About the Guest(s):

Jason Komosa is a Chicago-based entrepreneur and community builder with a notable history of helping tech founders and leaders connect to purpose and identity. He was an instrumental early team member during Groupon's global expansion, contributing to the company's significant growth. With expertise in optimizing tech sales through psychological insights and advising early-stage startups, Jason is dedicated to fostering environments where personal development meets entrepreneurship. His focus is on cultivating healthy organizations and profits through prioritizing the wellbeing of people within them.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of The Future Education Podcast, host Eathan Janney sits down with Jason Komosa, a seasoned entrepreneur renowned for his impact on Chicago's startup scene. Known for being part of the pioneering team at Groupon, Jason shares insights from his journey through the high-stakes world of tech startups and his experiences advising burgeoning companies. The conversation revolves around a critical analysis of traditional education models versus real-world learning from ventures like Groupon, underscoring the importance of intuition, mentorship, and emotional development.

Jason and Eathan delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of tech education, discussing the pressing need to equip children with resources crucial for future success, especially in areas like AI and financial literacy. Jason recounts his educational journey, highlighting the pivotal moment when he chose to pursue an opportunity with Groupon, trusting his instincts over a conventional academic path. His reflections expand into a broader discourse on the role of intuition in professional growth and the significance of aligning business practices with personal values and community impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Intuition as a Guide: Jason emphasizes the profound role of intuition in career decisions, citing his own leap from academia to Groupon as a landmark choice driven by gut feeling.
• Critical Education Skills: The episode highlights the gaps in traditional education, such as financial literacy, and the necessity for evolving the educational system to better prepare future generations.
• Relationship-Driven Business: Jason discusses his investment philosophy of prioritizing meaningful relationships and contributions over transactional interactions in the business sphere.
• Chicago's Startup Culture: There is a unique cultural warmth and supportiveness within the Chicago startup ecosystem that may contrast with other major tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
• Continuous Personal Growth: The conversation underlines the importance of viewing life as a continuous learning process, akin to leveling up in a video game, where each challenge presents growth opportunities.

Resources:

• Jason Komosa on LinkedIn
• Jason Komosa's Website: jkomosa.com
• Mentioned Ventures: Groupon and New Stack Ventures

Tune in to the full episode for a deeper dive into Jason's journey and explore valuable insights on leveraging intuition and community in business. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions on The Future Education Podcast.