In this episode ofChess Not Checkers, hosts Jordan Tampien and Keith Riddle sit down with local Spokane entrepreneur Tyler Lafferty. Tyler shares his journey from managing websites in the early days of the internet to co-founding a successful digital marketing agency, 7 Two Interactive. He discusses the challenges of staying relevant in a constantly evolving industry, the importance of community involvement, and how his passion for education led to the creation of his nonprofit, Slingshot.

00:00 – Intro

00:52 – Tyler’s Background and Spokane Roots

01:55 – Early Career and Digital Marketing Journey

03:04 – Founding Seven2 and Business Evolution

04:18 – Adapting to Industry Changes

10:18 – Balancing Passion and Business Strategy

13:13 – Key Roles and Company Culture

17:58 – Learning and Mentorship in Business

21:20 – Employee Value and Innovation

27:56 – The Pitfalls of Being the Face of Your Business

28:36 – Empowering Your Team for Success

31:41 – Traits of Top Employees

35:26 – Supporting Employee Growth and Transitions

38:21 – The Entrepreneurial Mindset

41:05 – Overcoming the Fear of Failure

48:58 – Defining Success and Building Culture

55:18 – Daily Team Meetings and Shout Outs

56:23 – Implementing Super Shout Outs

57:06 – Building a Culture of Celebration

58:04 – Challenges and Overcoming Adversity

59:16 – The Journey to Slingshot

01:00:11 – Inspiring the Next Generation

01:02:25 – Writing and Publishing a Book

01:04:21 – Launching a Nonprofit

01:08:23 – Expanding Educational Programs

01:10:50 – Future Plans and Reflections

01:21:26 – Spokane’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem