The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Catherine Griffin, Founder of Impactable.

Catherine recounts how her experiences leading a fund and accelerator in Philadelphia, which focused on social entrepreneurship and global innovation initiatives, inspired the creation of Impactable. Catherine explains that Impactable is a predictive impact analytics and reporting platform designed for both founders and investors. The platform helps startups and private companies measure and report their impact, while also enabling investors to aggregate and analyze the impact across their portfolios. The company's goal is to drive capital toward businesses with the potential for significant impact, particularly in areas like climate tech, ag tech, and justice tech.

Catherine also discusses the challenges of building and scaling Impactable, highlighting the importance of relationships and community support, especially in Philadelphia, where the company found its first customers. She emphasizes the need to prioritize the founder market to ensure the platform's value before expanding to the investor side. Despite the challenges, Catherine notes the growing interest in Impactable, driven by a mix of direct outreach, partnerships, and increasing inbound leads from conferences and other industry events.

Dive into the pulse of impact-driven business with Catherine Griffin as she shares her path to reshaping how we measure success in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Impactable
http://www.ImpactableX.com


Catherine Griffin's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-griffin-0a07976/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Natalie Doyle Oldfield, CEO and founder of Success Through Trust Inc.

Natalie grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and shares that she was inspired by her parents' strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Her father’s experience as an author and business owner profoundly influenced her career path. Natalie discusses how her upbringing and extensive career in the IT industry, particularly in marketing and sales, led her to develop a proprietary framework based on scientific research to build and measure trust in business relationships. This framework, tested with a large sample size, has been instrumental in helping companies become the most trusted in their industry.

Natalie explains that her approach to trust is evidence-based, involving an eight-principle model that companies can apply to enhance their trustworthiness. She elaborates on how her company, Success Through Trust Inc., uses this model to train technical leaders and employees, focusing on retaining both clients and employees by building strong, trust-based relationships. Natalie highlights the importance of trust in driving business growth and improving customer relationships, sharing examples of how her framework has helped companies achieve significant results. She also mentions the importance of speaking at conferences, referrals, LinkedIn engagement, and podcast appearances in marketing her services.

Join us in picturesque Nova Scotia as we uncover Natalie Oldfield's secrets to mastering trust in the business world on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Success Through Trust Inc.
http://www.successthroughtrust.com

Natalie Doyle Oldfield's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliedoyleoldfield/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marc Portney, CEO and Founder of Globalsource Infrastructure Partners.

Marc spent his early days in Queens, New York, where he displayed an entrepreneurial spirit by shining shoes for pocket money. He emphasizes the importance of relationships in business, recounting how his hands-on approach and authenticity have been pivotal in building and maintaining successful ventures. Marc's rebellious nature and distaste for conventional bosses propelled him to create his own path, leading to numerous successful endeavors, including his floral import business and later Globalsource.

Marc also touches on his experience with the TV show "All American Makers," where his no-nonsense style garnered attention and respect. Despite the challenges of being on television, Marc remained true to himself, balancing his tough persona with genuine mentorship. He discusses the dynamics of his import business, highlighting how relationships and trust with partners, particularly in China, have been crucial to his success. Throughout the interview, Marc's emphasis on loyalty, integrity, and long-term relationships shines through as fundamental elements of his entrepreneurial philosophy.

Discover the grit and glory of the Empire City through Marc Portney's journey of perseverance and industrial prowess in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Globalsource Infrastructure Partners
https://globalsourceip.com/

Marc Portney's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcportney/

Marc Portney's Website
https://marcportney.com/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Monik Pamecha, CEO and Co-founder of Toma.

Monik grew up in Bombay and was influenced by his hardworking father. This environment fostered an early interest in technology, leading him to create websites and tech blogs as a teenager. His first notable venture involved writing a humorous blog about a school friend's body hair, which gained significant attention and marked the beginning of his fascination with online content creation and monetization. This early experience with WordPress and tech blogs led to his realization that there was potential in combining his love for technology with business.

Monik recounts his subsequent ventures, including the creation of various websites and blogs, which evolved into offering services to others. His entrepreneurial journey continued through college and into his professional career in New York, where he met his co-founder. Toma initially experimented with different ideas, eventually finding success in AI phone automation for the automotive industry. This breakthrough came from a Reddit post that gained unexpected traction, leading to valuable connections and a solid customer base. Toma's focus now lies in helping car dealerships improve their operations by addressing phone call inefficiencies, showcasing Monik's adaptability and determination in navigating the unpredictable landscape of entrepreneurship.

Join us as Monik Pamecha shares his captivating journey from tech enthusiast to industry leader on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Toma
https://www.toma.com

Monik Pamecha's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikp/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a very, very special guest, Rick Nucci, CEO and co-founder of Guru.

Rick, highly regarded in the Philadelphia tech scene, reflected on a memorable moment at the Founder Factory event, where he humorously referenced a sports figure to highlight the significance of operations roles in companies. He emphasized the vital role of operations professionals in leveraging AI and technology to enhance business efficiency, drawing a parallel to the often underappreciated role of a center in a football team. This analogy, although met with mixed reactions, underscored his belief in the transformative potential of operations teams.

Rick also delved into his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his early ventures and the creation of Boomi. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania with entrepreneurial parents, Rick was inspired to start his own business at a young age. Boomi, a pioneering integration platform, emerged from the observed pain points in software deployment and integration. Despite initial challenges and competition, Rick and his team pivoted to focus on cloud-native integration, which proved to be a successful strategy. He credited Boomi's long-term success to a culture of innovation and a seamless transition plan that ensured continuity and growth even after his departure. Now at the helm of Guru, Rick continues to innovate, providing solutions that enable employees to access essential information efficiently, fostering a productive work environment.

Set sail with Rick Nucci as we chart a course through the realm of tech innovation and leadership in this thrilling episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Guru
https://www.getguru.com

Rick Nucci's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricknucci/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bobby Varma, CEO and founder of Princeton Identity.

Bobby shared her journey from her early life in India to her entrepreneurial ventures in the U.S. She highlighted how her father's love for travel and entrepreneurship influenced her adaptability and problem-solving skills, which are crucial traits for an entrepreneur. Bobby detailed her academic path through Rutgers and Drexel, which led to her passion for biomedical engineering and subsequent work at SRI International. There, she transitioned from a research scientist to a project manager, ultimately leading to the foundation of Princeton Identity.

Bobby elaborated on Princeton Identity’s groundbreaking work with iris recognition technology. She described how her team developed the “iris on the move” technology, enabling high-security authentication without sacrificing convenience. This innovation differentiates them in a competitive landscape dominated by facial recognition technologies. Their first significant customer was the U.S. Navy, highlighting the practical applications and robustness of their technology. Bobby emphasized the importance of building lasting relationships and providing genuine value to customers, which has been key to their success. Today, Princeton Identity continues to thrive by focusing on security-conscious clients and leveraging various marketing strategies to expand their reach.

Explore the cutting-edge world of security technology with Bobby Varma from Princeton Identity on this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Princeton Identity
http://www.princetonidentity.com

Bobby Varma
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-varma-4a80ab2/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was  lucky enough to interview Joelle Flynn and Sonia Hounsell, co-founders and co-CEOs of FunkkOFF, a company that creates innovative oral care products.

Joelle, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in finance, and Sonia, an experienced brand manager with a passion for strategy and analytics, share their journey from childhood friends to business partners. They discuss the origins of FunkkOFF, a product designed to remove stains from teeth quickly and easily, inspired by Joelle's experiences in California's wine country.

Sonia and Joelle's complementary skills have been key to FunkkOFF's success. Sonia handles marketing, branding, and strategy, while Joelle focuses on sales and the entrepreneurial aspects of the business. They share insights into their product's unique positioning at the intersection of oral care and beauty, and discuss their experience on Shark Tank, which significantly boosted their visibility. The duo also talks about the importance of partnerships and influencer marketing in their growth strategy, and how they address customer feedback to continuously improve their product.

Immerse yourself in Joelle Flynn and Sonia Hounsell's story of creativity, community, and business brilliance in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
FunkkOFF
http://www.FunkkOFF.com/


Joelle Flynn's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelleflynn/

Sonia Hounsell's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-hounsell-9185a32/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mark Lin, Founder and CEO of Sliimeyhoney.

Mark shares the journey of how he founded his gourmet slime company. He explains that Sliimeyhoney creates slimes that not only look and feel like favorite foods but also smell delightful, making them sensory toys. Mark started his business during the COVID-19 pandemic from his home's storage room while he was in high school, initially asking his parents for $200 to buy glue and borax solution. The idea for gourmet food-themed slimes came from the creativity he saw in the slime trend during his middle school years, and he sought to elevate these designs with his unique touches and imported charms.

Mark discusses how he grew the business primarily through TikTok, where 95% of his sales originate, and how he manages to stay ahead of competitors by releasing new collections weekly. He reflects on his Shark Tank experience, noting the intense preparation and the massive boost in sales following the episode's airing. Despite not forming a formal business plan, Mark has been able to generate significant revenue and remains committed to his business. He is currently focusing on expanding his product line, introducing new textures, glow-in-the-dark materials, and developing a subscription platform and ambassador program to further grow his company.

Join us in the Slime Lab as we dive into Mark Lin's innovative Sliimeyhoney adventure in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Sliimeyhoney
www.sliimeyhoney.com


Mark Lin's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lin-9a0992257/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jared Waters, CEO of Mini Materials.

Jared shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming an entrepreneur. Jared explains how moving frequently in his childhood helped him become more outgoing, a trait that benefits his entrepreneurial ventures. He reveals that he bought Mini Materials, a company known for producing miniature construction materials, after discovering it on Reddit. The original founder started making the products in his garage, which went viral, prompting Jared to purchase the business to ensure its growth.

Jared discusses the operational aspects of Mini Materials, emphasizing the company's use of various manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing and laser cutting, to produce their flagship concrete products. He highlights the uniqueness of Mini Materials in creating authentic, U.S.-made miniatures, contrasting with competitors who often source from overseas. Jared touches on the challenges of marketing and the constant need to create engaging content. He also mentions the diverse customer base, ranging from hobbyists to businesses, and his aspirations to expand the product line and build more guided kits, inspired by brands like Lego.

Dive into the heart of creative ingenuity with Jared Waters in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Mini Materials LLC
http://minimaterials.com

Jared Waters' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-waters-655a9014/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Veon Brewster, the founder of Veba Baby.

Veon shares her journey from Jamaica to the U.S., where her upbringing in a household focused on education inspired her entrepreneurial spirit. She details her academic and professional background, highlighting her work in tech at Google and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Veon's motivation to create Veba Baby, a smart baby bottle monitor, came from a personal experience when her son fell ill after drinking expired breast milk. This incident spurred her to design a solution to help parents track the freshness of their baby's milk more effectively.

Veon discusses the initial steps she took to validate her product idea, including engaging with online breastfeeding support groups. She explains how her background and network in the tech industry facilitated the development of the product. Veon also elaborates on the shift in her business model from a direct-to-consumer approach to incorporating B2B strategies, targeting hospitals and corporations that provide maternity leave gifts.

Uncover Veon Brewster's insights on leading change and driving digital success in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Veba Baby
https://www.vebababy.com/

Veon Brewster's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/veonbrewster/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/