Navigating Parenting Discipline and Communication

Mike Smith is General Partner and co-founder at Footwork, an early stage venture capital firm. Previously, Mike was President, COO, and interim CFO at Stitch Fix, the online personal styling service where he oversaw operations, styling, client experience, merchandise, and finance. Prior to Stitch Fix, Mike was COO at Walmart.com, overseeing all operations for a $5 billion division, including one of the most successful multi-channel offerings in the industry. Mike serves on the boards of MillerKnoll and Ulta Beauty. He has been married for 28 years and is the father of one daughter. In today's conversation we discussed:

* The impact of childhood experiences on parenting

* How to raise an independent and opinionated child

* The delicate balance between professional pursuits and family life

* Advice he'd give to himself before his daughter was born

* How to navigate privilege with your kids

* The differences of opinion on discipline and the importance of presenting a united front in parenting

* The impact of geographic distance on family dynamics as kids start to move away

Listen or watch Startup Dad on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.

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Where to find Mike Smith

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcsmith1/

- Footwork: https://www.footwork.vc/

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: startupdadpod.substack.com

- Newsletter: www.fishmanafnewsletter.com

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

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In this episode, we cover:

[2:02] Welcome Mike

[2:36] Mike's Professional background

[5:43] His childhood

[7:12] Why he didn't follow his Dad's profession

[8:55] Moving as a military family and finally putting down roots

[10:27] How did you meet your partner?

[12:55] His daughter

[14:57] Daughter’s journey to college

[16:11] Their decision to have 1 child

[17:28] His wife’s unique and interesting career

[20:52] Their decision to start a family

[22:18] What his career was like when his daughter was born

[24:09] Mike's earliest memory of being a dad

[26:16] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad

[27:36] Is his daughter daughter more like Mike or his wife?

[29:51] Frameworks for parenting

[32:05] How to align with your spouse

[35:31] Advice for younger Mike

[38:07] Terrible advice to ignore

[40:21] Does he ever give his business partner advice?

[41:46] What did he give up to be a dad?

[45:42] Becoming an empty nester

[49:00] What is a mistake you made as a dad?

[50:51] Talking about privilege

[56:34] Balance

[1:00:46] Where to find Mike

[1:01:41] Rapid fire round

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Show references:

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/sq/

Stitch Fix: https://www.stitchfix.com/

Wal-mart: www.walmart.com

University of Virginia: https://www.virginia.edu/

Accenture: https://www.accenture.com/us-en

Berkeley: https://www.berkeley.edu/

Morgan Stanley: https://www.morganstanley.com/

Louis Vuitton: https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/homepage

“Frozen”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/

“Time Bandits”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/

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For sponsorship inquiries: podcast@fishmana.com.

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Editing for Startup Dad provided by Tommy Harron.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com