The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Fiona Jamison, President and CEO of Spring International. 

Fiona's journey from a British helicopter factory to becoming the accidental CEO of a prominent HR analytics firm is both fascinating and inspiring. Having purchased the company to ensure its continuity, Fiona shares the unconventional story of how her three-year plan turned into a long-term commitment. She discusses an effective sales approach, where she sees herself more as a relationship builder than a seller. By understanding clients' pain points and tailoring solutions, she aims to make a meaningful impact on their organizations. She also shares her experiences as a speaker, detailing the initial discomfort she overcame to effectively communicate her passion for data and workplace improvement.

Spring International, specializing in employee research and people analytics, takes a unique approach to customizing surveys for clients, ensuring a focus on their specific industry and workforce. Fiona highlights the company's commitment to actionable insights, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond generic engagement metrics to drive real business performance improvements.

Get ready to be inspired on your journey to becoming an aspiring entrepreneur and business leader in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
Spring International
http://www.springitl.com

Fiona Jamison's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionajamison/

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 John Rossman, managing partner of Rossman Partners.

John shares his journey from growing up in Portland, Oregon, to becoming an executive at Amazon and eventually starting his own business, Rossman Partners. John emphasizes the importance of simplicity and efficiency, highlighting how these principles, inspired by his time at Amazon, have shaped his approach to problem-solving.

John's first client, a healthcare insurance startup, and he shares how the success of his books, particularly "The Amazon Way," opened doors for speaking engagements and advisory roles. John discusses his passion for helping clients solve complex problems in the digital era and how he applies Amazon's leadership principles to foster innovation.

In addition, John introduces his upcoming book, "Big Bet Leadership," and offers a free Kindle book giveaway for listeners who register on the book's release date, February 27, 2024, at BigBetLeadership.com.

Don't miss out on the playbook for success in this insightful episode of The First Customer podcast!

Guest Info:
Rossman Partners
http://www.rossmanpartners.com

John Rossman's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/

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 Brittany Jenkins, Founder of WeAreTech, an ed-tech platform providing equitable digital literacy tools to underserved communities.

Brittany delves into the genesis of WeAreTech, and the challenges in the tech industry that led her to create a platform for equitable digital literacy. Originally from San Diego, California, Brittany reflects on her laid-back upbringing and its impact on her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of moving at her own pace, a skill crucial in entrepreneurship.

Brittany's journey into entrepreneurship was influenced by her exposure to the tech industry, where she identified a lack of diversity and digital literacy. Her experience as a tech teacher in North Philly revealed a gap in students' understanding of basic digital literacy, inspiring her to start WeAreTech as an organization. Initially focused on workshops and office visits, the organization pivoted during the pandemic to develop a platform addressing the lack of standardized digital literacy education.

Get to know more about Brittany Jenkins and the inspiring energy that shines through her passion for tech entrepreneurship!

Guest Info:
WeAreTech
http://wearetech.education


Brittany Jenkins' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bthesolution/

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 Jamon Holmgren, founder and CTO of Infinite Red.

Jamon grew up in a small town in coastal Oregon and recounts his early experiences with coding, starting a business, and the influence of his father, who was an entrepreneur.

Jamon shares insights into his first business endeavors, from coding projects for a friend's construction company to starting his own home design and remodeling business. He highlights his challenges during the 2008 housing crisis and his pivot towards web and mobile app development. Jamon discusses the impact of having a family and raising kids with potential entrepreneurial interests and touches on the significance of mentorship, the dynamics of co-founding a company, and the long-term focus that has contributed to the success of Infinite Red. Jamon also emphasizes authenticity, building genuine relationships, and the importance of a strong company culture.

Let's drive out to the "City of Roses" and delve into Jamon Holmgren's inspiring entrepreneurial journey!

Guest Info:
Infinite Red
http://infinite.red

Jamon Holmgren's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/

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 The Chaz Wolfe, Owner and Founder of Gathering The Kings.

Growing up in a single-mother household in Columbia, Missouri, Chaz emphasizes the impact of his challenging upbringing, instilling in him the values of grit, commitment, and determination. He highlights his father's influence, a veterinarian and cattle rancher, discovering him later in life.

Chaz delves into the nuances of personal branding, offering advice to young individuals and seasoned professionals. He emphasizes the importance of integrity and commitment, sharing personal anecdotes from his early career. Chaz discusses the evolution of his personal brand, illustrating how authenticity and consistency contribute to becoming a thought leader. He also explores starting a podcast and addresses the importance of the intention behind the decision. Chaz underscores the need to align podcasting efforts with specific goals and values.

Let's travel all the way to "The City of Fountains" and chart your path to business brilliance with Chaz Wolfe!

Guest Info:
Gathering The Kings
www.gatheringthekings.com

Chaz Wolfe's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaz-wolfe-86767054/

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 Justin Leusner, CEO and founder of TDAY Sports.

Justin shares insights into his journey as the founder and president of TDAY Sports, revealing his roots in a small town near Philadelphia and his passion for creating YouTube videos since childhood. He details the evolution of TDAY Sports, highlighting its six different channels covering various sports and serving as a Gen Z sports network.
Justin delves into the changing landscape of content consumption, emphasizing Gen Z's preference for fast-paced, authentic, and personalized content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. He contrasts this with traditional sports broadcasting, noting the shift in market preferences towards content that resonates with younger generations.

As Justin continues to unfold the business side of TDAY Sports, he shared the challenges of relying solely on platform monetization due to volatile algorithms. He outlines the strategic shift towards brand deals and the establishment of an in-house agency, leveraging TDAY Sports' content creation skills to offer services to other businesses.

Sip those wines and check out the Christmas episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
TDAY Sports
instagram.com/tdaysports

Justin Leusner's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleusner/

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 extremely lucky to interview John Trevisani, currently a Software Engineering Manager at Ask Media Group but also a multi-talented individual with interests ranging from being a pilot, author, entrepreneur, and musician!

John grew up as one of five children and shared its impact on fostering his entrepreneurial spirit. John delves into his experience starting a business that addressed the inconvenience of booking golf tee times, his foray into the tech world, and the challenges he faced, including financial management and the importance of having a diverse startup team.

John also discusses his journey as an author, detailing how his interest in psychology and true crime led to the creation of a book about serial killers and touches upon the publishing process, the unexpected success of the book, and the challenges of dealing with criticism related to glorifying serial killers.

Tune in to this captivating episode of The First Customer with the fantastic John Trevisani!



Guest Info:
John Trevisani's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-trevisani/

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 Justin Furniss, CEO and founder of SecureCoders.

Justin grew up in South Jersey, sharing anecdotes about growing up near a rodeo and his initial hesitations about entering the entrepreneurial world. After college, Justin's perspective shifted, and he delved into building software, and creating a product called Groundwork. Justin also discusses the turning point when he realized he could pursue entrepreneurship and the challenges he faced while trying to sell their product. He touches on missed opportunities, including a potential deal with the Pentagon.

Justin's experience with sales and the evolution of SecureCoders emphasizes the importance of confidence in what he's selling, particularly in the cybersecurity realm. He shares the current focus on word-of-mouth referrals and building relationships with venture capitalists. He also discusses maintaining the right-sized team and the challenges and temptations of growth in entrepreneurship.

Get to know more about Justin Furniss and his journey to becoming a cybersecurity expert in this informative episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
SecureCoders
https://securecoders.com/

Justin Furniss' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfurniss/

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 Dave Albin, Founder of Firewalk Productions, LLC.

Dave shares his incredible life journey. Born to a single mom in Hollywood, California, Dave's early years were marked by the mysterious departure of his biological father. Facing financial struggles, his mother made the difficult decision to put him up for adoption, leading him to a loving family in Long Beach, California. Despite a seemingly idyllic childhood, Dave's life took a dark turn at 11 when he discovered he was adopted. Subsequently, his family faced challenges, including Dave's own struggles with addiction.

Dave recounts his journey through addiction, reaching a critical turning point and thankfully, his commitment to being a stepfather to his wife's children saved him. Seeking help, he unexpectedly found himself calling Alcoholics Anonymous, leading to a transformative experience. Dave's association with Tony Robbins traces his involvement from attending seminars to becoming a key figure in organizing and leading firewalk experiences globally.

Catch the latest episode of The First Customer as Dave shares profound insights into personal development and his entrepreneurial spirit!



Guest Info:
Firewalk Productions
firewalkadventures.com


Dave Albin's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-albin/

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 very lucky to interview the fantastic Manoj Sinha, Co-founder of BISIL and my flight instructor!

Manoj reflects on his entrepreneurial journey that began in 1990. Starting with a background in engineering and an MBA from a top-tier school, Manoj worked in esteemed companies like ITC Limited before founding BISIL. Despite the challenging initial timing of the Gulf War, Manoj emphasizes the cyclical nature of business and recounts the various booms and busts he navigated, including the dot-com era, the 2008 financial crisis, and the recent pandemic.

Manoj also shares insights on resilience, emphasizing the importance of attitude and outlook as he discusses the evolution of BISIL, having weathered multiple cycles by launching and iterating on technology products. Manoj stresses the significance of learning from mistakes, maintaining a broad perspective in business, and recognizing that challenges are often a chain of errors rather than a single catastrophic event.

Catch this exciting episode of The First Customer with my favorite person in the world and mentor, Manoj Sinha!

Guest Info:
BISIL
http://www.bisil.net

Manoj Sinha's  LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manoj-sinha-8868/

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/