An Hour of Innovation: AI, Product, Tech and Career Growth

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Brian Perks, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Five by Five.

Brian is a seasoned data strategist and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the data industry. The conversation explores how data co-ops are disrupting the traditional broker model, why “no one’s data is as good as everyone’s data,” and how real-world usage is the most effective way to validate information. The discussion also covers identity verification, fraud prevention, privacy trade-offs, and the role of AI in analyzing data, identifying patterns, and enabling precise targeting. Other highlights include insights into the future of publishing in the AI era, the balance between personalization and privacy, and why efficiency in data activation benefits both businesses and consumers.

Brian Perks has held leadership roles at ZoomInfo, Bombora, and Pipl, where he specialized in data acquisition, licensing, and identity solutions. Today, as co-founder of Five by Five, he is pioneering a cooperative model that democratizes access to high-quality, continuously validated data. His entrepreneurial journey reflects a vision for disrupting outdated systems, building trust in digital ecosystems, and empowering companies of all sizes to innovate with reliable data. Widely regarded as a thought leader, Brian continues to shape conversations around data strategy, privacy, and the evolving role of AI in business.

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Takeaways

* How 5x5 Data was born out of necessity, turning an informal data exchange into a full cooperative model.

* The surprising truth: “No one’s data is as good as everyone’s data.”

* How billions of daily validation signals (emails, phone numbers, IPs) create a more accurate “identity graph.”

* The most reliable way to validate data is to consume it in real-world use cases.

* A live email address is worth more than your Social Security number on the dark web.

* The trade-off between privacy and personalization, and why 70% of people actually prefer targeted ads.

* Why efficiency in targeting matters: the best data isn’t a big list - it’s knowing who will actually buy.

* How better targeting can reduce marketing waste and even lower product costs for consumers.

* The hidden risk for publishers: AI tools are reducing their traffic by up to 90%, similar to Napster’s effect on music.

* Why publishers may need a new licensing model as AI “answer engines” replace traditional search.

* The limits of AI: it can accelerate data processing, but it can’t synthesize personal identifiers like emails or phone numbers.

* Controlling data through brokerage stifles innovation - democratizing access enables it.

* Data has no intrinsic value - it only matters in how you activate it.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:29 Ads

03:45 The 5x5 Concept and Data Utilization

06:17 Understanding the Work Co-op Model

08:26 Joining the 5x5 Community

11:26 Diverse Use Cases Beyond Marketing

13:58 Ensuring Data Integrity and Privacy

15:51 Navigating Privacy Concerns

18:12 The Trade-offs of Privacy and Personalization

21:59 Efficiency in Marketing and Sales

27:37 The Impact of AI on Product Development

29:37 Challenges in AI and Data Licensing

33:12 Source of Hallucinations and Mistakes in AI

38:00 Utilizing Data for Targeting Audiences

42:47 Social Media

45:38 Application will Do More

49:37 Entrepreneurial Insights and Advice

55:33 Advice from Brian

Connect with Brian

* Website: https://5x5data.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangperks/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

Vit’s Projects

* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

* AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore how human knowledge powers the next generation of artificial intelligence. Together, they dive into the importance of high-quality data, the challenge of bias in AI, the role of blockchain payments in rewarding contributors, and the future balance between human input and machine learning.

Rowan shares his journey from energy executive to crypto entrepreneur, building early DeFi protocols, co-creating Coinbase’s Layer 2, and eventually launching Sapien, a decentralized data platform that connects enterprises with a global network of contributors. He explains why data is the true bottleneck in AI, how Sapien incentivizes contributors from everyday people to doctors and engineers, and why human oversight remains essential even as AI becomes more advanced.

Rowan Stone is a seasoned entrepreneur whose career spans energy, crypto, and AI. He co-founded multiple ventures in the blockchain space, including projects acquired by Coinbase, where he spent three years leading initiatives around stablecoins, tokenization, and Layer 2 solutions. Today, as CEO of Sapien, he focuses on sourcing and structuring human data for specialized AI models used in fields like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and healthcare. His mission is to democratize access to AI’s growth by enabling people everywhere to monetize their knowledge while ensuring enterprises get the high-quality data they need.

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To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/

Takeaways

* AI is only as smart as the quality of data it’s fed.

* The true bottleneck in AI is data, not algorithms or compute.

* Everyone’s knowledge, from experts to everyday people, has value for training AI.

* Global diversity in data contributors is key to reducing bias in AI.

* Politically correct outputs can still be factually wrong, as seen in the Viking ship AI fail.

* AI can enhance doctors’ diagnostic power while creating new income opportunities.

* Self-driving cars still struggle because training is highly city-specific.

* Incentive systems like staking and slashing help ensure high-quality data for AI.

* Stablecoin payments enable instant, global compensation for AI contributors.

* Human input will always be needed to handle real-world randomness and context.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:14 From Energy to Crypto: A Personal Journey

05:56 Understanding Sapien: The Decentralized Data Foundry

10:33 Quality of AI Data: What Does It Mean?

12:17 Contributors and Their Role in Data Annotation

14:13 Scaling Contributor Networks and Quality Control

20:47 Addressing Bias in AI Data

25:31 Expert Contributors: Recruitment and Qualification Process

29:28 AI as a Diagnostic Tool for Healthcare

32:03 Challenges in Autonomous Vehicle Development

35:01 The Intersection of Crypto and AI

39:32 The Future of Human Expertise in AI

43:39 The Role of Creativity in AI

48:15 Getting Started with AI Model Training

Connect with Rowan

* Website: https://earn.sapien.io/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-stone/

* X: https://x.com/rowanrk6

* Other: https://www.sapien.io/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

Vit’s Projects

* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

* AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Nick Cawthon, a seasoned UX designer, researcher, and educator, to explore the evolving role of user experience in the age of AI. Nick shares insights on how UX has transformed from the early days of the internet to today’s standardized design systems, and why research remains at the heart of building products people love. We discuss the British Design Council’s Double Diamond framework, balancing qualitative and quantitative data, and how AI tools are reshaping research, prototyping, and usability testing. Nick also warns about the risks of replacing human connection in research with automated tools and why maintaining a human-centered approach is more important than ever. The conversation is filled with practical examples, including a memorable story about a taqueria that manages to juggle orders from eight different delivery apps.

Nick Cawthon is the founder of Gage, a user experience consultancy, and a faculty member at the California College of the Arts, where he teaches UX and data visualization. With over two decades of experience, Nick has worked across startups and Fortune 500 companies, helping teams bridge the gap between design and development. He is known for his deep expertise in research operations, design systems, and the integration of emerging technologies into UX workflows. Passionate about both the craft and the strategy of design, Nick brings a rare mix of practical know-how and visionary thinking to the conversation.

Support This Podcast

To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/

Takeaways

* How the iPhone and standardized design systems shifted UX from aesthetics to experience-first thinking.

* Why the Double Diamond Framework is still one of the best ways to ensure you build the right thing before building it right.

* Nick shares a vivid story of a taqueria struggling to manage orders from eight delivery platforms.

* How blending numbers with human stories creates deeper, more persuasive insights.

* How AI speeds up surveys, persona creation, and testing, but risks losing authentic human insights.

* Why algorithms can’t replace empathy and genuine human connection.

* The importance of moving beyond Figma handoffs to integrated design-to-code workflows.

* Why modern UX designers must understand developer workflows and component libraries.

* Why safeguarding data and respecting consent are essential in AI-powered design.

* Why designers should preserve proven design patterns instead of reinventing the wheel.

* Why moving too fast with AI-driven features can frustrate users and erode loyalty.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:12 The Evolution of User Experience

06:31 Research Methodologies in UX

09:42 Starting Research: The Double Diamond Approach

12:14 The Importance of User Observation

14:30 Balancing Qualitative and Quantitative Data

18:03 AI's Impact on User Experience

19:56 The Shift from Voice to Chat Interfaces

24:00 AI and Emotional Companionship

25:13 AI's Impact on UX Research

28:52 The Future of UX Research

31:18 Skills for Emerging Designers

35:54 The Role of AI in Design

37:57 Ethics of AI and Personal Data

39:59 Innovative Tools and Methods

41:35 Designing for User Satisfaction

Connect with Nick

* Website: https://gauge.io/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcawthon-ux-digital-agency-product-design-leadership/

* X: https://x.com/ncawthon

* Other: http://nickcawthon.com/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

Vit’s Projects

* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

* AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vitaliy Lyoshin sits down with Richard Savoie, co-founder and CEO of Adiona Tech, to explore how AI is driving innovation in supply chain management and transforming the future of logistics.

They dive into the carbon cost of delivery and reveal why last-mile delivery is the most expensive and environmentally damaging segment in the supply chain. Richard explains how Adiona uses AI to automate route planning, optimize commercial fleets, and deliver impactful last-mile delivery optimization for enterprise clients. The conversation also covers how data, simulation, and predictive modeling play a role in cutting costs and emissions, and what the future of AI in logistics might look like. Richard shares insights from working with companies like Coca-Cola and Australia Post and offers practical lessons for leaders navigating the complexity of modern supply chain operations.

Richard Savoie is an engineer, AI innovator, and the CEO of Adiona Tech, a company at the forefront of logistics and supply chain technology. With a background in manufacturing and hardware design, Richard brings a systems-thinking approach to solving high-impact challenges in transportation. His company helps large enterprises reduce delivery costs and emissions through advanced optimization algorithms and machine learning. Under his leadership, Adiona has pioneered solutions in last-mile delivery optimization, EV fleet planning, and sustainable supply chain management. Richard is also a strong advocate for using AI responsibly and effectively to build greener, more efficient infrastructure worldwide.

Support This Podcast

To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/

Takeaways & Insights

* 53% of delivery costs and emissions happen in the last mile.

* Most commercial delivery vehicles are running 40% empty.

* AI is just one tool — it works best when combined with traditional optimization and constraint-based algorithms.

* Adiona focuses on enterprise fleets because the sustainability impact compounds at scale.

* Agentic AI will allow us to dynamically prioritize deliveries, even mid-route.

* Simulation modeling is now essential for planning in a volatile world, especially with tariffs, EV rollouts, and shifting supply chains.

* Adiona built the first EV routing engine in logistics, but adoption is still slow in some regions.

* You may love your idea, but if no one will pay for it, it’s not a business.

* Cutting emissions is not just a feel-good goal - it’s a cost-saving opportunity.

* Let humans solve the edge cases, and let AI handle the repetitive work.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:57 The Birth of Adiona

02:59 Technical Challenges and the Role of AI

04:30 Building a Scalable Technology Stack

06:04 Focusing on Enterprise Solutions for Sustainability

08:53 Addressing Operational Inefficiencies in Logistics

12:02 Optimizing Last Mile Deliveries

14:10 Case Studies: Success Stories in Efficiency

17:25 Government Organizations and Sustainability

20:22 Leveraging AI and Quantum Computing for Optimization

22:47 Optimizing Routes with Technology

26:17 Balancing Edge Cases and General Solutions

29:50 The Human Element in Automation

32:15 Future Breakthroughs in Logistics

36:45 Opportunities in Air or Sea Logistics

38:04 Regulatory Challenges in Technology Adoption

41:23 Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur

45:06 Unexpected Uses of Technology

47:48 Future Innovations on the Horizon

Connect with Richard

Website: https://www.adionatech.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richsavoie/

Connect with Vit

Website: https://vitlyoshin.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

Vit’s Projects

Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vitaliy Lyoshin dives into the future of DevOps with a compelling question: What if AI could not only streamline your cloud workflows but also uncover hidden costs and inefficiencies you didn’t know existed?

Vitaliy is joined by Ardhendu Tripathy, AI Lead at OpsCanvas and former assistant professor specializing in statistical machine learning. Together, they explore how OpsCanvas is using AI to transform cloud infrastructure management—optimizing deployments, reducing cloud waste, and empowering DevOps teams with better visibility and control. The conversation also touches on the challenges of applying AI responsibly in DevOps, the importance of guardrails, and what the future holds for AI-powered developer tools.

Ardhendu, or “Ardi,” brings a deep academic background in machine learning and decision-making algorithms, previously teaching and researching at Missouri S&T. At OpsCanvas, he now leads AI initiatives that simplify DevOps workflows and improve infrastructure efficiency. His work bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, real-world applications. Passionate about innovation, Ardi is helping redefine how teams deploy, monitor, and scale applications in the cloud.

Support This Podcast

To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/

Takeaways

* OpsCanvas addresses cloud sprawl by providing visibility into resources.

* The platform helps identify and eliminate unused cloud resources, termed 'zombie resources.'

* AI can enhance DevOps efficiency, but it must be used responsibly.

* Client reactions often reveal a lack of visibility into their cloud usage.

* Implementing AI in DevOps faces challenges, including data privacy concerns.

* Automation in DevOps is possible, but it will take time to fully realize.

* Future developments may enable more seamless deployments with AI assistance.

* AI's capabilities are improving, but it is not yet fully intelligent.

* Understanding AI's limitations is crucial for effective use in software engineering.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:58 Journey from Academia to a Startup

03:00 What is OpsCanvas

05:46 Understanding Cloud Sprawl and Resource Management

10:15 Benefits of OpsCanvas

14:25 Who Would Benefit the Most from Using OpsCanvas

16:05 Leveraging AI for Enhanced DevOps Efficiency

21:33 What Users Say After Using OpsCanvan For the First Time

23:24 Challenges Implementing AI

29:17 The Role of AI Agents in DevOps

32:41 Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation

37:25 Future Innovations in DevOps Automation

41:17 Excitement and Challenges in AI-Driven Development

44:22 Navigating Rapid AI Developments

48:23 Misconceptions About AI in DevOps

Connect with Ardihendu

* Website: https://www.opscanvas.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardhendu-tripathy/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

Vit’s Projects

* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

* Company: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Kyle McDowell, a former Fortune 10 executive turned leadership coach and author of Begin With WE. They discuss what's broken in traditional leadership, the toxic behaviors that erode workplace culture, and Kyle's powerful framework, the 10 WE Principles, designed to build trust, accountability, and high-performance teams.

Kyle McDowell spent nearly three decades leading large organizations. Disillusioned with ego-driven leadership and performative culture, he stepped away to redefine what it means to lead with integrity. Today, he coaches leaders around the world, helping them transform their teams through principle-based leadership. His book “Begin With WE: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence” has become a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, inspiring a growing movement of values-driven leadership.

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Takeaways

* Kyle's journey reflects a common struggle with corporate leadership.

* Self-reflection is crucial for effective leadership.

* Toxic workplace behavior can lead to apathy and disengagement.

* Leading by example is essential for building trust.

* The 10 principles of leadership can transform workplace culture.

* Embracing challenge is key to personal and team growth.

* Measuring outcomes, not activity, drives real progress.

* Authenticity in leadership fosters loyalty and commitment.

* The future of leadership will require adaptability to new technologies.

* Personal connections in the workplace are more important than ever.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:04 The Journey from Apathy to Purposeful Leadership

06:18 Establishing Leadership Principles

10:21 Challenges in Implementing Leadership Principles

14:06 The Importance of Commitment Over Compliance

15:46 Realizing the Effectiveness of Leadership Principles

18:22 The 10 Principles of Leadership

26:07 Measuring Success by Outcomes

28:13 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Leadership

31:58 Understanding Leadership Impact

34:55 Leading Without Authority

37:55 Generational Differences in Leadership

43:41 The Future of Leadership in an AI World

44:50 Choosing to Lead Differently

46:37 How to Connect with Kyle

Connect with Kyle

* Website: https://kylemcdowellinc.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc/

* X: https://x.com/KyleMcDowellInc

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kylemcdowellinc

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc/

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc

* Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemcdowellinc

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

* Buy things on Amazon that Vit recommends: https://www.amazon.com/shop/anhourofinnovationwithvitlyoshin

Podcast Website

* https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

In this episode of the An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin delves into climate-tech entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation with Josh Dorfman, co-founder of Plantd, a company that builds carbon-negative building materials from fast-growing grass.

Josh shares the origin story of Plantd, how his time in China shaped his perspective on sustainability, and how a chance encounter with a former SpaceX engineer led to a vertically integrated company tackling climate change through construction. The conversation also explores breakthrough innovations in home energy, AI-powered school transportation, circular trade models, and even electric Formula E racing, all through Josh’s lens as host of Supercool, a podcast spotlighting scalable climate solutions.

Josh Dorfman is a seasoned sustainability leader, entrepreneur, and media host. In addition to Plantd, he previously founded The Lazy Environmentalist brand and has spent decades driving forward practical, profitable solutions to environmental challenges.

Support This Podcast

* This episode is brought to you by: https://pheedback.co/

* Pheedback is an AI-powered platform that transforms traditional surveys into dynamic conversations, delivering deeper insights and higher response rates

Takeaways

* The founding of Planted was driven by a need for better materials.

* Planted focuses on creating carbon-negative building materials.

* The company aims to build a vertically integrated business model.

* Collaboration with farmers is crucial for sourcing sustainable materials.

* A diverse team, including engineers and agronomists, drives innovation at Planted.

* Building relationships with builders is key to market entry.

* Major partnerships, like with D.R. Horton, are essential for scaling up.

* Innovations in transportation, like Zum, are transforming school bus systems.

* Home energy solutions are evolving with technologies like virtual power plants.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:06 Josh's Journey to Sustainability

06:49 The Birth of Plantit

12:04 Finding the Right Alternative to Trees

16:44 Building a Vertical Business Model

20:42 Collaborating with Farmers for Sustainable Growth

22:56 Assembling a Diverse Team for Innovation

24:29 Market Entry and Building Trust with Builders

29:36 Team Size

30:31 Innovations in Transportation: The Future of School Buses

35:45 Revolutionizing Home Energy with Solar and Storage

39:57 The Impact of Formula E Racing on Climate Awareness

45:55 Underestimated Solutions for Climate Change

52:41 The Future of Clean Energy and Technological Innovations

Connect with Josh

* Website: https://www.plantdmaterials.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/

* X: https://x.com/Josh_Dorfman

* Other: https://getsuper.cool/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

* Buy things on Amazon that Vit recommends: https://www.amazon.com/shop/anhourofinnovationwithvitlyoshin

Podcast Website

* https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin explores the future of job search and career development with Vrijen Attawar and Logan Currie, the co-founders of Careerspan — an AI-powered career tool designed to replace outdated resumes with personalized storytelling and strategic self-reflection.

Vrijen, a former McKinsey consultant with a background in business and strategy, and Logan, an education and edtech expert, are on a mission to democratize access to great career coaching using artificial intelligence.

Together, they discuss how AI is transforming career planning, resume writing, and hiring processes. You’ll learn how Careerspan uses AI to help users build their “career IP,” position themselves more effectively in the job market, and navigate the hiring landscape with more confidence and clarity.

If you're exploring resume alternatives, curious about AI-driven job search tools, or want to stand out in an increasingly competitive job market, this conversation is packed with insights for the future of work.

Careerspan is a free, AI-powered career platform that turns coaching conversations into a rich, 3-D profile of your strengths, values, and working style, then matches you with roles where you’ll thrive. Claim your all-summer free access here: https://app.mycareerspan.com/create-account?oid=hourofinnovation

Support This Podcast

This episode is brought to you by: https://pheedback.co/

Pheedback is an AI-powered platform that transforms traditional surveys into dynamic conversations, delivering deeper insights and higher response rates

Takeaways

* Job searching is increasingly difficult and requires resilience.

* AI can enhance career development by providing personalized insights.

* The traditional resume is becoming obsolete in favor of more dynamic representations of skills.

* Self-reflection is crucial for career advancement and should be encouraged.

* Community support among founders can lead to collaborative success.

* Understanding the difference between technical and human problems is essential for product development.

* Transparency in AI tools is necessary to build user trust.

* Career companions can help individuals navigate their professional journeys more effectively.

* The job market is shifting towards referrals and networking rather than traditional applications.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

04:26 Challenges in Leveraging AI for Career Coaching

07:11 The Role of AI in CareerSpan's Platform

11:09 Understanding Career IP and Its Importance

13:34 The Cultural Shift in Self-Promotion

17:05 Personalization in AI Career Tools

22:55 The Future of Resumes and Job Applications

26:49 Vision for a Career Companion Tool

33:41 User Experience Challenges in Career Tools

35:45 Data Privacy and User Trust

38:57 Validating User Success

45:04 Advice for Founders in AI

46:59 Understanding Technical vs. Human Problems

48:51 Advice to Job Seekers

55:15 The Importance of Enthusiasm in Job Applications

Connect with Vrijen and Logan

* Website: https://www.mycareerspan.com/

* Vrijen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vrijenattawar/

* Logan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-currie/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

* Buy things on Amazon that Vit recommends: https://www.amazon.com/shop/anhourofinnovationwithvitlyoshin

Podcast Website

* https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Phil Neil, a serial entrepreneur and investor who scaled his company, Neobex, to $70M in sales and over $30M in EBITDA in just 8 months. Phil shares the gripping story behind that growth, including how he pivoted during the chaos of the pandemic, took a $450K personal risk, and navigated team conflict and supply chain disruption.

We also dive deep into Phil’s signature frameworks: The Shadow of Entrepreneurship™ and The Courage Compass™, which explore the emotional challenges founders face and how to make better decisions under pressure.

Support This Podcast

This episode is brought to you by: https://pheedback.co/

Pheedback is an AI-powered platform that transforms traditional surveys into dynamic conversations, delivering deeper insights and higher response rates

Takeaways

* Phil Neil founded Neobex to help local health centers optimize purchasing.

* COVID-19 forced Neobex to pivot its business model.

* The transition to nitrile gloves was a strategic response to market needs.

* Entrepreneurs often face emotional challenges that impact decision-making.

* The 'Courage Compass' helps entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty.

* Intuition can be as valuable as analytical thinking in decision-making.

* Failure is a common experience in entrepreneurship, but it can lead to growth.

* Identity anchors outside of business are crucial for emotional health.

* Growth should be managed to avoid burnout and misalignment.

* Empathy is essential for identifying real problems to solve.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:08 The Story of Neobex

03:03 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19

05:38 The Courage to Pivot: From Supply Chain to Nitrile Gloves

10:58 Understanding the Entrepreneurial Shadow

15:40 The Courage Compass: Tools for Decision-Making

24:03 The Importance of Intuition in Entrepreneurship

27:17 Journey in Entrepreneurship

33:12 New Culture of Entrepreneurship

35:50 Advice on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

38:09 Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Journey

41:33 Future of Entrepreneurship: Decision Quality and Growth

45:21 Connecting with Phil Neal: Resources and Insights

Connect with Phil

* Website: https://philneil.com/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-neil/

Connect with Vit

* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/

* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin

* Buy things on Amazon that Vit recommends: https://www.amazon.com/shop/anhourofinnovationwithvitlyoshin

Podcast Website

* https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin talks with Eli Portnoy, founder of BackEngine.ai, about how AI is reshaping the way companies gather and act on customer feedback. They explore how AI can surface hidden insights from emails, calls, and support tickets, turning scattered conversations into structured product intelligence. Eli shares how feedback loops break as companies grow, how to validate feature ideas using real data, and what it takes to build smarter, more customer-centric products.

Eli Portnoy is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of BackEngine.ai, an AI-powered platform that helps teams operationalize customer feedback at scale. He previously founded Thinknear (acquired by Telenav) and Sense360 (acquired by Medallia), and also worked as a product leader at Amazon. With over 15 years of experience building tech companies, Eli is passionate about helping businesses deeply understand their customers and move faster with confidence.

Support This Podcast

This episode is brought by: https://pheedback.co/

Pheedback is an AI-powered platform that transforms traditional surveys into dynamic conversations, delivering deeper insights and higher response rates.

Takeaways

* Startups often lose touch with their customers as they grow.

* AI can help capture and analyze customer feedback effectively.

* Frequent communication with customers is crucial for retention.

* Understanding customer needs can prevent churn.

* Feedback should be seen as a gift, not criticism.

* BackEngine.ai can help validate product ideas and features.

* Large companies struggle with customer feedback due to complexity.

* Startups have the advantage of agility in responding to feedback.

* The future of AI holds great potential for transforming customer insights.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:44 The Role of AI in Feedback Collection

07:53 Example of How AI Helped Figure Out Customer Churn

09:26 Customer Communication Channels

11:07 Brainstorming and Prototyping with AI

12:19 Who are the Users of Back Engine

15:08 Validating Customer Feedback and Ideas

16:36 Prioritization and Recommendations

17:51 Dealing with Unused Features

19:08 Beyond Customer Feedback

25:10 The Evolution of Customer Feedback in Startups

28:40 Challenges of Large Organizations in Customer Feedback

34:24 The Future of AI and Customer Feedback

39:16 Advice for First-Time Founders

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Podcast Website

* https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/