von +/- 2% zu berechnen. Für alle Hörer hat er am Ende noch seinen Top Tipp für einen erfolgreichen Transformationsprozess.

Fabienne Riener ist Director Human Resources bei Spark Networks in Berlin. Das börsennotierte Unternehmen betreibt ein Portfolio von Online Premium Dating Portalen in 29 Ländern und hat 300 Mitarbeiter aus 50+ Nationen. Seit 2016 leitet Fabienne die Berliner Gruppe BERLeanIn, mit über 180 Mitgliederinnnen. Schon zuvor verfolgte sie eine abwechslungsreiche Karriere in der Medien- und Kulturbranche in Deutschland und England. Fabienne ist ebenfalls akkreditierte Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie und Life Coach mit Praxis in Berlin.  Links zur BERLeanIn Gruppe: https://leanin.org/circles/berlean-in https://www.facebook.com/berleanin/ Shownotes Was hat dich heute schon zum Lachen gebracht? (ab 00:19 Min.) Wenn wir uns abends auf einem Meet-Up kennenlernen, was würdest du mir erzählen, wer du bist und was du machst? (ab 00:50 Min.) Welche Marken zählen zu Spark Networks? (ab 02:25 Min.) Wie bist du zu Spark Networks gekommen? (ab 03:44 Min.) Über die Parallelen vom Business Model Dating und der Personalarbeit (ab 05:07 Min.) Wie ist die Personalabteilung aufgestellt bei Spark Networks? (ab 06:42 Min.) Was macht die Abteilung genau? (ab 07:15 Min.) Schwierigkeiten von Spark Network bezüglich Employer Branding (ab 09:23 Min.) HR als integrierter Bestandteil des Unternehmens (ab 11:20 Min.) Werdet ihr als Abteilung wahrgenommen, die auch aktiv in der Entwicklung der Unternehmensstrategie beteiligt wird? (ab 12:37 Min.) Wie können Mitarbeiter am besten bei Veränderungen mit eingebunden werden? (ab 16:04 Min.) Ist Kommunikation hier ausreichend und ist auch eine Teilhabe und Mitwirkung empfehlenswert in Veränderungsprozessen? (ab 18:11 Min.) Woran erkennst du genau die MA, die man dann bei einem Veränderungsprozess mit ins Boot holen sollte? (ab 20:20 Min.) Was trägt zum Employer Branding bei? Bisher keine starke Arbeitgebermarke in Deutschland - wie schafft ihr es trotzdem, dass Bewerber Lust haben sich vorzustellen? (ab 22:38 Min.) Was hat es mit euren Leadership Circles auf sich? (ab 27:14 Min.) Fabiennes Verständnis von Management (ab 33:58 Min.) Diskussion zu verschiedenen Faktoren, die Mitarbeiter im Unternehmen halten (ab 34:50 Min.) Fabienne berichtet über ihre Lean In Gruppe (ab 42:50 Min.) Was würdest du tun, wenn du unendlich viel Geld hättest, sodass du nicht mehr arbeiten musst? (ab 45:50 Min.) Was ist Arbeit für dich? (ab 46:30 Min.) Der beste Tipp in Sachen Karriere, den du je bekommen hast? (ab 47:26 Min.)

Erst der Kauf des französischen Dating-Portals Attractive World Ende 2016, dann vor einigen Wochen die Fusionspläne mit Spark Networks aus den USA inklusive Listung an der New Yorker Börse – eDarling-Mutter Affinitas will es vor allem international noch einmal richtig wissen. COO und Geschäftsführer Michael Schrezenmaier erklärt im aktuellen OMR Podcast, warum Deutschland nie der Kernmarkt war, wo der Unterschied zu Tinder und Lovoo liegt und weshalb Performance Marketing die Paradedisziplin des Unternehmens ist. Alle Themen vom Podcast mit Affinitas-Geschäftsführer Michael Schrezenmaier im Überblick: Das ist die Affinitas GmbH, unter anderem Betreiber vom Datingportal eDarling (ab 1:45) Deshalb ist eDarling vor allem in den USA und Frankreich sehr erfolgreich (ab 3:00) Wie unterscheiden sich die Dating-Märkte in Deutschland und den USA? (ab 4:30) Warum müssen Dating-Portale 50 bis teilweise sogar 80 Prozent des Umsatzes in Marketing investieren? (ab 6:00) Was ist dran an Deutschlands Ruf als digitaler Performance-Marketing-Weltmeister? (ab 7:10) Das sind die für eDarling wichtigsten Kanäle, um neue User zu generieren (ab 12:30) Deshalb sind Singlebörsen-Vergleichsseiten so stark – und gleichzeitig relevante Partner für eDarling (ab 13:10) Wie unterscheidet sich der TV-Werbemarkt in Deutschland von den USA und Frankreich? (ab 15:50) Native Advertising mit Outbrain, Taboola & Co. – Wie funktioniert dieser Traffic-Kanal für eDarling? (ab 17:15) Kann es sinnvoll sein, als Dating-Plattform selber Vergleichsseiten aufzubauen? (ab 18:00) Das hat Michael Schrezenmaier vor der Zeit bei Affinitas und eDarling gemacht – und deshalb haben sich die Gründer aus der Geschäftsführung zurückgezogen (ab 20:20) Welche Rolle spielt Influencer Marketing im Dating-Bereich? (ab 24:00) Wie hat Michael Schrezenmaier das inzwischen eingestellte Verfahren gegen Lovoo verfolgt, wonach die Dating-App gezielt mit Fake-Profilen gearbeitet haben soll? (ab 28:00) Sind Plakate und Banner, auf denen mit sehr hübschen Testimonials für Dating-Plattformen geworben wird, schon eine Täuschung? (ab 31:30) Die Apps von Tinder und Lovoo sind extrem erfolgreich – Warum hat eDarling nie den großen Sprung in die Stores geschafft? (ab 33:00) Sind weitere Ableger der Plattform, zum Beispiel für Homosexuelle geplant? (ab 35:30) Wie beurteilt Michael Schrezenmaier das Marketing vom Seitensprung-Portal Ashley Madison? (ab 37:45) Quasi ein Börsengang: Fusion mit Spark Networks aus den USA ist für das vierte Quartal geplant (ab 39:10) Wie viel wird die neue Firma Spark Network SE wert sein? (ab 43:30) Lassen sich anhand der Bilanzen von Wettbewerbern Rückschlüsse über deren Marketing-Strategien ziehen? (ab 48:30) Welche Rolle hat der ehemalige CEO Sean Rad bei Tinder gespielt? (ab 50:45) Nur mit Performance Marketing kann man laut Schrezenmaier im Dating-Bereich skalieren – einzige Ausnahme: Tinder (ab 52:00) Investiert Michael Schrezenmaier selber in andere Unternehmen? (ab 53:30)