In this episode, we explore the intertwining paths of product development and organizational culture, and the importance of mindful leadership within the tech ecosystem. 

Featuring organizational strategy experts Sam McAfee and Boris Grinkot, we discuss how startup founders and leaders can foster a culture of innovation and open communication, and encourage continuous learning as a long-term competitive advantage. Insights from their experience reveal the critical balance between product development and organizational strategy, emphasizing the role of leadership in navigating the uncertainties of tech entrepreneurship.

Sam McAfee is a veteran in Silicon Valley with over 23 years of experience, having helped many companies scale new digital products, find product-market fit, and build and improve product development capabilities.

Boris Grinkot, straddling both engineering and communications, has assisted organizations in navigating change and uncertainty through principles of design, continuous improvement, and social science.

Sam and Boris share insights on the critical role of establishing collaboration, communication patterns and prioritizing mindful leadership for organizational success. 

We also delve into the founder's journey, including the challenges of scaling and transitioning into leadership roles, isolation and burnout, and creating a psychologically safe environment that empowers employees.

00:34 The Beyond42 Podcast Intro & Funky Music

01:15 Introducing the Experts: Boris Grinkot and Sam McAfee

02:57 Leadership and Organizational Transformation: A Deep Dive

03:20 The Significance of Culture and Continuous Learning in Organizations

09:49 Addressing Challenges and Embracing Mindfulness in Leadership

17:46 The Founder's Dilemma: Building a Product vs. Building a Company

50:28 Parenting, Leadership, and the Art of Empowerment

53:50 Geeking Out: From Science Fiction to Barbecue Mastery

Sam McAfee’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smcafee/

Boris Grinkot’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/do-the-right-thing/

Startup Patterns: https://www.startuppatterns.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter at Beyond42.co and find out how we work with founders on their journey of success and leadership beyond the product.

Check out the Beyond42 Substack: https://beyond42.substack.com/

Gokce Gizer Clover’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gokcegizer/

Thanks to Urban Podcasts for the audio editing and mastering.

How do you transition from a decade-long career in investment banking to becoming an entrepreneur contributing to a more sustainable future?

In this episode, I invite Fulya Tuncer, Co-founder & CEO of The Revivas, a sustainable fashion platform, to share her journey from a remarkable career in investment banking to becoming an entrepreneur in the sustainable fashion industry.

Despite considering herself risk-averse and never envisioning a path in entrepreneurship, Fulya's maternity leave allowed her the space to reflect on her passions and the problems she wished to solve, leading her to leave her executive position at Goldman Sachs.

Fulya discusses the challenges of starting The Revivas, including finding the right co-founder, and raising seed funding in one of the toughest climates. 

With a newborn at the time and being pregnant during much of this journey, she also touches on the challenges and nuances of being a female founder and mother in the startup world. 

Fulya and her co-founder, Merve, navigated the startup landscape through persistence, optimism, and creating a strong support system, laying the foundations for their sustainable fashion platform despite the evident hurdles.

Fulya’s story demonstrates the importance of doing something that you’re passionate about, and doing it surrounded by people who are just as committed to your business, and the problem you’re solving.

00:34 The Beyond42 Podcast Intro & Funky Music

01:11 The Genesis of The Revivas: A Sustainable Fashion Platform

02:37 Transitioning from Goldman Executive to Entrepreneur

05:35 Finding the Right Co-Founder: A Story of Serendipity and Strategy

09:01 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship: Trust, Conflict, and Commitment

16:54 The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Persistence, Optimism, and Team Building

20:58 Navigating Fundraising in a Tough Climate

25:55 The Impact of Gender and Motherhood on Entrepreneurship

28:39 Support Systems and Renewal Strategies for Founders

36:22 Looking Ahead: Expanding The Revivas Globally

—

Fulya Tuncer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fulyatuncer/

The Revivas: https://www.therevivas.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter at Beyond42.co and find out how we work with founders on their journey of success and leadership beyond the product.

Gokce Gizer Clover’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gokcegizer/

Check out the Beyond42 Substack: https://beyond42.substack.com/

Thanks to Urban Podcasts for the audio editing and mastering.

What does it take to be an entrepreneur or a ‘successful’ one? 

In this episode, we unpack the entrepreneurial journey, including the definition of success, cofounder dynamics, ‘sales’ as a critical skill, and the power of love, kindness and having a clear vision. 

Our guest, Andrew Humphries is a serial entrepreneur with multiple exits, and has an extensive and distinguished career spanning corporate innovation, sales, marketing, and venture building, significantly shaping the tech ecosystem.

He is the co-founder of The Bakery, recently acquired by Staged Ventures, where he ran corporate innovation programs and facilitated thousands of partnerships across 20 countries between corporates and startups. 

We talk about his entrepreneurial journey – which is nothing short of inspiring – his insights on resilience, defining success, and creating and enjoying a meaningful life while navigating personal and business challenges. 

Our conversation spans across various aspects of entrepreneurship, including the significance of vision, resilience, the evolution of startups, corporate innovation, and the personal challenges and transformations Andrew faced. 

Andrew's diverse experiences, from performing in a rock band to aspirations of becoming a beach bum, reflect on the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurs. The discussion also touches upon the mental and emotional aspects of founding and running businesses, the importance of sales skills, and nurturing teams within startups. 

This episode offers valuable insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, the critical role of human energy in business success, and the importance of kindness and meaningful relationships in the entrepreneurial journey.

00:43 The Beyond42 Podcast Intro & Funky Music

01:18 Meet Andrew Humphries: A Serial Entrepreneur's Journey

02:36 The Essence of Entrepreneurship and Success

06:09 The Inception and Impact of The Bakery

18:27 Building and Scaling a Global Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

22:18 The Importance of Love and Partnership in Entrepreneurship

32:01 Redefining Success: A Personal Journey

33:41 The Impact of Personal Tragedy on Life's Priorities

35:17 Confronting Mortality and Redefining Goals

36:26 The Essence of Entrepreneurial Success

36:40 Navigating Challenges and the Power of Resilience

39:16 The Stress and Triumphs of Running a Business During COVID

44:28 Stepping Back: A New Chapter in Leadership

48:28 Building a Team: Early Stages vs. Growth

51:49 Entrepreneurship: A Mindset, Not Just a Career

55:15 Leadership Skills and the Importance of Kindness

57:58 Reflecting on the Entrepreneurial Journey

01:02:28 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

Andrew Humphries’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-humphries-5638003/

The Bakery: https://thebakery.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter at Beyond42.co and find out how we work with founders on their journey of success and leadership beyond the product.

Gokce Gizer Clover’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gokcegizer/

Check out the Beyond42 Substack: https://beyond42.substack.com/

Thanks to Urban Podcasts for the audio editing and mastering.

Welcome to the Beyond42 podcast: A series on navigating the uncharted territories of success and leadership beyond the product. We explore how entrepreneurs thrive, especially in the rapidly changing world of tech.

Introducing your host: Gökçe Gizer Clover, serial entrepreneur and community builder in the tech ecosystem. For over a decade, she has worked with hundreds of founders, and created and delivered numerous global startup programs. 

In this series, she invites founders, investors, and experts to dive deep into the profound concept of success and how entrepreneurs can cultivate true resilience.

We're also drawing on a rich tapestry of knowledge, wisdom, and tools from fields such as leadership, team and organizational development, neuroscience, yoga philosophy, and behavioral psychology. Gökçe Gizer Clover blends her expertise in these fields with insights from seasoned professionals, introducing invaluable and yet untapped resources and perspectives to the tech world. 

Join us as we find out the secrets to not just surviving but truly thriving in this rapidly evolving tech landscape. Let’s go on a journey of exploration and transformation, to lead your company beyond the product.

Find out more about our work with founders at Beyond42.

The Beyond42 podcast produced and edited by Henry Cook.

Links:

• www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-42
• https://www.instagram.com/beyond42.co/
• https://twitter.com/Beyond42co
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gokcegizer/
• https://twitter.com/gginthemorning

Music by Lubarsky