The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jon Wise, the founder and CEO of Jon Wise Creative (JWC). 

Jon started his childhood in suburban Atlanta, where his father ran a local software store. Jon recalls his earliest entrepreneurial endeavor at a community festival, selling “Tucker Rocks” to neighbors, which marked the beginning of his creative and business-minded spirit. After studying music in Boston and freelancing in event production, Jon leveraged his burgeoning Instagram presence to land significant opportunities, including a project with Ralph Lauren. These experiences culminated in the founding of JWC, where Jon brings a unique blend of personal branding and marketing expertise to his clients.

Jon emphasized the power of personal branding in business. Reflecting on his decision to name his agency after himself, he highlighted the importance of authenticity and relationships in building trust with clients. Jon also provided insights for others hesitant to embrace personal branding, encouraging them to overcome self-doubt and focus on being genuine. He shared how JWC has evolved, including a pandemic pivot and a commitment to innovative content strategies.

Join Jon Wise as he shares his journey from selling rocks to leading a thriving creative agency, offering insights on embracing change, building a personal brand, and fostering relationships in entrepreneurship in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Jon Wise Creative
http://jonwisecreative.com


Jon Wise's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-wise

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 Etienne de Bruin, Founder and CEO of 7CTOs.

Etienne shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his upbringing in South Africa to founding his organization that supports technology leaders. Growing up during a time of global isolation for South Africa, Etienne reflects on how this scarcity of resources fostered a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. With a background in computer science and early exposure to personal computing, he developed a passion for technology and creativity, which later evolved into a career in tech startups. His experiences working in Germany and eventually moving to the U.S. paved the way for his eventual venture into leadership and organizational development, focusing on building relationships and emotional intelligence in the CTO community.

Etienne reveals how 7CTOs came to life, describing the pivotal moment when he pivoted from informal CTO meetups to a formal membership-based organization. Initially met with resistance, he found encouragement from his first member, Harold, and his co-founder, Michael, who shared his vision for fostering emotional intelligence among CTOs. Etienne recounts how his organization evolved from free dinners to a community-driven model where leaders commit to each other’s growth. Today, 7CTOs thrives on its emphasis on relationship-building and people-centered leadership, marking over a decade of empowering technology leaders to excel beyond technical expertise.

Uncover the driving force behind Etienne de Bruin’s mission to create meaningful connections and solutions in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
7CTOs
https://7ctos.com


Etienne de Bruin's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/etdebruin/

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 Rachel Sanders, CEO and Co-Founder of Rootine.

Rachel shares the transformative journey behind her health and wellness brand. Rootine’s mission is to empower individuals with personalized, data-driven health solutions, starting with custom multivitamins tailored to biological data. Rachel recounts how her upbringing in a holistic health-focused household, combined with her experience in investment banking, highlighted the gap between technological innovation in healthcare and the stagnant state of the supplement industry. This realization inspired her to leverage technology and science to address burnout and health challenges through nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, rather than relying on traditional medication.

Rachel dives into Rootine's evolution, from its initial offering of DNA-informed supplements to its expansion into functional drink mixes aimed at stress, sleep, and focus. She reflects on lessons learned, such as the importance of organic growth over paid advertising and the power of narrowing the target audience to underserved demographics, particularly millennial and Gen X women. Rachel also highlights her commitment to building a personal brand, emphasizing its role in connecting authentically with customers and driving awareness for Rootine’s mission.

Explore Rachel Sanders’ unique approach to innovation and purpose-driven work in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Rootine
https://rootine.co/


Rachel Sanders' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-soper-sanders/

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 Hunter Fortuin and Tom Carmona, co-founders of Wolfjaw Studios. 

Based in Troy, New York, Wolfjaw specializes in backend development for online gaming services, tackling the complex systems that enable matchmaking, account management, and telemetry. Tom recounts how the company’s first major client originated from a network connection cultivated over three years. By focusing on honesty, stellar communication, and high technical standards, Wolfjaw has become a trusted partner for major studios, even receiving word-of-mouth referrals for being "the best in the business."

The duo also shares insights on how Wolfjaw has evolved since its founding in 2019. While their early days involved shorter contracts and straightforward development roles, they've since shifted to offering comprehensive, long-term solutions. This includes the development of new tools accessible to smaller studios, democratizing high-quality backend services. Hunter highlights their work on Among Us as a prime example of their impact, describing how Wolfjaw introduced key features like account systems and social capabilities to the cultural phenomenon.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Hunter and Tom turned a shared vision into a powerhouse for gaming infrastructure in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Wolfjaw Studios
https://wolfjawstudios.com/


Hunter Fortuin's  LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunter-fortuin/


Tom Cardona's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-carmona/

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 Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube.

Jason recounts his beginnings in the music industry, where he started a record label after failing to secure a deal for his band. This led him to his first customer, a record company, which he gained through relationship building. He further explains the challenges he faced with his second company, a children’s entertainment platform, which ultimately succeeded due to a significant audience demand, evidenced by five million monthly visitors to their website. This success attracted the attention of major telecoms like Orange in France, illustrating the importance of having a compelling audience proposition.

Transitioning to Kalicube, Jason describes his current focus on helping individuals control their online personal brand. He emphasizes the necessity of having a personal website to establish credibility and authority in the digital space, as well as the timeline for seeing results from such efforts, ranging from three to twelve months. Jason asserts that the goal of dominating one’s niche is about becoming the go-to name associated with a specific topic. Through their platform, Kalicube utilizes extensive data points to guide clients on effectively building their personal brands and engaging their target audiences.

Get inspired by Jason Barnard's journey from musician to digital strategist and learn how to redefine your brand in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Kalicube
https://kalicube.com/


Jason Barnard's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmbarnard/

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, very lucky enough to interview my former boss, Dave Reinhold, Founder of VentureCPO.

Growing up in New York, Dave recounts his first “business” selling bubble gum and fans to classmates, reflecting a lifelong drive for independence and resourcefulness. His early passion for technology blossomed with his first computer, a Commodore 64, which sparked a fascination with digital products. Dave went on to study management information systems at Binghamton University and earned an MBA in entrepreneurship and MIS from NYU’s Stern School. He built a career around startups, notably working at Loeb as a fractional product leader for portfolio companies, where he gained expertise in various industries and honed his methodology for product strategy.

Launching VentureCPO allowed Dave to bring his fractional CPO services to early-stage companies. His consultancy is structured around a playbook adaptable to diverse industries, focusing on product strategy, roadmaps, and execution. In the conversation, Dave discusses the challenges of transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship and the unexpected interest from later-stage companies. Now five months in, he’s navigating the business development landscape, exploring partnerships with venture funds, joining fractional executive platforms, and even experimenting with LinkedIn advertising. Dave also emphasizes the value of building a community and finding niche expertise, which he sees as pivotal in differentiating VentureCPO in the fractional product leadership space.

Listen in as Dave Reinhold brings a fresh perspective on growth, challenges, and lasting client partnerships in The First Customer!

Guest Info:
VentureCPO
https://www.venturecpo.com/


Dave Reinhold's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjreinhold/

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 Deanna Sheward, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Capablanca.

Deanna shares her unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship. She recounts how her background in art, architecture, and research instilled in her a passion for learning and personal growth, which later fueled her pivot into the tech industry. Deanna explains how the skills she honed as a researcher—like public speaking, project management, and self-promotion—naturally translated into entrepreneurial success. However, she emphasizes the challenge of building a new professional network from scratch after shifting from academia to technology. By attending meetups and leveraging connections from her previous circles, she managed to establish a strong foundation in the startup ecosystem.

Deanna also delves into the origins and growth of Capablanca, a cybersecurity firm she co-founded with her husband, Luis. Initially balancing consulting work alongside their full-time jobs, the couple decided to build Capablanca as a flexible business that allowed them to balance their professional and personal lives after the birth of their son, Lorenzo. Deanna highlights the challenges and rewards of working with her spouse, underscoring the importance of clear roles and teamwork. She reflects on how Capablanca’s client base has evolved, shifting from early-stage startups to a more diverse array of companies, all united by a pressing need for security solutions.

Discover how Deanna Sheward turned her vision into a thriving business in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Capablanca
https://www.capablanca.io/


Deanna Sheward's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannasheward/

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 Sean Languedoc, Founder and CEO of Outforce AI.

Sean recounts his unconventional start in business, inspired by advice to "learn by doing" instead of pursuing an MBA. He shares his experience launching a tourism venture during Expo 86 in Vancouver, which taught him the value of adaptability when the business didn’t take off as expected. From there, Sean explored various industries, including commercial real estate and digital media, with each venture teaching him new lessons about scaling, market fit, and the importance of pivoting when initial strategies faced challenges.

Sean also discusses how these experiences eventually led to the creation of Outforce.ai, which helps entrepreneurs connect with specialized outsourcing agencies. Drawing from personal frustrations in finding the right engineering talent and outsourcing partners, Sean explains the value of selecting agencies based on tech stack, availability, and cultural fit. With a database of 79,000 agencies, Outforce.ai streamlines the process for startups looking to build products efficiently without sacrificing equity. Sean emphasizes that the right outsourcing partnership can bridge gaps in early-stage development, enabling founders to focus on product-market fit and scale their ventures.

Explore how Sean Languedoc’s thoughtful approach to business paved the way for lasting achievements in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Outforce AI
http://www.outforce.ai


Sean Languedoc's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlanguedoc/

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 Jordan Saunders, founder and CEO of NextLink Labs.

Jordan reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, building computers at age 12. He shares how his passion for technology led him to pursue consulting right out of college after studying computer science at Penn State. Over the past decade, Jordan has grown NextLink Labs into a technology consultancy, focusing on custom software development, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. He discusses the importance of balancing personal time and professional goals, emphasizing the challenges of transitioning from a hands-on entrepreneur to a leader who empowers his team to scale operations effectively.

Jordan delves into the evolution of his leadership style, explaining the shift from working in the business to working on the business. He highlights the difficulties of delegating, overcoming guilt, and trusting his team to handle day-to-day operations. Partnerships have played a crucial role in NextLink's growth, offering collaborative opportunities and enhanced client outcomes. Additionally, Jordan reflects on the value of personal branding as a CEO, aiming to align his public persona with the transparency and honesty that define NextLink Labs.

Join Jordan Saunders as he redefines inclusive leadership and builds bridges in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
NextLink Labs
https://nextlinklabs.com/


Jordan Saunders' LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-saunders-b7073712/

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 Alex Levin, Co-Founder and CEO of Regal.io.

Alex grew up in Manhattan with a father who ran a steel service business. Alex absorbed early lessons about business operations and efficiency. While his father’s ventures in technology during the late 90s exposed him to a rapidly changing landscape, Alex initially explored entrepreneurship by selling wild fruit with his brothers as a child. After working for another company rather than launching his own software business a decade ago, Alex finally co-founded Regal.io, a business focused on improving customer engagement through proactive outreach, blending traditional contact center practices with marketing automation.

Alex discussed how Regal.io started by identifying a gap in online service conversion rates, particularly in industries like home services, healthcare, and retail. He emphasized the importance of personalized interactions in driving higher conversion, recalling their early partnerships with companies like The Farmer’s Dog and MakeSpace. Levin highlighted Regal.io’s vision of treating customers “like royalty” by combining outbound calls and texts with insights from customer data to improve experiences. He also reflected on product development challenges, the value of gathering early feedback, and how the right partnerships and feedback loops were crucial to their growth.

Unlock lessons from Alex Levin’s adventures in collaboration, strategic thinking, and sustainable success in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:
Regal.io
https://www.regal.io


Alex Levin's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlevin1/

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/