The Silicon Valley Podcast

From Startup to Exit: Brian Will's Lessons on Building and Scaling Successful Businesses

Guest: Brian Will, Serial Entrepreneur, Two-Time Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author, Business and Sales Management Consultant

Bio: Brian Will has built a remarkable career creating successful companies across diverse industries. His experience in startups and Fortune 500s offers him a unique perspective on agile processes and their impact on businesses. Currently, he owns various businesses and serves on the city council in his hometown.

Key Points and Questions:

• Brian's background and how it shaped the lessons in his book: Get insights into the experiences that influenced Brian's approach to business and the advice he shares.

Connect with Brian:

• Website: Home New - Brian Will Media

Additional Notes:

• Reference to the first interview: Encourage listeners to check out the previous interview with Brian for more context.

Guest: Marsha Wulff, Impact investing pioneer with 40 years of experience building corporations, managing investments, and establishing a venture capital firm focused on Africa.

Key Discussion Points:

• Marsha's Journey: Marsha will share her career path, including her role in building multi-billion dollar corporations and establishing a successful venture capital firm in Africa.

Call to Action:

• Connect with Marsha Wulff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshawulff/

Explore LoftyInc Capital Management: LoftyInc Capital – Backing early stage Afropreneurs building tech-enabled solutions for the "everyday economy"

Bio:

Kristi Herold is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected

millions of people through play since its inception as one of the largest adult recreational sports leagues

in the world. The JAM team has produced and delivered over 4,000 playful corporate events, in over 30

countries since the summer of 2020 and the JAM team consults organizations helping them integrate

fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture”. JAM has been awarded “Canada’s Most Admired Culture

Award,” and certified as “Great Places to Work – Canada” multiple times.

Kristi is the best-selling author of It Pays to PLAY – How Play Improves Business Culture, a rich resource

to help organizations playfully connect with their teams and improve productivity, retention, and

workplace culture. Her vision is to get 1 million people playing annually!

Awards and Accolades:

Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures – Emerging Award (2022)

Canada's Most Powerful Women - Top 100 (2020)

RBC / Women of Influence - Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards - Momentum - Top 3 (2020)

Sport & Social Industry Association - "Industry Impact Award" winner (2020)

Great Places to Work - Canada award (2019)

Governor General's "Diamond Jubliee Award" in recognition of contribution to community (2009)

Features:

Forbes Magazine, "Create Teamwork By Doing This,’” (2020) https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanieburns/2020/03/05/create-teamwork-by-doing-this/#5c10c9c35aff

Fast Company, "Corporate Team Building," (2019) https://www.fastcompany.com/90510635/without-team-sports-this-recreational-league-company-is-still-committed-to-boosting-spirits

Toronto Star, “Kristi Herold is all about team spirit,” (2021) https://www.thestar.com/life/together/people/2021/02/28/kristi-herold-is-all-about-team-spirit-here-the-ceo-talks-sports-play-and-her-picks-for-the-top-toronto-online-fitness-classes.html

We talk about:

When you look to acquire a business, what are your minimum expectations for the business you will acquire?

How do you know if a target company’s culture fits yours when acquiring a company?

What are some strategies for identifying and mitigating potential risks in a main street/lower mid-market business acquisition?

Would you happen to have suggestions on going into a negotiation that you can share with us?

What are some best practices for communicating with employees and maintaining morale during the M&A process?

How do you ensure a smooth transition of key personnel and talent retention post-transaction

What role does strategic planning and long-term vision play in the success of a business's mergers and acquisitions?

How important is it to join mastermind groups and organizations outside of work?

And much more

Connect with Kristi 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-herold/

https://jamgroup.com/

Guest Speakers:

• Dario Fusato: CEO of Savvly

About the Guests:

Dario Fusato is the CEO of Savvly, a platform revolutionizing personal pensions and long-term financial security with market-driven solutions. He has extensive experience in building fintech solutions aimed at removing financial uncertainty.

Tony Derossi is the co-founder of Savvly, an online platform designed to optimize retirement savings through innovative risk-sharing algorithms. With a background in insurance, technology, and strategic consulting, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge to the fintech and retirement planning industries.

Episode Overview:

Key Questions Discussed:

1. What inspired Dario and Tony to transition from corporate careers to founding Savvly?

Connect with the Guests:

• Dario Fusato: LinkedIn

Closing Notes:

Guests:

• John Lenker, Marketing Strategist & Communications Artist at LENKER

Episode Summary:

Join us for a fascinating conversation with John Lenker and Kevin deLaplante, two experts from LENKER, as they delve into the world of marketing, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship.

John, a seasoned marketing strategist with a passion for ethical marketing, shares his insights on developing and promoting products and services that resonate with audiences. Kevin, a former philosopher turned marketing specialist, brings a unique perspective on critical thinking and decision-making in the business world.

Together, they discuss:

• Their career journeys and how they arrived at their current roles at LENKER

Resources:

• LENKER website: https://lenker.com

Call to Action:

If you're looking to enhance your marketing strategies, refine your critical thinking skills, or navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with John & Kevin:

• John Lenker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlenker/

Show notes Mark Kleyner

Mark is the co-founder of Dream VC, an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder and early-stage investor in Emerging Markets. Mark has worked within VCs in the UK, US, Europe and Africa and actively advises, coaches and mentors several very early stage West & East African startups - who have gone on to raise upwards of $10m in Venture Financing, and joined programs like Google's Black Founders Fund Africa, PioneerApp, TechStars and Y Combinator. Mark is passionate about empowering the private sector to take responsibility for making people's lives better and is a big advocate for Consumer and Enterprise Software Startups as mediums to improve lives around the world. Mark is also a co-founder of Dream VC, a leading remote program, helping founders, entrepreneurs and working professionals across the African continent and among the diaspora to break into the Venture Capital industry as emerging investors.

Beyond these activities, Mark is an active startup mentor in 9+ Accelerators and Incubators at Startupbootcamp, Impact Hub Lagos, Seedstars, Founder Institute and Village Capital. Mark is also a startup mentor with FasterCapital and StartupLoungeAfrica.

Dream VC and the mission you are on.

The current investment landscape in Africa and some key trends shaping it?

The role of diaspora investment in driving economic development and entrepreneurship in Africa?

The unique opportunities that investors can find in African markets compared to other regions?

How do political stability and regulatory environments impact investment decisions in Africa?

How necessary is local knowledge and partnerships when investing in African markets?

What are some key resources or sources of information that investors can leverage to stay informed about investment opportunities and developments in Africa?

Connect with Mark 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkleyner/

https://www.dream-vc.com/

Introduction:

• Welcome Note: The host introduces Sidharth Saxena, highlighting his role as the CEO and founder of Docyt, an innovative all-in-one financial management solution for small businesses.

Main Discussion:

1. Background and Journey:

• Sid’s Story: Sid shares his background and the journey leading up to the founding of Docyt, detailing his career path and experiences.

• Navigating Challenges: Sid discusses how he navigated building a business in a field where he wasn't initially considered an expert and the strategies he employed to gain credibility and expertise.

• Benefits for Small Businesses: Exploration of the advantages of real-time bookkeeping for small businesses, emphasizing why it’s crucial for efficiency and financial accuracy.

• Transformative Impact: Sid shares his insights on how AI will continue to transform the operational aspects of small businesses, making them more efficient and competitive.

• Driving Innovation: A look at the Docyt team and their roles in fostering AI innovation in small business operations, highlighting key contributors and their expertise.

• Further Engagement: Information on how listeners can connect with Sid and learn more about his work and Docyt’s offerings.

Website  Best AI-Bookkeeping Software for Multiple Businesses | Docyt

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidharthsaxena/

In the fast-paced world of tech entrepreneurship, experience is invaluable. Oleg Golynker, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, manager, and investor since the mid-90s, shares his insights garnered from a journey marked by both epic failures and mind-blowing successes.

With a track record spanning decades, Oleg's journey in the tech industry has been nothing short of remarkable. From founding CTO of Global-e (Nasdaq: GLBE) to his current venture, Trueli, Oleg's career is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of tech entrepreneurship.

At Global-e, Oleg played a pivotal role in solving significant challenges for millions worldwide, culminating in one of the most celebrated IPOs of 2021. Now, with Trueli, Oleg aims to tackle another pressing issue – rescuing memories from the digital clutter that plagues our smartphones.

1. Approaching New Ventures: Oleg sheds light on how the anticipation of an exit from a previous venture impacts the approach to starting a new company. Drawing from his wealth of experience, he discusses the importance of strategic planning and foresight in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

To learn more about Oleg Golynker and his ventures, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit Trueli's website, 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleggolynker/

https://www.trueli.me/

Episode Title: How AI is Disrupting Sales and Marketing with Raj Prasad

Episode Description: In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, our host dives deep into the world of AI in marketing with expert Raj Prasad. With over 25 years of marketing experience, including roles as a CEO and Fractional CMO, Raj has developed a deep understanding of brand development and revenue growth. Join us as Raj shares insights from his impressive career and explores the transformative impact of AI on marketing strategies. From search engine optimization to targeted advertising, learn how AI is revolutionizing the way marketers understand consumer behavior and optimize their campaigns. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned marketer, this episode is packed with valuable advice on integrating AI into your marketing efforts.

Key Questions and Topics:

1. Career Journey: Raj, can you tell our audience a little bit about your career up to this point?

About Raj Prasad: Raj Prasad has over 25 years of marketing experience, including roles as a CEO and Fractional CMO. He has developed a deep understanding of brand development and revenue growth, focusing on using a range of marketing tools, such as PPC, SEO, Influencer Marketing, and Event Marketing, to build and strengthen brands. A key achievement was leading the product management for an Online Franchise Dealer Portal, an innovative B2B subscription model, which generated $24 million in revenue over four years. His approach centers around implementing effective digital marketing strategies, contributing to enhanced brand recognition and business performance. This experience is well-suited for roles requiring a strategic yet hands-on approach to digital marketing, where data-driven decisions and a clear vision are essential for driving growth.

Connect with Raj Prasad:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajpras/ Raj Prasad | LinkedIn  

Listen Now: Tune in to this insightful conversation with Raj Prasad and discover how AI can transform your marketing strategies for better performance and results.

Make sure to subscribe to The Silicon Valley Podcast for more expert insights and discussions on the latest trends in technology and business. Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this episode with your network!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with J.P. Keating, a prominent figure in the supply chain and mobility sectors. J.P. shares his extensive career history and provides deep insights into the rapidly evolving world of supply chain technology, mobility startups, and the complexities of navigating these industries. From discussing the sexiness of supply chain tech to addressing the critical challenges and sustainability considerations, J.P. offers a comprehensive look at the present and future of these dynamic fields.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Career Background:

• P. Keating gives an overview of his career journey and experiences that have shaped his expertise in supply chain and mobility sectors.

• Why supply chain tech is one of the most exciting fields in technology today.

• Navigating the complexity of mobility startups amidst advancements in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and other technologies.

• The importance of understanding regulations and policies when building or investing in companies within the supply chain and mobility spaces.

• Unique challenges faced by startups and investors in supply chain and mobility compared to other sectors.

• How technologies like human-less electric cargo planes evolve compared to software MVPs and iterative testing.

• Assessing the resilience of supply chain startups to disruptions caused by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Evaluating the sustainability practices of companies in the supply chain and mobility industries.

• The importance of supply chain and mobility to the overall economics of cities and countries.

• Identifying the regions and stakeholders most interested in supply chain and mobility technologies.

• P. shares his philosophy on "stacking bills without anyone knowing who you are" and its implications for business success.

• Discussing the preferred exit strategies for companies in the supply chain and mobility sectors.

• Why founders should be excited to have J.P. and his team on their cap table.

• P. shares a compelling story of a company he worked with or one in the supply chain and mobility space.

• How listeners can learn more about J.P. Keating and his current projects.

Listener Takeaways:

• Gain insights into the cutting-edge developments in supply chain and mobility technologies.

Resources:

• P. Keating's LinkedIn