Startups are a series of pivots: Every startup goes through pivots, even successful ones, and a CEO's courage and clear vision are crucial for making tough decisions during these times.
Every startup goes through pivots, which are essential for survival and growth. Ben Horowitz and Jason Rosenthal, in this podcast episode from 2017, shared their experiences of making tough decisions during hard times, such as major pivots, selling unfinished products, and securing financing in challenging markets. They emphasized that a CEO's role is lonely during these moments, and the hardest part is finding the courage to make the decision in the first place. They challenged the common perception that there are only two types of startups - those that succeed from the start and those that don't. Instead, they believe that every startup is a pivot along a spectrum, and even the most successful tech companies, like Google and Apple, have gone through significant shifts in their histories. Ultimately, the confidence to make these pivots comes from a combination of factors, including data, intuition, and a clear vision for the future.
Navigating tough business decisions as a CEO: CEOs face challenging decisions during company pivots, requiring courage and uncertainty management to ensure survival.
Making tough business decisions, especially when pivoting a company from one direction to another, is a challenging and lonely process for CEOs. Andy Greff's experience with LoudCloud illustrates this well. Despite having built a company with tremendous momentum and growth, the market conditions led to a near-certain disaster. When faced with no good options, CEOs often have to make the least bad decision. The LoudCloud Pivot involved a drastic change, going from a company worth over $200 million to pivoting the whole business just a year after going public. The decision was not an easy one, but it was necessary to avoid bankruptcy. Change is hard for humans in general, and as the CEO, the responsibility and blame for the outcome rest solely on your shoulders. While it may be tempting to merge with a struggling competitor in hopes of combining resources and customers, the outcome is not always guaranteed. Instead, CEOs must have the courage to make difficult decisions, even if they are uncertain, to ensure the survival of their company.
Ben's difficult decision between software and cloud business: Adaptability is crucial when facing business challenges, as Ben learned when he had to pivot from focusing on both software and cloud businesses to focusing on a new path due to financial instability and skepticism from team members.
During a critical period in his company, Ben faced a difficult decision between focusing on their software business or their cloud computing business. While on a family vacation, he received a call about a potential deal that could potentially put them in a tough spot if not pursued. This led to the creation of a new product project called Oxide, which aimed to decouple their software as a service from their cloud computing platform. However, this project was met with skepticism from some team members. Just as they were preparing to raise funds to continue, their largest customer went bankrupt, leaving them in a dire financial situation and unable to raise the necessary capital. Ultimately, this forced Ben to reconsider their business strategy and focus on a new path. This experience highlighted the importance of adaptability and the risks associated with having too many business focuses.
Discovering hidden gems during business uncertainty: During uncertain times, be open to pivoting and discovering hidden potential in your business. Adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance can help you overcome challenges and thrive.
During a time of business uncertainty, it's important to be open-minded and adaptable. The founders of Opsware, a company initially focused on cloud services, faced repeated rejections from potential customers due to the industry's instability. However, they discovered that their operational software, which customers found intriguing, could be a potential gem hidden within their business. Initially dismissive, they eventually realized the gap between their product and what customers wanted. The transition was long and arduous, with many challenges along the way, including resistance from engineers and technical limitations. Despite these obstacles, the exceptional team's resilience and determination ultimately helped the company survive and thrive in the software business. This story underscores the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Company culture as a team's glue during challenges: Strong company culture, deeply rooted in shared goals and values, helps teams coordinate, adapt, and persevere during tough times, setting Homo Sapiens apart.
A strong company culture acts as the glue that enables a team to coordinate, adapt, and persevere during challenging times. This was evident in the speaker's experience, where the team's unwavering commitment to their shared goals and values helped them overcome numerous obstacles. Culture goes beyond superficial perks and is deeply rooted in a team's identity and way of operating. It's especially crucial during difficult times when people are tested and may be tempted to give up. The ability to coordinate effectively across a group of strangers is what sets Homo Sapiens apart and is the essence of culture. In the context of startups, this means being open to adaptation and giving up rigid visions when necessary, as was the case with Lytro and its shift from being a hardware to a software company.
Hardware startups face unexpected financial crises: Hardware startups require large upfront investments and face the risk of unexpected financial shortfalls due to non-refundable commitments to suppliers.
Starting a hardware company, particularly a consumer hardware company, comes with unique financial challenges. Lightfield, a company focused on developing a new kind of consumer camera using light field technology, faced this reality when they discovered they had only six weeks of cash instead of the expected nine months. This shortfall was due to large outstanding debts to suppliers for prepurchased components. Raising necessary funds under these circumstances became impossible, leading to a day one crisis. The harsh truth for hardware startups is that large financial commitments must be made before bringing a product to market, and those funds are non-refundable regardless of the product's success. This mismatch between supply and demand curves and the need for substantial upfront investments make financing a hardware company a significant challenge.
Evaluating market fit and pivoting strategies: Startups must assess market fit and adapt strategies when necessary. A company using light field technology for consumer cameras initially struggled but found success in virtual reality instead.
Even with a promising product and significant funding, it's crucial for startups to evaluate their market fit and reassess their strategies when necessary. In this case, a company had developed a new product using light field technology, initially intended for the consumer camera market. Despite positive reviews and a substantial investment, the founders realized that trying to build a consumer business around such an innovative technology was premature. The team's "spider sense" told them that something wasn't working, as their product, while innovative, didn't meet the basic expectations of the market compared to existing alternatives. Instead of continuing with their initial plan, they pivoted and focused on using light field technology in virtual reality, which was just beginning to emerge. This pivot led to more excitement and potential for the team, demonstrating the importance of adaptability and reassessing strategies when faced with challenges in the market.
Pivoting from consumer products to new opportunities: Recognizing the need to shift focus and having courage to make tough decisions despite initial viability of consumer business.
Pivoting a business is a challenging decision, especially when it involves shifting from consumer products to new opportunities. In the case of this company, they had recently bought Oculus and were exploring the potential of light field technology for movies and TV. However, they faced challenges such as having to let go of 55% of their workforce, fulfilling commitments to customers and distributors, and going back to the board to ask for a change in direction. The CEO, Palmer Luckey, recognized the need to focus on the cinema camera and virtual reality opportunities instead, but it was a difficult decision since the consumer business was still viable. The board supported the pivot, but it required courage and conviction from Luckey to make the change. This story highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and the board about the direction of the business, even if it means making tough decisions and going against initial plans.
Staying true to core technology while adapting to new markets: A company's initial focus on innovative technology doesn't mean abandoning the original vision. Embrace challenges, adapt to new markets, and stay true to the core technology for a more effective business model and greater impact.
A company's initial focus on groundbreaking technology doesn't necessarily mean abandoning the original vision. In the case of this company, they invested in Lytro for its light field technology, but faced skepticism due to their detailed explanations. However, when they discovered a better way to bring the capability to market, they pivoted to VR and cinema, where their unique technology was met with excitement and validation. This shift led to a more effective business model and a more significant impact on their audience. The technical challenges they faced, such as high data rates, were embraced rather than shrinking from them. In essence, the company's journey demonstrates the importance of staying true to the core technology while adapting to new markets and audiences.
Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship involves facing unique challenges, trusting instincts, and seeking support to adapt and succeed
Entrepreneurs often face significant challenges and uncertainty, especially during the early stages of a startup. The path to success can be painful and uncertain, and it may require pivoting from a one-time business model to a recurring one. It's important to remember that every entrepreneur faces unique challenges and that there's comfort in knowing that you're not alone. However, sometimes the most courageous decision is recognizing that what you're doing isn't working and being open to finding a better way. It's essential to trust your instincts and make decisions based on your unique perspective, as no one else has all the information. This can be a difficult and lonely process, but seeking validation from others can lead to missteps. Instead, entrepreneurs should focus on identifying patterns in their business and seeking out resources and support networks to help them navigate the challenges they face. Ultimately, the journey of entrepreneurship requires resilience, courage, and a willingness to adapt in the face of uncertainty.
Stories of Startup Survival Mode
Recent Episodes from a16z Podcast
The Frontier of Spatial Intelligence with Fei-Fei Li
Fei-Fei Li and Justin Johnson are pioneers in AI. While the world has only recently witnessed a surge in consumer AI, our guests have long been laying the groundwork for innovations that are transforming industries today.
In this episode, a16z General Partner Martin Casado joins Fei-Fei and Justin to explore the journey from early AI winters to the rise of deep learning and the rapid expansion of multimodal AI. From foundational advancements like ImageNet to the cutting-edge realm of spatial intelligence, Fei-Fei and Justin share the breakthroughs that have shaped the AI landscape and reveal what's next for innovation at World Labs.
If you're curious about how AI is evolving beyond language models and into a new realm of 3D, generative worlds, this episode is a must-listen.
Resources:
Learn more about World Labs: https://www.worldlabs.ai
Find Fei-Fei on Twitter: https://x.com/drfeifei
Find Justin on Twitter: https://x.com/jcjohnss
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Apple’s Big Reveals, OpenAI’s Multi-Step Models, and Firefly Does Video
This week in consumer tech: Apple’s big reveals, OpenAI’s multi-step reasoning, and Adobe Firefly’s video model.
Olivia Moore and Justine Moore, Partners on the a16z Consumer team, break down the latest announcements and how these product launches will shape the tech ecosystem, transform AI-powered experiences, and impact startups competing for attention in a fast-moving market.
Resources:
Find Justine of Twitter: https://x.com/venturetwins
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Grand Challenges in Healthcare AI
Vijay Pande, founding general partner, and Julie Yoo, general partner at a16z Bio + Health, come together to discuss the grand challenges facing healthcare AI today.
The talk through the implications of AI integration in healthcare workflows, AI as a potential catalyst for value-based care, and the opportunity for innovation in clinical trials. They also talk about the AI startup they each wish would walk through the door.
Resources:
Find Vijay on Twitter: https://x.com/vijaypande
FInd Julie on Twitter: https://x.com/julesyoo
Listen to more episode from Raising Health: https://a16z.com/podcasts/raising-health/
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Governing democracy, the internet, and boardrooms
with @NoahRFeldman, @ahall_research, @rhhackett
Welcome to web3 with a16z. I'm Robert Hackett and today we have a special episode about governance in many forms — from nation states to corporate boards to internet services and beyond.
Our special guests are Noah Feldman, constitutional law scholar at Harvard who also architected the Meta oversight board (among many other things); he is also the author of several books. And our other special guest is Andy Hall, professor of political science at Stanford who is an advisor of a16z crypto research — and who also co-authored several papers and posts about web3 as a laboratory for designing and testing new political systems, including new work we'll link to in the shownotes.
Our hallway style conversation covers technologies and approaches to governance, from constitutions to crypto/ blockchains and DAOs. As such we also discuss content moderation and community standards; best practices for citizens assemblies; courts vs. legislatures; and much more where governance comes up.
Throughout, we reference the history and evolution of democracy — from Ancient Greece to the present day — as well as examples of governance from big companies like Meta, to startups like Anthropic.
Resources for references in this episode:
- On the U.S. Supreme Court case NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton (Scotusblog)
- On Meta's oversight board (Oversightboard.com)
- On Anthropic's long term benefit trust (Anthropic, September 2023)
- On "Boaty McBoatface" winning a boat-naming poll (Guardian, April 2016)
- On Athenian democracy (World History Encyclopedia, April 2018)
- The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President by Noah Feldman (Random House, October 2017)
A selection of recent posts and papers by Andrew Hall:
- The web3 governance lab: Using DAOs to study political institutions and behavior at scale by Andrew Hall and Eliza Oak (a16z crypto, June 2024)
- DAO research: A roadmap for experimenting with governance by Andrew Hall and Eliza Oak (a16z crypto, June 2024)
- The effects of retroactive rewards on participating in online governance by Andrew Hall and Eliza Oak (a16z crypto, June 2024)
- Lightspeed Democracy: What web3 organizations can learn from the history of governance by Andrew Hall and Porter Smith (a16z crypto, June 2023)
- What Kinds of Incentives Encourage Participation in Democracy? Evidence from a Massive Online Governance Experiment by Andrew Hall and Eliza Oak (working paper, November 2023)
- Bringing decentralized governance to tech platforms with Andrew Hall (a16z crypto Youtube, July 2022)
- The evolution of decentralized governance with Andrew Hall (a16z crypto Youtube, July 2022)
- Toppling the Internet’s Accidental Monarchs: How to Design web3 Platform Governance by Porter Smith and Andrew Hall (a16z crypto, October 2022)
- Paying People to Participate in Governance by Ethan Bueno de Mesquita and Andrew Hall (a16z crypto, November 2022)
As a reminder: none of the following should be taken as tax, business, legal, or investment advice. See a16zcrypto.com/disclosures for more important information, including a link to a list of our investments.
It’s Time to Build in Healthcare
Half of prescribed medications are never taken, and 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. Despite spending 20% of our GDP on healthcare—twice that of any other developed nation—our outcomes still lag behind.
In this episode, we explore why technologists must step into the healthcare ring. Solving medicine isn’t enough; we need to make healthcare a consumer-focused industry. a16z’s Vijay Pandey and Daisy Wolf discuss the rise of tech founders in healthcare, the potential of AI to transform patient care, and how this shift could lead to the next trillion-dollar company.
Can tech truly disrupt this complex, regulated industry?
Resources:
Read the article ‘It’s Time to Build in Healthcare’: https://a16z.com/hey-tech-its-time-to-build-in-healthcare/
Find Vijay on Twitter: https://x.com/vijaypande
Find Daisy on Twitter: https://x.com/daisydwolf
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Latin America: A Tech Powerhouse?
Latin America is emerging as a tech powerhouse, but it's not a one-size-fits-all market.
In this episode, we explore why what works in Argentina won’t necessarily fly in Brazil or Mexico, and how companies are adapting to these unique regional dynamics. Join Dileep Thazhmon, Cofounder and CEO of Jeeves; Santiago Suarez, Cofounder and CEO of Addi; Gabriel Vasquez, a16z investment partner; and Angela Strange, a16z General Partner, as they discuss the future of fintech in LatAm and the unique approach required to succeed in this diverse market.
Whether you're interested in the nuances of product development, the complexities of scaling across diverse markets, or the future of fintech in Latin America, this episode offers perspectives from industry leaders deeply invested in the region's tech ecosystem who believe the next big tech giants might just come from Latin America.
Resources:
Find Dileep on Twitter: https://x.com/thazhmon
Find Santiago on Twitter: https://x.com/santiasua
Find Gabriel on Twitter: https://x.com/gevs94
Find Angela on Twitter: https://x.com/astrange
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
The SSN Breach: What Now?
In this episode, we cover the recent data breach of nearly 3B records, including a significant number of social security numbers. Joining us to discuss are security experts Joel de la Garza and Naftali Harris. Incredibly enough, Naftali and his team were able to get their hands on the breached dataset and were able to validate the nature of the claims. Listen in as we explore the who, what, when, where, why… but also how a breach of this magnitude happens and what we can do about it.
Resources:
- Read 16 Steps to Securing Your Data (and Life)
- Find Naftali on Twitter: https://x.com/naftaliharris
- Check out Sentilink: https://www.sentilink.com/
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Building Innovation Hubs: The UK & Beyond
This episode from Web3 with a16z Crypto, is all about innovation on a global scale, exploring both ecosystem and individual talent levels. We examine what works and what doesn’t, how certain regions evolve into startup hubs and economic powerhouses, and what constitutes entrepreneurial talent. We also discuss the nature of ambition, the journey to finding one’s path, and broader mindsets for navigating risk, reward, and dynamism across various regions, with a particular focus on London and Europe.
Joining us is Matt Clifford, who played a pivotal role in the London entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem since 2011, is the Chair of Entrepreneur First and the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). Before this episode was recorded, Matt served as the Prime Minister’s representative for the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park. Recently, he was appointed by the UK Secretary of Science to deliver an “AI Opportunities Action Plan” to the UK government.
This episode was recorded live from Andreessen Horowitz’s first international office in London. For more on our efforts and additional content, visit a16zcrypto.com/uk.
Resources:
Find Matthew on Twitter: https://x.com/matthewclifford
Find Sonal on Twitter: https://x.com/smc90
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
The Olympics of Talent: France's Tech Boom
Once criticized for lacking ambition, French founders are now aiming to create the world’s largest companies. With a thriving ecosystem attracting talent from across Europe and the US, France is becoming a major player on the global stage.
In this episode, we cover the unique advantages of building startups in France. Roxanne Varza, Director of Station F; Antoine Martin, co-founder of Amo and Zenly; and Brian Kim, a16z consumer partner, discuss the key factors driving this transformation, including infrastructure, community, and government support.
Discover how international talent, a supportive community, and robust governmental backing are propelling France’s startup scene. This episode is filled with insights into why France is now an exciting place to build a startup.
Resources:
Find Roxanne on Twitter: https://x.com/roxannevarza
Find Antoine on Twitter: https://x.com/an21m
Find Bryan on Twitter: https://x.com/kirbyman01
Learn more about Station F: https://stationf.co/
Learn more about Amo: https://get.amo.co/en
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Building the World's Most Trusted Driver
Waymo's autonomous vehicles have driven over 20 million miles on public roads and billions more in simulation.
In this episode, a16z General Partner David George sits down with Dimitri Dolgov, CTO at Waymo, to discuss the development of self-driving technology. Dimitri provides technical insights into the evolution of hardware and software, the impact of generative AI, and the safety standards that guide Waymo's innovations.
This footage is from AI Revolution, an event that a16z recently hosted in San Francisco. Watch the full event here: a16z.com/dmitri-dolgov-waymo-ai
Resources:
Find Dmitri on Twitter: https://x.com/dmitri_dolgov
Find David George on Twitter: https://x.com/DavidGeorge83
Learn more about Waymo: https://waymo.com/
Stay Updated:
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Related Episodes
George Arison | Disrupting the $1.5 Trillion Used Car Market with Shift
George Arison is a serial entrepreneur and the founder & CEO of Shift, an online peer-to-peer marketplace for buying and selling used cars.
Prior to Shift, George spent time as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and a Product Manager at Google before starting Taxi Magic (now known as Curb & acquired by Verifone), the first on-demand mobile transportation booking technology, before Uber and Lyft were an inkling in the minds of ride-hailers everywhere.
George, a Georgian immigrant, was the first student from the Soviet Union allowed to attend a private U.S. high school without a government sponsorship. He later graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont. George also pursued his other professional passion in politics, helping his native country of Georgia transition to a democracy. He co-founded Georgia’s first-ever free market-focused think tank, Partnership for Social Initiatives (PSI) and authored the book "Democracy and Autocracy in Eurasia."
In this episode, George shares stories of his humble beginnings and immigrating to the United States, what he’s learned about entrepreneurship and innovation throughout his career, advice for startups looking to raise venture capital (he’s raised over $300 million), how Airbnb’s founding team helped Shift find their “wow” moment, and the vision for the future of the auto space industry and car ownership in a post-pandemic world.
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#003: AJ Thomas on Career-Foraging, The Communi-team, Mentoring At-Risk Youth, Activating Questions, Life as a First Generation Immigrant, Raising a Daughter Who Builds, and Much More
AJ Thomas — Career-Forager, The Communi-team, Mentoring At-Risk Youth, Activating Questions, Life as a First Generation Immigrant, Raising a Daughter Who Builds, and Much More!
AJ Thomas (@itsajthomas) is the founder of Infuse Program Foundation (@infuseprogram) and the founder and chief explorer at BrainCandy Labs , powered by Women In Technology International (@witi). She also works at X, the moonshot factory, leading the human experience design team.
These roles have allowed AJ to be a key contributor to developing talent for the future. A lot of what fuels AJ's interests and passions intersect at bridging the gaps in talent, culture and career. The result of what she does moves people and organizations forward to create a future of infinite possibilities. AJ is a mother to two amazing kids, Ava and Jett and resides in Silicon Valley with her family.
Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with AJ Thomas (@itsajthomas) and Founded By Women host, Margie Chuang (@margiechuang)!
For more about this episode, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com/podcast/aj-thomas.
***
Connect with AJ Thomas
Infuse Program Foundation:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
BrainCandy Labs
Women In Technology International
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
***
If you have a moment, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It helps us to get more amazing guests on the show and grow the podcast. Thank you so much!
***
For more interviews with inspirational women building inspirational things, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com.
Connect with Founded By Women host, Margie Chuang:
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn.
Follow the Founded By Women journey:
#007: Marian Leitner-Waldman on Democratizing Fine Wine, The Art of Storytelling, Creating a Memorable Brand, Building Collaborative Partnerships, Imagination is the Key to Empathy and Much More
Marian Leitner-Waldman — Democratizing Fine Wine, The Art of Storytelling, Creating a Memorable Brand, Building Collaborative Partnerships, Imagination is the Key to Empathy and Much More (#007)!
Marian Leitner-Waldman (@MarianKLeitner) is the cofounder and CEO of Archer Roose (@archerroosewines), a wine company dedicated to uniting world class winemaking with sustainable packaging.
When Marian, the cofounder and publisher of the literary magazine Explosion-Proof, met David, the cofounder of award-winning winery Pheasant’s Tears, they knew the combination of wine and storytelling was simply simpatico. Partners in life and in business, they built Archer Roose to reflect their shared passions and values: lively conversations, craftsmanship and a belief that we must all do our part to build a better world.
Archer Roose wines are served at James Beard Award Winning Restaurants, on JetBlue airlines, and are now being distributed directly to consumers in 44 states in the U.S. Archer Roose has been recognized by Wine Enthusiast, SevenFifty, CNBC, Forbes and the Washington Post for their quality and sustainable formats.
Marian holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University in International Relations. She is a MassChallenge Finalist and a Babson Breakaway Challenge Finalist. While Archer Roose has operations in four countries: Argentina, Chile, France and Italy, Marian lives in Boston’s South End with her family.
For more about this episode, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com/podcast/marian-leitner-waldman
***
Connect with Marian Leitner-Waldman:
Archer Roose:
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
***
If you have a moment, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It helps us to get more amazing guests on the show and grow the podcast. Thank you so much!
***
For more interviews with inspirational women building inspirational things, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com.
Connect with Founded By Women host, Margie Chuang:
LinkedIn.| Twitter | Instagram
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#004: Jaime-Alexis Fowler on Leading with Empathy, Meeting People Where They Are, Increasing Diversity and Equity Within Teams, Following the Need, Creating Ripple Effects, and Much More
Jaime-Alexis Fowler — Leading with Empathy, Meeting People Where They Are, Increasing Diversity and Equity Within Teams, Following the Need, Creating Ripple Effects, and Much More (#004)!
Jaime-Alexis Fowler (@jaimealexis) is the founder and Executive Director of Empower Work (@empowerwork), a non-profit organization that provides confidential, free, immediate support for work issues. Empower Work envisions a world where everyone can thrive at work.
Jaime-Alexis is a seasoned leader with a track record of building agile, high-performing, healthy teams. She has developed a reputation for being a go-to resource for people management. Jaime-Alexis has led marketing at a $100M international NGO, run operations for a national post-abortion counseling nonprofit, overseen marketing at Code for America, and most recently, before Empower Work, launched a nonprofit investigative newsroom. Her work has been featured in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Tech Crunch, Slate, Fast Company, and Forbes.
Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Jaime-Alexis Fowler (@jaimealexis) and Founded By Women host, Margie Chuang (@margiechuang)!
For more about this episode, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com/podcast/jaime-alexis-fowler.
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Connect with Jaime-Alexis Fowler:
Empower Work:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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If you have a moment, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It helps us to get more amazing guests on the show and grow the podcast. Thank you so much!
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For more interviews with inspirational women building inspirational things, visit: https://www.foundedbywomen.com.
Connect with Founded By Women host, Margie Chuang:
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn.
Follow the Founded By Women journey:
The Power of Resilience | Soulaima Gourani's Journey from Adversity to Silicon Valley Success
Dive into an episode featuring the remarkable Soulaima Gourani, a masterclass in resilience and ambition. From her dramatic escape at 13 to dominating Silicon Valley, Gourani's story is a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials. Discover how a troubled childhood fueled her rise in the corporate world, leading to prestigious roles at IBM and Hewlett Packard, and her bold ventures in the tech startup scene. It's more than an interview; it's a journey through adversity to success, offering priceless insights for anyone dreaming big. Tune in for an unmissable episode that's both a heart-tugging narrative and a playbook for aspiring entrepreneurs and dreamers.
- Twitter: Soulaima Gourani on Twitter
- LinkedIn: Soulaima Gourani on LinkedIn
- Happioh: A platform focused on business solutions. You can learn more about it at happioh.com.
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Early Struggles and Fundraising for Startup [00:01:30 - 00:03:10]
- Gourani discusses her admiration for Altucher's podcast, which supported her during her startup's fundraising phase, marked by personal challenges and rejections.
Traumatic Childhood [00:04:04 - 00:07:21]
- Gourani recounts her tumultuous childhood, including running away from home at 13, her father's bankruptcy and abuse, and her family's multiple relocations.
Education and Early Career Moves [00:07:32 - 00:13:45]
- Despite being kicked out of school, Gourani completed her education. She discusses her early career, including jobs in the hospitality industry and moving to Switzerland to work as a waitress.
Career Growth and Success [00:17:04 - 00:20:01]
- Gourani's career growth included working in tech, scaling a software company internationally, and holding high-profile roles in large corporations.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Personal Life [00:20:01 - 00:22:32]
- She talks about her entrepreneurial ventures, starting several companies, moving to Silicon Valley, meeting her husband, their family, and the importance of her support system.
Challenges as a Silicon Valley Founder [00:31:33 - 00:35:46]
- Gourani shares the psychological pressures and challenges of being a tech startup founder in Silicon Valley, including fundraising and dealing with rejections.
Current Ventures and Reflections [00:53:55 - 01:03:40]
- The interview concludes with Gourani discussing her current startup, a software company, and reflecting on the lessons learned and experiences gained throughout her life.
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I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts:
Follow me on Social Media:
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- What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!
- Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!
------------
- Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!
- My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!
- Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.
- I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com
------------
Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts:
Follow me on social media: