From Start-Up to Grown-Up #88: From Startup to Grown-Up: Eddie Kim, Co-founder and CTO of Gusto - Wearing different “hats” as a leader; learning to get his hands off the keyboard and enable others instead; and how to build a growth mindset
22 snips
Mar 25, 2025 
Eddie Kim, Co-founder and CTO of Gusto, shares his inspiring journey of building a platform for small businesses. He discusses the nuances of co-founder dynamics and the importance of communication in leadership. Eddie reveals how he transitioned from a technical role to a leader, embracing a hands-off approach to enable his team. He also addresses the unique challenges faced by Asian founders and emphasizes a growth mindset. Bonding traditions among co-founders showcase how friendship fosters stronger professional relationships.
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Chance Encounter at a Half-Marathon
- Eddie Kim, after his first startup, bet he could run a half-marathon untrained and ran into his future Gusto co-founder, Josh Reeves.
- This chance encounter led to rekindling their friendship and eventually starting Gusto.
Open Communication Among Co-founders
- Open communication is crucial for co-founder success, especially when dividing roles.
- Gusto’s co-founders had direct conversations about roles early on, which helped their long-term success.
Managing Ego as a Founder
- Many founders want to be CEO, sometimes driven by ego rather than company needs.
- Eddie Kim reflects on managing his ego and choosing CTO for Gusto's best interest.
