Understanding Stock Agreements and Their Value

Episode 57: Fund Your Start Up Using Your Tech Equity with Ryan Gallego

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Ryan Gàllego is the Founder and Chief Video Architect at Media Pouch. Ryan picked up his first camera at 14 when this ignited his passion not only for photography but for business. At age 17, Ryan started his first “unofficial” photography company and made $30,000 in the first year. The Yacht Week in Croatia cemented the future of Media Pouch. 

Later, he went on to follow a lifelong dream of his and moved to Sydney, Australia, to work with some clients and launch Media Pouch abroad. He returned States in November 2019 and has since been scaling Media Pouch across the USA.

Connect with Ryan

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

In this episode of "Managing Tech Millions," host Christopher Nelson speaks with Ryan Gallego, CEO and founder of Pouch 6 Studios. 

They discussed the financial strategies of long-term employees in the tech industry, including the importance of investing in company stock. Ryan shares insights on building wealth and growing your career in the tech world. 

The conversation touches on the importance of stock investments and long-term planning based on real-life experiences in the tech industry. 

Tune in for valuable insights and tips on navigating the intersection of tech equity and financial success in the tech world! 

In this episode, we talk about:

• Working for Equity: Ryan emphasized the importance of working for equity, sharing how his experience at Amazon taught him the value of stock options and how it can significantly impact your financial future. Negotiating for a balance between salary and equity can be a strategic move for long-term financial growth.
• Customer Obsession: Ryan highlighted the significance of customer obsession, a core value he learned at Amazon. Putting the customer first and focusing on their needs can drive business success and create a strong foundation for growth. This customer-centric approach can be applied to various aspects of business operations.
• Self-Funding and Confidence: By self-funding his businesses with the proceeds from his Amazon stock, Ryan gained confidence in his ability to navigate entrepreneurship and build successful ventures. The experience of bootstrapping his companies provided him with the control and confidence needed to take risks and drive growth.

Episode Timeline:

00:00:00 - Introduction and GM's Success Story

00:01:03 - Podcast Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:02:07 - Ryan's Early Entrepreneurial Beginnings

00:03:24 - Decision to Join Amazon

00:05:05 - Traveling the World on Company's Dime

00:06:32 - Non-Technical Roles in Tech Companies

00:07:42 - Financial Engineering and Amazon Role

00:09:20 - Receiving the Amazon Offer

00:10:22 - Amazon's Vesting Schedule

00:13:08 - Analyzing the Stock Agreement

00:15:10 - Belief in Amazon's Growth

00:16:37 - Visibility into Amazon's Financials

00:18:52 - Strategy of Holding Stock

00:20:10 - Opportunity Cost and Career Decisions

00:22:17 - Choosing Between Startups and Big Tech

00:23:57 - Transition to Entrepreneurship

00:25:36 - Realization During Yacht Week

00:27:09 - Leveraging Big Tech Experience for Entrepreneurship

00:29:06 - On-the-Job MBA at Amazon

00:31:10 - Customer Obsession and Business Practices

00:33:47 - Importance of Equity in Scaling Business

00:35:25 - Educating Employees on Equity

00:37:06 - Negotiating Equity in Job Offers

00:39:32 - Market Trends in Vesting Schedules

00:41:49 - Advice for New Graduates on Negotiation

00:43:27 - Final Thoughts on Self-Funding and Confidence

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