The Power of the Underdog - Sam Hyde - President of Circle Surrogacy
Apr 23, 2024
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Sam Hyde, President of Circle Surrogacy, discusses overcoming setbacks, expanding opportunities, and evolving as a leader. Topics include education importance, career transitions, MBA value, partnership improvements, and defining purpose. Reflects on managerial challenges, consulting success, entrepreneurship journey, and decision-making in business. Aspires to advisory role and mentorship in the entrepreneurial world.
Success in business is like baseball, not needing a perfect record to thrive, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities.
Educational experiences shape career aspirations, with environments exposing diverse career paths beyond familial professions.
Entrepreneurial ventures teach leadership challenges, need for clear expectations, while consulting shows transferable problem-solving skills and versatility.
Deep dives
Baseball Analogy in Business Success
Success in business is compared to baseball, where you don't need to bat a thousand to succeed. Just like batting averages in baseball, hitting 300 or 350 can still lead to success in the business world. Emphasizing the importance of taking risks and being willing to face failures, the analogy highlights the necessity of seizing opportunities to achieve significant goals and career milestones.
Educational and Career Trajectory of Sam Hyde
Sam Hyde's journey from childhood in West Bloomfield, Michigan, to attending Michigan State University and later pursuing an MBA from the University of Michigan is outlined. Transitioning from a strong public school system to a private school environment broadened his perspective on career possibilities, exposing him to diverse career paths beyond his parents' professions. The importance of educational experiences in shaping career aspirations and the impact of environment on career choices are underscored.
Entrepreneurial Ventures: The Painting Business and Consulting Career
Sam's entrepreneurial ventures, from running a successful painting business during college to transitioning into consulting after business school, are discussed. The experience gained in managing a painting franchise highlighted the challenges of leadership and team management, emphasizing the need for clear expectations and accountability. His shift to consulting showcased the versatility and transferability of skills acquired in solving complex problems and navigating diverse corporate environments.
Value of MBA Education and Professional Connections
Reflecting on the value of an MBA, Sam discusses the transformative impact of business school on his career and personal development. Beyond classroom content, the significance of expanding career horizons, building lifelong personal networks, and honing problem-solving skills in collaborative settings is emphasized. The credentializing effect of an MBA in certain professional contexts and its role in building personal connections for lifelong friendships are highlighted as key outcomes of the MBA experience.
Career Progression and Credentialing
The podcast episode discusses the importance of attending a well-ranked business school for career opportunities. The speaker shares personal experiences of transitioning from Deloitte to McKinsey after struggling to secure a return offer. The narrative highlights the significance of access to top-tier careers and the role of credentials in shaping professional trajectory. This journey underscores the impact of school prestige in enabling pathways to sought-after employment.
Partnership Dynamics and Business Growth
The episode delves into the partnership between the speakers in acquiring and managing a business. Their collaboration showcases the value of trust, complementary skill sets, and shared vision in navigating entrepreneurial challenges. The narrative emphasizes the significance of partnership in mitigating isolation and enhancing decision-making in business ownership. Through their journey with Circle Circulency and Ag Donation, the speakers illustrate the evolution and success of their cooperative leadership, fostering employee growth and strategic initiatives.
My guest today is Sam Hyde, the President of Circle Surrogacy and Egg Donation. Sam and his partner raised a search fund and, in 2017, acquired the United States' largest surrogacy agency, which has since grown significantly. Sam has also spent time as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and, during college, running a home painting franchise. Our conversation covers how he's overcome setbacks, the value of being in environments that have expanded his ability to imagine greater opportunities, and how he's evolved as a manager and leader.
