What does it take to become a great CEO? No leader is perfect, but with an exceptional mindset, careful preparation, and the ability to utilize strengths and weaknesses, you can achieve success and inspire others.

In this episode, Michael Burton, CEO of Stitch, shares his background in building and scaling professional services businesses. He discusses the importance of being customer-facing and the value of a "Get things done" mentality in project management. Michael also emphasizes the need for a diverse team and the value of finding the right people to complement your weaknesses. 

Michael is an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in building and scaling professional services businesses. Burton describes his first job as a consultant at Baker Hill, where he worked on implementing technology solutions for banks and credit unions, as a valuable experience that gave him great exposure and allowed him to practice essential skills.

Our guest also walks us through his journey in transitioning from a project manager to a CEO and the challenges he faced in managing resistance to change. Michael also discusses the acquisition of Lev and the factors that contributed to its high multiple exits. He concludes by talking about Stitch and its focus on helping marketers get the most out of Braze.

Show highlights:

1:55 A little background on Michael's life

5:45 Project management experiences that helped him become successful

10:25 The misconception about CEOs

12:49 Camaraderie and your company's uniqueness can draw people to be on the same page as you

16:28 Invest time and resources in college graduates

20:55 Being "right in front of customers" as a driver to success

29:04 Significant wins that led him to the CEO position

34:40 Dealing with people as a newbie CEO

38:27 Know your strengths and weaknesses and find people to fill your gaps

43:33 Focusing on a specific niche is important

55:35 The good in having more competitors

58:07 Recruiting starts with company culture

1:00:54 Why services businesses are harder to get moving

1:06:10 Letting go of the responsibility of owning every decision 

In this episode, Dawn Lively-Jenkins, chief executive officer and co-founder of Fullstack, walks us through her over 11 years of experience in the human resources industry. She started her career working for a third-party management company that oversaw assisted living and nursing homes in Indiana. She then moved on to work for a professional employer organization (PEO), where she worked her way up to a co-director position.

In 2016, Dawn joined Developer Town as their HR lead, and in 2017, she started laying the groundwork for Fullstack PEO. Dawn is passionate about creating a positive and transparent work culture and helping businesses navigate the complexities of HR.

Our guest emphasizes the importance of culture and development in an organization and highlights the unique perspective that an HR background brings to the role of CEO. She also provides insights on managing HR during periods of rapid growth and offers tips for effective employee recognition and professional development.

Show Highlights:

00:42 Dawn's background

03:26 Becoming a CEO was not in her plan

13:20 What is a professional employer organization (PEO)

17:18 What a company should look for in a PEO

20:27 Managing human resources and the onboarding process

27:40 Getting to a certain mass before you have a culture to rely upon

31:14 Mixing friendship with business

34:06 The mistake she made as a PEO

38:28 Not everybody is meant to be a mentor

47:47 A proper approach to achieving continuous learning and professional development in a start-up business

53:53 Getting involved is essential

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Dawn Lively-Jenkins on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-lively-jenkins-she-her-hers-9558b08/

Website: www.fullstackpeo.com

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

How is psychology related to business? They both deal with understanding and building relationships with people.

In this episode, Brian Millis, a leadership consultant and the vice president of sales and marketing at ADVISA, talks about his education in psychology and liberal arts and how he stumbled into the software startup world. He also shares his experience managing a lab and conducting research on the effects of sleep deprivation on children's behavior and cognitive functioning. Brian reflects on the valuable skills he gained from his first job and why he decided not to pursue a Ph.D.

Brian looks back on his over 11 years of experience in the industry and how he worked with a wide range of clients to help them improve their leadership skills and create a positive work culture. He also emphasizes the value of building relationships and listening to customers in sales.

Our guest then explains his role at ADVISA and how the company helps struggling leaders become more effective in their roles. Brian highlights the significance of data in understanding and improving leadership practices.

Show Highlights:

00:43 A background on Brian's life13:18 The best salespeople have to be interested in what they're doing17:37 An unexpected career in Technology22:17 Transition from recruiting to SaaS25:35 Brain science meets business28:28 You have to connect to people on a human level32:06 Journey from an entry-level role to director of sales37:48 Success leaves clues; be a student of it41:50 Every step has been opportunistic53:48 Work culture is the byproduct of how people behave and what's normalized55:53 Building an intentional culture is not a quick fix01:07:51 The way you see things is just your perspective

LINKS MENTIONED*

Connect with Brian Millis on:

Advisa website: https://www.advisausa.com/team/brian-millis/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmillis/Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianmillis?lang=enWebsite: http://www.brianmillis.com/about-me.html

Check out Max Yoder’s book, Do Better Work at https://dobetterwork.com/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/Email: [email protected]

Connect with Crystal Bell on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

In this episode, David Kerr, managing director at Allos Ventures, a venture capital firm based in the Midwest, shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his high school days when he imported bikes from Italy to his experience running various businesses in his twenties. He then transitioned into the tech world and eventually became the CEO of Tinderbox, a software company that was later acquired.

David discusses the importance of knowing your risk profile and passion when starting or buying a business. He also emphasizes the value of building relationships and providing support to portfolio companies as a venture capitalist.

Business does not only revolve around numbers but also trust and connections. Here, you will get to know the value of patience, being proactive, and being intuitive in every step of your business career.

Show Highlights:

1:01 How David started his entrepreneurial journey

06:06 David's fascination with the enterprise of business

11:50 The pros and cons of running a business

16:00 Know your risk capital appetite before starting a business

21:21 Work with people you like and respect

27:50 People buy from people they trust

30:59 Artificial Intelligence's role in productivity

38:08 Be patient, raise your hand, and keep your eyes open

47:02 How to convince people to invest in your company

01:05:20 Value board meetings as strategy sessions

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with David Kerr on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kerr-9b0b501/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidckerr?lang=en

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

How important is peer learning in sales training and development? It helps you build relationships that are crucial for your overall success.

In this episode, Tanner Lacey, head of New Member Sales at Sales Assembly, discusses the significance of establishing relationships and the value of go-to-market strategies. He also provides insights into sales commissions and the common mistakes companies make in their compensation plans. He also emphasizes the need for simplicity and transparency in commission structures.

Our guest has a background in early-stage startups and a passion for go-to-market strategies. He is dedicated to helping teams improve their sales skills and become more effective in their roles.

Tanner explains the different stages of startup growth and the challenges and opportunities that come with each stage. He highlights the importance of hiring the right people and building a strong team. Tanner concludes by discussing the role of partnerships in sales and the focus on relationship selling at Sales Assembly.

Show Highlights:

2:01 Tanner's family background

5:23 How Tanner's previous experience as a call center agent relates to his current job

9:30 How marketing helps in sales

19:25 You can crowdsource knowledge

21:32 The misconceptions about commissions

30:57 Growing pains are necessary

37:11 The upside of choosing a downgraded job title

46:37 What is foundational training?

52:41 How to assess business progression?

1:01:08 Selling learning and development

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Tanner Lacey on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanner-lacey/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Coming up with ideas is great, but executing is better. Yarkin Sakucoglu did both. He found the right people, launched Socio, failed a lot, constantly adapted to the needs of the business, and successfully merged with WebEx Events about 5 years later.

In this episode, we are excited to introduce Yarkin Sakucoglu, whose impressive accomplishments have earned him a spot on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list. Alongside Grayson and Crystal, he shares how he met co-founders, built a company at 19 years old, failed more times than he can remember, and found and gave mentorship along the way.

Show Highlights:

01:58: Recounting the story of migrating to a foreign country and meeting the co-founders

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Yarkin Sakucoglu on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarkin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysakucoglu?lang=en

Connect with Crystal Bell on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email:

What's the benefit of being the least knowledgeable person in a room? It exposes you to the greatest opportunities for learning in your career.

In this episode, Mason Cosby discusses the advantages of surrounding yourself with a diverse range of networks, which can eventually lead to finding your tribe. He also recommends intentionally building a network on LinkedIn by sending out connection requests to targeted accounts and writing one's own obituary to live life in a way that aligns with career goals.

Mason started as an account executive at a parenting magazine in Mississippi before transforming into a marketing director for a FinTech company in the B2B tech SaaS space. He emphasizes the importance of accountability and the lifetime value of a customer.

His journey wasn't as smooth as it sounds; he was laid off due to the pandemic. But he sees every setback as a chance to stand taller and grow stronger, and he shares how he spent his time self-educating to make himself more employable.

Show Highlights:

1:44 A background on Mason's business


4:21 The first job that led to Mason's growth as a marketer


7:55 You're held accountable for the lifetime of the customer
1

4:48 When Mason realized the importance of dedicating himself to self-education


20:15 Benefits of learning account-based marketing in the agency world


21:41 Difference between account-based and scrappy account-based marketing


23:08 ABM is not a strategy, it is a mindset


24:13 Why it's good to start your account-based program without any technology


34:31 The reason why sales and marketing are not aligned together


40:58 The 30, 60, and 90-day review with sales assembly


47:16 What should be the goal of every marketer in the first 90 days


48:13 Ways how to effectively track your success


52:10 Getting into the minds of people despite lack of experience as a CRO


56:14 How the LinkedIn community can help you find your tribe


58:55 The blessing of being the dumbest person in a group


1:08:10 Alternatives to starting a podcast and a script for how to reach out to cool people

1:14:14 Why it helps to start writing your obituary now

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Mason Cosby on:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoncosby/


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingmason

The Marketing Ladder Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-ladder/id1596462333

Hero on a Mission: A Path to a Meaningful Life by Donald Miller
:

https://www.amazon.com/Hero-Mission-Path-Meaningful-Life/dp/1400226945

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/


Email: [email protected]

Connect with Crystal Bell on:


https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/

Two minds are greater than one. With another voice and mind, more relevant topics could be explored and discussed, broadening the scope of our knowledge.  

In this episode of the Startup Executive Podcast, Grayson Faircloth introduces Crystal Bell as a new co-host, and they discuss their goals for the podcast, which include having conversations with guests about a wide range of topics, learning from their experiences, and helping guests share their stories at scale. They also emphasize the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives and learning from each other.

Crystal and Grayson have a "get-to-know-you" episode to introduce themselves and discuss their expectations and goals for the podcast. They will explore the concept of "micro mentors" and how everyone can learn from each other. They emphasize the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives, and how the podcast can help people achieve that.

Show Highlights:

01:18 Grayson and Crystal discuss the reason for bringing in a co-host

03:47  Starting the conversation by introducing themselves

07:36  Crystal shares her first reaction to being invited to be a part of the podcast

10:06  Setting goals and expectations for the future of the podcast

21:55  Highlighting people and values as an investment that makes the business run

26:03  Exploring their favorite food experiences and preferences

29:11  Swing big type of thing scenarios as business motivation

33:47  Grayson narrates the story of the IOS App Development

39:33  Understanding the boundaries over being a troublemaker

45:34  Crystal talks about the motive for majoring in Civil Engineering

47:48  The Journey of Water Quality Research and Camp Kelly

56:35  Mentoring in groups versus one-on-one

59:49  Leadership Camps and building friendships

1:04:20  Grayson and Crystal discuss what being a start-up executive means

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Crystal Bell on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/ 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: [email protected]

Have you ever wondered what makes people successful? It's their hard work and perseverance in the face of life's challenges. Rising above failure is the first step towards a new mission and vision for success.

In this episode, Matthew Volm, the CEO and co-founder of Atomic, will inspire us to reignite our ambitions and persevere in pursuit of our goals. He will share with us his first and current startups, adding to the collection of stories from his life journey.

Matthew shares his insights on how to bounce back from any setback. He'll encourage you to bet on yourself, while also highlighting the importance of nurturing both your professional and creative sides. You'll be inspired to pursue growth and progress in every aspect of your life.

Show Highlights

02:17 Matthew's path to accounting

05:43 Understanding finance and business operations

08:23 Embracing problem-solving and idea generation

16:29: The power of storytelling in marketing

20:21: Celebrating small and big wins along the way

23:45: The challenges of accepting new technology in the market

28:00: How to shut down a company

31:14: The challenge of transitioning from business owner to employee

32:34: Starting a new and better product aimed at the market

34:01: Explaining the rise of the new start-up

38:41: Reasons for starting a community to highlight content

44:05: Steps to start your own community

50:06: Listing the features of Slack that benefit users

54:34: The human element in handling a growing community

58:56: Building a community through targeted prospecting

1:01:27: How to get people to use product innovation

1:06:22: What Matthew would tell his younger self

LINKS MENTIONED

Connect with Matthew Volm and learn more about Atomic, head on to: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewvolm 

Website: https://www.onatomic.com/about 

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ 

Email: [email protected]

Are you looking to build an exceptional team? Effective recruitment and referral methods, it is highly possible to attract outstanding candidates.

In this episode, Scott Sinatra, CEO and Co-founder of Bountiful, inspires us to elevate our professional and personal capabilities. He shares his success story and how he was inspired to build Bountiful based on his own journey of referrals and recommendations.

Scott is optimistic about startups and he shares how he leveraged his own skills and experiences. He also guides us through the process of building a diverse and robust team of people who are not just looking for a job but also a company they are passionate about.

Show Highlights:

01:18 - Brief introduction about Scott's background

02:24 - Scott shares how he developed skills and connections with Parametric Technology Corporation.

04:32 - Scott talks about his experiences with Glassdoor and how it led him to work with LinkedIn.

10:15 - The difference between having a safety net and embracing innovation with various ideas is discussed.

15:35 - Scott shares his inspiration for diversifying homogeneous professional teams.

17:24 - Scott discusses the challenge of creating a great team within six degrees of separation.

23:34 - The big impact of the network effect in introducing diversity is emphasized.

27:25 - Scott explains how a company can be complementary to the market ecosystem.

30:59 - The power of scoring methodology for fast recruitment breakdown is explained.

44:06 - The cold start problem is identified as a core challenge in building a company network.

49:48 - Things to consider when thinking of starting a new company are discussed.

52:59 - Scott expresses his appreciation for CEOs who make working under pressure look easy.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Connect with Scott Sinatra and learn more about Bountiful, head on to:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/scott-sinatra-b399312

Website: https://www.bountiful.us/

Connect with Grayson Faircloth on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/

Email: [email protected]