Inside the C-Suite

By WRKdefinedBusiness Entrepreneurship News Business News

Inside the C-Suite episodes

April 22, 2024From Living in His Car to Innovating Healthcare with SureCo CEO Matthew Kim
In today's workforce, the one-size-fits-all model of employer benefits falls short, neglecting the diverse needs of employees and their families. Regulatory changes, like the IHRA, spark innovation, prompting companies such as SureCo to rethink approaches. We talk with SureCo's CEO, Matthew Kim, about his journey from immigrant roots to driving change with his entrepreneurial resilience.

Takeaways
SureCo solves the problem of the one-size-fits-all approach to employer benefits by creating the Enterprise Healthcare Exchange.
The company allows working Americans to choose the best benefits and health plans for themselves and their families.
The motivation behind solving this problem was personal tragedy and a deep appreciation for the country.
The early days of the company were challenging, but the founders persevered and eventually grew the business. SureCo aims to be a catalyst for change in the healthcare system by leveraging AI and data.
Waking up early and maintaining a network are important habits for success.
Finding purpose and passion in one's work leads to fulfillment.
AI has the potential to revolutionize the insurance industry.
Curiosity is a key driver of personal growth.

Chapters
00:00 The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Employer Benefits
03:38 The Game-Changing Regulatory Change: IHRA
04:30 From Immigrant Background to Impactful Change
08:09 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Early Ventures
13:28 The Challenges and Growth of SureCo
20:40 Introduction to SureCo and its Mission
23:47 The Data Problem in Healthcare
25:01 The Potential of AI in Healthcare
28:22 Connecting AI and Personal Health
31:00 The Power of Habits for Success
35:28 Advice to High School Self
46 min
April 15, 2024HR like a BOSS: Loosing to Tiger Woods & Building Success in HR with John Bernatovciz
In this episode we spend time with John Bernatovciz, founder of Willory, a leading payroll and HR staffing support firm. We talk with John about his unique journey to the C-Suite, his success and the challenges that he faced and how he was able to overcome them.
This is a lesson in entrepreneurship that many of our listeners can relate to.
Key Takeaways:
Believe in the HR community and commit to continuous improvement.
Treasure and prioritize quality time with family members.
Recognize the positive aspects of your local community and contribute to its growth.
Embrace career challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Understand the profound influence of family background and ethnicity on personal identity.
Acknowledge the role of neighborhoods and communities in shaping cultural heritage.
Childhood experiences and education shape career decisions and personal growth.
Entrepreneurship demands passion, perseverance, and a keen eye for market opportunities.
Effective project management hinges on assembling a skilled team and allocating resources wisely.
Embrace mistakes as learning experiences and strive for continuous improvement.
Establish and uphold core values to foster a resilient company culture.
Explore innovative ideas to unlock new pathways to success.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Unexpected Support
00:30 Belief in the HR Community
01:20 Not Traveling as Much
03:03 Enjoying Family Activities
03:26 Parent Behavior at Sporting Events
04:37 Attending the Kentucky Derby
05:22 Living in Northeast Ohio
06:02 May the 4th Be With You
06:09 Experiences at the Kentucky Derby
07:16 Positive Aspects of Cleveland
08:13 Podcast Focus on John's Journey
11:09 Introduction and Personal Background
12:04 John's Businesses and Book
13:23 Growing Up in Doylestown, Ohio
15:12 Close Relationship with Father
17:23 Family Background and Ethnicity
18:03 Neighborhoods and Communities
19:23 Childhood and School
20:25 Golf and College
21:28 Career at ADP and Entrepreneurship
30:33 Starting Willory
34:30 Identifying Market Opportunity
36:15 Becoming Certified Partners
38:18 Challenges in HR Tech Implementation
39:08 The Challenges of Project Management
45:05 Overcoming Bumps in the Road
52:08 Writing a Book and Future Plans
56:00 The Relationship Between Golf and HR
50 min
April 08, 2024 Dan Shoemaker, CRO at Accurate: Public Service to Corporate Juggernaut. His Story.
Dan Shoemaker, Accurate's Chief Revenue Officer, recounts his trajectory from politics to business success. He reflects on his early years in retail politics and campaign work, followed by his shift to public policy in the governor's office. Transitioning to the private sector, he discovered he excelled at marketing and sales, re-educated himself, and built the confidence to run board rooms.
We learn about this and more in this weeks episode of inside the C-SUITE

Key Takeaways:
1. Adapting and learning new skills are crucial when moving from politics to the business world.
2. Retail politics teaches valuable lessons in communication, sales, and marketing.
3. Success in high-pressure situations hinges on thorough preparation and confidence.
4. Infrastructure projects offer tangible and lasting impacts.
5. Background screening has evolved, leveraging technology to expedite processes.
6. P&L roles and international experience provide valuable growth opportunities.
7. Regular reflection on personal goals is essential in a career journey.
8. Embrace new opportunities and challenges; don't limit your aspirations.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Current Role
02:39 Chief Revenue Officer Position
03:00 Transition from Politics to Business
05:23 Early Years and High School
06:30 College and Interest in Politics
08:26 Experience in Retail Politics
09:39 Lessons Learned from Political Campaigns
11:29 Transition to Public Policy
13:04 Skills Developed in Politics
14:31 Working in the Governor's Office
19:51 Government Marketing Role
20:33 Screening Needs Post-9/11
22:07 Infrastructure and Tangible Results
22:59 Infrastructure Projects in the DC Area
24:03 Background Screening and Private Investigation
25:13 Transition to Technology in Background Screening
26:31 The Evolution of Background Screening Turnaround Time
27:21 Government vs Commercial Background Screening
28:06 Transition to Business Strategy and MBA
29:17 Balancing Work, Family, and MBA
31:02 Transition to Strategy and Corporate Development
32:29 Transition to P&L Roles and CEO Aspirations
34:22 International Expansion and Integration
37:20 Challenges and Changes in Career Path
39:31 Taking Time Off and Reflecting on Career Goals
43:20 Advice from 10-Year-Old Self
51 min
April 01, 2024Journey to the C-Suite: Insights on Intentional Growth, Decisiveness, and Resilience with Novo Constare, CEO of IndeedFlex
In this episode, we sit down with Novo Constare, the CEO of IndeedFlex, as he shares his remarkable journey to the C-suite. We learn about intentional growth, being decisive and failing fast. He shares how he was able to build a support system to stay focused and the challenges that he faced and what he's learned along the way.

Key Insights:
Juggling Work and Family: Managing work commitments while maintaining a healthy family life poses significant challenges, particularly for frequent travelers.
Indeed Flex's Role: Indeed Flex serves as a vital link between employers and temporary workers, offering transparency and adaptability within the temporary staffing sector.
The Gig Economy's Expansion: The gig economy is experiencing exponential growth, attracting millions to temporary work opportunities.
AI's Impact: Artificial Intelligence is reshaping various sectors such as trading and recruitment, emphasizing the importance of personalized candidate interactions for recruiters.
Essential Skills: Success in fields like gambling, trading, and entrepreneurship demands decisiveness and a willingness to embrace risk.
Tech Integration for Startups: Startups can optimize efficiency by integrating technology to streamline mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more valuable endeavors.
Navigating Startup Challenges: Building momentum and securing funding present formidable hurdles, requiring persistence and a compelling value proposition.
Acquisitions for Expansion: Strategic acquisitions offer avenues for growth, providing access to fresh resources and untapped markets.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:11 Traveling and South by Southwest
00:37 Discussion about Austin, Texas
01:05 Uber and Lyft Ban in Austin
02:39 Balancing Work and Family
03:00 Work-Life Balance and Travel
03:34 Breaking the Travel Bit with Spouse
04:03 Challenges of Traveling for Work
04:31 Traveling with Family
05:12 Enjoying Austin with Family
05:28 Love for London
05:32 Starting the Interview
06:23 Introducing Novo Constari
06:52 Focus on Novo's Journey
07:15 Introduction to Indeed Flex
07:40 Indeed Flex and Temporary Staffing
08:00 Mobile App for Indeed Flex
08:31 Transparency in Temporary Staffing
09:13 Ratings in the Indeed Flex App
09:34 The Future of Temporary Staffing
10:08 The Rise of the Gig Economy
11:39 Flexibility and Independence in Temporary Work
12:07 Childhood Aspirations
13:06 Backup Dancer for Michael Jackson
13:13 Entrepreneurial Influence
14:20 The Lazy Entrepreneur
15:19 Career Plans and Finance
16:19 Transition to Trading
20:08 AI in Trading
21:34 Transition to Entrepreneurship
21:56 Impact of AI on Recruiting
21:57 The Evolution of Recruitment
23:19 The Role of AI in Recruitment
24:03 The Importance of Building Relationships
26:11 Skills for Success in Gambling and Trading
28:23 Being Decisive and Comfortable with Risk
29:42 The Story Behind SIFT
37:05 Raising Funds and Building Traction
43:41 The Acquisition by Indeed
51 min
March 25, 2024Defining success on your own terms: Rishi Kumar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Kashable
In our conversation with Rishi Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Kashable, he shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to the US from India with just $200 and a dream. We dissect his time on Wallstreet, and he takes us down memory lane, sharing the story of his success, his failures, and his regrets.
Takeaways
Overcoming challenges as an immigrant
The importance of a strong partnership with a co-founder
Defining success on your own terms

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and GoPro Story
04:07 Rishi's Background and Current Work
08:14 Rishi's Childhood and First Business
11:31 Leadership and Accidental Leader
15:45 Challenges of Moving to the US
24:23 Defining Success
25:06 Defining Success and Dimensions of Success
26:09 Leaving Wall Street and Seeking Fulfillment
27:18 Defining Success on a Multifaceted Basis
29:35 Advice for 18-Year-Old Self
30:34 The Limitations of Technical Skill
31:32 The Importance of Understanding Domains and Building Relationships
33:03 Being Comfortable with Someone Outpacing You
36:00 Balancing Achievement and Fulfillment
37:17 Challenges in Starting Kashable
38:38 Navigating the Enterprise Sale Process
40:33 Being Unemployable as a Founder and CEO
42:09 Regrets and Employability
43:03 Assessing Fit in Investors and Board Members
45:12 Building a Board of Directors
49:50 Navigating the Process of Finding Investors
55 min
March 11, 2024 Ascending to the C-suite: AC Chakrabarti's Path: The 28 Day Failure and the Art of Cultivating your inner Circle
Ascending to the C-suite: AC Chakrabarti's Path: The 28 Day Failure and the Art of Cultivating your inner Circle
He's now the successful CEO of HireLogic and industry killer in HR Tech but in a mere 28 days, AC's initial business shuttered, a turning point. Through adversity, he learned the art of building an inner circle, crucial for navigating funding politics and fostering trust. As he ascended to the C-suite, sleepless nights became common, driven by the pursuit of success.
His journey illuminates the challenges and strategies essential for startup triumphs.

Chapters
00:00 The Cost of Commuting
03:44 Introduction to AC Chakrabarti and HireLogic
04:41 Standardizing the Hiring Process
06:20 The Importance of Structured Interviews
07:00 AC Chakrabarti's Early Entrepreneurial Instincts
09:22 Transitioning from Price Waterhouse to Siebel Systems
11:16 Creating Clear Standards and Selling to SAP
13:27 Missed Opportunities: Google and Salesforce
19:30 The Need for Better Healthcare
21:24 Starting AnyPresence
23:22 Identifying Unmet Needs
24:22 Building Greenfield Startups
25:25 Building a Team for Greenfield Opportunities
27:19 Investor Mindset in New Categories
29:08 The Role of AI in Venture Investments
30:46 Knowing When to Seek Funding or Exit
33:51 Creating Developer Software for Microservices
35:24 The Future of AI in Code Writing
37:34 The Importance of Humanities in Education
40:14 Rethinking Education Curriculum
44:16 Advice for Young Professionals

47 min
March 04, 2024Startup Resilience: Lessons from TedX Talks and 2000 Obituaries
Summary:
Each morning, Lux Narayan begins his day with a plate of scrambled eggs and a question: "Who died?" This routine isn't morbid; it's enlightening. Analyzing 2,000 New York Times obituaries over a 20 month period he's distilled what achievement looks like over the life of an everyday human. We discuss this and his entrepreneurial journey, failures, and triumphs on this episode of Inside the C-suite.

Takeaways
Live streaming events have become increasingly popular, and it is important to adapt to changing audience preferences.
Expanding a network and adding new shows can help cover a wider range of topics and attract a larger audience.
Pivoting and adapting to new opportunities is a common experience for entrepreneurs.
Artistic interests and hobbies can provide a creative outlet and serve as a source of inspiration.
Riverside is a valuable tool for recording and editing content, offering features that enhance the recording experience. Embrace the journey and find joy in the act of creation.
Build a team based on attitude and aptitude, prioritizing passion and curiosity.
Create a supportive and authentic work environment where people can bring their whole selves.
Stay positive and motivated in the face of failure, focusing on learning and growth.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:05 Transition to Live Streaming
04:21 Expanding the Network
05:08 Pivoting and Adapting
06:14 William's Artistic Background
07:39 Ryan's Background and Art Appreciation
08:07 Discussion on Art and Backgrounds
09:03 William's Sons and Their Interests
09:59 Lux's Background and Streamer Life
11:05 Lux's Interest in Startups
12:27 Discussion on Riverside and Recording
13:40 Discussion on Riverside's Features
14:22 Introduction and Getting Started
15:14 Introduction of Lux Narayan
17:43 Lux's TED Talk on Obituaries
20:04 Introduction and Connection
20:25 The Unexpected Journey into Data Science
25:18 Early Jobs and Entrepreneurial Ventures
28:38 Leaving Corporate Jobs and Embracing Entrepreneurship
31:49 Lessons Learned from Failed Ventures
36:11 The Challenges of the Advertising Industry
38:07 Staying Positive and Motivated in the Face of Failure
42:22 Building a Team Based on Attitude and Aptitude
46:26 Creating a Supportive and Authentic Work Environment
48:34 Finding Joy in the Journey and Embracing New Experiences
51:27 Conclusion and Call to Action
42 min
February 26, 2024Revving Up Recruitment: From Speed Enthusiast to HR Trailblazer
Summary
Michael Nadeau shares his journey from reckless speed enthusiast to building a successful corporate wellness company. He discusses his passion for problem-solving and his belief in the power of pressure and time. Nadeau also talks about his ventures into motorsports and IV therapy, as well as his realization of the flaws in the traditional recruiting process. He emphasizes the need for personalized help, treating applicants like customers, and giving people a voice in the hiring process. Michael Nadeau discusses the need for a new hiring process and how traditional HR tech falls short. He shares his journey of building Connect, a platform that digitizes and humanizes the hiring process. Michael emphasizes the importance of automation and asynchronous communication in hiring. He also highlights the need for patience, embracing fear, and seeking advice from others. Michael discusses the challenges of managing a remote workforce and the importance of building a great team. He concludes by emphasizing the value of open communication and learning from others.

Takeaways
Passion for problem-solving and the power of pressure and time
The importance of personalized help and treating applicants like customers in the recruiting process
Recognizing the flaws in the traditional recruiting process and the need for change
Building a successful corporate wellness company and the value of rebranding The traditional hiring process is broken and needs to be digitized and humanized.
HR tech often focuses on post-hire processes and fails to address the challenges of hiring.
Automation and asynchronous communication can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the hiring process.
Building a great team requires patience, embracing fear, and seeking advice from others.
Managing a remote workforce requires a different approach and effective communication strategies.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:33 The Story Behind the Helmets
06:00 From Reckless Speed to Recruiting
10:05 Discovering the Business of Recruiting
13:00 Moving to Dallas and Exploring New Opportunities
14:00 The Shift to Corporate Wellness
21:03 Venturing into Motorsports and IV Therapy
22:59 Recognizing the Need for Change in Recruiting
24:32 The Need for a New Hiring Process
25:23 The Problem with Traditional HR Tech
26:22 The Broken Hiring Process
27:20 Building Connect
28:18 Creating a Scalable Tech Stack
29:16 The Future of Hiring
30:13 Automating the Interview Process
31:18 Thriving in Michael's Environment
32:17 Respecting Fear and Taking Action
35:07 Managing a Remote Workforce
37:03 Building a Great Team
38:24 Chemistry and Timing in Hiring
40:17 Navigating Self-Doubt
42:36 Knowing When to Say Goodbye
45:17 The Importance of Communication
50 min
February 19, 2024What entrepreneurs need to know: Funding, Investor Mantras, External Capital, The role of the board, with Brent Pearson, CEO Enboarder.
Summary
In this episode, William Tincup and Ryan Leary interview Brent Pearson, the founder and CEO of Emborder. They discuss Brent's background in film and television, his transition to computing, and his experience with startups and co-founders. Brent shares his reasons for choosing Austin as the location for his company and talks about his motivation and driving force. They also touch on the importance of innovation and adapting to change, as well as the habits that have contributed to Brent's success. Finally, they provide advice on funding and building a board of directors. The conversation covers the changing landscape of funding, adapting to investor mantras, the value of external capital, the role of the board, knowing when to take on funding, managing a reduction in force (RIF), and future goals and milestones.

Takeaways
Investor mantras and funding priorities can change, so it's important to stay aware and adapt your strategy accordingly.
Bootstrap your company as much as possible in the early stages, but consider external capital when you're ready to scale.
View your board as a valuable resource and partner, rather than an enemy to be managed.
When planning a reduction in force (RIF), prioritize clear communication, empathy, and minimizing disruption to the company culture.
Set clear goals and milestones for the future of your company, and be open to potential mergers or acquisitions for growth and innovation.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:27 Brent's Journey from Film to Computing
07:12 Experience with Startups and Co-Founders
13:12 Living in Boston and Choosing Austin
19:46 Motivation and Driving Force
25:42 Innovation and Adapting to Change
27:50 Habits for Success
33:25 Funding and Board Advice
34:03 Changing Landscape of Funding
35:50 Adapting to Investor Mantras
36:19 The Value of External Capital
37:18 The Role of the Board
38:15 Knowing When to Take on Funding
39:02 Managing a Reduction in Force (RIF)
43:43 Future Goals and Milestones
51 min
February 13, 2024Unlock Your Leadership Potential: Tony Jamous CEO, Oyster HR Reveals Secrets to Purposeful Business Success and Work-Life Balance!
Summary
In this conversation, Tony Jamous, CEO of Oyster HR, shares his journey and insights as a leader. He discusses the genesis of Oyster and his motivation to create a purposeful and meaningful business. Tony emphasizes the importance of self-care and well-being for leaders and shares his strategies for balancing work and personal life. He also explores the difference between leadership and management and his commitment to becoming a better manager. Tony discusses the role of data and intuition in decision-making and the changing nature of work in the modern world. He concludes by sharing his perspective on the need for purpose and mission in work and what he looks for in candidates.

Takeaways
Self-care and well-being are essential for leaders to maintain their energy and avoid burnout.
Balancing work and personal life requires setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care.
Leadership is about vision, inspiration, and motivation, while management involves supervision and structuring teams for success.
Data and intuition both play a role in decision-making, and leaders should consider both when making important choices.
The nature of work is changing, and younger generations are seeking purpose and meaning in their careers.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:22 Genesis of Oyster
03:00 Building a Purposeful and Meaningful Business
06:31 Motivation and Self-Care
09:44 Balancing Work and Personal Life
10:39 Defining Well-Being and Self-Connection
13:36 Prioritizing Self-Care as a CEO
17:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life
19:25 Moving to France and Starting a New Life
21:11 First Job After College
24:33 Current Focus and Challenges
26:23 Leadership vs Management
27:25 Becoming a Better Manager
34:08 Data vs Intuition in Decision-Making
36:34 The Changing Nature of Work
39:36 The Need for Purpose and Mission in Work
40:33 The Impact of the Pandemic on Work
41:55 What Tony Looks for in Candidates
43:11 Conclusion and Gratitude
49 min

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