How to Build a Tech Startup that Lasts

In this episode, Tracy Lee sits down with Trip Barnes from Insperity to talk about the winding paths of leadership, startup life, and personal growth. Together, Tracy and Trip unpack what it means to build something that lasts—whether that’s a business, a family, or a mini cheesecake company started from a random party conversation. They explore the tension between hustle and burnout, how to recognize when it’s time to pivot, and what founders often miss when it comes to building culture and caring for people.Keypoints from this Episode

-Career pivots and personal growth – Trip Barnes reflects on navigating multiple jobs, grad school, and mental health challenges to eventually find meaningful work supporting small businesses and startups.

- Burnout and work-life balance – Tracy and Trip discuss the cost of hustle culture, how overworking can impact health, and why it's crucial to recognize personal limits before it's too late.

- The importance of people and culture – Founders often overlook culture early on; this episode highlights why investing in people, benefits, and a supportive environment is key to long-term success.

- Startups, support systems, and serendipity – From escape rooms to cheesecake businesses, the episode shows how small conversations and strong support networks can lead to big shifts and unexpected opportunities.Chapters0:00 – Introduction4:23 – Career pivots and lessons from the hospitality industry7:31 – Mental health, burnout, and learning balance14:04 – Founder mindset vs CEO mindset21:22 – Delegation, trust, and scaling a team25:06 – Advice for people ready to pivot31:00 – Supporting startups through ATDC and closing thoughtsFollow Trip Barnes on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/trip-barnes/Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co