Ever wondered how to use your experience to start or grow a business? The First Customer intimately dissects successful entrepreneurs journeys to their first customer. Learn from practical real-life examples of regular people transforming into superheroes by starting their own business. Buckle up … the rocket is taking off!
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We discuss 5 questions in about 10 minutes because leaders know how to be concise! Questions are centered on team engagement and leadership principles for leaders of all experience levels.
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Internal and External Dependability | Jay Aigner
16:34
16:34
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Happy to have Jay again on the show! He’s a highly experienced software professional who has worked across various verticals, platforms, and ecosystems. He has a unique combination of skills in development, quality assurance, and product management, which enables him to offer cutting-edge solutions for modern software platforms and teams. Jay found…
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Interview Job Candidates In More Than One Environment | Alex Mic-Podar
11:21
11:21
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11:21
Meet Alex, with over 15 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, and the business industry, she has a keen understanding of the financial challenges business owners face. Recognizing that poor financial data and inefficient systems hinder growth and informed decision-making, Alex is dedicated to helping businesses overcome these obstacles. S…
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The First Customer - Transforming Business through Compassionate Leadership with Jerry Macnamara
26:08
26:08
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26:08
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jerry Macnamara, CEO and Founder of Proven Chaos. Jerry grew up just outside of Philadelphia and his entrepreneurial spirit wasn't directly influenced by his parents but rather by his high school soccer coach. Inspired by his frustration as a senior leader making others rich with his decisions, he de…
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The First Customer - Serial Entrepreneur Masterclass with 4x Founder Matt Watson
23:54
23:54
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23:54
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Matt Watson, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Full Scale. Matt grew up around entrepreneurial parents who ran a flea market business, he gained early exposure to the world of business and sales. His first venture, Venn Solutions, stemmed from a serendipitous encounter with a car dealer needing software assis…
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Welcome to the 400th episode! Woohoo! I started the Team Engagement podcast in an effort to engage business leaders around the world in a discussion about leadership and teams. My vision was to include leaders from different countries, industries, backgrounds, and opinions. Men and women, young and old, new leaders and experienced leaders...all of …
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The First Customer - From Dot-com bubble burst to successful digital agency with Adam Trachtman
28:52
28:52
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28:52
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adam Trachtman, Director and Owner of Lucid Circus. Adam's upbringing in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and his formative years at a creative and performing arts high school in Philadelphia laid the groundwork for his journey. With a blend of analytical precision inherited from his mother and a risk-taking…
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Don't Get Trapped Into Comfort | Jim Murphy
15:23
15:23
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15:23
Meet Jim, the visionary founder and Chairman of Afterburner Inc., a renowned management consulting and leadership training firm boasting over 80 military professionals. As a former F-15 Fighter/Instructor pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Jim brings his expertise to bear, establishing Afterburner in 1996 and authoring seven influential books on leadersh…
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The First Customer - Startup and Franchising magic with Karim Kerachni
29:44
29:44
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29:44
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Karim Kerachni, Co-founder of Steamates and head of franchise development for Massachusetts at PropertyGuys.com. Karim shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and unique approach to productivity while traveling the world. Born in Canada and raised in France, Karim's upbringing in a family of…
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Self-Awareness Essential to Leadership | Katrena Friel
17:11
17:11
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Meet Katrena Friel, an international keynote speaker, fully qualified corporate trainer, executive coach, award-winning author, and business mentor. She is an expert in personal and professional development, helping people escape their current thinking in an express format. For those companies that value honesty, growth, credibility, expertise, exp…
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The First Customer - The proven strategies of CEO Whitney Stowell in building a sales pipeline
23:20
23:20
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23:20
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Whitney Stowell, Founder and CEO of Cribworks. Whitney discusses his entrepreneurial journey from a rural upbringing to navigating the fast-paced business world. Growing up on a farm instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in Whitney, who later transitioned into the professional realm by working in gover…
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Fire Drills Create Opportunities to Find Latent Talent | Gentry Davies
11:16
11:16
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11:16
Meet Gentry Davies, a dynamic entrepreneur, serving as the CEO and founder of Crew, a pioneering venture in the tech industry. Prior to this role, he demonstrated his leadership prowess as the head of product management at Divvy. Beyond the boardroom, Gentry finds solace and joy in the great outdoors, indulging in activities like hiking, e-biking, …
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The First Customer - Leveraging Systems and Automation to Scale Profitably with CEO Olivia Parkes
23:22
23:22
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23:22
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Olivia Parkes, CEO of The Systems Boss. Olivia shares her story of moving from the UK to Chicago, driven by a desire to pursue her dreams and create a thriving enterprise in the United States. From her early aspirations to her eventual realization of starting her own company, Olivia's tale is one of …
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When Pivoting, Trust Your Gut | Scott Wharton
11:21
11:21
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Scott is the CEO of Tandem PV, a disruptive solar energy company based in Silicon Valley. Prior to Tandem, Scott was the Vice President and General Manager of Logitech B2B, a division that generates ~$2 billion in annual revenue and includes all products, software, and services for business and enterprise customers. Before leading the B2B group, Sc…
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The First Customer - How to build a world-class legal firm with Iterative Improvements
31:16
31:16
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31:16
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Rachel King, CEO and Founder of King Law Firm. Rachel offers insights into her journey as an entrepreneur and lawyer. Her upbringing, shaped by divorced parents and small business owners in the family, instilled in her a passion for law and entrepreneurship. Her father's profession as a lawyer and ex…
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Frequent One-On-One's Make a Difference | Bill Lennan
19:06
19:06
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19:06
Bill, a product of island upbringing and a diverse educational background, has cultivated a lifelong dedication to tackling both human and technical challenges. Throughout his illustrious tech career, he has spearheaded the development of products, teams, and innovative solutions across a spectrum of industries including mobile technology, recruitm…
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The First Customer - How to Disrupt and Improve Contact Centers with CloudWave CEO Mike Powrie
25:02
25:02
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25:02
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mike Powrie, CEO and Founder of CloudWave. Mike delves into the genesis and evolution of CloudWave as a disruptive force in the contact center industry. Mike's background in IT, particularly in unified communication, laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey. CloudWave was born out of frust…
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Everyone Has a Gift That Was Given to Us | Glenn Akramoff
13:02
13:02
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13:02
Meet Glenn Akramoff, your solution to the challenges plaguing your organization. With a mission to cultivate healthy work environments and unleash the full potential of teams, Glenn offers a range of services tailored to your needs. Whether stepping in as an interim leader to steer your organization through transitions or providing expert consultin…
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The First Customer - Fostering Education: A Spectacular Approach to Literacy with Adrian Knight
27:50
27:50
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27:50
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adrian Knight, CEO and Founder of Spectacular Group. Adrian delves into his journey as an acquisition entrepreneur and his unique approach to business. A World Champion participant in the Spartan games, Adrian shares his experiences and insights into building successful ventures. Adrian's entrepreneu…
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Health Is Foundational to Productivity | Dr. Randy Ross
17:54
17:54
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17:54
Meet Dr. Randy Ross, a captivating communicator, and visionary leader renowned for his transformative impact on individuals and organizations alike. As the author of bestselling books such as "Remarkable!" and "Relationomics: Business Powered by Relationships," Dr. Ross has inspired countless individuals to rediscover passion and purpose in their w…
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The First Customer - How to redefine partnership dynamics with Crossbeam CEO Bob Moore
38:17
38:17
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38:17
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bob Moore, CEO and co-founder of Crossbeam, a leading company in the partnership intelligence space. Bob shares his journey, emphasizing his passion for solving the challenges of partnership growth, which led to the inception of Crossbeam. He delves into the essence of Crossbeam, portraying it as a d…
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The First Customer - Building a brand by betting on yourself with the Hey Jay Founder Jasmin Alić
40:02
40:02
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40:02
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview The Jasmin Alić, Founder of Hey Jay, and also a LinkedIn aficionado. Jasmin dives deep into his journey, starting with his childhood in war-torn Bosnia. Despite the adversity, Jasmin found solace in American hip-hop, which sparked his love for English and writing. Initially aspiring to be a rapper, J…
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Meet Brickman "Brick" Allen, a visionary entrepreneur with a cowboy spirit instilled in him from a young age, epitomizing the ethos of resilience and determination. His journey into entrepreneurship began at just 14, when he utilized a loan from his mother to kickstart a cinnamon roll business, igniting his passion for business ventures. Today, Bri…
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The First Customer - Charting the Techscape with Capablanca Co-Founder Luis Castaneda
25:27
25:27
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25:27
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Luis Castaneda, co-founder and CTO of Capablanca. Luis dives into his journey from growing up during the emergence of the internet to his current role in the tech space. Luis shares how his early experiences with DIY computing in a culture of innovation laid the foundation for his career in technolog…
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The First Customer - Unfolding The Gentleman's Formula with Tiege Hanley CEO Kelley Thornton
30:31
30:31
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30:31
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Kelley Thornton, CEO and Founder of Tiege Hanley. Kelley's inspiration for Tiege Hanley stems from his personal experience and observation of the skincare market's untapped potential in the United States. Initially, he sought to cater to older demographics like himself but found unexpected success am…
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The First Customer - Transforming Customer Experiences Through Impactful Alliances with Lamees Butt
22:35
22:35
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22:35
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Lamees Butt, SVP of Zoovu. Lamees delved into her journey from a humble upbringing in East London to her current role in the tech industry. Growing up in East London instilled in Lamees a hunger for success and a drive to think outside the box. Despite facing challenges, she pursued her passion for e…
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Weave Your Values Into Your Work | Christy Pretzinger
11:11
11:11
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11:11
Meet Christy, a dynamic entrepreneur with a fervent commitment to cultivating environments where individuals can excel. As the visionary behind WriterGirl, Christy leads a team of over 100 certified writers, strategists, and project managers, dedicated to delivering senior-level expertise to healthcare organizations nationwide. With a focus on lead…
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The First Customer - How to Tackle Tech Complexity to Scale Your Business with Brian Childress
20:53
20:53
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20:53
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brian Childress, Founder and Fractional CTO of Summit Labs. Brian shares his journey from growing up in Virginia to founding Summit Labs, inspired by his grandfather's entrepreneurial spirit as a custom home builder. Despite lacking initial tech interest, Brian discovered his passion for software dev…
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The First Customer - Solving The Most Common Pain Points of ServiceNow Customers with Ron Gidron
23:34
23:34
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23:34
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ron Gidron, the CEO and founder of xtype, a platform engineering solution for ServiceNow customers. Ron shares insights from his background growing up on a farm in Israel to becoming an entrepreneur in the tech industry. Despite his humble beginnings, Ron's journey led him to work with companies like…
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The First Customer - Aligning Business and Strategies for Superior Performance with Barbara Spitzer
24:05
24:05
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24:05
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Barbara Spitzer, CEO and founder of Two Rivers Partners, LLC. Barbara grew up as an army brat and moving frequently, Barbara developed resilience and anxiety, which later shaped her career as a consultant. Despite her anxiety, Barbara adopted a mantra of perseverance and preparation, which helped her…
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Meet Ryan, transitioning from bankruptcy as a real estate investor in 2008, he embarked on a transformative journey and is now recognized for his expertise in dog training. He has empowered thousands of canines and their humans. His greatest passion lies in creating significant positive changes in the lives of dogs and their owners, fostering bette…
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The First Customer - Structuring Your Coaching Empire with LB Trucks Coaching CEO Laura-Beth Trucks
30:46
30:46
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30:46
In this episode., I was lucky enough to interview Laura-Beth Trucks, the CEO of LB Trucks Coaching. Laura-Beth shares her journey from Alabama to Colorado, where she worked in nonprofit leadership development, to eventually founding her coaching business. After completing her master's degree in clinical mental health, she realized her passion for c…
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The First Customer - Empowering Entrepreneurs Worldwide with BOSS Startup Science's Gregory Shepard
50:59
50:59
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50:59
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Gregory Shepard, CEO and co-founder of BOSS Startup Science. Gregory shares his journey, highlighting his challenges growing up with autism, dyslexia, and other conditions in a tough environment. Despite adversities, he recalls his entrepreneurial spirit emerging early, from selling Rubik's cubes to …
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The First Customer - How to Be a Digital Thought Leader and Lifestyle Mentor with Dai Manuel
31:05
31:05
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31:05
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview the fantastic Dai Manuel, Chief Transformation Officer at DaiManuel.com. Dai discussed his upbringing in Ontario with two entrepreneurial parents and how their work ethic influenced him. He recounted his journey from personal training to selling fitness equipment, highlighting the transition to perfo…
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Meet Seth, currently serving as the President of Zion HealthShare in St. George, UT. He boasts a rich professional journey entrenched in higher education. With a diverse career spanning roles such as Vice President and President across several esteemed universities and colleges, Seth has accrued over 14 years as a respected university instructor. H…
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The First Customer - Attacking the Hard Market Head On with Innovative Risk CEO Caden Braly
20:18
20:18
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20:18
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Caden Braly, CEO and Founder of Innovative Risk. Caden discusses his upbringing in Prosper, Texas, surrounded by a community of entrepreneurs, including his father and grandfather, who instilled a strong entrepreneurial spirit in him. Despite initially being hesitant about entering the insurance indu…
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The First Customer - Boosting Your Sales and Dominating the Local Market with Founder Patric Shannon
18:26
18:26
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18:26
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Patric Shannon, Founder of LeadSnap. Patric delves into his origins in a small town in Dayton, Ohio, and his unexpected foray into professional poker and subsequent transition to entrepreneurship. Patric shares about his early career as a tax accountant and his serendipitous discovery of online poker…
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The First Customer - Shedding Light on the Future of Meeting AI with Fireflies CEO Krish Ramineni
24:06
24:06
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24:06
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Krish Ramineni, CEO and Co-founder of Fireflies.ai. Krish dives into his entrepreneurial journey from Silicon Valley to founding one of the most innovative AI platforms. Krish shares how his upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs fueled his passion for technology and startups, leading him from UPenn…
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Meet Eric Dahl, a renowned marketer celebrated for his unique leadership approach, serving as a Partner at DavisDahl. With a trail of accomplishments, including multiple Inc. 500 and Utah Fast 50 honors for past employers, and his own recognition as an AdAge 40 Under 40 candidate, Eric propelled Gravitate One to unprecedented levels of revenue and …
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The First Customer - Creating a New Paradigm to Transform Marketing with Susan Coelius Keplinger
31:16
31:16
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31:16
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Susan Coelius Keplinger, CEO of Force of Nature. Susan shares insights from her journey as a marketing titan and entrepreneur. Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Susan's path led her to chase the internet dream in San Francisco after college. She co-founded Triggit, an ad tech company, with her broth…
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The First Customer - The power of social selling and being likeable with Oshri Cohen
19:52
19:52
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19:52
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Oshri Cohen, founder of Red Corner. Oshri delves into his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his consulting practice as a fractional CTO. Oshri reflects on his upbringing, shaped by early experiences of independence and resilience due to facing racism. From launching his first business at 1…
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The First Customer - How To Build a Seven-Figure eCommerce Business with CMO Steve Kilberg
24:32
24:32
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24:32
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Steve Kilberg, CMO of SKRP Media LLC. Steve dives into his journey as an entrepreneur and his role in helping businesses grow and sell their assets. Steve shares how his upbringing in Detroit, with a father encouraging independence, shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Despite initially working for oth…
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Meet Kasper, a distinguished authority in in-house marketing setups, renowned for his expertise evidenced by two bestselling books and collaborations with esteemed global brands such as Apple, Lego, and Mars. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in advertising, Kasper has founded and spearheaded in-house creative departments at indu…
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The First Customer - How To Use Data to Solve Social Problems and Create Impact with Fahvyon Jimenez
22:16
22:16
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22:16
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Fahvyon Jimenez, Founder and Principal of Jimenez Strategy & Analytics, Fahvyon grew up with a father who was a business owner, and he got inspired by the idea that the best way to accomplish things is through entrepreneurship. Drawing from his experiences and skills in data science and ethnography, …
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The First Customer - Scott Anderson's Transformative Coaching on Corporate Excellence
27:33
27:33
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27:33
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Scott Anderson, founder of Doubledare Executive Coaching, Consulting, and Search. Scott shares his early entrepreneurial endeavors, from starting a shoeshine business at a young age to launching an advertising agency and eventually transitioning to executive coaching. Scott delves into the significan…
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The First Customer - How to Upskill Your Product People and Accelerate Scaling with Sean Boyce
22:52
22:52
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22:52
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Sean Boyce, founder of Nxt Step Consulting. Sean reflects on his roots in Philadelphia, the impact of his education and network on his entrepreneurial spirit, and the lessons learned from his early attempts at business. Sean talks about his first business, an endeavor aimed at solving issues in the r…
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Pivots: A Natural Progression | Shayra Antia
10:16
10:16
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Shayra is the co-founder and CEO of TouchBrick, a revolutionary startup reshaping the blockchain interaction landscape. Her visionary leadership has positioned TouchBrick as a standout in the Web3 space, with a commitment to innovation and user-friendly solutions. Shayra's success is marked by her distinction as one of the first venture capital-bac…
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The First Customer - Overcoming setbacks on the path to entrepreneurial greatness with Edward DuCoin
28:32
28:32
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28:32
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Edward DuCoin, founder and partner of Orpical. Edward grew up in South Jersey and his early experiences with financial struggles and observing his family's challenges fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with a ski tours business at 13, he eventually founded a teleservices company that grew to…
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The First Customer - How to Start, Scale, and Soar: Strategies for Marketplace Zenith with Roy Vella
25:37
25:37
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25:37
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Roy Vella, Managing Director and Founder of Vella Ventures Ltd. Roy delves into his upbringing in Brooklyn and its influence on his entrepreneurial journey. Roy reflects on his formative years, emphasizing the cultural impact of being from Brooklyn and the street-savvy and hustling mentality ingraine…
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Transparency As a Value to Your Company | Cody Guymon
14:57
14:57
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Meet Cody, a seasoned sales and operations leader with a decade of success, notably contributing to Qualtrics' growth from a $1B unicorn to an $8B SAP acquisition and leading it through a $20B+ IPO. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of GTM Operations at Workato, Cody focuses on empowering sales and GTM professionals to exceed targets…
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The First Customer - How to Build and Manage a Technical Team with Fractional CTO Marc Adler
24:39
24:39
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24:39
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marc Adler, the Fractional Chief Technology Officer of CTO as a Service. Marc reveals his roots in Queens, New York, and his unique exposure to the world of stockbroking through his father's career, setting the stage for his journey into the tech industry. Marc reminisces about his early days in tech…
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