Not Another CEO Podcast

Not Another CEO Podcast

By Not Another CEOBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Not Another CEO Podcast episodes

  • Organizational Efficiency Machines - Amish Jani - FirstMark - Episode #86

    How do founders navigate the intricacies of investor relationships to scale iconic companies? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David Politis speaks with Amish Jani, co-founder and partner at FirstMark Capital, about key considerations for both investors and founders in the venture ecosystem. 


    Amish discusses his criteria for investment, the importance of understanding the 'why' behind a founder's journey, and the strategic approach to board meetings. He also sheds light on the dynamics of venture partnerships, the evolving focus of SaaS in the AI era, and the burgeoning startup ecosystem in New York City.


    Takeaways: 

    • The Power of the “Why”: Amish emphasizes the importance of understanding the founder’s unique perspective on their problem. The "why" behind their journey not only reveals their depth of understanding but also what drives them to pursue their vision.
    • Investor-Entrepreneur Fit: Amish highlights that mutual compatibility and alignment of values between the investor and the entrepreneur significantly enhance the collaboration's success over a long-term journey.
    • Adaptability and Focus as Key Ingredients for Success: While having a clear vision is significant, the ability to adapt and listen to market feedback can sometimes pivot a company to more promising directions.
    • Product-Market Dynamic and Competitive Edge: Amish talks about the emphasis on distribution, data acquisition, and building unique advantages that distinguish companies from competitors who may quickly replicate similar functionalities.

    Quote of the Show:

    • “ We're not in a control business, we're in an influence business. And if you lose someone's ears, that's just as bad as not saying something at all." - Amish Jani

    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amishjani/ 
    • Website: https://www.firstmark.com/ 

    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 

    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:19 Amish’s Investment Philosophy

    02:38 The Importance of 'Why' in Founders

    03:40 Evaluating Founders and Their Vision

    05:08 The Role of Product and Market Understanding

    06:13 Challenges and Insights in Venture Capital

    08:30 Investor-Founder Fit and Long-Term Relationships

    21:07 The Importance of Choosing the Right Investor

    21:56 The Role of Founders in Shaping Company Culture

    23:09 Navigating Hard Conversations with Founders

    25:54 Effective Board Meetings: Moving Beyond Sales Pitches

    30:04 The Current State of AI and Market Dynamics

    37:06 The Evolution of New York's Tech Ecosystem

    41:26 Why Amish Became an Investor

    43:47 Outro

    45 min
  • February Pulse - Handling Imposter Syndrome - Episode #85

    Can imposter syndrome drive you to succeed? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David explores his personal experiences with imposter syndrome and shares valuable insights gathered from countless conversations with leaders who have faced similar challenges.


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #FebruaryCEOPulse


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    00:51 Personal Experiences with Imposter Syndrome

    03:04 Defining Imposter Syndrome

    04:56 The Two Paths of Imposter Syndrome

    06:48 Channeling Imposter Syndrome for Growth

    09:02 Practical Advice for Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

    13:28 Outro

    15 min
  • Organizational Efficiency Machines - David Karandish - Capacity - Episode #84

    Have you ever wondered how leaders manage to scale their organizations without being involved in every intricate detail? In this week’s episode, David Politis welcomes David Karandish, Founder and CEO of Capacity. Together, they delve into the art of building compound startups, scaling intricately interconnected businesses, and the profound role AI plays in today's market dynamics.

     

    Takeaways: 

    • The Compound Startup Strategy: David Karandish introduces the concept of a "compound startup," a term coined by Parker Conrad that he has effectively applied at Capacity. The premise revolves around integrating various point solutions into a cohesive platform, reducing costs while maximizing the bundle's value.
    • Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions: Handling 14 company acquisitions in just three years, David shares his approach to successful mergers. He emphasizes the importance of each acquisition fitting into the broader company mission, fostering synergy rather than assembling a mere collection of brands.
    • Building Machines in Business Processes: David advocates for creating “machines,” repeatable processes that enhance efficiency and scalability within an organization. 
    • Impact of AI on Business Operations: The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of AI solutions. While initial efforts centered around point solutions, the trend is shifting towards platform consolidation.
    • The Role of Communication Frameworks: David reflects on how establishing a structured cadence for goal setting and meetings has been vital at Capacity, ensuring alignment across 350+ employees worldwide.

    Quote of the Show:

    • “By machine, I don't necessarily mean how you think like a physical idea, but I mean more repeatable processes that scale and remove as much human decision making outta the process as possible." - David Karandish

    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkarandish/
    • Website: https://capacity.com/


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 

    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:43 The Concept of a Compound Startup

    04:09 Strategic Acquisitions and Integrations

    05:41 Challenges and Solutions in M&A

    09:24 The AI Revolution and Market Trends

    13:01 Implementing EOS and Organizational Frameworks

    17:38 Building and Operating Effective Machines

    21:12 Hiring for Stage Fit and Problem Solving

    27:57 St. Louis Entrepreneurial Scene

    33:39 AI and Market Noise

    38:53 Big Breaks and Business Models

    41:28 Managing Energy and Time

    43:34 Balancing Work and Family

    47:35 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    48:31 Outro

    50 min
  • Creating Leverage with Speed - Jeff Morris Jr. - Chapter One - Episode #83

    How do you know if a company is actually building momentum, or just looking polished on the surface? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David sits down with Jeff Morris Jr., Founder and General Partner at Chapter One, to break down what truly matters at the earliest stages of building a company. Jeff invests at pre-seed and seed, where ambiguity is high, data is limited, and speed of learning is often the only real signal. Before becoming an investor, Jeff was an early product leader at Tinder, helping scale the product to hundreds of millions of users, an experience that deeply shapes how he evaluates founders today.


    Jeff shares how he thinks about product velocity, founder self-awareness, team dynamics, and why the individual partner matters far more than the firm logo. This conversation is a masterclass for CEOs building from zero to one and choosing who they want in the trenches with them.

     

    Takeaways: 

    • Product Velocity Matters: Jeff emphasizes the importance of product velocity, especially in the early stages of a startup. He explains that founders need to run numerous experiments to achieve product-market fit, often partnering with technical leaders to accelerate this process.
    • Building the Right Team: According to Jeff, a strong indication of a founder's potential is their ability to attract a talented team. He believes that successful founders often draw in colleagues from their previous ventures, creating a "band" that's been together through various challenges.
    • The Sales Dilemma: Founders with technical expertise often lack strong sales skills. Jeff looks for self-awareness in founders, assessing if they can identify their weaknesses and augment them with the right partners or co-founders.
    • The Importance of Early Impressions: First impressions are crucial in the VC world. Jeff and David both agree that initial meetings often determine whether an investor leans in. Founders should craft a compelling story and use the first few minutes to capture interest.
    • Aligning with the Right Investor: For Jeff, investing is akin to a decade-long partnership. He advises founders to seek investors who align with their vision and are genuinely interested in their success, rather than just providing capital.
    • Preparation and Self-Awareness: Founders need to be brutally honest about their strengths and weaknesses. Jeff advises preparing thoroughly before meeting investors and leveraging one's unique strengths while addressing weaknesses to form a complete leadership package.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “We talk a lot about product velocity being the most critical metric we look for." - Jeff Morris Jr.

    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmorrisjr/ 
    • Website: https://chapterone.com/ 

    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #ChapterOne


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:10 Key Metrics for Early-Stage Investments

    02:37 Assessing Founders and Teams

    07:51 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Founders

    10:38 The Founder-Investor Relationship

    14:34 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape

    19:12 The Dynamics of Fundraising

    27:36 The Current Investment Climate

    41:44 Jeff Morris, Jr.'s Journey to Venture Capital

    44:39 Outro


    47 min
  • Pioneering Tech and Culture - Donna Dubinsky - Palm & Handspring - Episode #82

    How do you create a work culture that stands out and inspires team loyalty across multiple companies? In this episode, we gain valuable insights on this and more from the illustrious career of Donna Dubinsky. 


    Known for her pivotal roles at Palm Computing and Handspring, Donna offers a rare long-term perspective on leadership, culture, and the technological landscape that has spanned decades. 


    Takeaways: 

    • The Importance of Building a Strong Culture: Donna emphasizes that a great company starts with great people. She shares the crucial role a positive culture played in her companies, stating that when you foster an environment people love, they follow you from venture to venture.
    • Adaptability is Key: One of the most sought-after traits in employees, according to Donna, is flexibility. She highlights the importance of hiring individuals who are not rigid in their thinking but can pivot and grow with the company.
    • Challenges of Raising Capital: Donna recounts the struggles in securing investment for Palm, despite her extensive network. She faced skepticism from investors due to previous failures in handheld computing and the prioritization of internet ventures over hardware.
    • Reflective Organizational Planning: Donna shares her strategic approach to planning through biannual offsites, fostering a culture of reflection and adjustment. These sessions not only solidified strategic objectives but also enhanced team camaraderie through collaborative efforts and fun activities.
    • Maintaining Integrity and Respect: Donna’s overarching advice is to treat everyone with respect. This principle was foundational in building the cultures of her companies and remains a critical lesson for sustainable leadership.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “I really appreciated people who could deal with change. Changing circumstances, changing environment, changes within the company, as opposed to people who were rigid." - Donna Dubinsky


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Handspring #Palm


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:30 The Importance of People in Building Companies

    03:42 Creating and Maintaining Company Culture

    16:00 The Palm Story: Revolutionizing Personal Computing

    37:09 Frustrations of Being an Employee

    37:44 Challenges of Selling a Company

    39:02 Balancing Structure in Big Companies

    40:55 Starting Handspring and Product Focus

    45:03 Biggest Mistake at Handspring

    49:00 Advice for Fast-Growing Companies

    50:28 Impact of AI and Market Dynamics

    55:05 Personal Background and Career Beginnings

    57:33 Big Breaks and Mentorship

    01:03:06 Government Service and National Impact

    01:07:49 Outro


    1 hr 11 min
  • Investing in the Next Chapter - Jules Maltz - IVP - Episode #81

    How do great founders use their best moments, not their hardest ones, to build the future of their company?


    In this episode, Jules Maltz shares the mindset that has guided him through decades of backing generational companies like Slack, Dropbox, Grammarly, MuleSoft, G2, and Buddy Media. For Jules, the brightest periods in a company’s journey are the moments to build aggressively: to hire exceptional executives, deepen product moats, and prepare for act two and act three long before the market forces the issue.


    Jules also opens up about what he looks for in founders, why authenticity matters more than pitch polish, and how trust is built in the first months of an investor–founder relationship. He reflects on his own misses, the evolution of venture capital, and the emotional clarity that underpins his earliest investment decisions.  


    Takeaways: 

    • Authenticity and Passion are Essential: Jules emphasizes the importance of authenticity and passion in founders. He looks for individuals who have a genuine drive and a personal connection to the problem they are solving.
    • Beyond the Metrics: When evaluating potential investments, Jules seeks stories that transcend traditional metrics. He recalls his first investment in Twitter, where the pitch focused more on the transformative potential of the platform rather than immediate financial returns.
    • Building Trust Early On: Establishing trust during the initial months after an investment is crucial. Jules believes that consistently delivering on promises and being genuinely helpful builds credibility.
    • Adapting Communication Styles: Jules adapts his communication style based on the needs of each CEO. Some prefer regular updates, while others might communicate only during key events.
    • Sustaining Growth Through Strategic Hiring: Jules advises companies to recruit strong executives and think ahead about their business strategies during periods of growth. By doing so, businesses can better navigate market changes and sustain their growth trajectory.
    • Nurturing Relationships for Long-Term Success: Relationships are at the heart of venture capital. Whether it's trust between founders and investors or maintaining connections with past business partners, nurturing these relationships can lead to long-term success and learning.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “When the sun is shining on your business, that’s a great time to recruit super strong executives and think about act two and act three." - Jules Maltz


    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesmaltz/ 
    • Website: https://www.ivp.com/ 


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #IVP


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:25 Key Traits of Successful Founders

    03:52 The Importance of Authenticity

    06:17 Evaluating Investment Opportunities

    10:59 The Twitter Investment Story

    21:57 Building Trust with Founders

    27:11 Trusting Your CEO's Vision

    29:31 Navigating Hypergrowth and Market Changes

    33:53 The Excitement and Challenges of AI Investments

    41:51 Teaching and Sharing Venture Capital Insights

    47:24 The Role of Trust in Venture Capital

    50:35 Biggest Investment Regrets

    53:31 Outro


    55 min
  • December Pulse - Maximize Your Year-End - Episode #80

    How can you get the most out of your year-end? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David explores how leaders can leverage the end of the year for reflection, rallying their troops, and recharging for what lies ahead.


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #DecemberCEOPulse


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:22 Reflect: Assessing Achievements

    05:15 Rally: Energizing Your Team

    11:14 Recharge: Taking Time to Rest

    13:33 Outro


    15 min
  • Survival Through Determination - Artem Rodichev - Ex Human - Episode #79

    How do you keep building when every month your company is almost out of money, and quitting would be the logical choice?


    In this episode, Artem Rodichev shares the gritty, unfiltered story of Ex Human’s near-death year. Instead of shutting the company down, that year hardened the team, shaped the culture, and created a level of resilience that became Ex Human’s defining advantage.


    Now Ex Human is profitable and building empathetic AI characters capable of multimodal emotional intelligence, technology designed to see, hear, and feel in ways that help combat loneliness. Artem also discusses his path from leading AI at Replica to building a company that spans both consumer and enterprise markets, powered by millions of user-created AI characters that generate a unique data advantage. 

     

    Takeaways:

    • Persistent Belief in Your Vision: Artem emphasized the importance of having unwavering belief in your mission. His steadfast belief in the potential of AI to create meaningful human interactions kept him going through challenging times.
    • Foster a Culture of Resourcefulness and Persistence: The trials that Ex Human endured became pivotal learning experiences, instilling a culture of resourcefulness and persistence within the team. 
    • Be Prepared for Sacrifices: Artem candidly discussed the personal sacrifices he made, including taking a salary below market rate and making hard personnel decisions. 
    • Expand Beyond Comfort Zones: Despite an engineering background, Artem knew he needed to step out of his comfort zone and learn essential skills like marketing and sales to lead Ex Human effectively.
    • Data-Driven Innovation: Ex Human’s success hinges on continuously refining their AI models with data collected from their consumer app. This iterative approach allows them to stay ahead in the competitive AI market.
    • Transitioning from a Stable Job to Entrepreneurship: Artem’s move from a significant role at Replica to founding his startup showcases the courage needed to leave stability behind in pursuit of a bigger vision.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “Every month I thought I should give up. But then the other side of me said, if you give up now, you’ll never build the future you believe in." - Artem Rodichev


    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-rodichev/ 
    • Website: https://exh.ai/#home 


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #ExHuman


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:24 The Importance of Persistence

    04:33 Belief in the Vision

    05:53 Personal Sacrifices and Company Culture

    11:07 Solo Founder Challenges

    12:29 Building a Strong Team

    14:45 The Role of a Founder

    18:47 Consumer AI and Empathetic Companions

    29:41 Breaking Inertia: Leaving a Successful Company

    32:06 Limitations and New Opportunities: The Birth of a New Venture

    34:50 B2C and B2B: Balancing Two Markets

    37:11 The Importance of Data in AI Development

    42:28 Challenges and Competitions in the AI Market

    49:41 Personal Background: From Kazakhstan to Tech Entrepreneurship

    57:00 Final Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    58:39 Outro


    1 hr
  • The AI Driven Customer Experience Evolution - Matt Price - Crescendo - Episode #78

    How do you scale a company from zero to $100 million in 18 months without losing quality, clarity, or control?


    In this episode, Matt Price shares the remarkable story of building Crescendo, one of the fastest-growing companies ever featured on the show, by reimagining customer experience through advanced AI and deeply trained specialists. Matt’s journey has come full circle: from a technical support rep early in his career, to scaling Zendesk, to now creating an entirely new model for enterprise-grade customer care.


    Matt opens up about assembling an elite leadership team in record time, creating a vertically integrated product-and-operations engine, and designing a culture anchored around accountability, curiosity, and constant communication. He also explains why outcome-based pricing changes everything, how General Catalyst’s creation model gave Crescendo an unfair advantage, and why traditional BPOs simply aren’t positioned for the AI era. This is a masterclass in speed, focus, and operational excellence.

     

    Takeaways:

    • Building a Stellar Team: Matt emphasized the importance of assembling a high-quality team quickly. He discussed how bringing in top talent, especially those with experience in related fields, has been crucial for Crescendo's rapid growth.
    • Curiosity and Vision as Key Attributes: When recruiting for a fast-growth environment, Matt values curiosity and passion for the company's vision. These attributes, combined with relevant experience, are critical for innovation and progress.
    • Prioritizing Outcomes Over Traditional Models: Crescendo has embraced outcome-based pricing, aligning the company’s success with customer satisfaction. This model contrasts with traditional seat-based pricing and encourages the entire organization to focus on end-to-end service quality.
    • Integrating AI Thoughtfully: Matt spoke about the evolution of AI in customer care and its potential to transform the industry. By integrating AI with human expertise, Crescendo offers enhanced support experiences.
    • Strategic Acquisition for Growth: The strategic acquisition of traditional BPOs has allowed Crescendo to expand its distribution and offer scalable AI solutions. Matt's approach underscores the power of mergers and acquisitions in achieving rapid growth.
    • Creating a Culture of Accountability: Matt stressed the significance of having someone accountable for leading every project or initiative. In a fast-paced environment, clarity in roles and responsibilities is vital for efficiency and progress.
    • Fostering Open Communication: Maintaining open communication channels, even in remote settings, is a priority for Crescendo's leadership. Matt ensures his team stays connected through regular meetings and an open-door policy.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “Customer care was constrained by the economics. In order to deliver customer care up to now, you have to put humans in, a lot of people in… and AI now changes that, AI puts us into a world of abundance. And we need to shift our mindsets now as CX leaders… we’re moving from being deflectors to creators and innovators." - Matt Price 


    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/growthspecialist/ 
    • Website: https://www.crescendo.ai/ 


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Crescendo


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    01:32 Building a High-Impact Team

    03:40 The Role of AI in Customer Service

    06:03 Rapid Growth and Company Evolution

    07:58 Leadership and Team Dynamics

    11:03 AI Integration and Product Development

    21:53 Founding Crescendo and Market Opportunities

    28:10 Challenges and Focus as a CEO

    31:08 The CEO's Influence on Team Dynamics

    35:00 Outcome-Based Pricing in SaaS

    36:22 Challenges and Benefits of Outcome-Based Models

    41:25 Strategic Growth Through Acquisitions

    47:04 The Future Vision for Crescendo

    48:34 Personal Journey and Early Career

    58:33 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    59:29 Outro


    1 hr 1 min
  • Building Through Broken Glass - Chieh Huang - Boxed - Episode #77

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a company from your garage to a public entity?


    In this episode, Chieh Huang shares the raw, unfiltered story of building Boxed from a garage into a national e-commerce brand serving tens of millions of customers, and the emotional toll, unlikely breakthroughs, and market forces that shaped every chapter of the journey. He reflects on the lonely months of almost no orders, the overnight surge that changed everything, the pressure of becoming a public company CEO, and the reality that even the strongest operators can’t outrun macro cycles.


    Chieh also opens up about what happens after the final chapter closes, the exhaustion, the identity shift, and the unexpected necessity of real recovery. His honesty about the highs, lows, and lessons he’s taking into his next company makes this a powerful episode for founders navigating their own versions of the broken-glass analogy.

     

    Takeaways: 

    • From Humble Beginnings to a Notable Success: Chieh Huang started Boxed in 2013 right from his garage, with only dreams and a strong will to succeed. Within a few years, Boxed scaled to become a renowned online wholesale retailer, serving millions.
    • The Challenge of Maintaining Purpose: Chieh emphasizes the importance of cultivating an intrinsic purpose within a company. At Boxed, the sense of purpose wasn’t predefined but evolved over time as the team grew, particularly among the fulfillment center workers.
    • The Rollercoaster Ride of Fundraising: Chieh's journey wasn't without financial hurdles. While initial investments were relatively easier owing to his prior success in the gaming industry, subsequent rounds posed challenges, reflecting the inconsistent nature of venture funding.
    • Consumer Business Dynamics: Chieh discusses the unpredictability of consumer businesses, highlighting how a single viral moment or endorsement can drastically influence a company's success, unlike enterprise businesses that grow through steady acquisition of clients.
    • Public Company Experience: Huang's experience in taking Boxed public via a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) taught him that public market dynamics significantly differ from private ventures
    • Handling Burnout: Chieh and David discuss the inevitability of burnout in an entrepreneur's journey and the importance of managing it proactively through short breaks, personal downtime, and stepping away when necessary to recharge.


    Quote of the Show:

    • “Being a CEO is like trying to be the greatest of all time in a broken glass eating competition." - Chieng Huang

    Links:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiehhuang/ 
    • Website: https://boxed.com/ 


    Ways to Tune In:

    • Substack: https://notanotherceo.substack.com/
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 
    • Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 


    #NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Boxed


    Chapters:

    00:00 Intro

    00:46 The Journey of Boxed

    02:42 The Purpose Behind Boxed

    07:14 Starting in the Garage

    09:23 The Big Break and Rapid Growth

    20:36 Fundraising Challenges and Successes

    26:02 Navigating Market Ups and Downs

    32:09 Reflecting on Past Experiences

    33:59 Journey to Going Public

    36:26 Challenges of Being a Public Company CEO

    39:22 Navigating Investor Relationships

    44:17 Balancing Work and Avoiding Burnout

    50:03 The End of Boxed and New Beginnings

    55:03 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

    57:54 Role Models and Mentors

    01:01:25 Core Motivations and Advice

    01:05:51 Outro


    1 hr 7 min

About Not Another CEO Podcast

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Our mission is to bend the curve for Founders and CEOs. At Not Another CEO, we know there’s no formula for running a business. Leadership is forged through unique journeys, real challenges, and…

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