AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files

From Bootstrapping to Building Businesses within Entrepreneurship


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From Bootstrapping to Building Businesses within Entrepreneurship

Dive into the inspiring journey of James Benham, a serial entrepreneur who's also a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and host of a top-rated podcast. James takes us from his early days all the way to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur.

In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on navigating the entrepreneurial path. James delves into the critical decision between VC funding and bootstrapping, drawing wisdom from his acclaimed book "Be Your Own VC." He emphasizes the crucial foundation for any successful business: identifying and solving a significant problem for your customers. James doesn't shy away from the challenges, highlighting the hard work and dedication required to achieve the freedom of pursuing your passion.

But the journey isn't solitary. James reveals the importance of building a dream team – a group of talented individuals who trust and work seamlessly together. He explores the differences between product and service companies, offering strategies for securing recurring revenue and maintaining a laser focus on client needs. Don't get caught up in the "shiny object syndrome," James cautions, emphasizing the importance of staying true to your core problem-solving mission.

Join us for this episode packed with invaluable business, professional, and life experiences from James. Be prepared for an impactful journey that will shape your approach to work, learning, and planning your future success!

About James BenhamCo-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge.

James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge, a multinational technology and consulting company he’s bootstrapped for over 20 years. From his college dorm room to over 280 employees across the USA, Argentina, and South Africa, he has led JBKnowledge to build industry-leading software for the world's largest insurance companies.

James is also the co-founder of Terra, a disruptive insurance tech product. Terra is a cloud-based claims management software that improves claim outcomes for providers and consumers of Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance.

James is the creator and co-host of the growing and top-rated show, The InsurTech Geek Podcast, where he interviews leading industry experts from some of the most recognized companies in the world.

A passionate bootstrapped entrepreneur, James is the best-selling author of Be Your Own VC: 10 Bootstrapping Principles to Generate Cash and Keep Control, his debut book. In Be Your Own VC, James shares how bootstrapping led his tech company to a multimillion-dollar exit and the freedom to build what they love.

James is a sought-after consultant and speaker at the forefront of innovation in the insurance industry. His bold ideas and love for technology have landed him keynote opportunities at over 400 conference stages including The Future of Insurance USA and TEDx. James has served as an elected city councilman, an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University and currently serves the state of Texas as a Regent on the governing board of Texas Southern University. In his spare time, James pursues many hobbies including flying airplanes, ballroom dancing, playing guitar, singing, and geeking out on tech.



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AEC Trailblazers: The Founders FilesBy e-verse