Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

Connect with Andrea!

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

Website: https://www.blackcube.digital/

Summary

Andrea Marchiotto has 18 years of experience in e-commerce and tech companies, working for top-tier companies like Yahoo, Amazon, Unilever, and Philips. He has a background in content production, marketing, product management, and business strategy. Andrea has been involved in AI for many years, leveraging it for tasks like improving search results and developing AI-powered features. He is currently focused on generative AI and its potential to revolutionize industries like healthcare, climate change, and education. Andrea believes that AI agents will become ubiquitous in the future, working alongside humans to execute tasks and transform the way businesses operate. The conversation explores the impact of AI on various industries and the potential benefits and challenges it presents. It discusses the potential for higher quality healthcare at a lower cost, job elimination due to AI advancements, and the need for responsible AI development. The conversation also touches on the hype and real business impact of AI, the feasibility of universal basic income, and the potential for AI to lower the cost of goods. It concludes with a discussion on the role of Black Cube as an AI-based community and ecosystem, and the advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

Andrea Marchiotto has extensive experience in e-commerce and tech companies, working for top-tier companies like Yahoo, Amazon, Unilever, and Philips.

He has been involved in AI for many years, leveraging it for tasks like improving search results and developing AI-powered features.

Andrea believes that AI will have a significant impact on industries like healthcare, climate change, and education, enabling personalized treatments, optimizing energy consumption, and revolutionizing education.

In the future, AI agents will work alongside humans to execute tasks and transform the way businesses operate. AI has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare while reducing costs.

Job elimination is a concern with the advancement of AI, but it also creates opportunities for higher-value work.

Responsible AI development and ethics are crucial to ensure a balance between AI and human creativity.

The feasibility of universal basic income is uncertain, but experiments and testing are being conducted in some countries.

AI has the potential to lower the cost of goods through automation and increased efficiency.

Black Cube aims to be an AI-based community and ecosystem that provides solutions and resources for businesses and individuals.

Aspiring entrepreneurs should focus on understanding their customers' problems, conducting research, building connections, and staying dedicated and consistent in their efforts.

Kristie K. Jones, founder of KristieKJones.com, shares her experience and expertise in sales leadership for B2B SaaS companies. She discusses her transition from retail to SaaS sales and emphasizes the importance of finding a company that aligns with your values and offers growth opportunities. Kristie highlights the various sales roles available in the B2B space and encourages individuals to explore their sales superpowers. She also discusses the role of sales development representatives (SDRs) and the challenges they face in a high-rejection environment. Kristie shares her insights on the impact of automation and AI on sales and the potential reduction in workforce. She also discusses the role of VCs in the startup space and the importance of a properly functioning CRM system. Lastly, Kristie explains her process of building sales processes and helping founders hire their first sales team. In this conversation, Kristie K. Jones discusses the challenges of hiring and onboarding salespeople for early-stage SaaS companies. She emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations for new hires and using a formal process, such as scorecards, to evaluate candidates. Kristie also highlights the need to match the candidate's past experience with the requirements of the role, including industry knowledge, sales acumen, and the ability to adapt to the startup environment. She shares her personal journey as a solopreneur and the power of generosity in building strong relationships and obtaining referrals. Kristie concludes by offering advice to her younger self and discussing her future plans.

Finding a company that aligns with your values and offers growth opportunities is crucial for a successful career transition.

Sales roles in the B2B space are diverse, and individuals should explore their sales superpowers honed from previous experiences.

SDRs face high rejection rates and should focus on personalization and human connection to stand out in a crowded market.

Automation and AI can be used as efficiency tools in sales, but a balance between human and machine is necessary.

VCs play a significant role in funding and shaping startups, and their investment strategies may shift over time.

A properly functioning CRM system is essential for sales success, and founders should be prepared to give up control and provide guidance to their sales team.

Building sales processes and hiring the first sales team are critical steps for startups to scale and succeed. Setting realistic expectations is crucial when hiring and onboarding salespeople for early-stage SaaS companies.

Using a formal process, such as scorecards, can help evaluate candidates objectively and ensure consistency.

Matching the candidate's past experience with the requirements of the role is essential, including industry knowledge, sales acumen, and adaptability to the startup environment.

Generosity and building strong relationships can lead to referrals and business opportunities.

Being true to oneself and following personal values and instincts is important in making career decisions.

Connecting with others and seeking help when needed can lead to new opportunities and growth.

Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

Connect with Brett!

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

Website: https://www.builtdata.io/

Brett Grendahl, founder of Built Data, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the construction industry. He highlights the importance of skilled craft labor and the need to attract more people to the trades. Grendahl shares his own experience in the construction industry and explains why he transitioned to building Built Data. He also addresses the labor shortfall in the industry and the need to improve the working conditions and training for laborers. Grendahl discusses the rising costs in construction and the impact of labor and material shortages. He also explores the state of the housing market and the challenges of generational changes in the workforce. Build Data aims to bring modern support to the construction field by providing a unified platform for communication and information sharing. The construction industry is highly disconnected, leading to inefficiencies and frustration for workers. Build Data's solution allows laborers to easily communicate their needs and receive the necessary support. The company's goal is to reduce wasted labor and improve productivity in the industry. While the construction industry may be resistant to change, there is a growing demand for digital solutions and modernization. Build Data envisions a future where construction is digitally native and highly collaborative.

Takeaways

The construction industry is facing a labor shortfall, particularly in skilled craft labor, which is constraining productivity and impacting the ability to complete projects.

There is a need to attract more people to the trades and improve the perception of construction as a rewarding career path.

Labor wages have been increasing due to the labor shortage, and talented laborers can command higher pay.

The rising costs in construction are influenced by labor and material shortages, as well as disruptions in the supply chain.

The housing market is experiencing constraints in both supply and demand, with low inventory and affordability challenges.

Generational changes in the workforce, such as the adoption of technology and different attitudes towards work-life balance, are impacting the construction industry and require adaptation and effective communication strategies. The construction industry is highly disconnected, leading to inefficiencies and frustration for workers.

Build Data aims to bring modern support to the construction field by providing a unified platform for communication and information sharing.

The company's goal is to reduce wasted labor and improve productivity in the industry.

There is a growing demand for digital solutions and modernization in the construction industry.

Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

Connect with Andre!

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

Website: https://www.aidvize.com/

Andre shares his journey from aspiring pilot to sales representative and founder of Aidvize, a role play platform for sales training. He explains the expensive and rigorous training required to become a pilot and why he ultimately chose a career in sales. Andre emphasizes the importance of consistency and perseverance in sales, highlighting the need to focus on the process rather than the end result. He also discusses the misconceptions about entrepreneurship and the challenges of building a company. Andre introduces Aidvize and its use of AI personas to simulate customer interactions for sales training. In this conversation, Andre discusses his experience with sales training and cold outreach. He shares his strategies for speeding up sales training and getting qualified leads through cold outreach. Andre emphasizes the importance of personalization and creativity in cold outreach, rather than relying solely on automation tools. He also provides insights on closing customers and the need for a strong focus on discovery and qualification. Andre discusses the challenges and uncertainties of AI in the sales industry and shares his vision for the future of AI in sales. He concludes by offering advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of surrounding oneself with smart and experienced individuals and leveraging LinkedIn for networking and personal branding.

Takeaways

Training to become a pilot is expensive and time-consuming, making it inaccessible for many aspiring pilots.

Andre's experience in sales began when he took a sales job to pay for his pilot training and discovered a passion for the field.

Sales is a skill that can be learned and developed with commitment and consistency.

Entrepreneurship is not a guaranteed path to success and requires a deep passion for building and solving problems.

AI Advise is a role play platform that uses AI personas to simulate customer interactions for sales training. Speeding up sales training can lead to faster readiness of sales reps and increased interest from leads.

Personalization and creativity are key in cold outreach to stand out from the competition.

Closing customers requires a strong focus on discovery and qualification to ensure a good fit between the customer's pain points and the product.

The future of AI in sales may involve more autonomous SDRs for demand generation and cold calling.

Surrounding oneself with experienced individuals and leveraging LinkedIn can be valuable for networking and personal branding as an entrepreneur.

Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

06:31 Market Saturation and Competition

15:41 Managing Costs and Margins in CPG

29:44 The Changing Macroeconomic Landscape

37:34 The Goals of the Agency: Building Partnerships and Scaling Businesses

45:07 Advice to Younger Self: Lose the Ego and Learn from Others

51:50 Ideal Business Partner: Someone with Operational Expertise

Summary

David Lorango, a marketing expert with over 15 years of experience in DTC, shares his insights on branding, marketing, and scaling in the CPG industry. He emphasizes the importance of branding and aesthetics in capturing consumer attention and building a successful brand. He also highlights the significance of efficiency and cost management in growth marketing. David discusses the high margins in the beauty and perfume industry, but notes that margins have become thinner due to increased costs and competition. He encourages entrepreneurs to enter the CPG space, but advises them to thoroughly understand their market and test their ideas before investing heavily. The macroeconomic state of the world has changed since 2019, with high inflation and increased costs of goods. This has made it more challenging for businesses to be profitable and find consumers. However, it has also weeded out fake players and low-quality products from the market. Building a good brand and product, focusing on business fundamentals, and planning for slower but profitable growth are key in navigating the current economic climate. The agency is focused on partnering with small to medium-sized consumer brands that are looking to scale and achieve profitability. The goal is to help these brands become the next success stories, similar to Black Rifle Coffee or Kind Bar. The agency aims to provide a one-to-one partnership model, where they are deeply involved in the growth and success of the brands they work with. The ideal avatar customer is a company doing around $100k a month in revenue and looking to scale to $200k-$300k a month. The agency also works with companies doing several million dollars a month and helps them optimize their operations and scale efficiently. In terms of personal goals, the founder wants to build a company that focuses on both creative marketing and operational excellence, similar to the likes of Henry Ford or the founders of The Wonderful Company. The goal is to create a well-oiled machine that combines innovative marketing strategies with efficient operations.

Takeaways

Branding and aesthetics play a crucial role in capturing consumer attention and building a successful brand.

Efficiency and cost management are essential in growth marketing, especially in the lower funnel.

The beauty and perfume industry have traditionally had high margins, but increased costs and competition have made margins thinner.

Entrepreneurs should thoroughly understand their market and test their ideas before investing heavily.

Entering the CPG space can be a rewarding opportunity for entrepreneurs, but it requires passion, market understanding, and a willingness to learn and adapt. The macroeconomic state of the world has changed, with high inflation and increased costs of goods, making it more challenging for businesses to be profitable.

Building a good brand and product, focusing on business fundamentals, and planning for slower but profitable growth are key in navigating the current economic climate.

The agency focuses on partnering with small to medium-sized consumer brands that are looking to scale and achieve profitability.

The goal is to help these brands become the next success stories, similar to Black Rifle Coffee or Kind Bar.

The agency provides a one-to-one partnership model, deeply involved in the growth and success of the brands they work with.

Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

Kemal Serbet and M. Furkan Yılmaz, co-founders of etrexio and Otorepa, discuss their journey as entrepreneurs and the companies they have built. They started as freelancers and eventually founded their own product development company, etrexio. They also created a CRM for freelancers called Freelancer CRM, which was later acquired. They emphasize the importance of trust, open communication, and managing client expectations in a co-founder relationship. They also discuss the entrepreneurial culture in Turkey and the challenges they have faced, including bankruptcy. They highlight the need for work-life balance and finding passion in what you do. Otorepa is a closed marketplace for the auto spare parts industry in Turkey, solving the problem of finding and buying the correct parts. The industry is worth $15 billion per year in Turkey, and Otorepa aims to capture 10% of the market. Currently, the process of buying spare parts involves going to a repairman who contacts various stakeholders to find the correct parts, resulting in higher prices and longer wait times. Otorepa eliminates middlemen and reduces the number of transactions, saving consumers money. The platform monetizes through commissions and interest income.

Takeaways

Starting as freelancers can be a good entry point into entrepreneurship, as it allows you to sell your expertise and gain experience.

Trust and open communication are crucial in managing a co-founder relationship and resolving conflicts.

Finding a good co-founder who shares your vision and values is essential for success.

Work-life balance is important for managing stress and maintaining overall well-being.

Passion and desire are key drivers in entrepreneurship, and it's important to pursue ventures that align with your interests and goals. OtoRepa is a closed marketplace for the auto spare parts industry in Turkey, aiming to capture 10% of the $15 billion market.

The current process of buying spare parts involves multiple transactions and higher prices, which OtoRepa eliminates by connecting experts directly to buyers.

The platform monetizes through commissions and interest income.

The founders emphasize the importance of taking action, being adaptable, and focusing on providing value rather than just earning money.

They have a strong network and experience in the industry, which gives them an advantage.

If they had to start over, they would leverage their development skills and advisory services.

They would love to have Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Henry Ford on their team.

Rohith, a Twitter brand strategist, shares his journey of transitioning from a data scientist to building his own business on Twitter. He started his business on the side while working a nine-to-five job, focusing on building his Twitter brand and online presence. He initially offered to help clients gain 10,000 followers and gradually expanded his services. Rohith emphasizes the importance of credibility, working for free to gain experience and testimonials, and aligning with respected individuals in the industry. He also discusses the strategies he used to grow his own follower count and offers advice for those starting out on Twitter.

Takeaways

Building a business on Twitter requires credibility, which can be established through working for free and aligning with respected individuals in the industry.

Cold DMs and cold emails are effective strategies for acquiring clients on Twitter, especially when starting out.

Growing a follower count on Twitter can be achieved through retweets, shoutouts, and engaging with larger accounts.

While follower count is important, the focus should be on providing value and impacting the lives of the audience.

Experimentation and self-mastery are key to success in building a business on Twitter.

Guest and business inquiries [email protected].

Connect with Lucas!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-saud/

Website: https://www.jobsurfers.org/

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:38 Job Surfers: Landing Your Dream Job

01:05 Standing Out in the Application Process

03:15 Customizing Your Resume for Success

06:08 Applying Sales Skills to Job Hunting

08:09 Preparing for Interviews

09:52 The Benefits of Remote Work

12:16 Selling Yourself in Any Role

16:27 Finding Happiness in Your Career

19:24 Remote Work as the Future

21:51 Hiring Amazing Talent: Location Doesn't Matter

25:03 From Argentina to Australia: Pursuing Dreams

27:40 Job Surfers: Helping Individuals Land Dream Jobs

37:16 Expanding Job Surfers: Business Services and New Markets

42:25 Qualifying and Coaching: High Success Rate in Job Placement

Summary

Lucas Saud, founder of Job Surfers, shares his experience and insights on how to land a dream job. He discusses his own journey of landing jobs at Amazon and WeWork, emphasizing the importance of standing out in the application process. Lucas highlights the significance of preparation, customization of resumes, and showcasing relevant skills and achievements. He also recommends reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers for informational interviews and leveraging personal connections. Lucas emphasizes the importance of selling oneself during the interview process and provides a framework for interview preparation. He also discusses the value of remote work and the need for effective communication and pitching skills in any role. Lucas Saud shares his experience of moving from Argentina to Australia and starting his own company, Job Surfers. He explains that his decision to move was based on his long-time dream of living in Australia and the opportunity to work remotely and travel. Job Surfers was born out of his expertise in finding job opportunities and helping others land their dream jobs. Lucas offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of testing ideas with minimal investment and understanding financials before making the transition to full-time entrepreneurship. He also discusses the future vision for Job Surfers, including expanding the team and offering additional programs.

Takeaways

Stand out in the application process by customizing your resume and showcasing relevant skills and achievements.

Preparation is key for interviews - research the company, analyze the job description, and bring real-life examples of previous experiences.

Reach out to recruiters and hiring managers for informational interviews and leverage personal connections.

Develop effective communication and pitching skills, as they are crucial in any role, regardless of whether it is sales-related or not.

Consider remote work as a viable option, as it offers flexibility and work-life balance. Moving to a different country can provide new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Starting a company based on your expertise can be a fulfilling and successful venture.

Testing ideas with minimal investment and understanding financials are crucial steps before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship.

Job Surfers offers a bootcamp and self-guided course to help individuals land their dream jobs, with plans to expand into other programs and markets.

Building a startup requires hard work and discipline, but finding work-life balance is important to avoid burnout.

00:00 Introducing Rich Moyer and Hopin

04:32 Expansion Plans and Franchise Opportunities

12:06 Becoming a Hoppin Franchisee: The Process and Opportunities

23:46 Creating a Unique Experience at Hopin

26:13 The Importance of Loyalty and Customer Experience

28:08 Understanding Culture and Implementing Effective Marketing

30:01 Hiring the Right People and Delegating Responsibilities

32:31 Letting Go of Control and Trusting the Team

33:39 Taking Action, Learning from Mistakes, and Having a Mentor

42:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life

Summary

Rich Moyer is the founder and CEO of Hoppin', a high-tech self-serve beer, wine, and cocktail bar franchise. The concept is unique and offers customers the ability to pour their own drinks from a selection of 60+ self-serve taps. The self-serve aspect provides convenience, a fun and engaging experience, and the opportunity to try different drinks in smaller quantities. The franchise model offers benefits such as decreased labor costs, minimal waste, and access to technology that eliminates common headaches for bar owners. Hoppin' is expanding to fast-growing cities across the US and focuses on creating a unique experience and strong brand through marketing and innovative strategies. The key themes of the conversation are the importance of marketing and branding, the significance of hiring the right people, the value of delegation and trust, and the balance between work and personal life. Rich Moyer emphasizes the need for effective marketing and advertising to drive traffic and brand recognition. He also highlights the role of culture and leadership in the success of a business. Moyer discusses the importance of hiring the right people and giving them ownership in their positions, allowing them to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. He emphasizes the need for leaders to delegate and trust their employees. Moyer also shares his experience of balancing work and personal life, and the importance of prioritizing family and freedom. He mentions the importance of having a mentor and the value of taking action in entrepreneurship. Finally, Moyer discusses his future goals and the desire to continue investing and mentoring others.

Takeaways

Hoppin is a high-tech self-serve beer, wine, and cocktail bar franchise with 60+ self-serve taps and full cocktail bars.

The self-serve aspect provides convenience, a fun and engaging experience, and the opportunity to try different drinks in smaller quantities.

The franchise model offers benefits such as decreased labor costs, minimal waste, and access to technology that eliminates common headaches for bar owners.

Hoppin is expanding to fast-growing cities across the US and focuses on creating a unique experience and strong brand through marketing and innovative strategies. Effective marketing and advertising are crucial for driving traffic and brand recognition.

Culture and leadership play a significant role in the success of a business.

Hiring the right people and giving them ownership in their positions leads to employee satisfaction and success.

Delegation and trust are essential for business growth and allowing leaders to focus on the bigger picture.

Balancing work and personal life requires prioritization and effective communication.

Having a mentor and taking action are important for entrepreneurial success.

Keywords

Hoppin', self-serve bar, franchise, high-tech, beer, wine, cocktail, convenience, experience, engagement, expansion, branding, marketing, branding, hiring, delegation, trust, work-life balance, mentorship, action, entrepreneurship

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddhant-goswami-6444b0146/

X: https://twitter.com/geeksiddhant

Website: https://100xengineers.com/

Summary

In this conversation, Siddhant Goswami, the founder of 100x Engineers, discusses his background and the journey that led him to start his education company. He shares his experience in building startups and acquiring companies, as well as his foray into generative AI. Siddhant explains how 100x Engineers offers a comprehensive cohort program that teaches individuals, including non-technical professionals, how to leverage generative AI to build software solutions. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right team and staying up to date with the rapidly evolving field of generative AI.

Takeaways

Siddhant Goswami founded 100x Engineers, an education company that offers a cohort program to teach individuals how to leverage generative AI to build software solutions.

The cohort program is designed for both technical and non-technical professionals, with the curriculum evolving to keep up with the rapidly changing field of generative AI.

Siddhant emphasizes the importance of finding the right team and surrounding oneself with experts in different areas to complement one's own skills.

Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize the way people solve problems and build solutions, and Siddhant is optimistic about its future impact.