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Business
Callan Harrington
Host Callan Harrington breaks down the careers of top founders and executives, pulling out the key items that led to their success. These are actual career transitions, mistakes, insights, breakthroughs, and general advice that can be immediately implemented.
Total 101 episodes
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Lissy Alden - Founder of MYNDY: Mental Wellness, Building a Category, and Balancing Gut Instinct and Objective Data

Lissy Alden - Founder of MYNDY: Mental Wellness, Building a Category, and Balancing Gut Instinct and Objective Data

Lissy Alden is the Founder of MYNDY, a research-based mental fitness platform that offers a practical approach to mental fitness which is simple, self-directed, and focused on helping professionals get unstuck, make progress, and feel more focused and energized - daily. Before building MYNDY, Lissy partnered with some of the world’s largest corporations, including JPMorgan, American Express, Charles River Laboratories, and the NYT. She also spent time in the startup world as a founding member of the enterprise team at General Assembly. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build a category How to use surveys to validate your ideasHow to balance gut instinct and objective data Why mental wellness is the key to organizational growthHow to move with confidence when you’re uncertain about the directionFollow Lissy on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
46:2107/12/2023
Matt Farrell - COO at Niobium Microsystems: Succeeding in the Earliest Stages, Evaluating Potential Employees, and Creating Work/Life Alignment

Matt Farrell - COO at Niobium Microsystems: Succeeding in the Earliest Stages, Evaluating Potential Employees, and Creating Work/Life Alignment

Matt Farrell is the COO at Niobium Microsystems, a trusted hardware design company developing high-performance microelectronic components to enable the secure collection, processing, and distribution of critical data.Matt is a multi-time founder and early-stage executive. Before the startup world, Matt was a coach for the University of Dayton Men’s basketball team and later the Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Dayton. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to create work/life alignment How sports prepare you for startupsHow to evaluate potential employeesWhat to expect in the earliest stages of a company Why you need to have a bias for action in a startup Follow Matt on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
43:0530/11/2023
Suresh Rachuri - Founder of Maven: Understanding Your Buyer, Being Relational vs. Transactional, and Removing Your Safety Net (Repost)

Suresh Rachuri - Founder of Maven: Understanding Your Buyer, Being Relational vs. Transactional, and Removing Your Safety Net (Repost)

Suresh Rachuri is the Founder of Maven. Maven is an IT Solutions and Consulting business based in Columbus, Ohio. Maven has been solving business challenges through technology and people since 2010.Suresh immigrated from India to Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 4 with his parents and younger brother. Suresh is an avid community leader and has spent the last 17 years volunteering as a big brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also serves on the board of the Columbus Early Learning Centers, with a mission to uplift at-risk youth.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to be a good recruiterThe benefits of being relational vs. transactional The power of empathy when working with people How to free yourself up to work “on” the businessThe benefits of being forced to start your own businessFollow Suresh on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
37:1023/11/2023
Mary Wiegand - Founder and CEO of Boon LLC: Flexible Employment, Work/Life Blending, and Freeing Yourself from Working “In” the Business

Mary Wiegand - Founder and CEO of Boon LLC: Flexible Employment, Work/Life Blending, and Freeing Yourself from Working “In” the Business

Mary Wiegand is the CEO and Founder of Boon LLC. Founded in 2017 and run by women, Boon LLC is a hands-on demand planning consultancy. They believe all product-based businesses, regardless of size, deserve access to exceptional merchandise planners.Mary brings over 16 years of demand planning experience across many retail product types and selling channels. Before Boon, Mary worked for industry leaders such as Target and Victoria's Secret. In this episode, you'll learn:How to win with contractors How to find the right partners A better way to blend work and life How to free yourself to work "on" the business How to give employees flexibility in their work schedulesFollow Mary on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
44:3209/11/2023
Nick Sadler - CEO of DOmedia: Making an Impression, Staying Focused, and Getting out of the Weeds

Nick Sadler - CEO of DOmedia: Making an Impression, Staying Focused, and Getting out of the Weeds

Nick Sadler is the CEO of DOmedia. DOmedia is the out-of-home advertising industry’s largest marketplace platform for planning, buying, and selling media. The world’s leading ad agencies and media companies rely on DOmedia’s enterprise solutions, while small businesses use http://www.BillboardsIn.com to plan and execute OOH campaigns online.Before joining DOmedia, Nick handled IT Process Improvement for Nationwide Insurance. While earning his M.B.A. in entrepreneurship at Capital University, Nick realized he had a passion for startups – and all the exciting challenges they represent. He realized he needed to move on from the corporate world and joined the DOmedia team.In this episode, you’ll learn:The benefits of hiring from within How to get out of the weeds as a CEOThe benefits of using a goal-setting methodology How to make sure you’re focused on the right things The importance of a support system as a first-time CEOFollow Nick on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
39:0502/11/2023
Jill Koziol - Co-Founder and CEO of Motherly: Growing to 40 Million Visitors a Month, Creating the Largest Study on Mothers, and Building a Brand

Jill Koziol - Co-Founder and CEO of Motherly: Growing to 40 Million Visitors a Month, Creating the Largest Study on Mothers, and Building a Brand

Jill Koziol is the Co-Founder and CEO of Motherly. Motherly is a wellbeing destination empowering mothers to thrive. An Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company and a Parity.org Best Company for Women to Advance, Motherly is built for mothers, by mothers. Engaging an audience of 40 million+ readers and viewers a month, Motherly offers on-demand parent education classes, Webby-award winning videos, The Motherly Podcast, essays and articles, and a highly-engaged social media community.Jill is also the co-author of "The Motherly Guide to Becoming Mama: Redefining the Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Journey" and "This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections and Practices."In this episode, you'll learn:How to build a brand How to "get smart" fast How to have a "fierce conversation" How Motherly grew to 40 million visitors a monthHow to create a statistically significant survey and study Follow Jill on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
45:5426/10/2023
Ryan McManus - Founder and CEO of SHARE Mobility: Rebounding from Losing 96% of Revenue, Getting Your Customers to Think Differently, and Upskilling as CEO

Ryan McManus - Founder and CEO of SHARE Mobility: Rebounding from Losing 96% of Revenue, Getting Your Customers to Think Differently, and Upskilling as CEO

Ryan is the Founder and CEO of SHARE Mobility. SHARE Mobility empowers businesses, municipalities, and mobility organizations with software and solutions that equip workforces and communities with reliable transportation options.Ryan is a two-time founder. Before starting SHARE Mobility, he founded ContentVia to help tech startups with all things marketing.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to rebuild an existing company The different types of entrepreneursHow to upskill as a CEO and FounderThe benefits of taking on VC investment How to get your customers to think differently Follow Ryan on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
39:4219/10/2023
Julia Regan - Co-Founder and CEO of RxLightning: Female Founder Advice, Leveraging Your Network, and Growing as a CEO

Julia Regan - Co-Founder and CEO of RxLightning: Female Founder Advice, Leveraging Your Network, and Growing as a CEO

Julia Regan is the Co-Founder and CEO of RxLightning. RxLightning digitizes, automates, and streamlines the historically manual specialty medication onboarding process. Julia has over 15 years of experience delivering innovative healthcare solutions that disrupt the status quo and remove friction for patients, providers, payers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. She is an Endeavor Entrepreneur, listed on the Bizwomen 100 list, the 2023 Healthcare Hero list, and EY Entrepreneur of the Year winner in the East Central region.In this episode, you’ll learn:Advice for female founders How to grow as a founder and CEOHow to use your network to get your first clients How to survive financially when starting a business How to set your company up for enterprise customers Follow Julia on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
41:2912/10/2023
Jeff Graley - Co-Founder and President of Mile 2: Working “On” the Business, Managing Cash Flow, and Building a Startup Ecosystem

Jeff Graley - Co-Founder and President of Mile 2: Working “On” the Business, Managing Cash Flow, and Building a Startup Ecosystem

Jeff Graley is the Co-Founder and President of Mile 2. Mile 2 builds custom software for a range of diverse clients, including startups, Fortune 500 companies, and the US government.Jeff is a veteran and serial entrepreneur. His 13 years with the Air Force reinforced his strengths as a problem solver and communicator, allowing him to turn existing projects around or lead new projects to success. At Mile 2, he continues to push the envelope on new technologies in domains such as human-machine teaming, big data, and artificial intelligence.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build a startup ecosystemHow to manage cash flow in a startup The benefits of forming an advisory boardHow much money to keep in cash reservesHow to scale beyond yourself as the founder Follow Jeff on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
39:2705/10/2023
Sarah Sylvester - EVP of Marketing at Victoria's Secret: Brand Transformation, Putting the Customer First, and Empowering People

Sarah Sylvester - EVP of Marketing at Victoria's Secret: Brand Transformation, Putting the Customer First, and Empowering People

Sarah Sylvester is the EVP of Marketing at Victoria’s Secret and PINK. She is responsible for telling the product and brand story to customers through all marketing channels, including social, app, email, campus events, direct mail, and in-store activations.Sarah has a tenured career with the company that began in 2005 when she joined Victoria’s Secret public relations team. Sarah played an integral role in developing the PINK brand from its initial inception. In 2021, Sarah took on the role of leading both the Victoria’s Secret and PINK marketing organization. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to upskill for a promotionHow to grow at a large company  How to get feedback as an executive How to undergo a brand transformationHow to put the customer at the center of everythingFollow Sarah on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
36:4528/09/2023
Luis Estevez - Founder & CEO of AIMM: Following Your Interests, Career Changes, and Going Back to School in Your 30’s

Luis Estevez - Founder & CEO of AIMM: Following Your Interests, Career Changes, and Going Back to School in Your 30’s

Luis Estevez is the founder and CEO of Advanced & Innovative Multifunctional Materials (AIMM). AIMM enables porous materials to be scientifically tailored to target big problems. More specifically, AIMM focuses on a water filter that can target and treat hard-to-remove “forever chemicals” from water.Before founding AIMM, Luis completed his Materials Science Ph.D. at Cornell University, obtained a 3-year $1M fellowship from the DOE to work at a National Lab, and worked as a staff scientist at the University of Dayton Research Institute.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to manage multiple career changesThe importance of following what interests youThe benefits of going back to school in your 30’sThe uncomfortable truths of being an entrepreneurThe benefits of making a career change later in life Follow Luis on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
37:2121/09/2023
Nathalie Lussier - Founder of AccessAlly: Transitioning from Services to SaaS, Growing a Bootstrapped SaaS Business, and Building a Business with Your Spouse

Nathalie Lussier - Founder of AccessAlly: Transitioning from Services to SaaS, Growing a Bootstrapped SaaS Business, and Building a Business with Your Spouse

Nathalie Lussier is the founder of AccessAlly. AccessAlly is a digital course and membership solution for industry leaders. Nathalie believes that access to education can help defy stereotypes and make the world a better place while providing a sustainable livelihood for enterprising teachers.Nathalie is an award-winning entrepreneur who has been making websites since she was 12. She has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Success Magazine, Entrepreneur, Venture Beat, and Mashable.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to create an online course How to shift from services to softwareHow to run a business with your spouseThe importance of understanding your audience The pros and cons of building a bootstrapped software business  Follow Nathalie on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
46:5614/09/2023
Nick Ripplinger - Founder and President of Battle Sight Technologies: Starting a Company From a DoD Research Lab, Building with the Voice of Customer, and Hiring Great People

Nick Ripplinger - Founder and President of Battle Sight Technologies: Starting a Company From a DoD Research Lab, Building with the Voice of Customer, and Hiring Great People

Nick Ripplinger is the Founder and President of Battle Sight Technologies. Incorporating his role as a former US Army Soldier and Operations NCOIC, Nick created Battle Sight to protect the warfighter by developing new technologies and innovative ideas.  Nick is also the best-selling author of Front Line Leadership – Applying Military Strategies to Everyday Business. As a Service Disabled Veteran, Nick dedicates his personal time and resources to assisting veterans in transition by leveraging their military skills in the business world.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to find motivation in setbacksHow the Department of Defense research labs workThe benefits of hiring senior people into a young companyHow to build with the voice of customer from the beginning How to start a company from a Department of Defense research labFollow Nick on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
39:5907/09/2023
Tom Bruce - Founder & CEO of Conversion Path: Finding Your Niche, Marketing Attribution, Narrowing Your Focus, and Letting Go of Control

Tom Bruce - Founder & CEO of Conversion Path: Finding Your Niche, Marketing Attribution, Narrowing Your Focus, and Letting Go of Control

Tom Bruce is the Founder and CEO of Conversion Path. Conversion Path provides e-commerce brands competitive advantages in remarketing, Google Shopping, and paid search engine optimization. Tom started his career as a CPA and CFO for early-stage ventures. As a former CFO turned marketer, he saw an opportunity to use his financial background to optimize digital marketing efforts. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to find your nicheHow equity drives motivation How marketing attribution is brokenThe importance of narrowing your focus How to let go of control as a business owner Follow Tom on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
39:4024/08/2023
Christine Rogers - President & COO of Aspireship: Sales Leadership, Having Tough Conversations, and Driving Accountability

Christine Rogers - President & COO of Aspireship: Sales Leadership, Having Tough Conversations, and Driving Accountability

Christine Rogers is the President and COO of Aspireship. Aspireship is a career development platform that helps you launch and grow your career in tech sales, software engineering, customer success, and many more positions.Christine is a seasoned sales and marketing leader specializing in recruiting, hiring, training, and managing high-performing sales teams. She’s a people leader who maximizes team performance and drives results. In this episode, you’ll learn:The power of sharing your story How to have tough conversations What good sales leadership looks like How to drive accountability on a sales team The benefits of over-communicating as a leader Follow Christine on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
49:1517/08/2023
Derrek Seif - Chief Strategy & Product Officer at VPL: Winning Through Honesty, Changing Your Mindset with Equity, Using Consulting to Find Your Next Job

Derrek Seif - Chief Strategy & Product Officer at VPL: Winning Through Honesty, Changing Your Mindset with Equity, Using Consulting to Find Your Next Job

Derrek Seif is the Chief Strategy and Product Officer at VPL. VPL delivers visibility and resiliency to clinical supply chains. Derrek has built, launched, and managed B2B software products throughout the product lifecycle in several industries. He is doing the same for healthcare at VPL, leading the product and engineering teams to build the future of the healthcare and pharmaceutical supply chain.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to win big by being honestThe power of in-person customer visitsHow owning equity changes your mindsetHow to use consulting to find your next job How to differentiate yourself from your co-workersFollow Derrek on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
44:1510/08/2023
Ali Schwanke - Founder & CEO at Simple Strat: Sales and Marketing Alignment, Differentiating your Business, and Building a YouTube Channel for B2B

Ali Schwanke - Founder & CEO at Simple Strat: Sales and Marketing Alignment, Differentiating your Business, and Building a YouTube Channel for B2B

Ali Schwanke is the Founder and CEO of Simple Strat. Simple Strat is a marketing and sales firm that helps you get more out of HubSpot. From CRM strategy and setup to marketing automation and content creation, their services are tailored to fuel customer acquisition and retention.Simple Strat is also a HubSpot Diamond Solutions Partner and the host of HubSpot Hacks, the #1 unofficial YouTube channel for HubSpot Tutorials.Ali is a data-driven marketing professional with 15+ years of experience in B2B, strategy, and content marketing. Most of all, she’s hilarious.In this episode, you’ll learn:What makes a good first hireHow to align sales and marketing teamsHow to build a YouTube channel for B2BThe benefits of a peer network as an entrepreneurHow to differentiate yourself in a competitive marketFollow Ali on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
43:2003/08/2023
Brett Buchanan - Founder and CEO at Pathfinder Product Labs: The Product Manager Role, Creating Your Unique Position, Building a Community, and Using Metrics to Grow a Consulting Company

Brett Buchanan - Founder and CEO at Pathfinder Product Labs: The Product Manager Role, Creating Your Unique Position, Building a Community, and Using Metrics to Grow a Consulting Company

Brett Buchanan is the CEO of Pathfinder Product Labs, a team of experienced product leaders on a mission to develop products that create lasting customer and business value. Brett is a product expert. He has extensive experience as a Chief Product Officer, ranging from pre-revenue startups to large enterprises. Through that experience, he’s developed a deep understanding of the balance between product sensibility, commercial expertise, and data-driven insights.In this episode, you’ll learn:The importance of referrals How to create a community The role of a Product ManagerHow to create your own role in a company How to use metrics to grow a consulting company Follow Brett on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
35:1127/07/2023
Julie Zimmer - CEO of LuckyTruck: Motivating Large Groups, Aligning a Scaling Company, and The Difference Between the COO and CEO Positions

Julie Zimmer - CEO of LuckyTruck: Motivating Large Groups, Aligning a Scaling Company, and The Difference Between the COO and CEO Positions

Julie Zimmer is the CEO of LuckyTruck. LuckyTruck makes it easy for trucking companies to buy and manage commercial trucking insurance through an all-in-one digital platform. Julie is an Insurtech veteran with 30 years of experience in insurance, with 15 of those years in Insurtech. She was most recently the Head of Insurance at Flexport and the COO of Embroker. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to motivate large groups How to align a scaling company The main difference between a COO and a CEOHow to transition from individual contributor to leaderThe importance of a support network as an executive Follow Julie on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
35:1420/07/2023
Albert Wang - Co-Founder & CEO at Bearworks: Entrepreneurship, Fundamentals of Product Development, Working with Investors to Find Your Next Role, and Customer Research

Albert Wang - Co-Founder & CEO at Bearworks: Entrepreneurship, Fundamentals of Product Development, Working with Investors to Find Your Next Role, and Customer Research

Albert Wang is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bearworks. Bearworks is a revenue intelligence startup that supercharges sales teams to be more productive, leverage insights, and feel more connected.Albert was previously VP of Product at Materialize and Director of Product at Datadog through their IPO. Prior to Datadog, Albert co-founded Perssist, an on-demand virtual assistant service, was the first employee at Crunchyroll, the world’s largest Asian video streaming service, and has worked at Dataminr and Yahoo.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to conduct customer research What makes entrepreneurship great The fundamentals of product development  How to work with investors to find your next position The importance of learning at a high-growth companyFollow Albert on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
38:3613/07/2023
Jill Apgar - Founder & CEO of Coco Beans: Crowdfunding, In-Person Events, Leading with Kindness and Turning a Personal Challenge into a New Business

Jill Apgar - Founder & CEO of Coco Beans: Crowdfunding, In-Person Events, Leading with Kindness and Turning a Personal Challenge into a New Business

Jill Apgar is the founder & CEO of Coco Beans. Coco Beans is a luxury children's brand transforming bedtime into peaceful magic. Coco Beans' 100% silk crib sheets create "icky-free," whimsical bedding and sleepwear. They have earned features in top publications, including US Weekly, Business Insider, and Good Housekeeping.Earlier this year, Jill was named to the Entreprenista 100 list. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to lead with kindness How to have a difficult conversationHow to turn a personal challenge into a business How to use in-person events to drive digital sales  How to successfully launch a crowdfunding campaignFollow Jill on LinkedIn / Instagram ConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
37:5306/07/2023
Marcus Chan - Founder of Venli Consulting Group: Starting a Business from an eBook, Succeeding in Sales, Asking Better Questions, and Being Self-Aware

Marcus Chan - Founder of Venli Consulting Group: Starting a Business from an eBook, Succeeding in Sales, Asking Better Questions, and Being Self-Aware

Marcus is the Founder of Venli Consulting Group, where he helps account executives sell and earn over $100,000+ each year through his coaching and training programs. Marcus is an official member of the Forbes Business Council and has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, MarketWatch, and many others. He is a 3-time Salesforce Top Sales Influencer and the Wall Street Journal Best Selling author of Six-Figure Sales Secrets.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to lead without a title The power of self-awareness Starting a business from an eBookThe magic of asking better questions How to optimize for fortune, family, freedom, and fulfillment Follow Marcus on LinkedInConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
35:2429/06/2023
Sarah Kallile - Founder & CEO of Lunnie: Building a Community-Led Brand, Creating Brand Evangelists, Finding the Right Idea to Start Your Business, and Not Caring What People Think of You

Sarah Kallile - Founder & CEO of Lunnie: Building a Community-Led Brand, Creating Brand Evangelists, Finding the Right Idea to Start Your Business, and Not Caring What People Think of You

Sarah Kallile is the founder and CEO of Lunnie, a postpartum intimates brand for modern mothers. Lunnie disrupted the market with their innovative All-Day Leakproof Nursing Bra. This community-led brand is not only creating products but launching a movement to support postpartum women who have been underserved. Lunnie is the 2023 Soin Award for Innovation winner, the 2022 University of Dayton Flyer Pitch winner, and the 2021 Female Founder Collective Pitch winner. She is the proud mother of 3 girls under 5 whom Lunnie is named after. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to create brand evangelists How to build a community-led brand How to know you have the right ideaThe power in not caring what people think of youThe benefits of building a mission-driven companyFollow Sarah on LinkedIn / InstagramLearn about Lunnie***ConnectFollow Callan on LinkedInSubscribe to the Newsletter 
41:2222/06/2023
Stephanie Cartin - Co-Founder and CEO of Entreprenista: Building a Community, What Makes a Great Business Partner, What to Look for in Your First Hires, and How to Invest in Yourself

Stephanie Cartin - Co-Founder and CEO of Entreprenista: Building a Community, What Makes a Great Business Partner, What to Look for in Your First Hires, and How to Invest in Yourself

Stephanie Cartin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Entreprenista. Entreprenista is a media company and membership community that impacts the success of women by celebrating and sharing the stories, lessons, and business insights of female leaders while creating a community that cultivates meaningful business connections and support.Stephanie is also the Co-Founder of Socialfly, Co-Founder of Markid, and Co-Founder of Pearl-Influential. She has won countless awards, including the SmartCEO Brava award, which recognizes the top female CEOs in New York, and a Stevie Award for Women Run Workplace of the Year.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build a community How to maximize a networking event What makes a great business partnerHow to invest in yourself as an entrepreneurWhat to look for when hiring your first employeesJoin The Entreprenista LeagueFollow Stephanie on LinkedIn / Instagram***ConnectSubscribe to the Newsletter Follow Callan on LinkedIn
47:2615/06/2023
Rich Woo - Founder of Catalyst Planning Partners: Surviving Your First Year in Business, Starting to Network, Spending Your Time Effectively, and Building Your Support System

Rich Woo - Founder of Catalyst Planning Partners: Surviving Your First Year in Business, Starting to Network, Spending Your Time Effectively, and Building Your Support System

Rich is the Founder of Catalyst Planning Partners. Catalyst Planning Partners is a wealth advisory and financial planning firm that manages over 400 million dollars of client assets and works with executives, closely held business owners, and business leaders.Rich is a highly sought-after public speaker. He’s given over 100 talks at national and local conferences about financial planning, investment management, and business growth.Rich also runs a podcast called The Power of Connections and is working on his upcoming book entitled Relationship Recession. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to start networkingWhy you need a support system How to test if you’re using your time correctly The keys to surviving your first year in business How to create a dinner club to build relationshipsFollow Rich on LinkedInFollow Callan on LinkedIn
36:5408/06/2023
Sam McKenna - Founder at #samsales Consulting - Using Fear to Find Joy, Shortening Your Sales Cycle with LinkedIn, Breaking Through the Noise, and Being Your Authentic Self

Sam McKenna - Founder at #samsales Consulting - Using Fear to Find Joy, Shortening Your Sales Cycle with LinkedIn, Breaking Through the Noise, and Being Your Authentic Self

Sam McKenna is the CEO of #samsales Consulting. #samsales is a multi-million dollar sales consulting company serving over 165 clients and consistently hitting triple-digit revenue growth. Sam is an award-winning sales leader, LinkedIn Sales [In]sider, angel investor, board member, and highly sought-after speaker. She has broken 13 sales records, has over 70,000 LinkedIn followers, and she’s been named a Top 25 Woman in Revenue and a Top 20 Woman in Sales Leadership.  In this episode, you’ll learn:How to use fear to find joyThe power of being your authentic selfHow to shorten your sales cycle using LinkedInHow to break through the noise with “Show me you know me”Follow Sam on LinkedInFollow Callan on LinkedIn
43:1001/06/2023
Dr. Billy Williams - CEO of Williams Family Investment Group: Building a Community, 4 Disciplines to Success, Changing Careers, and the Value of a Business Partner

Dr. Billy Williams - CEO of Williams Family Investment Group: Building a Community, 4 Disciplines to Success, Changing Careers, and the Value of a Business Partner

Dr. Billy Williams is the CEO of the Williams Family Investment Group, a group of more than 160 partner insurance agencies that produce almost a billion dollars in insurance premiums. He is also the Founder and President of Inspire a Nation Business Mentoring Services. He’s authored 3 books and has been a staple on the public speaking circuit for years.Why? Because he gives actionable takeaways that are dead simple to implement. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build a communityThe four disciplines to successHow to successfully change careersThe value of having a business partner The difference between ego and arrogance Follow Dr. Billy Williams on LinkedInFollow Callan on LinkedIn
45:1025/05/2023
Lacey Picazo - Founder & CEO of ZoCo Design: When to Pursue Your Business Full-time, Being Vulnerable and Transparent, and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Lacey Picazo - Founder & CEO of ZoCo Design: When to Pursue Your Business Full-time, Being Vulnerable and Transparent, and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Lacey is the Founder & CEO of ZoCo Design, the UX and product design studio for customer-centric software companies. ZoCo has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recently Inc. Magazine’s list of Best Places to Work in the US. Lacey is an incredible Founder and CEO and has won the Visionary Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners, as well as about every award you can win in Columbus, Ohio, including Top 40 Under 40 and Outstanding Woman in Technology.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to find a support system as a founder The importance of vulnerability and transparencyHow to get out of your comfort zone to grow your skill setWhen to hire your first employee in a bootstrapped company When to leave your full-time job and go all in on your businessFollow Lacey on LinkedInFollow Callan on LinkedIn
42:2618/05/2023
Kevin Gaither - Founder at Inside Sales Expert: Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager, Manager to Director, Director to Executive, and Deciding if a Career in Leadership is Right for You

Kevin Gaither - Founder at Inside Sales Expert: Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager, Manager to Director, Director to Executive, and Deciding if a Career in Leadership is Right for You

Kevin Gaither (KG) is the Founder of Inside Sales Expert, where he helps early-stage tech companies avoid mistakes in all aspects of growing their sales team. Before Inside Sales Expert, he was the SVP of Sales at ZipRecruiter. KG has the experience. He’s been at 8 startups, 3 of which have successfully exited. He’s built teams from 30-550 sales reps, and in his own words, he’s made lots and lots of mistakes. He gave us a masterclass on building a career in sales leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: (These will be the items I mention that we discussed in the opening of the podcast)How to decide if a career in leadership is right for youHow to transition from individual contributor to manager How to get promoted from manager to director How being coachable gets results How to control the controllables in order to get over fearFollow Kevin on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
44:1311/05/2023
Katie Hill - Founder & CEO of UNLISTED: Funding Methods for Your Startup, Starting with a Business Model, and The Power of Persistence

Katie Hill - Founder & CEO of UNLISTED: Funding Methods for Your Startup, Starting with a Business Model, and The Power of Persistence

Katie is the Founder & CEO of UNLISTED. UNLISTED allows real estate agents & home buyers to express interest in off-market properties via their easy-to-use technology. She is a 2-time Founder and has seen significant success in her career. Prior to founding UNLISTED, she founded CommuterAds, which has been very successful in its own right. In this episode, you’ll learn:The importance of starting with a business model How to land your dream job by being persistent How to anticipate your client’s needsHow Katie landed the Founder of Kayak as an investor Different ways to fund your business 
37:5304/05/2023
Shelly Stotzer - CEO of Crosworks: Taking Control of Your Career, Being Your Authentic Self, and Building Your Network

Shelly Stotzer - CEO of Crosworks: Taking Control of Your Career, Being Your Authentic Self, and Building Your Network

Shelly Stotzer is the CEO of Crosworks and has over 20 years of executive leadership and coaching experience across a variety of industries, from large companies to startups.Crosworks empowerers people with clarity and focus to perform their best. They work with organizations and individuals as they prepare to tackle the bigger, better things at work.She’s seen success at the highest levels and is excellent at distilling that into actional takeaways. In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build your network How to take control of your career What it means to be your authentic selfA mindset to shift the narrative of imposter syndrome 
35:3627/04/2023
Vikas Gupta - CEO of Azibo: From Consultant to CEO, Nurturing Relationships, and Deciding on Business School

Vikas Gupta - CEO of Azibo: From Consultant to CEO, Nurturing Relationships, and Deciding on Business School

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Vikas Gupta, CEO of Azibo. Before Azibo, Vikas was the Founder & CEO of Nodabl. Join them as they discuss how Vikas went from consultant to CEO, how the relationships he built impacted his career, how he nurtured these relationships, and his decision to go to business school. Links: Find Vikas on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedInSign up with Azibo
43:2420/04/2023
Amy Volas - Founder & CEO of Avenue Talent Partners: Finding your Next Role, Hiring the Best Candidate, and Believing in Yourself

Amy Volas - Founder & CEO of Avenue Talent Partners: Finding your Next Role, Hiring the Best Candidate, and Believing in Yourself

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Amy Volas, Founder and CEO of Avenue Talent Partners. Before Avenue Talent Partners, Amy was the Executive Director, National Accounts at Zip Recruiter. Join them as they discuss how to hire the best candidate for your company, the importance of understanding what’s important when evaluating your next role, and believing in yourself to start a company. Links: Find Amy on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
43:0313/04/2023
Building a repeatable process, communication, and becoming an industry expert with Jason Walker (President at Agency Revolution)

Building a repeatable process, communication, and becoming an industry expert with Jason Walker (President at Agency Revolution)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Jason Walker, President of Agency Revolution. Before Agency Revolution, Jason was the Founder & CEO of Agency Insurtech and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Smart Harbor. Join them as they discuss how to build a repeatable process within an organization, the power of strong written and verbal communication skills, and how to become an expert in an industry. Links: Find Jason on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
34:2806/04/2023
Betting on yourself, overcoming obstacles, and mission-driven companies with Jen Lyttle (VP of Sales at Aunt Flow)

Betting on yourself, overcoming obstacles, and mission-driven companies with Jen Lyttle (VP of Sales at Aunt Flow)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Jen Lyttle, VP of Sales at Aunt Flow. Before Aunt Flow, Jen was the Director of Sales at Ascend Innovations. Join them as they discuss how Jen bet on herself throughout her career, overcame multiple obstacles, and why she works for mission-driven companies. Links: Find Jen Lyttle on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
39:3630/03/2023
Pivoting your business, narrowing your focus, and solving problems with Brian Zuercher (CEO at Align)

Pivoting your business, narrowing your focus, and solving problems with Brian Zuercher (CEO at Align)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Brian Zuercher, CEO at Align. Before Align, Brian was CEO and Co-founder of Seen, which was acquired by ICX media in 2018. Join them as they discuss how Brian completely pivoted his business during the pandemic, the benefits of narrowing your focus, and why solving problems is the core of any business. Links: Find Brian on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
36:1323/03/2023
Leadership lessons, personal worth vs. net worth, and exiting 3 companies with Jamie Ahern (CEO of CarmaCare)

Leadership lessons, personal worth vs. net worth, and exiting 3 companies with Jamie Ahern (CEO of CarmaCare)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Jamie Ahern, CEO at CarmaCare. Before CarmaCare, Jamie was COO of Kin Insurance and VP of Growth at LiveWatch. Join them as they discuss the importance of feedback, the power of coachability, making an impact, and exiting three companies. Links:Find Jamie on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
47:1516/03/2023
Building a career in insurance, being a lifelong student, and taking chances with Rich Stamets (SVP of  Business Development at Arch)

Building a career in insurance, being a lifelong student, and taking chances with Rich Stamets (SVP of Business Development at Arch)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Rich Stamets, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Arch Insurance Group. Before Arch, Rich was SVP of Business Development at Thimble and Head of Underwriting at Attune Insurance. Join them as Rich gives a masterclass on insurance, the challenges and excitement of an insurance career, and why it’s so important to be a lifelong student.Links:Find Rich on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
52:1409/03/2023
The importance of taking a step back, knowing your value, and asking for referrals with Will Fuentes (Founder at Maestro Group)

The importance of taking a step back, knowing your value, and asking for referrals with Will Fuentes (Founder at Maestro Group)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Will Fuentes. Founder at Maestro Group. Before Maestro Group, Will was the Director of Solutions Marketing at Revionics and founded Lemur Retail. Join them as they discuss the importance of taking a step back in your career to propel yourself forward, having confidence in the value you deliver, and when to ask for referrals. Links:Find Will on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
39:3202/03/2023
Hitting aggressive growth goals, transitioning from a large company to a startup, and narrowing your focus with Chris Ritchie (Managing Partner at Integrity Power Search)

Hitting aggressive growth goals, transitioning from a large company to a startup, and narrowing your focus with Chris Ritchie (Managing Partner at Integrity Power Search)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Chris Ritchie, Managing Partner at Integrity Power Search. Before Integrity Power Seach, Chris was the COO of Finite State and Head of Sales at Olive. Join them as they discuss the challenges and rewards of transitioning from a large company to a startup, hitting aggressive growth goals, and how he benefited from narrowing in on his ideal customer profile. Links:Find Chris on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
42:3423/02/2023
Leading by example, transitioning from bootstrapped to venture-backed, and the importance of scripts with Zack Yurch (Head of Revenue at Semsee)

Leading by example, transitioning from bootstrapped to venture-backed, and the importance of scripts with Zack Yurch (Head of Revenue at Semsee)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Zack Yurch, Head of Revenue at Semsee. Before Semsee, Zack was the Director of New Business at Forge3. Join them as they discuss transitioning from a bootstrapped company to a venture-backed company, the importance of leading by example, and how to decrease the ramp time of your sales reps using a script. Links:Find Zack on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
44:2016/02/2023
Being comfortable with uncertainty, narrowing your customer focus, and having empathy for your customer with Jeremy Ruch (Founder and CEO at Bandalier)

Being comfortable with uncertainty, narrowing your customer focus, and having empathy for your customer with Jeremy Ruch (Founder and CEO at Bandalier)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Jeremy Ruch, Founder and CEO of Bandalier. Before Bandalier, Jeremy was the Head of Sales at Bond Street. Join them as they discuss starting a company from scratch, the importance of spending as much time as possible with your customers, and why it's so important to narrow your customer focus. 
40:5909/02/2023
Using a rubric for your next career move, shifting from startups to large companies, and the power of business cases with Dan Caldwell (VP & Head of Insurance at Cinch Home Services)

Using a rubric for your next career move, shifting from startups to large companies, and the power of business cases with Dan Caldwell (VP & Head of Insurance at Cinch Home Services)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Dan Caldwell, VP & Head of Insurance at Cinch Home Services. Before Cinch Home Services, Dan founded Adfiki and worked for multiple high-growth startups and large companies. Join them as they discuss the importance of creating a rubric to evaluate your next career move, trying out your dream job before committing to it, and using a business case to make better decisions. 
40:1902/02/2023
Demystifying entrepreneurship, working “on” the business, and productizing a service business with Sam Shelper (CEO at Testimonial Hero)

Demystifying entrepreneurship, working “on” the business, and productizing a service business with Sam Shelper (CEO at Testimonial Hero)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Sam Shepler, CEO at Testimonial Hero. Before Testimonial Hero, Sam founded and sold Skyscope. Join them as they discuss the importance of core values and how to start working “on” the business.  
36:5726/01/2023
The importance of empathy in leadership, exiting two companies, and maximizing your data with Margeaux Giles (CEO at GoGiles)

The importance of empathy in leadership, exiting two companies, and maximizing your data with Margeaux Giles (CEO at GoGiles)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Margeaux Giles, CEO at GoGiles. Before GoGiles, Margeaux sold two companies, OIG Insurance and Zingo. Join them as they discuss leadership and how to maximize the data you have in your company. 
41:3719/01/2023
Founding a tech company in college, standing out to get your dream job, and moving into venture capital with Matt Veryser (VP of Startup Studio at Ascend Innovations)

Founding a tech company in college, standing out to get your dream job, and moving into venture capital with Matt Veryser (VP of Startup Studio at Ascend Innovations)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Matt Veryser, VP of Startup Studio at Ascend Innovations. Before Ascend, Matt founded a company, spent time in venture capital, and was the Head of Product at SafeChain. Join them as they discuss how to stand out when applying for a competitive position and what he learned from founding a company at a young age. 
41:1912/01/2023
Deciding to go to business school, changing careers, and selling 2 businesses with Ido Deutsch (VP of Growth at Agentero)

Deciding to go to business school, changing careers, and selling 2 businesses with Ido Deutsch (VP of Growth at Agentero)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Ido Deutsch, VP of Growth at Agentero. Before Agentero, Ido started multiple tech companies in the US and Israel. Join them as they discuss how to evaluate a major career change and the decision to go to business school. Links:Find Ido on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
38:5405/01/2023
What makes a good business partner, first enterprise client, and selling your company with Mark Fleming Jr. (Founder of Signature Closers)

What makes a good business partner, first enterprise client, and selling your company with Mark Fleming Jr. (Founder of Signature Closers)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Mark Fleming Jr., Founder of Signature Closers. In addition to founding Signature Closers, Mark is the Managing Partner at MEMM Capital and Co-founder at TalentShare. Join them as they discuss Mark's experience finding the right business partner and the breakdown of what makes a good partner. Additionally, the impact your first enterprise customer can have on your business. Links:Find Mark on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
44:4129/12/2022
Understanding your buyer, being relational vs. transactional, and removing your safety net with Suresh Rachuri (CEO at Maven)

Understanding your buyer, being relational vs. transactional, and removing your safety net with Suresh Rachuri (CEO at Maven)

In this episode, Callan's guest is Suresh Rachuri, CEO at Maven. Before founding Maven, Suresh was a top recruiter and business owner. Join them as they discuss what Suresh looks for in a candidate, how he pairs candidates with companies, and how being forced into an unstable situation was the best thing that happened to his career. Links:Find Suresh on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
36:0022/12/2022
Creating a solution as a team, managing managers, and tailoring your coaching to the individual with Ed Porter (Fractional CRO at Blue Chip CRO)

Creating a solution as a team, managing managers, and tailoring your coaching to the individual with Ed Porter (Fractional CRO at Blue Chip CRO)

In this episode, Callan’s guest is Ed Porter, Fractional CRO at Blue Chip CRO. In addition to founding Blue Chip CRO, Ed is an avid investor and former Chief Revenue Officer of Smart Harbor. Join them as they discuss what worked for Ed leading teams of over 1000 people and what actionable steps you can use to make better team decisions.Links:Find Ed on LinkedInConnect with Callan on LinkedIn
38:1315/12/2022