Authentically Successful: Recent Episodes
Carol Schultz
On this talent industry podcast, your creator and host, Carol Schultz encourages entrepreneurs to share their journeys and expertise in building successful talent-centric companies. We cover topics like business challenges, leadership, culture, diversity, and of course, hiring the right fit for your team and company culture. We also let our guests share on the subjects they’re well-known for. No matter the topic, you’ll be hearing real stories from real people. We believe that every individual has a unique and powerful message that can positively impact the world.
Mental Health Fitness: "Mental health is a muscle and you have to go to the mental gym, just like we go to the gym." - Rob Swymer
Today on Authentically Successful - After Hours, we're tackling the intriguing and often overlooked topic of "Quiet Vacationing." We'll explore how this growing trend of vacationing while supposedly working is impacting employees across generations, driven by stress, overwork, and a lack of psychological safety.
Inspired by Tony Robbins' advice to visit the "mental gym," co-host Rob Swymer shares his insight on how personal growth directly transforms professional life, emphasizing a shift towards healthier work cultures. We'll also discuss some eye-opening statistics, personal anecdotes from our own careers, and the critical need for employees to truly disconnect.
Join us as we navigate through this timely discussion, offering practical advice and a thought-provoking conversation on creating a more balanced and fulfilling work environment. So, get ready to uncover the realities of quiet vacationing and learn how to advocate for your well-being in today's always-on business landscape.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In this episode, host Carol Schultz sits down with Matt Lepkowski, founder of Business Automation Experts (BAE). Matt brings a wealth of knowledge in software development, healthcare policy, and cybersecurity, offering invaluable insights on navigating today's complex technological landscape.
Matt shares his personal journey, from his early days in the automotive industry to founding Business Automation Experts, and the trials of building a business from the ground up.
He breaks down the economics of cyber threats, explaining how attackers often have an edge due to their pay-only-for-success model. The conversation leads to the triple-ransom strategy cybercriminals use—stealing, analyzing, and encrypting data.
Listen to discover how healthcare entities constantly juggle changing regulations and why they often find themselves reacting to cyber threats. In addition, a wealth of applicable information for your business.
Learn more about Matt Lepkowski and Business Automation Experts.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
“AI can't ask follow-up questions. It doesn't ask questions with nuance. It doesn't ask questions from multiple angles." - Darryl C. Clements
In this special edition of Authentically Successful - After Hours, we dive deep into the complex and sometimes controversial world of AI in recruiting. Host Carol Schultz, an experienced recruiter and executive coach, along with co-host Rob Swymer, a veteran sales leader and best-selling author, bring their combined 70 years of expertise to the table. Joining them is Darryl C. Clements, principal of the DCC Group, who offers a wealth of knowledge in HR strategy, recruitment, and operations design.
The episode navigates the potential and pitfalls of AI technology in the hiring process. Rob Swymer cautions against overselling AI's capabilities while exploring its practical applications. Carol Schultz raises significant concerns about AI's biases, particularly in law enforcement, and criticizes AI-generated job descriptions for lacking the nuance and detail required in recruitment. Darryl C. Clements adds depth to the conversation by discussing AI's struggles with grasping complex job requirements and its limitations in HR interactions.
Together, they delve into the strengths and weaknesses of comprehensive HRIS systems like SuccessFactors and PeopleSoft, highlighting their user-friendliness and compliance challenges. They also touch on the high costs and hurdles of hiring talent with specific software expertise.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Welcome back to another episode of Authentically Successful and our first episode post-summer break. This episode includes an exciting conversation with Marc Delbaere, a dynamic data tech founder in Belgium.
Marc's journey is a fascinating tale of innovation, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. From his beginnings as a bond trader to impactful roles at IBM and SWIFT, Marc's career has been a testament to his relentless quest for creativity and meaningful impact.
Join us as Marc shares his experiences transitioning from large corporations to spearheading a successful tech startup. He reveals the motivations behind his move, the challenges of navigating a saturated tech market, and the importance of making decisive leadership choices.
We also delve into the essence of building a company culture filled with trust, agility, and humor, the intricacies of real-time data solutions, and Marc's unique approach to business-driven data management. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned leader, or simply curious about the tech industry, this conversation is sure to inspire and enlighten.
Learn more about Marc Delbaere.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Guiding Employees: Whilst it’s important to give people enough rope to be innovative, what this guy is missing is if you are not checking in with your people, how are they to know if they’re going in the right direction? - Carol Schultz
In this week’s episode, our hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the evolving nature of middle management and the increasing role of technology in the workplace. They explore the impact of cutting middle management roles on mentorship, the changing work preferences of millennials and Gen Zers, and the necessity of maintaining a human connection amidst technological advancements. Join us as we uncover the complexities of business leadership, the significance of purpose, and the pivotal role of disruptive thinking in shaping the future of work. Get ready for a candid and insightful conversation that delves deep into the heart of workplace dynamics and the power of human connection.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought.
We're back with an insightful discussion featuring Bill Mandara, CEO and co-owner of Mancini Duffy – a design firm with a rich history and a tech-driven approach.
In this episode, Bill reflects on early setbacks as a new CEO, moments of success, and the lessons learned along the way. He offers a rare glimpse into the world of architecture and design, notably the transformative TSX Broadway project in Times Square.
Carol also dives into Bill’s talent and business strategy. Bill and his business partner, Christian Giordano, emphasized the need to diversify their firm's work to avoid reliance on specific client types or projects.
Finally, he leaves listeners with the single most important aspect he's learned about business.
Learn more about Bill Mandara and Mancini Duffy.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Building True Relationships: "To build a true relationship, you have to invest the time." - Carol Schultz
Join hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer as they share their insights and experiences on how to keep employees engaged and thriving in a virtual work environment. From personal anecdotes to practical strategies, they discuss the power of authentic leadership, the importance of empathy, and the impact of consistent communication. Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable knowledge as we explore how to foster human connections in the digital age.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
This week host Carol interviews Rasmus Holst, current CEO of Zensai, and “human success” expert best known for being a part of management teams that have delivered exits just short of $1,000,000,000 and raised over $50,000,000 for various businesses. This episode explores the process of growing companies, becoming a CEO, and balancing the priorities of money versus employees.
Rasmus has managed teams in 14 different countries, traveled to over 100 countries, and has had customers in all nations, giving him a unique perspective on cultures and businesses. In this episode, he delves into Zensai's unique approach to product design, recruiting strategies, and the ever-important balance of gender diversity in the executive team.
They also dive into a hiring mistake he’s made more than once. The conversation also touches on the challenges incoming CEOs face at larger established companies.
Tune in now to gain valuable insights into successful leadership, team dynamics, and the intersection of personal journey and beliefs in human success.
Learn more about Rasmus and Zensai.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
"Quiet quitting is doing the bare minimum just to get by from your job." - Rob Swymer
Today, hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer delve into the timely and provocative topic of "quiet quitting." This episode explores the underlying causes and far-reaching implications of quiet quitting in the workplace.
Carol and Rob share personal anecdotes and professional insights to highlight how leadership and company culture significantly influence employee engagement and motivation. They unravel the significance of having a sense of purpose, fostering meaningful relationships, and cultivating emotional investment in one's work.
Whether you're an employee seeking more engagement or a leader aiming to inspire your team, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you achieve authentic success in the workplace.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
This week Carol interviews Wendy Greenland, the CEO of Openforce, a tech platform that specializes in managing commercial relationships between contracting companies and their 1099 independent contractors.
Wendy's career spans nearly 30 years in technology and leadership, with notable successes in building and selling companies like Infosys and Infinity HR. In this episode, they discuss the complexities and opportunities of managing a business in the 1099 space of the human capital management industry.
From navigating the legislative landscape to transitioning to a remote model during covid, Wendy's experiences offer valuable lessons for leaders and entrepreneurs. The episode also touches on the topic of being a woman in tech and how Wendy is helping others.
Join us as we explore Wendy's strategies for business and mentorship. Learn more about Wendy Greenland and Openforce.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Wellness: "It's up to the individual to be an advocate for themselves" - Rob Swymer
Join hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer as they delve into the vital topic of mental health in the workplace. They share personal stories, practical tips, and valuable insights on navigating challenges, prioritizing self-care, and maintaining a positive mindset.
From the Triple A formula to the significance of self-love and purpose, Carol and Rob provide essential perspectives on achieving balance and well-being in both professional and personal life. Join us as we normalize conversations around mental health and explore how to prioritize self-care for success.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In this episode of "Authentically Successful”, Carol engages in a compelling conversation with Steve Hoffman, the CEO of Founders Space and a seasoned expert in startups, venture investing, and authorship.
Together, they delve into a wide range of topics, from the potential of AI to the allure of Silicon Valley. Steve walks us through key factors he thinks startups must embody to be funded right now and the flow of VC funding.
Offering invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, Steve assesses the readiness of startups, bringing to the forefront the importance of being different and attuned to customer needs. They also discuss the dangers of AI when it gets into the wrong hands.
Join us as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology.
Learn more about Steve Hoffman and Founders Space.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
The Struggle of Financial Success in the Next Generation: "I mean, look at the people coming up in the next generation of my kids' my kids' ages, and they they don't see a path to success, to own something, to to be in to invest in the stock market or whatever they wanna do. They don't see a path for that." - Rob Swymer
Join hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer as they delve into the rising phenomenon of employees juggling multiple remote jobs. From dissecting the driving forces behind this trend to examining its impact on mental well-being, this thought-provoking discussion navigates the intricacies of modern work dynamics. Drawing from their wealth of business and leadership experience, Rob and Carol explore the crucial role of effective communication and talent strategy in navigating this evolving landscape. Join us as we challenge conventional wisdom and invite listeners to participate in the ongoing conversation surrounding ambition, employee expectations, and the changing nature of work.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In today's discussion, host Carol Schultz sits down with Kristen Gale, the founder and CEO of The Ten Spot beauty bars, a franchise of “anti-spa” salons. The now 47 beauty salons across North America aim to break through the traditional concept of salons for a fresh and fun experience.
They first delve into her career prior to becoming an entrepreneur, including being fired twice, and how it led her to found The Ten Spot. She also recounts the unique approach she took to brand voice early on and how that helped her company stand out.
From the challenges of franchising and navigating the US market to the impact of the pandemic on her business and franchisees, Kristen's candid insights offer invaluable wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more about Kristen Gale and The Ten Spot.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Standing Out in Sales: "How do I make my offering so outstanding that they have to get back to me?...I always say be bold, be brave, be memorable."- Rob Swymer
Join host Carol Schultz and guest Rob Swymer in another enlightening episode of 'Authentically Successful: After Hours' as they tackle the pervasive problem of email and LinkedIn spam in sales outreach. Drawing on their extensive experience, they explore the evolution of sales strategies, dissecting the influence of automation and technology. From distinguishing red ocean versus blue ocean approaches to navigating a saturated marketplace, they offer invaluable insights into modern sales tactics. Discover the significance of human connection amidst tech-driven dynamics as we delve into the complexities of contemporary sales.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
On this week’s episode, Carol sits down with the visionary entrepreneur and bestselling author, Luis Scott. Luis, who founded 8 Figure Firm Consulting, shares his remarkable journey from starting as a receptionist at a law firm to becoming a managing partner and eventually building a multi-seven-figure business.
He reveals some of the key strategies that led to the tremendous success of his consulting firm, including a unique marketing approach. He emphasizes the need for lawyers to create social proof and develop authority through social media, in addition to traditional lead generation.
They discuss the idea that paying workers isn’t enough to motivate and engage them and how to do so. He also shares tools to create a workplace where even remote workers want to come in.
Learn more about Luis Scott and 8 Figure Firm Consulting.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
The Evolution of Workplace Perks: "I have enough gray hair to remember that I would be so grateful to be able to get a cup of coffee in the morning when I went to the office, every day, by the way, with a suit and tie."
In this episode of Authentically Successful: After Hours, co-hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer delve into the intriguing dynamics of tech industry perks, job anxiety, and the shifting landscape of job interviews. They explore the influence of tech giants like Google in establishing high expectations through lavish perks and its impact on employee loyalty. The duo also examines the evolving recruiting process and its effects on candidate behavior. Join them as they discuss innovative ways to motivate employees, the necessity of breaks during long work hours, and the growing emphasis on perk-centric work environments. Gain insights into career growth, challenges, and the importance of discussing current events in the ever-changing tech industry landscape. Don't miss this insightful conversation that sheds light on the realities of the modern workplace.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
This week Carol speaks to Eric Boggs, the founder and CEO of RevBoss, a lead
generation company focused on outbound prospecting. The two dive into a
candid conversation about the importance of honesty in client relationships, the
evolution of recruitment processes, and the emphasis on happiness,
accountability, and transparency in RevBoss's culture manifesto.
Eric shares his story from graduation to eventually founding RevBoss. He gives
insights into managing a geographically dispersed team, a unique approach to
client screening, and how RevBoss differs from other lead generation companies.
He also takes us into his journey from micromanaging to trusting and
empowering his team, allowing for their growth within the company.
Listen along to gain valuable perspectives on entrepreneurship, personal wellbeing, and team leading from this engaging discussion.
Learn more about Eric Boggs and RevBoss.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
"It's so easy to make a human connection, when you ask about somebody and what lights them up, what are they passionate about." - Rob Swymer
In today's episode, our hosts delve into the world of virtual communication and the impact it has on building relationships and trust. They discuss the preferences for different communication methods, Zoom etiquette, and the challenges of maintaining a strong organizational culture in virtual meetings. The conversation touches on the importance of vulnerability, human connection, and authenticity in virtual interactions and the potential biases and judgments based on visible backgrounds during virtual meetings. They also highlight the significance of CEOs and executives showing relatability and authenticity in virtual meetings, sharing examples of impactful leadership. Join us as we explore the complexities and nuances of remote communication, and stay tuned for a preview of our next episode about big tech companies and job anxiety.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
On this week's episode, we have remote-work expert Liam Martin. Liam co-founded Time Doctor, a predictive workforce analytics tool for organizations. It predicts actions employees may take (like quitting) so the company can be proactive with solutions.
Carol and Liam delve into a fascinating discussion about time tracking in a remote environment, HR tech, and the reasons why employees leave companies. Liam shares his journey from sociology graduate to successful entrepreneur and the evolution of Time Doctor into a 20 million ARR business.
We'll explore topics like the future of remote work and the unique approach to cultural alignment that Liam has implemented within his globally diverse team. Tune in to gain a wealth of knowledge about leading organizations like Time Doctor.
Learn more about Liam Martin and Time Doctor.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
Join hosts Carol Schultz and Rob Swymer as they discuss career purpose, personal development, and self-advocacy. Discover why finding passion in your profession is key to long-term success, and how to navigate the loyalty dilemma in today's workforce. Don't miss out as we dissect resilience-building, the perception of government jobs, and the influence of media headlines.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In today's episode, host Carol Schultz sits down with Randy Wootton, the CEO of Maxio, a financial operations platform for B2B SaaS companies. They explore the challenges and triumphs of competing in the B2B tech world, market contractions, and the importance of understanding company capabilities for future growth.
Randy shares invaluable lessons from his past, from transitioning from a military background to corporate leadership, to leading a venture-backed company.
The two explore the capital structure, taking on debt, and the importance of having a reliable CFO. They also discuss the company’s unique approach to talent strategy: avoiding Silicon Valley and building a culture of high IQ, high EQ, and low ego.
Join us as we unravel the story behind Maxio and delve into the world of B2B. Learn more about Randy and Maxio.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
"As you transform your personal life, you will transform your business life." - Rob Swymer
Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Authentically Successful: After Hours," where hosts Carol Schultz and seasoned hi-tech sales leader Rob Swymer dive into the intricacies of performance reviews in today's business landscape. With over 30 years of experience, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, shedding light on the evolving dynamics post-pandemic and the crucial role of empathy in effective leadership.
In this insightful discussion, Carol and Rob dismantle the traditional approach to annual reviews, advocating for ongoing feedback and transparent communication. They emphasize the importance of cultivating a culture of trust within organizations, where clarity in expectations and written agreements serve as pillars for success. Through personal anecdotes and practical strategies, they explore the transformative power of embracing feedback with empathy and highlight the need to address biases in leadership.
Tune in as they challenge conventional norms and inspire listeners to reimagine their approach to employee performance evaluations. Join us for an engaging conversation that promises to ignite positive change in both personal and professional realms.
Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Find more information about our cohost Rob Swymer and his company at Rob Swymer, Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
On this episode of “Authentically Successful,” we hear from Mitali Saxena, the CEO of Fashom, an AI-powered clothing brand based on body shape designed for busy moms. She reflects on the challenges of rapidly changing markets, the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry, and her advocacy for body positivity, especially in women.
During the podcast, Mitali candidly shares her diverse journey from engineering, to working at a software startup, to later founding Fashom. She even recounts the exact moment in New York City that caused her to start Fashom and also how the fashion industry has failed to represent the population it’s advertising to.
Throughout the episode, she discusses the evolution of her business, her passion for promoting body positivity in the fashion industry, and the challenges and victories of entrepreneurship. She reflects on leadership mistakes, the misconceptions surrounding body image and health, and gives valuable advice for individuals seeking to enter the fashion industry.
Tune in as Mitali Saxena shares her compelling story as a founder and offers advice for other entrepreneurs.
Learn more about Mitali and Fashom.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Want to be our next guest? Email cat.gloria@verticalelevation.com with your information.
And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!
In this episode of "Authentically Successful," previous founder and entrepreneurship expert Joshua Ross shares his candid experience in starting and growing companies to now teaching students how to do it.
From his early days at a healthcare startup to founding his own IT consulting business and navigating the challenges of multiple startups, Joshua offers valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. Topics such as the importance of understanding the target market, the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, and how to pivot are discussed.
Joshua also delves into his role as the current director of entrepreneurship at the University of Denver where he teaches students the ins and outs of business. He discusses the program and his commitment to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Listen for insight into forming a company, working with partners, overcoming failures, and more.
Learn more about Joshua Ross and the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Denver.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
In this insightful episode, host Carol Schultz welcomes Gleb Budman, CEO of Backblaze, a cloud storage and data backup company that competes with industry giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
The two delve into the founding of Backblaze and the decision-making process behind taking the company public. Gleb shares how his company offers an alternative for those seeking to optimize and be more efficient with their spending.
They also discuss venture funding and bootstrapping in business, challenging the common belief in Silicon Valley that venture funding is the only path for startups.
The conversation then focuses on the journey Gleb and his co-founders took to this point and the way they built their team. He also shares key moments in Backblaze's history, including a crisis in 2011 when a flood in Thailand disrupted the availability of hard drives.
Listen for a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an influential leader in tech and the inside scoop on his company.
Learn more about Gleb Budman and Backblaze.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Welcome to another episode of Authentically Successful, where host Carol Schultz has a compelling conversation with the founder of McKie Consultants, Miranda McKie.
In this episode, Miranda shares her journey of building her consulting firm, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, HR analytics, and inclusive product design.
The two discuss the ongoing challenges of DEI in business, including varying struggles across different countries, media sensationalization, and the lesser-known aspects of DEI. The need for more control and certification of those hired in the DEI landscape was also mentioned.
Miranda also dives into the challenges her clients face, the importance of evidence-based decision-making, and the complexities of selling services in the consulting industry. She also provides valuable insights into scaling a business, engaging with HR professionals, and the need for strategic buy-in from top executives.
Tune in and don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave an honest review.
Learn more about Miranda McKie and McKie Consultants.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
In our first episode of 2024, Carol is joined by longtime journalist and founder Jeff vonKaenel. He leads N&R Publications, an organization that utilizes professional journalists to help government and nonprofits tell their stories effectively, simplifying critical issues for impactful storytelling.
They delve into Jeff's fascinating journey, starting with his grassroots advocacy and political coverage in Santa Barbara in 1973. He details what motivated him to choose a career in storytelling.
From there, Jeff tells us how working with the Salvation Army catapulted the founding of N&R Publications. He also walks us through the organization's unique approach to storytelling and driving social change through words.
Tune in to hear about the unique method of marketing N&R Publications has developed and how companies are utilizing it to affect change. Listeners will also get a glimpse into the complexities of journalism today.
Learn more about Jeff vonKaenel and N&R Publications.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
"The real leader is the one who does whatever is needed to get that tower done, whether it's sitting there quietly folding something or directing the tower or getting the coffee. It doesn't matter,” Leif Cocks shares. “The real leader supplements whatever he's doing, whatever makes sense to the greater cause and fills in the gaps that is necessary for the team to achieve their goals."
In today's episode, we are joined by a fellow author and founder Leif Cocks. He founded the world-renowned Orangutan Project, an international conservation charity.
Through this engaging conversation, Leif shares his incredible journey from working at a zoo to becoming a founder and worldwide leader. He details the urgency of conserving the rainforest and species in this decade.
From the dangers faced by rangers in Indonesia to the impact of the pandemic on fundraising, he provides valuable insights into the importance of collective action. On the topic of hiring, they discuss key strategies he uses in building his team. He also offers advice to leaders looking to get into conservation.
Join us as we explore the vital work of the Orangutan Project and gain valuable lessons in leadership and environmental work.
Learn more about Leif Cocks and the Orangutan Project.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
"People generally want to do the right thing, but it's hard to figure out what the right thing is when there's 12 different priorities and you can only afford to do three of them." - Mike Rowlands
In today's episode, our host, Carol Schultz, sits down with Mike, president and CEO of Junxion, an international consultancy with a keen focus on sustainability and social impact.
Mike discusses the evolving perceptions of work among millennials, the importance of a purposeful career, and how these ideas are reshaping the workforce. He also points out how businesses must react to the new generation seeking information about investments and critiquing companies' practices.
We explore the importance of social responsibility and the complexities of building and growing a purpose-driven company. They dive into the three ways companies typically react to the climate crisis and how it affects consumers. Mike tells how businesses can better communicate about these topics.
Tune in to the full episode to hear about the challenges that Junxion has faced and a rare question for our host.
Learn more about Mike and Junxion, and follow him on Twitter.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“I actually think that’s the case with a lot of women...you just get used to bad behavior and you normalize it.” - Gavriella Schuster
This week, our host Carol Schultz sits down with a renowned figure in the tech industry, Gavriella Schuster. Now a solopreneur, Gavriella was formerly a longtime leader at Microsoft and continued into an extensive career in the tech industry.
Throughout her time at Microsoft, Gavriella witnessed the challenges faced by women in executive roles but found support from a few female mentors. She details what it was like at Microsoft and what led her to become an advocate for women in the workplace.
They also dive into Gavriella’s experience in joining a board as a woman, whether it be private equity or public, and the disparities women face on boards.
The episode wraps up with a breakdown of microaggressions in the workplace and actions that allies can take to lead an inclusive environment.
Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode to learn more about Gavriella's journey and her commitment to driving diversity in the tech industry.
Learn more about Gavriella Schuster.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
We are back! For the official return of Authentically Successful, Carol sits down with the CEO of ProcureAbility, Conrad Snover. His company leads the industry in supply-chain solutions.
"I see so often in business... (businesses) don’t create a strategic plan, they don’t have operating principles, and they don’t use it as a road map and manage to it. That’s where people get in trouble,” Conrad says.
Conrad shares a valuable framework that he and his team use to make hiring decisions based on revenue growth projections. He discusses how to avoid unnecessary hires and financial strain.
They also delve into what “just-in-time" manufacturing is, and how Covid flipped the process upside-down. From building resilient supply chains to focusing on employee engagement, Conrad provides insight to help companies thrive in today's ever-changing landscape.
But it's not just about business– we dive into the personal too. Find out how Conrad's passion for being a sponsored athlete helps him release energy and clear his mind, leading to better decision-making. So, grab your favorite beverage and join us as we enter the world of talent strategies and supply chain innovation.
Learn more about Conrad Snover and ProcureAbility.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, host Carol Schultz interviews Sudhir Bhojwani, co-founder and CEO of a procurement technology company named ORO Labs.
Sudhir opens up about his journey as a software engineer and his first startup which opened the door to three more. He reflects on projects that failed and also shares successes, such as his company Vayulogic.
The conversation shifts to the difference between working at a large “finance” focused company to being at a smaller “mission” focused company. They also discuss what Sudhir says is an emerging category of "reverse platform" or "procurement orchestration layer" in the space, which aims to improve user experience and provide companies with agility and control. He explains that there are several competitors in this space, each with slightly different approaches.
Diversity is another crucial aspect discussed in this episode. Sudhir stresses the significance of investing in diversity and actively seeking out diverse ideas. He states that diversity extends beyond gender, incorporating religion and other aspects. The company is actively seeking to add executive members and individuals with diverse ideas to its team, with a goal of showcasing increased diversity within the company within six months.
BIO
Sudhir Bhojwani is a procurement tech expert with extensive experience in the industry. For many years, he worked at SAP, which acquired his former employerAriba, gaining valuable insights into the challenges people face in procurement. Sudhir recognized that despite the advantages of procurement technology, many still struggle with knowing what to do and when to do it. This inspired him to find a solution. Sudhir believes that procurement should not be complicated, especially since we all make purchases in our daily lives. However, the moment we enter the workplace, it becomes a complex process. This realization motivated Sudhir to embark on a mission to solve this problem. His vision is to empower both individual users and companies to make better decisions in procurement. Sudhir firmly believes that these two objectives can be achieved simultaneously. He aims to challenge the status quo and offer a unique approach that sets his solution apart from others in the market.
Learn more about Sudhir Bhojwani and ORO Labs.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, Carol Schultz is joined by Tobias Dahlberg, the founder and CEO of The Simple Company. As the title displays, his business works with organizations of many sizes to simplify, refocus, and hone their operations. He calls these companies “maxed-out operators” and aims to transform them into “wealthy business owners.”
With over 15 years of experience in strategy, consulting, innovation, and branding, Tobias now focuses on mentoring business owners, who he finds pleasure in helping. We learn about his journey to this point.
During the episode, Tobias emphasizes the importance of building a business that can work even when the entrepreneur is not fully involved. He clarifies that this does not mean completely stepping away from the business, but rather separating oneself from the day-to-day operations.
Throughout the episode, Tobias discusses the importance of simplifying and developing transparent systems in three core areas: attracting leads, sales conversion, and delivering consistent value at a profit. He also shares his experiences in shifting his business model and finding success by standardizing and productizing his offerings.
Tune in to hear about the idea of consulting for equity or an upside instead of a flat fee and his "money equation" to analyze the cause and effect of a client’s business.
BIO
Tobias Dahlberg is a former strategy consultant with brand and business strategy expertise. After years of working with large companies, he realized the importance of simplicity in achieving success. This realization led him to transition towards helping entrepreneurs who run businesses ranging from $1-10 million in revenue. Tobias focuses on assisting these owners, who often find themselves overwhelmed, in building businesses that can thrive without their constant involvement.
Learn more about Tobias Dahlberg and The Simple Company.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, host Carol Schultz interviews Paul Baron, the founder of The Wall Printer. Paul's printer technology transforms images into wall art.
In this episode, you’ll learn about Paul’s winding journey through business, including his experience in retail and manufacturing, and what later lead him to retire. He also delves into the process of starting The Wall Printer post-retirement.
The company is aimed at muralists, interior designers, painters, etc., and takes on a leading role in the current commercial printing industry. His years of entrepreneurship have given him the know-how to enter this space.
Paul champions partnerships and believes in the strength of collaboration and making expectations clear. He currently has a 10% partner who brings expertise in printing. The partner has been instrumental in the company’s success, he says.
Tune in to gain insight into taking charge of your business, including marketing and branding, and how to find great partners.
BIO
Paul Baron is an expert in the field of commercial printing, with a specific focus on wall printing. As the founder and CEO of a leading company in the industry, he has revolutionized how digital images of art can be reproduced. Paul's passion for this technology stems from his instinct for business. Through his visionary leadership, Paul laid the foundation for a new era of creativity and expression in interior design, as individuals can now seamlessly integrate personalized images onto their walls.
Learn more about Paul Baron and The Wall Printer.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, we dive into the world of healthcare and the importance of vaccinations with our guest, Dr. Jonathan Baktari. Jonathan leads three organizations: e7 Health, a platform aimed at streamlining adult vaccinations, eNational Testing, offering nationwide access to laboratory tests, and lastly, U.S. Drug Test Centers, a network of testing centers in America.
Carol and Jonathan discuss consolidation within the healthcare industry and how the shift affects patients. This leads to a conversation about the significance of vaccinations for adults. Carol inquires specifically about his opinion on the covid vaccine.
Jonathan shares his unique career journey, emphasizing the importance of being open to new opportunities and not always relying on a sudden epiphany when making career changes. He dives into how he stays on top of all three organizations currently.
Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into communication and culture within these three companies. Jonathan boasts his continuous learning program and emphasizes the importance of individual success and developing others for similar achievements.
BIO
Dr. Jonathan Baktari is a visionary entrepreneur and medical professional who recognized the barriers to accessing preventative health and wellness services in the United States. Motivated by the staggering number of vaccine-preventable deaths, which stands at 50,000 annually according to CDC statistics, Jonathan sought to create a solution. He founded a company specializing in adult vaccinations alongside his colleagues, envisioning it as a comprehensive vaccine center. While other establishments may dabble in similar services, Jonathan's visionary companies stand alone in revolutionizing adult vaccinations, testing, and more.
Learn more about Jonathan Baktari and e7Health.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“I think there's a lot of disruption coming, and that disruption has started with the advent of Chat GPT and all these generative AI tools. And I think if you ask me if there's anything that's going to keep me up at night is, how do we pivot as a company to understand and appreciate these tools that are coming. And what does that mean to our workforce?...”- Rajeev Kapur
On this episode of Authentically Successful, host Carol Schultz sits down with Rajeev, CEO of 1105 Media, a portfolio of four companies that provide B2B marketing events and media services. Rajeev shares his experience of joining the company after a big shift and the challenge of changing the culture within a business primarily built through acquisition. He also details what each business under his umbrella does.
Rajeev’s experience ranges from being in phone sales to working for Michael Dell and eventually becoming the CEO of 1105. You’ll hear about his winding career journey and how he got to where he is now.
The episode concludes with Rajeev's thoughts on the disruption coming with the advent of Chat GPT and generative AI tools, and how his company is preparing for the future. And also a discussion of the importance of “enlightened leadership” as the workforce shifts towards Gen Z and millennials.
Tune in to this episode to hear advice on managing a large group of businesses and brands all at once.
BIO
Rajeev Kapur joined a private equity firm in 2014 and found that each company was operating as its own silo without sharing best practices. He had to come in and change the culture of the business to focus on growth, shifting from primarily acquisition-based to retooling the entire business. Kapur is now in the process of achieving exponential growth at 1105 Media.
Learn more about Rajeev Kapur and 1105 Media.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, host Carol Schultz sits down with guest Ted Rubin, a highly successful CEO in the automotive tech industry. They discuss topics such as the importance of evolving conversations, messaging solutions, and how to succeed in the automotive industry.
Ted’s company, ActivEngage, aims to help automotive companies sell and service more cars through an improved customer journey. It ultimately serves manufacturers, dealers, and aggregator sites, so it's crucial for employees to help both parties and not focus solely on the end customer.
You’ll hear how ActivEngage became profitable in its first year. This technology is significant in facilitating effective and secure enterprise solutions for its customers, including at large organizations like General Motors, AutoNation, and Auto Trader, Ted says.
His career progression through the automotive industry brought him a diversity of skills from working in operations, sales, technology, analytics, and M&A.
Tune in to learn about the challenges and benefits of working in the tech and automotive industries, as well as how to prioritize employee engagement and create meaningful connections with both clients and customers.
BIO
Ted Rubin saw a need for improving customer communication in the dealership industry, which was hindered by time and consistency issues. He recognized that dealerships are massive entities, making it hard for customers to reach out to them. To solve this, he wanted to improve the interaction between customers and dealerships to make it more effective. Throughout his career, Ted has been a pioneer in redefining many aspects of the marketing industry.
Learn more about Ted Rubin and ActivEngage.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
On this episode of Authentically Successful, host Carol Schultz invites the co-founder and CEO of Carbon Title, Trevor Dryer, to share his journey in Fintech and later co-founding his organization in the climate tech space.
Carbon Title offers transparency into the carbon emissions of all buildings, empowering stakeholders to understand, manage, and take action to reduce emissions across their portfolios. Trevor tells us the origin story of the company and how the platform can benefit not only the Earth but also individual buyers and large investors.
The platform is similar to Zillow or Walk Score, allowing users to see the carbon output of properties and whether the owners are making efforts to reduce emissions. The two delve into which common building materials are least and most harmful to the environment.
Trevor reveals his experience using 1099 contractors for his agency and how he wishes he had focused on the commercial side of his product earlier. They discuss the challenges of educating the market about the impact of CO2 emissions in buildings, sustainable building design, and managing a distributed remote team.
Listen for helpful tips on giving feedback, finding talent, the climate change space, and how you can help the environment as a homeowner.
BIO
Trevor Dryer's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by addressing the problems with building construction and design. He discovered that 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, including the materials used in construction and the electricity and natural gas required to operate them. As a solution, Trevor founded a company that aims to make carbon intensity transparent so that building owners and renters can make informed decisions about where to live and work. Additionally, he focuses on addressing the scarcity of low-carbon building materials, which need to be more widely used. Trevor hopes that by tackling these issues, he can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Learn more about Trevor Dryer and Carbon Title.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
"I feel like men think— and a lot of people think— oh, nonprofits are just nice and they're all volunteer ran and it's this nice, fluffy thing over here. But we are really meeting a need." - Tracy Smith
On this episode of Authentically Successful, we hear from Tracy Smith, the CEO of Make-A-Wish Alabama, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Carol and Tracy discuss the origin story of Make-A-Wish and how the organization has evolved over time. Tracy points out how greatly one wish can affect the child’s future medically, leading to fewer ER visits and hospital stays according to data.
You’ll hear what a typical day looks like for a “wish granter”, a key role in the nonprofit. They also discuss the success of her internship program, which is paving the way for paid internships in Alabama to break down socioeconomic and diversity barriers.
On the leadership front, Tracy tells us about her long career in the nonprofit industry and her experiences with bad bosses in previous jobs, which taught her how not to behave when she became a leader. She also delves into the challenges of nonprofit work, including burnout and work-life balance.
BIO
Tracy Smith is a passionate advocate for the power of wishes in the lives of children and their families. With a background in healthcare and access to research showing the positive effects of wishes on children's treatment outcomes, Tracy is dedicated to ensuring that every eligible child has the opportunity to make a wish. Tracy is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of nonprofit experience. She's led grassroots nonprofits, local nonprofits, and national affiliations.
Learn more about Tracy Smith and Make-A-Wish Alabama.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“By bringing customers to the back along with their pets, they were able to see everything that was going on. And so we did that for transparency reasons. What we discovered then is when the pet owners we call customers were able to see the caregivers, what they were doing, they were really appreciative. It added value in their eyes to the work that we were doing." — David Bessler
It’s a 2-for-1 episode! This week Carol speaks to two leaders at Veterinary Emergency Group–aka VEG– David Glattstein and David Bessler. VEG is revolutionizing the veterinary emergency industry through a "Vegolution", a holistic experience for pet owners in emergencies. Their organization currently has 41 ERs for pets across 14 states and treats over 300,000 emergencies annually.
Both founders recount how luck and timing played a role in their successful partnership, and how they prioritize differentiation at every point for all their teams and employees. You'll also learn about VEG's unique "nerd program" to produce highly-skilled emergency doctors and nurses.
The episode also discusses the misconception of dreading or avoiding the veterinary ER and how the company is changing that perception. They explore the historical precedent for separating patients from their loved ones in hospitals and how their “open” concept changes that.
Looking at the current state of emergency medicine, the founders delve into a post-Covid issue: the quickly growing pet population and the shortage of veterinarians.
BIOS
David Bessler, founder, and CEO of VEG, is a veterinary professional who is passionate about transforming the outdated veterinary clinic model in the United States. He believes that the cramped and cluttered spaces of most clinics create an unwelcoming environment for pets and their owners. David is determined to inspire change by educating future veterinarians about the importance of clean and modern clinics. He recognizes that legacy practices are difficult to change, however, he is committed to making veterinary care better for both animals and their owners.
David Glattstein, co-founder and President of VEG, is a visionary who worked with Bessler to revolutionize emergency veterinary services. David's expertise helped scale VEG to a nationwide level. He is passionate about the added dimension brought by customers interacting with each other, what David calls the 'holistic thing.' David believes that everyone will benefit from open and holistic participation in the process.
Learn more about David Bessler and David Glattstein and VEG.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Should you take venture money? "You really need to be up for growing a business, growing it relatively quickly, and finding an exit." — Seth Levine
On this episode of Authentically Successful, Carol interviews Seth, the managing director and co-founder of Foundry Group. The venture capital firm was formed in 2007 and has now grown to 75 employees.
You’ll hear about Seth’s winding journey from majoring in psychology and thinking he would become a professor to working long hours at an investment bank to eventually leading a large company.
He talks about the founding of Foundry Group and the world of venture capital. According to Seth, taking venture capital is not always the best course of action for entrepreneurs and they should do their research carefully before taking the plunge.
They also discuss Seth’s first book called “The New Builders: Face to Face With the True Future of Business” and the surprising facts about entrepreneurism today.
BIO
Seth Levine is a successful venture capitalist and co-founder of Foundry Group, a venture capital firm based in Boulder, Colorado. In 2007, Seth and his team faced numerous challenges while raising their first fund, and he even considered finding another job to support himself after investing his life savings in the company. However the fund finally came together, and Seth and his team have since experienced great success in the world of venture capitalism.
Learn more about Seth Levine and Foundry Group.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“Don’t invite me onstage because I’m a female.” Bobbie Shrivastav says, “Invite me onstage because I have something valuable to add to the conversation.”
Bobbie, co-founder, and COO of Benekiva, is a second-time founder. She and her husband first created Docsmore, a document manager, and later moved on to join Benekiva, a platform that transforms the end-to-end insurance claims and servicing experience.
In a previous episode, Carol interviewed Benekiva’s founder & CEO, Brent Williams. Now you’ll hear more about the industry from the perspective of his female co-founder. Bobbie tells us how she and her husband met Brent initially and began working with him to form Benekiva.
In this episode, she opens up to Carol about the reality of working with her spouse. They also discuss the delicate issue of being chosen because you’re a woman or racially diverse rather than being chosen based on what you bring to the table.
There have been many lessons for Bobbie as a founder of both companies, but she touches on one that she considers most important: trust.
Learn more about Bobbie Shrivastav and Benekiva.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“The true answer in the startup world is those who are successful are almost always white men who have exited before.” Leslie Hyman says, “In order to compete particularly in the payment world and then in the multifamily world, it takes a fair amount of money. That is not easy, and I just want to call out, it’s hard, I mean women still get 2-3% of VC funds. That is unconscionable.”
Leslie co-founded Circa, an organization that is reinventing rent. The company created a platform for renters to customize their payment experience, splitting payments if needed. Their goal is to increase the overall number of people that can successfully pay rent.
After working at large companies for many years, Leslie decided to take the leap and build her own business. She details the impetus for that decision as well as the long road of funding she and her co-founders went through to gain a footing in the space.
In this episode, Carol and Leslie dive into how the platform works and the ideal client. Leslie explains that no marketing is needed because the demand is so high on the part of renters. They also discuss how people are discovering Circa and how that is shifting as they grow.
Learn more about Leslie Hyman and Circa.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“I want to hear people acknowledge that they have failed,” Chuck Frydenborg says, “What I ask of my people is to make new mistakes. Don’t make the same ones over and over again. Then we got a problem. Make new ones. Learn from them.”
MarketMuse, an AI platform for content creation and strategy, began as a personal science project. The original founder, Aki Balogh, was researching the space when he met the second founder, Jeff Coyle, and they joined forces to create MarketMuse 10 years ago.
Where does Chuck come in? After a long career in sales, you’ll hear what made him join the organization and what led him to become CEO, replacing Aki. He also tells us his initial concern with the company and why he chose to work there despite it.
In this episode, Carol and Chuck discuss all things content, from how to generate topics effectively to analyzing the “why” behind the content. You’ll also hear about Chuck’s views on introspection and why he believes it’s significant in success.
Learn more about Chuck Frydenborg and MarketMuse.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“I think we’ve learned pretty quickly that we can do work remote. (But) It is difficult to lead and it is difficult to be the leader you need to be without being around the leaders you’re going to replace,” Rick West says, “I think you’ll have a whole wave of people upset that they’re not the next partner…because they were in California on a beach doing amazing work but someone else was there around and available and they’re going to get those opportunities.”
Rick co-founded Field Agent, a marketplace that provides B2B retail solutions through mobile research and retail data collection. Rick dives into how his company functions and talks about their most recent creation of “Plum Marketplace” to speed up and transform the process of purchasing services.
Field Agent was originally created as a tool for the larger product and eventually, they decided to focus in and scale it. You’ll hear how the economy at the time inspired people to start using their product.
In this episode, Carol and Rick discuss the swiftly changing technology in the industry and how Field Agent works to keep up with it. Rick discusses areas in his company’s growth that he would have approached differently in hindsight.
Learn more about Rick West and Field Agent.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“You take care of your people and your people take care of your company every day— on personal levels, professional levels. I know without a doubt that they have my back.” - Melissa Hurrington
As CFO of Premier Claims, a public adjustment firm that advocates on behalf of the customer, Melissa leads with a people-first approach.
Melissa says her company turns away about 50% of work because the policyholder may have been paid out appropriately or may not have had the right coverage in the first place.
In this episode, Carol and Melissa discuss the inside workings and issues in the property insurance industry. They also delve into Melissa’s recruiting strategy and her unique way of hiring people based on skills- even if a title isn’t there.
You’ll also hear about Melissa’s career journey including her time as an auditor, working concerts, and eventually the path that led her to Premier.
Learn more about Melissa Hurrington and Premier Claims.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
“What we’ve done is we’ve really tried to take peoples’ skill sets and use them so that they’re not only doing what they’ve been hired to do but they’re doing what they love to do.” - Cynthia Adams
Cynthia and two others started GrantStation in a one-room cabin in the woods of Alaska. The organization was created to connect nonprofits with grantmakers nationally and internationally in order to get the funding they need. Years later, it has now grown to 20 employees as a membership-based model.
At just 14, Cynthia had her first encounter with fundraising-- for a horseback-riding club she was a part of. She discovered she had a special ability to get funding for projects and eventually began her career working for nonprofits.
In this episode, Cynthia and Carol discuss a challenge in the philanthropy industry right now: new funding sources throwing off the traditional funding landscape. Cynthia also reflects on an issue that faces small nonprofits trying to get grants and how it is a “numbers game”.
They also discuss the future of her company as she is planning to fully retire in the coming years.
Learn more about Cynthia Adams and GrantStation.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jagadish Gattu (Jag) came to the US from India to get his master's and stayed here ever since. After working at many companies, he realized that many customer needs could be better fulfilled through AI.
In 2019 he founded UptimeAI, an artificial intelligence-based predictive maintenance software provider for companies in heavy industries. Since its start, the company has grown to 24 employees.
UptimeAI is different because it bridges the gap in knowledge in fields where this knowledge usually takes decades of experience to access. It uses human-like cognitive skills to problem-solve and self-learn, which distinguishes it from other tools, he says.
In this episode, he and Carol discuss the effect Covid had on the company and the culture he has proudly created at UptimeAI, along with the inner workings of his organization.
Learn more about Jagadish Gattu and UptimeAI.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I’m sorry– there is no balance. Some people can separate the two, you know, but overall it’s integrating and how do you bring it all together and make it work harmoniously together,” Dan LaBroad says.
Dan’s company, Ovation Health and Life Services, is an employee benefits firm aimed at helping employers create better health plans.
Dan began his career in the restaurant industry, completely unrelated, and eventually got into insurance when he needed a license for one of his jobs. He later quit and since he had the license, he figured, why not find a job in the insurance industry? That’s where it all began.
In this episode, Carol and Dan discuss diversity and how it affects communication in modern-day companies. Dan dives into a major lesson for him: how to adjust spending based on client numbers. He also talks about the concept of “self-funding” which is transforming health care benefits.
Learn more about Dan LaBroad and Ovation.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“We made a big mistake. We configured the platform where—luckily it never saw production because it was caught in testing– but we had where we pointed the system to the wrong logo,” Brent Williams tells Carol, “We owned it. We said ‘This is us, we did this.’”
Brent founded Benekiva, a SaaS technology platform that aims to transform the end-to-end insurance claims and servicing experience. Four years ago the startup employed only three people, and today it employs almost 60 people.
After noticing the issue of an archaic claims and servicing system and then taking three years to research further, Brent began the journey of designing a platform to innovate it.
In this episode, Brent recounts the process he and his co-founders took to get the startup going, prioritizing product development over immediate sales. And they discuss a key part of their growth: speaking at conferences.
Carol and Brent discuss his talent strategy, especially with such a high growth rate. And you’ll hear about his number one hobby-- golf.
Learn more about Brent Williams and Benekiva.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“You get this feeling of happiness when you do this,” Jitesh Shetty tells founders, “If that’s not happening, it’s almost like your system internally telling you: change something! Maybe that’s not the right idea for you, the right problem space…I think if that is not happening it will be very hard to succeed.”
Jitesh, a three-time founder, most recently co-founded Credible, a SaaS company that helps businesses discover their environmental, social, and governance impact through data.
His time growing up in India shaped his desire to become a business owner, he says. It also played a role in his current venture, Credible, which was initially formed after researching the state of manufacturing in India.
In this episode, Jitesh recounts his experience founding previous startups, including one that captured the interest of both Google and Amazon. They discuss his company culture and the component he sees as key to having ambitious employees.
You’ll also hear about a technique he uses once a week to stay present: silence.
Learn more about Jitesh Shetty and Credible.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“You’ve got to cast a long shadow,” Eric Miller tells Carol. “We look a lot bigger than we are to our clients. They are always a little surprised that we are less than 100 people because we pack a bigger punch than these 4,5,600-person companies that we compete with.”
Eric is a co-owner and Principal at PADT, a provider of tools and services that help companies design and manufacture their products. The origins of PADT trace back to the 90s when Eric and some fellow engineers at a large turbine engine company decided to create a startup based on three new technologies they had at the time.
In this episode, Eric describes his relationship with his clients–mechanical engineers–and how important it is to build informational content outside of transactions to establish trust with them. He also recounts the effects of COVID on his culture and the steps he’s taken to ensure his culture stays intact in the remote world.
They also discuss why he and his co-owners haven’t sold the company despite many offers and what it would take for them to sell.
Learn more about Eric Miller and PADT.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Calvin Goforth founded VIC Tech in order to help commercialize new technologies invented by university researchers.
VIC Tech began as a consulting firm for tech startups. After noticing that many professors with new technologies didn’t want to quit their roles to develop them, Calvin decided to shift.
The company screens new technologies brought to them from various universities and analyzes the risks in moving forward and commercializing them. Few companies have made it to the funding stage where the startup is founded and functioning.
In this episode, Carol and Calvin delve into his first startup and the journey to eventually selling it. Calvin walks us through how his current business model works and why professors are willing to give up equity.
Calvin also talks about the talent pipeline and startup pipeline he’s formed alongside VIC Tech.
Learn more about Calvin Goforth and VIC Tech.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“There is a financial responsibility that exists in every organization. Traditionally HR is not a part of those conversations. They’re the conversation that happens after that decision has been made, and they’re left to reconcile the reality that’s been created when they weren’t in the room.” - Matt Burns
Matt founded BentoHR, an HR operations consulting firm. After working as an HR executive for years, he saw the need to revamp how HR functions. He talks about his transition from corporate work to entrepreneurship and how his skills did or didn’t translate.
In this episode, Carol and Matt discuss the current state of the workforce with Baby Boomers retiring and skillsets changing. Matt dives into the power dynamics between HR and executives in many organizations and the issues it causes.
He also walks us through some examples from his past that demonstrate the problems with HR, starting with his MBA program. They also get into the idea of viewing employees from an “output” point-of-view rather than an “input.”
Learn more about Matt Burns and BentoHR.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“Sometimes when people spend too much time in corporate life, they kind of are taught to not think. Don’t think just do. And that is really like the opposite of what we want people to think,” Ozan Bilgen says, “We want people to be critical about the process and come up with their solutions as well, if possible.”
Ozan founded Base64.ai, an artificial intelligence service that works as a one-stop-shop for processing any type of document.
Before starting his own company, Ozan had been a part of major corporations such as Netflix, PayPal, Uber, and Microsoft after moving from Turkey. During his time at Uber, he came across the issue that Base64.ai now aims to solve.
Base64.ai differs from its competitors in its rate of accuracy when extracting data, having 25% more accuracy than competitors, Ozan says.
In this episode, Carol and Ozan discuss what he’s learned from working for major companies. He talks about wanting clients to overuse their services, a strategy he picked up at Netflix.
Ozan also walks us through what the “no-code revolution” is and how it will further transform the tech industry.
Learn more about Ozan Bilgen and Base64ai.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“She (Shahed’s wife) would go to a stakeholder meeting and tell me that ‘You haven’t done that properly…”” CEO Shahed Islam tells Carol. “Our team members have learned that. We have become a good example. Now they are arguing.”
Shahed co-founded SJ Innovation, an IT solutions company, with his wife almost two decades ago when they were two traveling freelancers.
The business has now grown to 170 employees across the globe. Although SJ Innovation is highly remote, Shahed talks about culture and how central it is to the company.
In this episode, Carol and Shahed discuss coaching and the value of hiring one instead of relying on books. They also touch on the best way to gain clients, no matter the industry.
Shahed opens up about his health and the importance of prioritizing self-care and family life over work.
Learn more about Shahed Islam and SJ Innovation.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I learned over time the value of just getting everyone to get on the same page and move in a direction, albeit imperfect– because you can course correct. You can inspect and adapt as you go,” Phil Reynolds says, “It wasn’t about me being right, it was more about building alignment in the team.”
Phil first founded BriteCore, a cloud-native platform for P&C insurers, and almost two decades later co-founded DevStride, a strategic project and portfolio management solution. The idea for his second company came from an issue his team came across at the first.
DevStride was co-founded by four people, one being Phil’s wife. He walks us through how he wound up with those co-founders and what it’s like to work alongside his life partner.
In this episode, Carol inquires about Phil’s removal from his role as CEO at BriteCore. They get into the idea of a leader giving up their position if it means the company will be more successful with someone else, even as the founder.
Later, he goes into the important distinction between hiring great people and hiring seasoned people. They also talk about chatbots and the future of bots versus humans for customer support.
Learn more about Phil Reynolds and DevStride.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“You manage engineers in a completely different way to how you manage salespeople, in a completely different way to how you manage finance people, and so on and so forth. And you have to be able to shapeshift your management personality into a context that is relevant to that point in time.” - Phil Tee
Phil has founded several successful software companies, his latest: Moogsoft, an AIOps incident management platform for engineering teams of large businesses. The company currently staffs around 160 people.
Moogsoft was co-founded by Phil and his friend Mike Silvey. Phil tells us the story of how the two met over two decades ago, going from “drinking friends” to now being like an “old married couple” several businesses later.
In this episode, Carol inquires about Phil’s lessons from the many companies he’s grown, including three successful exits and one incubator. Phil tells us one principle he stands by: A company must authentically solve a problem.
They also get into Phil’s mindset on culture, how he sees the truth, and his practice of seeking out customers’ skepticism early on. He also provides advice for entrepreneurs looking to achieve the same success.
Learn more about Phil Tee and Moogsoft.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I’ve asked people to stop doing any multitasking— because this is a freaking illusion. It doesn’t work,” Vadim Peskov tells Carol.
Vadim co-founded Diffco, an app development company. Diffco helps tech startups build their software and, in some cases, also build out their business model.
In order to make his days as CEO as efficient as possible, Vadim has learned to structure his tasks based on importance. With that comes leaving a meeting if it’s not crucial to be listening. He also encourages his team to do the same.
In this episode, Carol and Vadim talk about another business he founded and why he decided to focus on Diffco in the end. They explore the concept of dividing attention, when it works and when it doesn’t.
You’ll also hear them discuss Vadim’s challenges when it came to hiring and how he’s improved his process, especially when it comes to finding c-level talent.
Learn more about Vadim Peskov and Diffco.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I think most lawyers, they go for comfort. Maybe not comfort in the subject matter of what they’re doing, but comfort in their repeatable patterns. They go to the office, they do the same type of work each day. The cannabis industry was anything but that,” Bob Hoban tells Carol.
Bob founded Hoban Law Group, which Clark Hill’s Cannabis Industry Group later acquired. His firm notably paved the way for lawyers in the brand-new industry of commercialized cannabis.
Years into his career as a corporate lawyer, Bob’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. He began to explore cannabis as an alternative for her. This led him to naturally form relationships with leaders in the industry and start working in cannabis law.
Bob walks us through the early days of his law firm and one of his biggest challenges as his company grew exponentially: management.
In this episode, Carol and Bob dive into how Covid transformed his firm and ultimately led to the acquisition. They also talk about the details of the transition into “big law” and how employees felt about it.
Learn more about Bob Hoban and Clark Hill’s Cannabis Industry Group.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I was laying there so uncomfortable, afraid, anxious, confused, just clamoring for information to understand what all of these crazy acronyms were,” Michael O’Neil tells Carol about the genesis of his idea.
After being treated for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Michael founded Get Well, an organization that aims to empower patients to take an active role in their health journey.
Get Well utilizes technology to give people access to information about their health. It currently staffs over 340 people.
In this episode, Carol and Michael discuss the challenges of breaking into the healthcare industry with a new concept. Michael walks us through his journey of funding the company, selling it to a private equity firm, and then acquiring a competitor.
You'll hear about the variety of ways Get Well is now serving the industry beyond his original purpose. Michael also talks about his company values and the three elements he uses to balance his daily schedule as CEO.
Learn more about Michael O’Neil and Get Well.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“People think once you raise money, that it gets easier. No. You only have more to prove.” - Sofiat Abdulrazaaq
Years ago, Sofiat wanted to check out a food truck a friend had recommended and was unable to find it. This catapulted her and her friends into a journey to create GoodFynd, a way to connect customers to mobile businesses, helping food trucks to be more visible and profitable.
Sofiat is a first-generation American, born to immigrants from Nigeria. After getting a law degree and working in the field, she still had entrepreneurship in the back of her mind, influenced by her grandmother growing up. When her co-founder came to her with the idea for GoodFynd, she knew it was time to dive in.
Sofiat tells us about the impact of the company beyond food, helping diverse business owners and bringing accessibility to affordable, authentic cuisine in food deserts. Sofiat discusses what she calls “servant leadership” and how she’s found success with that mindset.
In this episode, Carol and Sofiat talk about how she met her co-founders and how being friends has caused issues but has also been helpful in situations. You’ll hear about the process of getting funded as both a person of color and a woman and how an unexpected call transformed the journey.
Learn more about Sofiat Abdulrazaaq and GoodFynd.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“If you’re just promoting yourself, you’ve lost people right there. You have to give back. The more you give back, the more people are going to be receptive to you and know that you are an industry leader.“ - Brandon Leibowitz
Brandon founded SEO Optimizers, a digital marketing agency that helps companies gain online traffic through search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), Pay Per Click (PPC), blogging, and social media marketing (SMM). His company now employs upwards of 50 employees.
Brandon began working in the space after graduating and eventually decided to start his own company centered around the free tool of SEO. Once he found success, he took the plunge and committed to it full-time.
In this episode, Carol and Brandon explore what makes his business stand out from the fierce competition: something called backlinks. He also takes us on his journey from being a one-man-show to hiring a team, allowing him to focus on the business as a whole.
Learn more about Brandon Leibowitz and SEO Optimizers.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
“The future of work is changing, but also the future of travel,” Andrew says, “People are staying gone longer, they’re seeing that things are actually better in another place potentially for them, they don’t have to wait until they retire.”
Andrew co-founded Insured Nomads, an insurtech and travel-tech platform aimed at helping travelers, ex-pats, and digital nomads explore and live with their well-being in mind. Insured Nomads is disrupting the industry with much-needed technology updates to make traveling and living abroad easier, Andrew says.
In this episode, Andrew walks us through the main issues his company solves for people and the red tape involved in attempting to innovate in a highly regulated space. Carol and Andrew discuss outsourcing and how Insured Nomads aims to give companies other options than outsourcing.
Andrew co-founded his business with others, one being his wife, so you’ll hear how that dynamic works on an everyday basis.
Learn more about Andrew Jernigan and Insured Nomads.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Chad Pytel began freelancing as a developer in high school and continued throughout college to make ends meet. Later he joined a startup that failed quickly and led him to form a new company with the team he built.
He founded thoughtbot, an end-to-end product development and design consultancy. thoughtbot aims to bring a company’s idea to life and eventually give them the tools to have their own development team.
In this episode, Chad tells us about his journey in zeroing in on a niche and realizing the necessity of saying “no” to certain prospective clients.
Carol and Chad discuss strategies for gaining business and how Covid affected thoughtbot and its ability to stand out.
You’ll also hear about Chad’s journey when growing the company from a small team to now a workforce of over 100 employees and the fear he had of becoming a large organization.
Learn more about Chad Pytel and thoughtbot.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
When Ravi Maddimsetty began his start-up he had a vision of connecting the physical with the digital to help businesses engage with customers – not necessarily through QR code technology. But after trial and error, Ravi and his co-founder Sharat knew QR codes were the technology they had been looking for.
Today their company, “Beaconstac” employs over 60 people and has worked with brands such as Pepsi and Amazon.
Ravi and Sharat grew up together in the same city in India. And after both moving to the US decades later, they wound up being roommates in New York City, both working for large organizations at the time. Ravi says they constantly discussed start-ups and it was only a few years later that they began Beaconstac together.
In this episode, Carol and Ravi explore the QR code space and how it’s rapidly growing in popularity. Ravi tells us about his goals moving forward with Beaconstac.
When talking about hiring, Ravi tells us about what he calls the “10,20,30 rule” that he uses for any new employee.
Learn more about Ravi Maddimsetty and Beaconstac.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Scott Snider began his entrepreneurship journey in high school when he started mowing lawns. His side gig quickly turned into a full-blown operation with several employees. With mentorship from his dad, he grew the business and strategically sold it seven years later.
Scott now uses his dad’s same methodology to help other businesses. As the president of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI), Scott provides learning experiences, performance-enhancing resources, and strategic tools designed to help businesses exit in the best way. Whether it’s a one-man operation or a large manufacturing company, EPI aims to train advisors to help them grow and exit effectively.
In this episode, Scott delves into the ins and outs of his industry and how the last few years have affected it.
Carol and Scott also discuss his militant leadership style and how feedback from his closest employees made him change. He tells us about a value he upholds at EPI that he calls “putting it on the table” and why that is so significant.
Learn more about Scott Snider and the Exit Planning Institute.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
In an effort to solve the growing issue of service technicians leaving the field, Aaron Salow co-founded XOi Technologies to help the workforce by providing much-needed data.
XOi Technologies is an all-in-one communication tool connecting field service technicians, offices, and customers. His company now has over 90 employees. Aaron says a large part of the product's success comes from the fact that it’s built on actually listening to technicians and what they need.
Aaron’s family worked in manufacturing and farming, leading him to have a passion for blue-collar work from a young age. And after seeing many companies struggle to find the right technician for specific work, his idea came to mind. He knew if he could connect the new technician on their first job with the man who had been repairing for 45 years, he’d close a wide gap.
In this episode, Carol and Aaron discuss whether people have a price when it comes to accepting a new position or if the company culture is always the most important factor. They also talk about how insecurity played a part in his business creation.
Learn more about Aaron Salow and XOi Technologies.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yotam Segev aims to lead the way in the new and expanding cloud data security market. The space is part of the larger cyber security market and is growing quickly as data security becomes more and more complicated, Yotam says.
Yotam’s company, Cyera, is a cloud data security firm that, while only being a year-and-a-half old, has already raised a large sum of capital. Carol presses Yotam on why he feels he is a “leader” in this emerging space.
In this episode, Carol and Yotam discuss his company’s culture and Yotam challenges the widespread sentiment on work-life balance, saying some people prefer the fast-paced challenge of building something rather than being at a laid-back company. They also talk about the difficulties involved in being in such a new space and hiring employees.
You’ll hear about his time in the renowned Talpiot Program in Israel and how it propelled him to be the leader he is now. Yotam says a big part of his culture is being open with each other about mistakes and discussing them as a team.
Learn more about Yotam Segev and Cyera.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Years ago, Shane Foss had a back issue and checked into a nearby urgent care facility to get help. After getting services, he was billed $800. Fortunately, Shane had worked in the healthcare space and knew how to negotiate it down to $75.
That’s when he got the idea to start Hooray Health, a company aimed at providing limited healthcare benefits to hourly workers that won’t break the bank. Shane’s business now has contracts with urgent care centers in major cities that keep the bill to $25, no matter the services needed.
Shane says the healthcare benefit space needed innovation, especially in current times with many Americans unable to afford major medical benefit plans.
Shane’s journey began in the airforce where he assisted with surgeries. He fell in love with medicine and later worked for several organizations in the field. Eventually, a friend asked him to help lead a healthcare benefits company, and that’s what gave him the knowledge to form his own.
In this episode, Carol and Shane discuss how his company gained credibility in the industry and the mistakes he made in the process of raising capital. Shane tells about his talent strategy and balancing contracted employees versus permanent employees.
Shane also opens up about his goal of implementing a culture of feedback and why the company doesn’t have one yet.
Learn more about Shane Foss and Hooray Health.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Meet Jaci Russo: a mother of four and the founder and CEO of BrandRusso, a strategic branding agency. Beyond that, she also wrote a book on branding and created courses for people to learn how to brand their companies independently.
“To me, it’s just about saying yes. That seems like a good idea. Sure I’ll try that! That seems like an awesome opportunity, yes let’s do that!” Jaci tells Carol.
It was moving from Louisiana to Los Angeles and working at a large, well-known agency that changed Jaci’s mindset and gave her the confidence to do anything, she says. She eventually left her job to work at a start-up and then formed her own agency.
Jaci says many of her clients simply don’t understand their target audience, in turn losing the effect of their messaging, so she acts as a translator. BrandRusso stands out from its 74,000 competitors in the way they do business, including how Jaci charges for services.
In this episode, Carol and Jaci discuss the benefits of writing a book and how it can help a business. Jaci also tells us the common marketing mistakes she sees companies make before coming to her.
You’ll also hear about the ten years of mistakes she’s made with hiring and how she moved past it and now prefers a “lean and mean” organizational structure.
Learn more about Jaci Russo and BrandRUSSO.
You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
One value Guillermo Elizondo looks for in his employees is a “force of spirit” which he refers to as the spirit within someone that pushes them to meet a goal despite obstacles. With globalization and facing worldwide problems, Elizondo believes it’s our force of spirit that will help change the world. Elizondo co-founded Territorium, a global education technology leader providing an education delivery, measurement, and tracking ecosystem. With over nine million users worldwide currently, Territorium recently expanded into the U.S. partnering with major companies like Microsoft. The goal of Territorium is to help students in their transition from education to work. Territorium focuses on the skills students obtain in school and how they will apply them in the field. Guillermo took on the role of CEO as a teenager. He says it helped him in some situations because he was a student and saw many leaders as mentors, but it also led to mistakes. In this episode, Carol and Guillermo talk about the “million-dollar mistake” he made early on and about the transforming landscape of higher education in today’s world. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/memoelizondo/ (Guillermo Elizondo) and https://territorium.com/ (Territorium). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (LinkedIn), https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (Twitter), and https://www.instagram.com/verticalelevationinc/ (Instagram).
“Business is really simple. We make it so complicated. If you just take care of people, if you just want what’s best for them and you treat them like human beings—it’s amazing what will happen to your business,” says Wayne Mullins, founder and CEO of Ugly Mug Marketing: a marketing, social media, web design, and graphic design agency. Wayne says one key to success is thinking of clients as people rather than transactions and getting personal beyond the job at hand. It all comes down to two humans connecting, he says. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear how Wayne and his team prioritize human connection with clients. And then Carol and Wayne take a step back to dive into his journey from landscaper to founder of a marketing company. They discuss the company culture he’s created and an idea he lives by: Discomfort is necessary for growth. And he tells us how he implemented that concept among his employees. You’ll also hear how he chose his employees’ wellbeings over the expansion of his company and the tough decisions that came with that. Wayne speaks candidly about the marketing industry and what he believes many agencies are doing wrong: Measuring results based on “vanity metrics” rather than true leads. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/fireyourself/ (Wayne Mullins) and https://www.uglymugmarketing.com/ (Ugly Mug Marketing.) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Aneesh Dhawan’s journey in business started early. As a teenager, he worked with a team at MIT to install a desalinization device in Haiti. The following year he launched a marketing company and also helped set up a solar-powered device for a school in Haiti. And as a high school senior, he founded the company that would later become his current business: Knit. Knit helps brands understand the next generation of consumers by empowering Gen Z to share feedback over video. In other words, before brands launch marketing content, they hire Knit to make sure the content will appeal to the young generation; doing away with the archaic focus group method of gaining consumer feedback. “If you think about how brands are talking to their consumers today, it is definitely not built for this world,” he tells Carol. Aneesh uses sports as an example: Data shows that Gen Z doesn’t broadcast games or go to watch in person as much as generations before them did. Instead, they stream games. So Knit helps sports-related brands figure out how to monetize streaming and how to enhance the in-person experience to fit Gen Z's interests. In this episode, Aneesh tells us about a high school program that shaped his business mindset. And he brings us on his journey of founding start-ups and dropping out of college to go all-in. Listen to hear how the pandemic actually helped him pivot his idea to solve an issue all-size companies were encountering. And how, as a young entrepreneur, he took on the hiring of a dozen employees. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneesh-dhawan-140212141/ (Aneesh Dhawan) and https://goknit.com/ (Knit.) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
After over a decade of smooth sailing for Ted Lau, everything seemed to go wrong in his business at once: his partnership dissolved, a client filed a lawsuit, he underwent an audit, and he experienced high rates of turnover. The stress piled up and he had a mental breakdown. Ted sought help and his doctor advised him to take a few months off; but as a business owner, he knew that was a near-impossible task for him. So he took small breaks. Ted reflected and pivoted his business and in turn, his company found more success than ever before. In this episode, Ted tells us how empathy changed his life — and business— for the better. Ted owns Ballistic Arts, a high-touch lead-gen digital marketing agency focused on helping B2B companies get leads. Ted and others started the company in a room above his parents' garage not long after graduating. Using Ted’s cold-calling know-how the team got off the ground and slowly found more and more clients. Ted takes us into his childhood and how his upbringing in an immigrant Chinese family shaped his attributes as a leader. And they discuss how seeing his workplace as his home negatively affected his employee relationships. You’ll also hear how Ted’s agency stands out from the rest, offering both creativity and data. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballisticarts/ (Ted Lau) and https://www.ballisticarts.com/ (Ballistic Arts) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz ), LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/), and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verticalelevationinc/ (https://www.instagram.com/verticalelevationinc/)
People are lonely and Derrick Morton co-founded FlowPlay to keep them entertained. FlowPlay is a virtual world technology and game developer. It’s a platform where people can play games and create avatars to chat online with others. Derrick started on a completely different path: film school. He worked in the creative industry for a short period before realizing he had more to offer; so he got his MBA and three years later he created FlowPlay. With revenues at $42 million, he recently sold it to a casino group and took on the role of President in the company. In this episode, Carol and Derrick delve into a unique talent strategy Derrick uses: the “no asshole” policy. The policy must be enforced by him personally and has been successful, he says. Listen to the episode to hear more about it and how the company managed to differentiate itself from the over 100,000 competitors by selling luck rather than tokens. They also discuss the challenges he faced as a first-time founder, like the pressure he felt knowing people now relied on him for their salary. “It was the first time I had been responsible for people’s lives and livelihoods,” he told Carol. Derrick opens up about the change in culture he needed to make when his team was agreeing with his ideas, leading to some failures. He implemented what Carol calls a “culture of feedback.” Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickm/ (Derrick Morton) and https://www.flowplay.com/ (FlowPlay). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
After being a doctor for years, Bobby Peddi decided he wanted to start his own company. But he ran into an issue: There was a scarcity of information on how to start one. So Bobby spent hours researching and eventually figured it out. However, knowing that other entrepreneurs would come across the same problem, he decided to create a free state-by-state guide on how to start a company. “It was going to be my sort of ‘good deed’ to help other entrepreneurs,” he told Carol. The Really Useful Information Company, aka TRUIC, has revenues north of $10 million and employs 37 people. And, to this day, everything on the website is free. So how does Bobby make money? Listen to the episode to learn how a business providing free information can earn a profit. Bobby started in the field of medicine in the U.K. and planned on continuing when he moved to the U.S. But a few months after moving, he got the bug to start his own business and did just that. He named it Saagra, a wellness services company. Shortly after, TRUIC came to be, and Bobby decided to put all of his efforts into it, with plans of one day using it to fund Saagra. In this episode, Carol and Bobby explore how his lack of humility and focus led to mistakes and how failure helped him change. They also discuss the structure Bobby built at TRUIC, having what he refers to as “mission commanders” and a culture of respect. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/nagabhushanampeddi/ (Bobby Peddi) and https://www.truic.com (TRUIC) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
At age 26, Jessica Gomez started a manufacturing company with her husband. She began with no money and no prior knowledge of how to run a business. Almost 20 years later, she has been named to the 2021 Women of Influence List by the Portland Business Journal and received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, among many other honors. Jessica’s business, Rogue Valley Microdevices, is a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) foundry, in other words, a contract manufacturer. They fabricate physical devices for other companies. Jessica tells us about the very beginnings and how the recession gutted her company, forcing her to lay off the team she’d built. She and Carol also discuss the CHIPS Act and how it may benefit her industry. Jessica paints us a picture of what it’s like being a young woman in her industry. “I go to a conference and it’s 500 men in suits, and me and the staff,” Jessica says. Someone asks her, “Are you guys going to bring more coffee down for us? I think it is empty.” She responds, “No, no I’m actually here for the conference.” In this episode, you’ll learn about Jessica’s troubled upbringing which left her homeless at one point, and how she found success against all odds. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-gomez-7538811/ (Jessica Gomez) and https://roguevalleymicrodevices.com/ (Rogue Valley Microdevices) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Vimal Patel came from humble beginnings, working at a McDonald's and living with his cousin when he moved to America. A few years later he got a job in the hotel business, and currently, he manages 11 hotels. How did he get to where he’s at? A lot of mistakes and hard lessons, he says. As the President and CEO of QHotels, Vimal owns and operates several hotels; on top of that, he founded Innrly, a software that streamlines the day-to-day duties of hoteliers. It all started when he moved to America in 1991; he stayed with his cousin who owned a motel. He took a job working for his cousin and eventually formed his own hotel management company. As he expanded from three hotels to four hotels, he discovered errors in accounting and wanted to ensure they wouldn’t continue to happen. So he developed software to automate day-to-day processes. Now he sells the software to other hotels to utilize. In this episode, Vimal tells us about the company culture he’s built — one of empowerment and respect. He retains employees, the majority in housekeeping, by not micromanaging them and encouraging career growth within the hotels. For example, when he promotes someone, he provides time for the employee to make sure that they like the new role and can succeed before moving them permanently to the new position. Vimal discusses how he has time to manage an entire tech firm while leading QHotels. He also talks to Carol about current issues facing the hotel industry: a labor shortage and skyrocketing insurance prices that are causing hotels to also raise rates. Learn more about Vimal Patel and QHotels & Innrly. You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Straight out of college, Joseph Landes landed a job at Microsoft and stayed for 23 years, growing into many roles and living in many countries throughout his time at the company. Upon meeting his current CEO, Vadim Vladimirskiy, he left Microsoft to start a very different journey. Joseph became the chief revenue officer of Nerdio, a technology firm that helps MSPs build cloud environments using Microsoft Azure. “Drop the dinosaur and get the goat!” he says, referring to when clients leave larger competitors for Nerdio because the company offers a better product at a lower cost. In this episode, we dive into what made Joseph stay with Microsoft for so long, and the adjustments he had to make moving from a massive organization to a startup. He talks about the even-keel mindset that one must have when running a startup and the importance of the entire company sharing that mindset. Carol and Joseph also discuss a challenge facing Nerdio: competition with other technology companies for talent. Joseph likes to use the concept of drivers and passengers when deciding who to hire; “drivers” refer to talent who constantly strive to get work done and are proactive in nature, no matter their role, and “passengers” refer to those who clock in and clock out. They talk about how to identify drivers from the very first interview and look for something Joseph calls the generosity gene. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-landes-93b9561/ (Joseph Landes) and Nerdio. You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Marco Torres and his co-founders worked in the travel business and needed to find a way to get their clients to leave video reviews. They came up with an incentive: Offering a three-day hotel stay in Orlando or Las Vegas for leaving a review. The idea worked and hundreds of clients started taking videos. This planted the seed for a new company. Marco co-founded Marketing Boost, a B2B service that helps businesses improve their marketing strategy with incentive-based techniques. He tells us the driving thought behind it: Adding a bonus to whatever you’re selling instead of discounting it. For example, a company can offer a complimentary hotel stay or a restaurant voucher. Marketing Boost’s ideal client is a business that is already killing the game but wants to add extra value for its customers, although some of its clients are in early stages. Marco is based in Miami, but most of his employees are located outside of the United States. In this episode, Carol and Marco discuss what prompted him to look for workers abroad after hiring in the United States, and how Covid-19 affected a business highly based on travel. If you’d like to learn more about affiliate marketing and how it works, this is a must-listen. Learn more about Marco Torres and Marketing Boost. You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In the ever-growing space of digital marketing, Ken Braun, co-founder of Lounge Lizard Worldwide, has carved out a niche that holds strong almost 25 years later. Ken found early success working in agencies, known for dreaming up the Ocean Spray slogan, “Crave The Wave”, and working with brands like Jose Cuervo. But 10 years in, Ken hatched the idea to start freelancing on the side. He created a website of his own and bought a spot with a niche offering: banner ads. Soon after, he received a message from a brand in South Africa and began fulfilling requests on his daily commute to New York City. After being burnt out from the overload of work, his wife Sharon encouraged him to quit his job and commit fully to Lounge Lizard, so he did. Ken’s agency became a million-dollar company in its first year. He does the work and does it well. Lounge Lizard offers help to companies of all sizes: Either developing a brand’s voice from the ground up or rethinking their current strategy. Ken often opens his client’s eyes to the metrics they already have at hand and how to use them to create a better working website. In this episode, Carol and Ken discuss a prominent issue facing Lounge Lizard: Large companies poaching his employees. Listen to hear more about Ken’s journey and his advice for anyone trying to break into the industry. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbraun/ (Ken Braun) and https://www.loungelizard.com/ (Lounge Lizard Worldwide). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
From working out of his home to owning and operating a seven-office law firm – Matthew Davis knows the ins and outs of building a business from the ground up. Matthew founded Davis Business Law, a “soup to nuts” law firm for small businesses, recently featured on the Inc. 5000 list. He also authored the book “The Art of Preventing Stupid”, is working on another, and currently hosts two business-focused podcasts. It wasn’t Matthew’s dream to own a law firm though. Actually, it was quite the opposite. After working as a partner at a law firm early in his career, Matthew developed a revulsion to the idea of starting his own. But he also knew growth was limited on his own and the work as a solo attorney became overwhelming. He decided if he were to take the plunge, he would do it the right way — focus on bringing in good people. “I wasn’t going to put my heart and soul into building this company and not work with people that I just didn’t love hanging out with,” he told Carol. He bought a space and that was it. In this episode, Matthew opens up about his greatest challenges in transforming from a one-man-show into a manager of many and building a successful law firm with no outside funding. Carol also digs into his unique approach to finding lawyers to join his company — sending a message that stands out and is true to his culture. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewneilldavis/ (Matthew Davis) and https://davisbusinesslaw.com/ (Davis Business Law). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
At age 27, Richard Blank made the bold decision to pack up and move to Costa Rica to work at a call center for a few months. Fast forward eight years – he opened his own call center with one essential component: pinball machines. Richard, founder and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center, began his business out of his home with just a website and now operates a 300-seat call center. In this episode, he walks us through the unique culture that differentiates his call center from his competitors, one of those aspects being gamification. Richard proudly compares the workplace environment he’s created to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As the owner of one of the largest collections of restored pinball machines and jukeboxes, Richard strategically placed the games in-house for employees to blow off steam and socialize. “I just want to help them out on a rainy Wednesday if they’re not feeling very well,” he says, “I’ve seen the difference when people have been in the arcade.” He talks about the importance of genuinely celebrating his employees’ wins, and giving them a pep talk when they experience a low. It comes down to caring about them, he says, and showing vulnerability as a leader. Listen to hear more about Richard’s philosophies and how he’s tackled one of his greatest challenges yet: COVID and a work-from-home environment. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/costaricascallcenter/ (Richard Blank) and https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/costa-ricas-call-center-2/ (Costa Rica's Call Center) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
James Laws, CEO and founder of Saturday Drive, puts it very succinctly, “Our number one value is people – over profits, process or products.” Starting his company in 2014 while working full time as a web administrator required family support, sweat equity and late nights. Making a deal with his wife to bootstrap the startup by banking two years of salary, Laws worked to solve the problem of reproducible and reusable contact forms and Saturday Drive was born. From the get-go, it was vital to distinguish the company by not doing what everyone else was. That became a mantra of staying five years ahead of the competition and establishing a culture of solving problems, feedback, and the necessary alignment vital for continued growth. As you’ll hear, Laws is adamant about work-life balance so much so that he terms Saturday Drive as a lifestyle company. For instance, while side hustles are encouraged, staff must care about the company’s work first. Of course, there were misfires and mishires where the culture ended up just happening. Laws now knows that it’s vital to lead culture intentionally to achieve alignment. And that alignment in goals, mission and values is vital for growth. Working under the philosophy that no business deserves employees, he believes that those who want to work with you must be earned. To that end, Laws focuses his efforts on developing his leadership team around strategic initiatives and key hires. He keeps learning and growing by running his own podcast, Leading to Fulfillment, where he interviews other CEOs and industry leaders about their experience. This podcast features a leader who always puts people and culture first. And it’s paid off. Learn more about James Laws and https://saturdaydrive.com/ (Saturday Drive Incorporated) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Two offices. Two countries. Two cultures. Charles Brecque, founder and CEO of Legislate, is leading the movement for small businesses and doing it across Europe. Legislate is a legal technology company that provides lawyer-approved contracts for small businesses that don’t have big legal budgets. It’s based on a knowledge graph technology (sporting a new US patent) that makes the contract data usable and searchable. And Charles maintains knowledge graph technology is the benefit that makes the difference. Most innovative technology starts with a problem that needs to be solved. Brecque felt that pain while working at Mind Foundry (artificial intelligence and automated data science) where the company was losing valuable contracts due to logjams at the legal review stage. Determining that a contract is really just a tangled set of relationships, Legislate was born out of the idea that contracts are knowledge graphs. The resulting templates are approved by lawyers and completely enforceable. How Brecque obtained initial angel funding in 2020 as a first-time founder during a pandemic is a fascinating story of determination, steadfast belief and ingenuity that will inspire and impress. As a founder with little leadership experience, Brecque quickly recognized the value of mentors, investors and fellow CEOs in learning by doing. His growing confidence has helped to create credibility that resulted in raising one million dollars in funding for building a proper team that now includes a development team in Spain, a chief legal officer, and an ambitious growth plan. Under Brecque’s calm leadership, the only path for Legislate and its straightforward focus on small business is up. Learn more about Charles Brecque and https://www.legislate.tech/ (Legislate) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this podcast, you’ll hear how a history student ended up founding not one, but two tech companies. Dipanwita Das, CEO and co-founder of Sorcero, comes from a long line of accomplished female scientists who endowed her with a legacy of service, problem solving and system sustainability. And as a leader, she doesn’t take that legacy lightly. Founding Sorcero, an artificial intelligence and insights software platform that enables medical affairs teams to explore medically relevant content libraries, in 2018, Das was on a mission to bridge the gap between humans and acquiring the necessary data to make medically relevant decisions quickly. She was adamant about helping medical personnel find information that they normally wouldn’t have found. And Sorcero’s investors couldn’t be more pleased. They appreciate Das’s leadership in overseeing a “scrappy” team that keeps building on the fit-to-purpose platform while exercising diligent capital efficiency. Or as Das puts it, an effective marriage of purpose and profit. Das is articulate and elegant in relating her mistakes as a CEO, her team’s success as a whole and her delight in working in a field now staffed with many female leaders and workers. She is committed to setting her team up for success through continuous improvement which means if one loses, they all lose. Working shoulder to shoulder, says Das, brings about the change necessary to keep Sorcero innovating and moving forward. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipanwitadas (Dipanwita Das) and Sorcero You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
This interview, with Mark Towler, chief executive officer of Phase 2, is a refreshing view of common sense leadership and authentic team management. Building a business with family also adds a challenging element that Towler has achieved with a certain amount of style. It all started when Towler’s brother asked him to partner in a company back in the 90s focusing on wide area networks (remember those?), website development and data storage. That spinoff became Phase 2, now building world class software created by an elite team of top tier software engineers headquartered in Oklahoma City. While Oklahoma isn’t exactly a tech mecca, Towler and Phase 2 have found it a very good place to do business. Hearing how Towler and his team have built the business through practical decision-making, or as he puts it, saying no to the right things that makes it easier to say yes to the right things, is a good refresher course on doing business for the right reasons. That, says Towler, requires relentless focus on the business’s core DNA – in this case, heavy software engineering. What that means for Phase 2 is a smaller client base with larger spend. Staying true to Phase 2’s identity and focus while keeping his team challenged by solving new problems has been a key element in building Towler’s role as the CEO. Because his background is in sales, marketing, and finance he realized that chasing dollars to grow revenue doesn’t make for retaining the best and the brightest in a highly specialized niche. Towler and Phase 2 are on a successful path because they know who they want to be and they are authentic in staying in their lane. It’s a good lesson and a good listen. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-towler-431302/ (Mark Towler) and https://phase2online.com/ (Phase 2) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Katelyn Sorenson, President of B2B Social at Traject, CEO of Loomly and Sendible, found her calling as a leader very early in her career. Recruited to work at Traject, a social media company in the greater Seattle area providing a suite of tools for digital agencies and marketing, Sorenson volunteered to move to the United Kingdom where she now oversees multiple divisions and staff spanning the world. After graduating from Whitman College in 2012, Katelyn blossomed as an intern at Devtest, learning and growing and working her way up to a directorship at Fierce, Inc. where she was among the youngest executive team members. Of course, there were challenges – youth and lack of professional maturity chief among them. Sorenson credits amazing mentors, partner presidents and her executive coach with turning those challenges into problems solved. Those elements formed her as a leader who understands that incredible teams play a key role in her success. Working in the dynamic world of social media means change is the biggest constant and Sorenson has learned to jump immediately and pivot when necessary in managing an international staff across multiple time zones. Post-Covid employment landscapes represent a brave new world for leaders like Sorenson and she's up for the task. Sorenson’s refreshing perspective and gratitude for the lessons learned will continue to carry her far into the future. You’ll delight in Katelyn’s passion for people and her absolute authenticity throughout this energetic podcast. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynsorensen/ (Katelyn Sorensen) and https://bytraject.com/ (Traject) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Small business owners everywhere are faced with soul-sucking challenges: staffing, supply chain, inflation, and marketing. In this podcast, Amanda Hoffman, chief operations officer of Madwire, a platform providing “360 degree” umbrella of business management products and marketing services for SMBs and franchises, discusses how Madwire’s unique umbrella marketing approach takes marketing technology off the business owner’s plate. Over the last thirteen years, Madwire has garnered accolades and $28 million in funding providing customized marketing solutions that result in delighted customers across diverse industries. Started in 2009 by a father-and-son duo who recognized a need that resulted in making a niche for a one-stop marketing shop helping small businesses grow and their local communities glow, Madwire’s business model represents a throwback trend in business today – making an impact by putting the customer first. Like many of Madwire’s employees, Hoffman, recently promoted to COO, has found a home at a company that follows its own lead in doing everything they sell, or “eating its own dog food,” as she related how the owner described it. You’ll hear how Hoffman did it backwards – starting first at a big corporation and then transitioning to an award-winning small business acknowledged for its culture of making an impact, contributing to the solution, and providing the most value possible. Hoffman’s promotion caused some anxiety around making an immediate impact. What she’s learned about why every idea shouldn’t always be executed will surprise you. The learning curve brought some valuable insight into empowering teams to do what’s right for the customer above all else. That awesomeness has led to winning awards and gaining recognition for innovation, culture, and an ever-growing customer base. Not to mention very pleased investors. Maintaining Madwire’s brand and execution excellence standards is what gets Hoffman out of bed every day. And you can hear that excitement and positive energy throughout this great conversation. Learn more about Amanda Hoffman and Madwire You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
We could have been calling Tom Coburn, Dr. Coburn because he only wanted to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps as a biology student at Boston College. Instead, in 2011 while still students, Tom and his buddies entered a business plan competition in hopes of winning ten thousand dollars. On their second try, they won by presenting a version of what became Jebbit based on an “aha” moment Tom had while ignoring an ad during a television show on Hulu. That led to distinctions, awards, recognition such as being named one CNBC’s Top 25 Most Promising Companies, Best Tech Culture in Boston in 2016. Coburn was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Oh, and Jebbit succeeded in gathering $92 million in funding. Not bad for a bunch of college kids. What does Jebbit do? Its mission is to make digital experiences fun, engaging, and value driven by capturing the consumer’s data, intentions, motivations, and preferences with consent. First came the enterprise clients who needed to get in touch with their customers across all genders and demographics. Eventually, a free version was released to help non-enterprise businesses capture consumer engagement. Because privacy laws are changing, gathering usable and effective data has become a matter of consent. Coburn’s team at Jebbit has found an interactive way to get that consent that translates into real-time information companies can leverage into making marketing better now and into the future. Coburn’s story of learning CEO-manship as a “ten-year overnight success” is fascinating. He admits he made all the cliché startup mistakes but maintains that the foundation of Jebbit’s culture starts with a very basic mantra – what you put in is what you get out. Coburn relates that he’s had eight jobs over the past ten years because his role as a CEO is always changing and he’s determined to keep learning and doing better. Tom Coburn is proud of Jebbit’s position in the industry – the right side of history in helping brands engage customers directly with their permission. Learn more about Tom Coburn and https://www.jebbit.com/ (Jebbit) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Fun and passionate aren’t typical words used to describe a technology company founder. But it’s what Daniel Liebeskind, CEO and founder of Topia, is – passionate about people connecting in a safe space and a bona fide experience junkie. Topia, the company he founded that features a customizable, immersive digital space where the unique spatial video platform delivers an authentic in-person experience, is what drives Dan’s passion as a leader and entrepreneur. The CEO-to-be was trading, buying and selling baseball cards at 8 years old. That led to starting an investment club in college that earned him a prestigious internship at Lehman Brothers . . . in 2009 . . . during the crash. Surviving the transition to Barclays Bank, Dan dove into the world of investment banking, identifying and connecting with entrepreneurs. Along the way, he discovered that most entrepreneurs are ordinary people with an intense passion for making their ideas come alive. Rediscovering his own passion for coding led to learning how to wear different hats, acquire more skills and bring like-minded people together. Fast forward to 2020 and the birth of Topia when he hired smarter people with passions that matched his to build a multi-million dollar company operating on three very powerful passions: being a defender of authentic human connections, a defender of accessibility and a defender of consent in safer spaces. In this podcast, you’ll enjoying hearing about Daniel’s passion for connecting people, his sense of fun and love of community that define Topia’s culture. By leveraging technology that brings people together safely in the metaverse in real time, Daniel and Topia have set in motion the next big evolution. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/dliebeskind/ (Daniel Liebeskind) and https://www.topia.com/ (Topia). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Watch out, Silicon Valley! San Diego is making a bid to become the new center of technology through innovation, creation, and disruption. David Tal and Verse.io are leading the charge! Raising $17 million over three rounds, Verse.io is well placed to create, innovate, and disrupt traditional B2C platforms. Similar to many tech leaders, David was just looking for a solution to a problem. After graduating from college, he tried the movies and ultimately made his way to San Diego where the real estate business beckoned through an uncle. Then came a recession. He built a team, bought leads, sent his team to training, and still couldn’t figure out why his agents weren’t getting return calls. When text messaging yielded an almost 100% response, David realized he was onto something. Starting a company called Agentology with his brother who specialized in marketing, they focused on how to better communicate with and engage clients through engagement and qualification at the client’s pace. Agentology rebranded itself to Verse.io (helping businesses converse with prospects) and implemented chat to deepen the customer’s engagement and qualification process while providing for immediate human contact. Verse.io is now tackling new industries such as mortgage companies, solar, insurance, and education to bring tech efficiencies that convert prospects to customers. While this may sound mainstream, Verse.io’s differentiator is conversation automation campaigns where a two-way conversation can start immediately with a click and the conversation can be customized for each client’s prospect engagement. If customer engagement is your focus and your challenge, you’ll appreciate what David Tal has to say about the future of automated contact and conversation. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtal/ (David Tal) and https://verse.io/ (Verse.io) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
David Barrett is not your typical tech CEO, nor does he want to be. As a talented engineer, David has been part of many failed startups. His own company, Expensify, has gained notoriety because of what it doesn’t do – follow the VC handbook. David initially wasn’t trying to build a business. He only wanted to provide a way for people in his Tenderloin (San Francisco) neighborhood with a way to get a good meal. That eventually led to a fictional expense management company (for explaining to bankers) that led to founding Expensify, a platform managing bills, expenses, invoices and other pre-accounting functions, in 2008. Although David learned valuable lessons at those failed startups, he still had to fight against the trends, the investors and the naysayers who couldn’t comprehend how a platform that was written before there was an iPhone or an app store would ever work. If they understood how it works. How it works is brilliant – give it to employees for free. Let them fall in love with it and tell others who also will love it. They, in turn, tell their managers about it and those managers buy it. In building something meaningful that provides long-term value through being profitable, David keeps it simple at Expensify. He runs a flat company that empowers each employee to perform at their best through trust, peer evaluation, and collaboration. Having participated in a certain amount of corporate stupidity at other companies, he follows his instincts in what will and won’t work for Expensify. And David doesn’t let the noise of what other companies are doing or what he’s supposed to be doing drown out his belief in his business model or his high-performing team. You’ll enjoy hearing this honest, authentic CEO relate how much staying true to his vision has made the difference. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmbarrett/ (DAVID BARRETT) and https://www.expensify.com (EXPENSIFY) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Content marketing isn’t a new concept but the struggle to get to that essential number one ranking is an enigma that Christopher Day and his partner Shawn Schwegman are endeavoring to solve. Passionate about marketing tools and content as the foundation, Christopher and his team at DemandJump are disrupting marketing norms through pillar-based strategies. In this episode, you’ll hear Christopher explain how pillar-based marketing goes way beyond SEO guesswork by letting the math lead the way. Christopher’s theories around aligning marketing messages organically with customer behaviors not only disrupts the standard, but pioneers a whole new approach to marketing based on relationships. As with many entrepreneurs, Christopher has made mistakes in a variety of areas along the way. After graduating from Purdue where he ran a painting business to pay his way, he got into the brand new broadband business. While he eventually sold the company to Comcast and Time Warner, his tenure wasn’t without the pitfalls and challenges of learning to lead, hire and manage. Eight companies later, Christopher applies three valuable leadership lessons as he continues to push the envelope in finding interesting ways to solve problems. I know you’ll find those three lessons and Christopher’s take on management as fascinating as I did. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherday2/ (Christopher Day) and https://www.demandjump.com/ (DemandJump) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Join me in this fascinating discussion with Kathryn, a confessed serial entrepreneur, as she discusses how she’s built several profitable ventures because she kept finding problems that needed solving. During her early career in the burgeoning cable television industry, Kathryn loved how technology made lives better. What she did not love was the negative aspect of working in a culture of constant “stab you in the back” mentality to get ahead. Even though Kathryn had no experience running companies correctly, she continued learning from her experience and passed that on as an instructor at Chico State, and through earning an MBA. In 2007, Kathryn was introduced to the transportation industry, and she fell in love with the honest and honorable culture driven by people who embraced her and her considerable talents. Starting a business that catered to a mostly male-dominated sales force, Kathryn spent many of those early years proving herself and her company’s ability to make the lives of those guys easier in buying and selling commercial transportation vehicles. Supported by a husband who never stood in her way, Kathryn was soon raising funds and growing her staff to its present 85. Along the way, she learned three simple and valuable lessons. Work Truck Solutions is now an integral part of the American trucking industry and Kathryn’s business practices provide a solid foundation for a sustainable and successful niche in that essential transportation space. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-schifferle/ (Kathryn Schifferle) and https://www.worktrucksolutions.com/ (Work Truck Solutions) Work Truck Solutions https://www.worktrucksolutions.com/cvbsummit (Commercial Vehicle Business Summit) is coming up on May 18 & 19. It's free to join and there's a lot to learn! You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
It all started because he was unemployed, bored, and didn’t want to be a system administrator anymore. Luke Kanies founded Puppet in 2005, raised $87 million in funding, and was then fired from the company for which he sacrificed his health and probably a bit of his sanity in 2014. He then set about developing a personal CRM product through a company called Clickety in 2019, but chose instead to shutter it before the first round of funding due to health issues. Talk about perspective. Listen to this fascinating story of how Luke, starting his career as a sysadmin, pioneered Puppet that focused on IT DevOps. He wanted to bring sysadmins to the table with developers and sales where they could have a voice in developing the tools they needed to solve problems. Growing up with autism, maneuvering the corporate world meant Luke heard things differently and that required a tremendous amount of adjustment, compromise, and flexibility. It ultimately wore him down to a nub. Leadership presented a new set of challenges for someone who just wanted to solve the problems that no one else thought were important. He figured out that leading people meant making hundreds of decisions daily around people. He struggled to find executives who put his and the company’s interests ahead of their own. And that led to burnout. Luke’s take on leadership is refreshing, eye-opening, and flat out revolutionary. While his mission has always been solving problems that impact the world, Luke now understands that the right people, aligned with the right focus and vision, will always make the difference in success. Learn more about https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukekanies/details/experience/ (Luke Kanies) and https://puppet.com/ (Puppet) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts (Vertical Elevation), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Kevin Price, founder of Accucode, Inc., quit his job at a Denver-based technology company on a Friday afternoon in 1995. By 10 a.m. the following Monday, working out of his basement, he had landed his first client. Since then, Accucode, Inc. has been on Inc. Magazine's fastest growing company list a whopping ten times and his family of companies now posts $100 million dollar revenues generated by a small yet relentless sales team. It took 3 years for Price and his team to get out of the basement and during that time, his company has stayed out of debt, had some fun, and built a culture of integrity, emotional intelligence, and family that pervades every aspect of the organization. Price attributes this continued success on customer relationships built on trust and producing results by doing it differently than peer competitors in the arena. Accucode has established itself as a standout IT company that applies technology to solve problems in retail, manufacturing, and logistics. In differentiating his company, Price maintains that if Accucode doesn’t deliver as promised, he’ll absorb the loss. Early customers blanched at this concept, but as the Accucode team produced by working thoughtfully to solve the problems, they earned the trust that forged profitable relationships. Doing it differently has paid off for Price and Accucode, Inc. in a way even he couldn’t have envisioned that long ago Monday morning in his basement. Learn more about Kevin Price and https://accucode.com/ (Accucode) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (Vertical Elevation)https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
When Annie Scranton found herself out of a job, she wasn’t planning to start a public relations company. But that’s what happened when she took a random $500 commission to put a specific client on a specific show. Though she always wanted to be Katie Couric in front of the camera, Annie has now found a sweet niche in the volatile and highly competitive national public relations arena by staying focused on the best possible solution for her clients. That means leveraging a network she built behind the scenes to secure those valuable placements that ultimately translate into higher visibility and credibility for her clients. The 12-year old company Annie founded and runs today didn’t happen without aches and pains in staffing, strategy and the occasional shift in work-life balance to too much work and not enough life. Annie discusses those aches, pains and successes with a unique and gracious understanding that it all starts and ends with her. As her company has grown, Annie has grown into her role as a leader who includes, inspires and invites a culture of feedback. Through this process, Annie has learned that running a pr firm requires strategy, insight and innovation in an ever-changing media world that runs 24/7. Learn more about Annie Scranton and https://www.pacepublicrelations.com/ (Pace Public Relations). You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol has an in-depth conversation with Emily O’Connor, CEO of ContentWriters, based in the greater New York metropolis. Founded in 2013, ContentWriters is a full-service content writing agency that puts quality written content at the heart of a company's growth strategy. Their mission is to connect businesses with diverse audiences through powerful content crafted by a supreme network of writing talent - providing dynamic solutions to scale workflows for publishers, agencies, and individual proprietors in dozens of industries. Emily’s diverse experience and education has her known for being an authentic leader, results-oriented professional, with tenacity and integrity as her foundation. Take notes! Emily has a lot to share about her journey since the beginning. Enjoy! Learn more about Emily O'Connor and CONTENTWRITERS at: https://contentwriters.com/ (https://contentwriters.com/) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol Schultz speaks with Robert Mason aka “Bobby”, CEO and President of SPOC Automation in Birmingham, Alabama. SPOC is an innovation company and the largest independent artificial lift controls manufacturer in North America, producing world-class variable frequency drive solutions for the oil and gas industry. As experts in the industry, with over two decades of automation experience, they have been successful at reducing carbon emissions, while increasing production and lowering lifting costs, thus redefining the standard that drives automation in the oilfield. Bobby shares SPOC’s “Lift Up” culture and why his 100 employees feel like a family unit and remain loyal and happy. Bobby says, “People are what makes companies run -treat them like a family and they go the extra mile”. Bobby goes the extra mile too, creating a team culture with core values at the heart of what’s important in retaining great talent including excellent pay and incentives. Sit back and listen to this exploratory dialogue and discover how this solution-focused company is disrupting our country’s dependence on foreign sources and preparing for massive expansion. "Always look for a better way. Innovation is never easy; it only follows mastery. But we are always looking for a better way to do things, and we want your help." Learn more about Robert Mason and https://spocautomation.com/ (SPOC Automation) You can find more information on all our episodes at verticalelevation.com/podcasts, and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol Schultz speaks with BD Erickson II, CEO & Founder of Satic USA in Missoula, Montana. Satic is a US Based Manufacturer of high-quality clean power electricity filters that protect your home and work environment. SATIC is an acronym for sinusoidal-wave-form-technology-incorporated, which means; engineered clean power. Satic is a company driven by a passionate belief that "dirty electricity" is inefficient, wasteful, damaging to electronics and demonstrated beyond reasonable contestation harmful to the biological natural world including insects, plants, animals, and humans. Since 2008, they have been recognized repeatedly for building award winning teams and creating an outstanding corporate culture. Currently holding at 21 employees, the plan for 2022 calls for doubling that and tripling the square footage of their offices. Sustaining a high-level team and a culture that promotes fun, happy, and healthy vibes is attracting the necessary expansion for globalizing their unique product line. BD's personal story is inspiring and empowering to any entrepreneur, professional, and parent. After life took a turn, BD relocated from Hawaii to Montana. He soon discovered something that was unnoticed at first then became a real concern for both his property and his family's health. With a background in clean power manufacturing, he took his leadership skills and teamed up with amazing partners to launch this 13-year-old company that combines innovation, technology, and a heart to serve. Listen and learn what has BD and Satic embody leadership and continue to thrive in the marketplace. To learn more about BD Erickson and Satic visit: https://www.saticusa.com/ (Satic USA) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Many of us have Executive Assistants, many of us would like an EA, many of us may think of this job as a low-level task person, some of us may want to start with someone part time and see how it goes, and many of us may not know the value of a great EA. Gina Cotner, Founder & CEO of Athena Executive Services, knows all too well the ins and outs of this business. Gina stumbled into the business five years ago and has been very successful in representing and placing virtual EAs with busy executives. She was a resistant entrepreneur because of past mixed results. Her focus is on high-caliber EAs who build powerful partnerships with their executives. This is no small task, so what goes on behind the scenes before a CXO even meets their potential EA is nothing short of brilliant matchmaking. One might think of Athena as a search firm or staffing firm, but Gina looks at her company as a contracting firm. Athena coaches and trains the EAs, and matches them to executives. Having grown the business to North of 500k may not seem like a lot, but her business is thriving and there is a waiting list of executives anxious to get a high-quality EA from her. We speak about what's preventing her from taking on a co-founder and really growing the business. After all, she's providing an important service that many busy executives desperately need. We also discuss the differences between what Athena does and cheap VAs overseas. What's important to realize is that Gina sees her organization as one that places Virtual Executive Assistants, so listen in and learn what there is to know about this industry. Learn more about Gina and https://athenaexecutiveservices.com/ (Athena Executive Services) You can find more information on all our episodes at verticalelevation.com/podcasts, and you can find Carol on Twitter @carolbschultz or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
If you have an interest in innovation and/or your organization needs to work through dense, complicated contracts, this episode is for you. Street Diligence Founder & CEO, Stephen Hazelton, talks to Carol about how the idea came about. Founded in 2012, the Street Diligence platform is able to extract numeric and textual information around the terms and conditions and obligations of the contract and deliver the information back to their clients so they can understand the contract and do due diligence in order to negotiate better terms for themselves. Stephen is a second-time founder and he's not shy about discussing what he did in his first venture that didn't work as he expected and what he changed the second time around. He also talks candidly about hiring challenges and mistakes he's made and what he's doing to improve hiring success. Learn more about Stephen and Street Diligence here: https://streetdiligence.com/ (https://streetdiligence.com/) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
One of the common denominators among the most successful startups is that they are solving a problem that needs solving. Allstacks is on a mission to disrupt the value stream management category. This category of business looks at how people in an organization work and then map this by using machine learning to understand what may happen in the future. The value stream intelligence market, where the Allstacks platform is focused, helps engineering teams predict and quantify team productivity, thus predicting outcomes. There are 25 million developers globally, which is expected to double in the next 10 years. This makes the market for Allstacks and platforms like it immense. This massive market is very attractive to investors because any company that employs software engineers really needs this problem solved. In this conversation, Carol and Hersh talk about all this plus Hersh's journey from IBM to where he is now and his discovery of the importance of doing work that makes a real impact for him and the people he employs. We look at who the Allstacks ideal client is, which tends to be companies with a pressing need to get their product out the door, company size (250-10K employees), marketing strategies, hiring strategies, culture, and the very low turnover they have experienced. Learn more about Hersh and Allstacks at: https://www.allstacks.com/ You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
F2000 brands are investing hundreds of millions (or billions) of dollars a year on experiences in order to build brand love, and Jonathan Yaffe, Co-founder & CEO of AnyRoad, is on a mission to solve this problem. Having gotten his first job out of college 22 years ago with Red Bull's marketing department, he was awed by the fact that Red Bull was investing over a billion dollars a year on experiences. The problem was that there was no data to determine if, or how well, this was changing brand perception and consumption habits of their customers. Jonathan Co-founded AnyRoad with his brother Daniel in 2013. Daniel was the founder/publisher of the premier lifestyle magazine about alcohol culture. In addition, he wrote a book called Drink More Whiskey, and the research for this book took him all over the world to sample different whiskeys and visit amazing distilleries. This research provided him with experiences and brand loyalty he will never forget. Given the impact of these experiences, it seemed the logical next choice for Johathan and Daniel to move into this business full time and solve the data problem. They discovered that companies investing in experiential marketing were winning the race for loyal customers and those who didn't invest in experiences were left on the sidelines. Brands are spending inordinate sums of money on experiences and have no data to determine if what they're doing is working. Jonathan talks to Carol about pivoting from calling on small businesses to the F2000 and what wasn't working with small businesses. The pivot came four years after their founding in 2013 when they were close to shutting down the business. It was brought to their attention that enterprises desperately needed the data that AnyRoad supplied and the pivot has been extremely successful. It's also important to note that pivoting is not uncommon with first-time tech founders, but what's important is their commitment to the company. With rapid revenue growth, AnyRoad is increasing its headcount and has to determine the best way to do that as the company doubles in size without ruining its culture. This is the age-old challenge with high-growth companies. Learn more about Jonathan and AnyRoad: https://www.anyroad.com/ (https://www.anyroad.com/) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
A former fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, Gal Oron is no stranger to a challenge. He has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and began his career as a QA engineer with Orsus where he moved up the ranks and became President until its acquisition by Nice Systems in 2009. After his successful experience with M&A, he went to Verint as an M&A specialist and then became a partner at Trigger Partners, a Venture Capital firm focused primarily on the Healthcare Sector. Gal Co-founded Zoomin in 2016 and has been building the company ever since. When it comes to building a talent-centric organization, Gal really walks the walk. Having grown the organization to approximately 150 employees, 53% of his workforce is female and diversity is important to him. Carol and Gal talk about how to use content in a way that works for businesses without causing "brain damage". Zoomin is making it easier for companies to self-serve and get problems solved. In the first year of doing business Gal and his team closed business with McAfee and ServiceNow just to name two. They discuss product-market fit, investors and why they are so excited about Zoomin, company culture, what it means to be open and authentic as a leader and as a company, bootstrapping, what it means to be a category builder, and his commitment to a diverse workforce. The company began in Israel and Gal tells Carol why they moved the headquarters to the US and chose NY rather than Silicon Valley and why they should have done it sooner. There were challenges with hiring from Israel and their go-to-market strategy. Additionally, they've grown so fast and there have been challenges with hiring so many employees in just one year. To learn more about Zoomin: https://www.zoominsoftware.com/ (https://www.zoominsoftware.com/) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Real estate investment can be very complicated if you don't clearly know what you're doing. I'm sure you get spammed via email and LinkedIn from companies that want you to invest. But how do you know who's the real deal? There are many challenges that make it hard for even the most successful hotel companies. They have to staff, retain staff, market, provide great customer service, and more. Carol speaks to Stephen Nally, Founder & President of Black Briar Hotel Group, about choosing the right hotels and resorts to invest in, how to find and retain great employees in a low-wage industry, developing leaders from within, and all the other challenges that this industry presents. To learn more about Black Briar, click on the link: https://blackbriarus.com/ (https://blackbriarus.com/) You can find more information on all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
When it comes to flood risk, Brad Hubbard, Founder & President of National Flood Experts is the go-to guy. National Flood Experts looks at properties from an engineering standpoint as well as how national flood models rate the flood risk and can tell whether or not a building really is a flood risk and, if so, what the risk truly is. They have frequently been successful at moving buildings from high to low risk, saving their clients considerable money on insurance. They have an unusual business model where they don't charge their clients to do this research. The client only pays when National Flood Experts is able to save them money. It is this model that had them skyrocket from $600k-$5M, with no end in sight. In this conversation, Carol and Brad talk about bootstrapping, mistakes, epiphanies, learning how to hire for fit rather than how he originally did it by how much he thought he liked someone, which didn't often turn out how he thought it would, and the great successes Brad and National Flood Experts have had. Learn more at: https://nationalfloodexperts.com/ You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, host Carol Schultz speaks with Tim Kachuriak, Founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer for NextAfter, a fundraising research lab consultancy and training institute that works with charities, nonprofits, and NGOs to help them grow their resource capacity. Tim had dedicated his life to non-profit work and is a fundraising thought leader and has realized that the true experts in this field are the donors; he's found a way to ask the right questions to determine why people donate to charities. Listen to Tim's story of bootstrapping NextAfter and how it morphed into what it is today. Learn more at: https://www.nextafter.com/ (https://www.nextafter.com/) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, host Carol Schultz speaks with Camille Grade, CMO at Bushel. Hear about their pivot from mobile custom software development, a services company, to building a technology company focused on agribusiness. When looking at the physical infrastructure built in the US hundreds of years ago, this gave the US a huge competitive advantage in selling commodities overseas. Bushel believes that building digital will add another competitive advantage in the market. We often speak about how the most successful companies are solving real problems that need to be solved, and in Bushel's case, local farmers were having great difficulty seeing their account information with their local grain facility. They can now see their scale tickets, how they are fulfilling contracts, if they still need to deliver product, how much they still need to deliver, and how much have they been paid, etc. Learn more at https://bushelpowered.com/ (bushelpowered.com) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz talks to Brian Adams, Founder & President of Excelsior Capital, a real estate private equity firm primarily focusing on stabilized income and capital preservation. Brian began his career as an attorney in criminal law before moving into the real estate market and founding Excelsior in 2019. Hear about his journey, as a young entrepreneur, the mistakes he made, rapid growth, and the changes he made to get to where he is today. Brian is not shy about discussing his mistakes and failures, which is a common denominator among the most successful, authentic entrepreneurs. You can learn more about them at https://www.excelsiorgp.com/ (excelsiorgrp.com) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz talks to Co-founder & CEO of HazardHub, Bob Frady, about being acquired by Guidewire Software. We spoke to Bob in the spring of 2021 and wanted to talk about the acquisition, why it made sense, and what HazardHub will look like moving forward. The common denominator with HazardHub, as with so many successful startups, is the customer-centric nature of their business model and truly solving a painful problem. Learn more at https://hazardhub.com/ (hazardhub.com) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol speaks with Daniel Freedman, Co-founder & Co-CEO of Burnalong, an online video and social motivation platform that helps people achieve their health goals and overcome health and wellness challenges. Daniel and his Co-founder Mike Kott are building something that is actually working in an industry where most people who start a fitness program rarely or never stay consistent with it. Getting people engaged in fitness and keeping them motivated to continue is a big challenge and Daniel and Mike think they've cracked the code. Listen in to learn the impetus behind starting this business and their commitment to making a difference in people's lives. Learn more about them at https://www.burnalong.com/ (burnalong.com) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://my.captivate.fm/verticalelevation.com/podcasts, (verticalelevation.com/podcasts,) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol speaks with David Insdursky, President of ENCON. Founded in 1968, ENCON is a commercial HVAC full-service self-performing contractor. David began interning with the company while in high school and learned how to best run the company by working his way up and learning the different parts of the organization and how to do many of them. He took the business over from his father Marty in 2000 and has grown the business to $35M. Commercial HVAC is super complicated, not something most of us realize. "Defining comfort is so unique to the individual, the space, or the process." For example, what's needed in a surgical center is distinctly different from what's needed in a laboratory. ENCON's customers have been very loyal because they are clearly a customer-centric organization and David is clear in the importance of this vision. One of the really great things about David is his clarity about where his genius is and is not. He makes sure to surround himself with employees who are experts at what they do and lets them work in their genius too. You can learn about them at https://www.enconmech.com/ (https://www.enconmech.com/) You can find more information for all our episodes at verticalelevation.com/podcasts, and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
In this episode, Carol speaks with Steven Hoffman, Founder & CEO of Founders Space, a global startup accelerator. Founded in San Francisco in 2010, Founders Space now has 50 partners worldwide who came to Steve to learn how to build incubators. Steve is a long-time entrepreneur who has founded four startups and found himself being a "go-to" guy for entrepreneurs who wanted to know how to build a startup. Companies overseas began to look toward Silicon Valley to learn how to build successful startups. They realized that most founders couldn't afford to go to California and stay for three months or more, so Founders Space became a gateway that built shorter, intense, customized programs for these overseas founders. Listen to Steve talk about this and the other startups he founded, where he succeeded and failed, and his challenges in landing institutional capital. You can learn more about them at https://www.foundersspace.com/ (foundersspace.com) You can find more information for all our episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcasts (verticalelevation.com/podcasts), and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz )or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolbschultz/).
Carol Schultz speaks with Dave Milliken, Founder & CEO of Greetly, about the critical need and benefit of visitor management systems. Dave saw a need for this when he was a customer going into buildings for meetings and experienced the poor "reception" experience. As it happens with so many founders, it was how he came up with the idea for Greetly and figured out a much-needed solution to a problem that needed to be solved. Founded in 2014, Greetly has been helping enterprise and SMB companies manage many administrative tasks so that their staff is freed up to do the things that are more important to their business. The VMS business has an $8B market cap and Dave has built a lifestyle business with some amazing logos and continues to have a very bright future. Learn more about them at https://www.greetly.com/ (https://www.greetly.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz talks with Brandon Weber, Co-founder & CEO of Nava, a benefits brokerage on a mission to disrupt and transform how healthcare is found and purchased by businesses. A great number of Americans receive healthcare insurance through their employers (about 168M people) and Nava is navigating how to bring the benefits that a F500 employer can provide its employees into the SMB market. Though it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that our healthcare system is broken, Brandon and his Co-founder, Donald DeSantis, realized the inefficiencies of how this is currently accomplished. There is a lack of transparency for employers putting together benefits plans and a lack of support for employees trying to navigate the system, so Nava is using tech to help employers and employees be smarter shoppers and users of healthcare. Listen as Brandon describes his shift from commercial real estate to healthcare and the mistakes he made hiring employees in his first startup and the lessons he learned and has implemented at Nava. A couple of these lessons learned are the value of outside advisors, the impact of hiring the wrong people, and the impact of hiring the right people and putting them in the wrong place in the organization. He also discusses "chasing shiny objects" and the damage this can do to a startup, a mistake many first-time founders make. You can find them at: https://www.nava.io/ (https://www.nava.io/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (Vertical Elevation) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with Gaurav Bhattacharya, Co-founder & CEO of involve.ai. involve.ai is solving the problem of customer churn while accelerating customer growth for their clients. It is 25 times cheaper to keep a customer than it is to acquire a new customer, so this platform is a big money saver to companies that are at scale. Gaurav founded the company in 2020 as a pivot from his startup InvoleSoft, because they were having a bug problem with churn. They built the product for their own use and realized this was where the company needed to go. In their first year, involve.ai has already received $18.5M in venture capital. This is one company to keep an eye on. Check them out at: https://www.involve.ai/ (https://www.involve.ai/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with Kevin Stein, co-founder & CEO of Delos Insurance. Delos is an Insurtech startup focused on providing insurance for low-risk homes in wildfire areas. This is a critical and complex segment of the insurance market. As wildfires become more destructive and are damaging homes in geographies insurance companies were not expecting -referred to as unknown exposure- carriers are having greater challenges accurately underwriting in these areas because of inaccurate risk models. Because of this portfolio exposure insurance companies have started pulling out of the market leaving little or no way for a homeowner in any wildfire region to get fire insurance. When this occurs the homeowner's mortgage company considers them in default leading to a terrible situation for the homeowner that is totally out of their control. Check them out at: https://getdelos.com/ (https://getdelos.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter @carolbschultz.
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with CloudHealth Technology's Co-founder & CTO, Joe Kinsella about cloud management solutions, deciding to IPO or be acquired, the difficulties of hypergrowth, knowing where to invest and scale, starting with a big market and 'telescoping' your way down into a niche, and honing your target market. CloudHealth had a pure commitment to being a talent-centric organization and they hit the mark! Joe, to this day, is an extraordinary human being and an authentic leader. You can find Joe at http://joekinsella.me/ (joekinsella.me) and CloudHeath Technology by VMWare at https://www.cloudhealthtech.com/ (https://www.cloudhealthtech.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with Align Impact's Jennifer Kenning about helping people derive strategies that positively impact society, being a disrupter, getting the best investors behind your vision, the idea that competition makes you better, the beautiful aspects of innovation, and more. Jenn walks the walk when it comes to supporting both her clients and employees. This female-founded and led company is over 50% women! Check out Align Impact at https://www.alignimpact.com/ (https://www.alignimpact.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz talks to Orchid Black's Founder & Managing Partner, Jim Barnish Jr. about growth, impact, lessons, and more. Closing in on four years old, Orchid Black is a boutique advisory of former CEOs, CROs, CMOs, strategy execs, and board members. It is staffed with accomplished operators with an investor mindset and deep M&A experience. Jim believes, like an orchid, a company’s maximum value emerges from cultivating growth. Orchid Black’s unique business model, which is at the intersection of consulting and private equity not only accelerates value but aligns our compensation with our partners' success. They invest together, betting on a collective vision, using shared skills and expertise. Jim comes from an entrepreneurial family and, among other things, talks a bit about his journey to hiring an executive coach. Learn more about Orchid Black here: https://www.orchid.black/ (https://www.orchid.black/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with General Informatics' Don Monistere about information technology, obstacles in the space, risk tolerance, the value of your data, slowing down to go faster, aligning your team with your strategic vision, thoughts on leadership, and more. Check out General Informatics at https://geninf.com/ You can find more information and all episodes at verticalelevation.com/podcast and you can find Carol on Twitter @carolbschultz.
In this episode, your host Carol Schultz speaks with Axon's Jawad Ahsan about offering a tech suite to bolster public safety, having a customer base in law enforcement, how law enforcement footage is managed by Axon, trying to integrate culture, and more. Check out Axon at https://www.axon.com/ (https://www.axon.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Steven Hartman of SynchronoSure. SynchronoSure is an Insurtech managing underwriter, underwriting on account of insurance companies and leveraging state of the art technology, data, and algorithms. To learn more, visit https://synchronosure.com/ (https://synchronosure.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Rob McKinney of Ravn Alaska, Alaska's largest regional carrier. Listen to Rob McKinney's incredible story about his work on various airlines before winning the bid for Ravn Alaska. To learn more, visit https://www.ravnalaska.com/ (https://www.ravnalaska.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Patrick Rea of Canopy Boulder, a business accelerator in Boulder, Colorado. Canopy Boulder has already invested in one hundred and thirty small businesses within the cannabis industry. To learn more, visit https://www.canopyboulder.com/ (https://www.canopyboulder.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, Carol Schultz talks with Joel Tealer, CHRO of Global Benefits Group that specializes in the international insurance market. Whether you need travel insurance, or you suffered an injury abroad, GBG can help. To learn more, visit https://www.gbg.com/ (https://www.gbg.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Steve Pockross of Verblio, a blog and content creation company for SEO and marketing. Login to the Verblio platform and work with their writers' products and talent. To learn more, visit https://www.verblio.com/ (https://www.verblio.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Ofer Yourvexel of Pepperi, a self-sustaining business where Ofer helps his clients with telesales, field sales, and B2B eCommerce. To learn more, visit https://www.pepperi.com/ (https://www.pepperi.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks with Cristopher Carr of Farotech, a private digital marketing agency that works in the niche of conversion science. To learn more, visit https://farotech.com/ (https://farotech.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host, Carol Schultz speaks with Splunk's Rob Swymer about overcoming hard situations to better yourself, giving in to adversity to pivot and find new purpose, living a life of purpose, impact that drives emotion, and more. Check out Splunk at https://www.splunk.com/ (https://www.splunk.com/). You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host, Carol Schultz speaks with Pie Insurance's Co-founder & President, Dax Craig. Pie Insurance is an insurance/insurtech startup making small business insurance more affordable and easier to procure. They use advanced analytics to price accordingly and are able to pass along large savings to 70%-80% of small businesses that they insure. Dax is an entrepreneur with a history of building successful startups and solving problems that need to be solved, two of the qualities necessary to building a company that thrives and survives. Check out Pie Insurance at https://pieinsurance.com/ (https://pieinsurance.com/). You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host, Carol Schultz speaks with AkinovA's Henri Winand about opening up insurance opportunities for investors, the importance of matching supply and demand, enabling brokers to do deals, making deals happen, the intersection of insurance-tech and fintech, learning from mistakes, and more. Check out AkinovA at https://akinova.com/ (https://akinova.com/). You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschult)z.
Your host, Carol Schultz, talks to Gaurav Harode of Enablix, a sales enablement platform, allowing marketers to find the right content at the right time. Check them out at https://www.enablix.com/ (https://www.enablix.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, your host, Carol Schultz speaks with PZU Asset Management's Robert Kubin about taking risks, being flexible and unafraid, learning from failure, and more. Check out PZU Asset Management at https://www.pzu.pl/ (https://www.pzu.pl/). You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, guest host Rosemary Nickel talks to MarketMuse's Charles Frydenborg about AI-based content, prioritizing content based on data, finding your audience, driving audience behavior, and more. Check them out at https://www.marketmuse.com/ (https://www.marketmuse.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
In this episode, guest host Rosemary Nickel talks to Jeff Harris about why entrepreneurs start their businesses, investing in people rather than ideas, the level of trust that comes from rapport and experience, the value of networking, and more. Check them out at https://www.appulate.com/ (https://www.appulate.com/) You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Guest host Rosemary Nickel, talks with Bob Frady of HazardHub about their journey to creating HazardHub, offering comprehensive data on property risk. Check them out at https://hazardhub.com/ (https://hazardhub.com/). Since this episode originally aired, HazardHub was acquired by Guidewire Software. You can find more information and all episodes at https://verticalelevation.com/podcast/ (verticalelevation.com/podcast) and you can find Carol on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarolBSchultz (@carolbschultz).
Rosemary Nickel speaks with Carol Schultz of Vertical Elevation on how talent equity and leadership coaching and advising have guided her to creating her very own podcast highlighting others' successes.