20VC: From a $5,000 College Fund to a $10BN+ Public Company, How to Beat People Who Are Smarter Than You, Why Happier Teams Outperform and How Software Buying Patterns are Changing in 2023 with Henry Schuck, CEO @ ZoomInfo
Henry Schuck, Founder and CEO of ZoomInfo, shares his incredible journey from a $5,000 college fund to building a $10 billion company. He discusses how early life experiences shaped his relentless work ethic and belief in his success. Schuck emphasizes the importance of happiness in driving team performance and unpacking the balance between trust and safety in workplace culture. He also navigates the changing landscape of software buying in 2023 and addresses the psychological challenges CEOs face during market fluctuations.
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ZoomInfo's Origin
Henry Schuck's college fund of $5,000 ran out during his first year, leading him to an admin job at a SaaS startup.
This experience gave him a front-row seat to the SaaS world and inspired him to found ZoomInfo.
insights INSIGHT
Upbringing's Impact
Henry Schuck believes his upbringing instilled a strong work ethic and a focus on profitability.
He attributes much of his success to outworking others, even those he perceived as smarter.
insights INSIGHT
Frugality and Growth
Henry Schuck believes his humble upbringing instilled frugality, which shaped his approach to growth at ZoomInfo.
While lack of early funding may have limited rapid expansion, it allowed for leadership maturation.
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The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
Shawn Achor
The Happiness Advantage challenges conventional wisdom that success leads to happiness. Instead, Shawn Achor presents evidence-based strategies showing that happiness is the precursor to success. Drawing on original research, including one of the largest studies of happiness ever conducted, Achor outlines seven practical principles such as the Tetris Effect, the Zorro Circle, and Social Investment. These principles help readers rewire their brains for positivity and optimism, leading to improved performance, creativity, and overall well-being in both personal and professional life.
Henry Schuck is the Founder and CEO @ ZoomInfo. From ZoomInfo's founding moment, putting $25,000 on a credit card, Henry has led the company to today, with over $1BN in ARR, a market cap of over $10BN, and a team of over 3,600. This is one of the untold but truly great stories in software.
In Today's Episode with Henry Schuck We Discuss:
1. From a $5,000 College Fund to Founding a $10BN Company:
Why did Henry always believe early in life that he would be successful?
Along the way doubt sets in, what did Henry do to combat that doubt when he questioned his own ability and potential?
What does Henry believe he is running from? What is he running towards?
How did seeing the work ethic of his single mother impact his work ethic with ZoomInfo?
2. Henry Schuck: The Leader:
What does Henry believe is the difference between trust vs safety in team culture?
Why does Henry believe safety is built through performance? How does Henry manage and communicate underperformance? How long do you give an under-performer?
Why does Henry believe that happier teams outperform? What does Henry do deliberately and specifically to drive happiness in the business?
ZoomInfo is magnitudes larger than some competitors who receive a lot more attention, how does Henry think about this? How does he manage his own ego as a leader today?
3. Henry Schuck: A Leader in a Changing Market:
How does Henry maintain internal morale when employees see their stock options get smashed every day?
Does it suck to be a public company CEO in the current market? What element is the worst?
How are the buying patterns and behaviors of customers changing in 2023 vs 2021?
How does this impact the sales cycle, retention rates, upsell plans, and the structure of the customer success teams?
Dec 2023, will we be in a better or worse macroeconomic position?
4. Henry Schuck: Relationship to Money and Fatherhood:
How does henry evaluate his relationship with money today? How has it changed over time?
Why does Henry very rarely fly private planes? What does he believe this says about his values?
How does Henry instill the same desire and worth ethic within his children despite being a billionaire?
What does Henry know now that he wishes he could give to his 23-year-old self founding the company?
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 
