
The Pursuit of Scrappiness
Whether you are building a business, running a team or just starting out in your career we are here to bring you scrappy and actionable insights to help you become more productive.
Latest episodes

Aug 27, 2024 • 51min
173. DEEP DIVE in Tiktok & short-form video: tactics & lessons from 1bn views, algorithms, metrics that matter, amateur mistakes, workflows, equipment w/ Elvis Kruze (Eksplodemedia)
In this discussion, Elvis Kruze, founder of a successful content creation agency, shares insights from helping clients achieve over 1 billion views on social media. He highlights how short-form video, particularly on TikTok, is reshaping engagement strategies. Elvis emphasizes the importance of authenticity and emotional storytelling amid content saturation. He offers practical tips on content execution and common pitfalls to avoid. The conversation also dives into the evolving role of AI in content creation and how brands can forge meaningful connections.

Aug 20, 2024 • 49min
172. SALES special: Why drug dealers (sometimes) make great B2B sales people, reaching $1M ARR with 4 people team, how to adapt your style to the buyer, cold emails & AI, interview questions to hire sales sharks w/ Frank Sondors (Salesforge)
Frank Sondors is a seasoned sales expert and the Founder and CEO of Salesforge. With over a decade of experience in the sales industry, Frank has honed his skills in helping businesses navigate the complex landscape of sales and distribution. Frank’s company, Salesforge, is at the forefront of this innovation, helping businesses streamline their sales processes and improve their email outreach. Salesforge is also one of the truly most Baltic startups - a company based in Estonia with founders from Latvia and Lithuania. They recently secured half a million in pre-seed funding, but even before that have managed to build their ARR to $1M with a team of just 4 people.On this episode we talk about:Sales and B2B Strategies That WorkLeveraging AI in SalesHiring and Evaluating SalespeopleWhat makes a Successful SalespersonEthics in Sales TacticsNavigating the Evolving Sales Landscape==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Aug 13, 2024 • 46min
171. Why you should start to plan how to manage your wealth years before you get rich + practical steps how to do it w/ Tim Vaino (fff.club)
Tim Vaino is the co-founder of FFF (Finance Freedom Fellows), an angel investment syndicate club that is now turning into a wealth management platform for the tech crowd. Along with co-founder Akim Arhipov, they are on a mission to help tech entrepreneurs and employees manage their wealth before and after selling their valuable equity. Tim is also an investment manager with Change Ventures. On this episode we talk about:Success of FFF so farHow to Get into the Best Early Stage DealsWealth Management for Tech Founders and Employees Before and After LiquidityHow FFF Investment Strategy has Evolved Over TimeLearning from Investing Mistakes==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Aug 6, 2024 • 54min
170. All You Need to Know about Hiring Remotely: Practical Steps of Hiring & Firing, Tools to Use, How to Build Remote Culture & Manage Time Zone Differences w/ Jamie Haerewa (Agile HRO)
Jamie Haerewa is the co-founder and CEO of Agile HRO, a global employer of record service provider and promoter and supporter of distributed teams. With over 15 years of experience in recruitment and HR, Jamie shares practical advice and strategies for companies looking to leverage remote work and navigate the complexities of international employment.On this episode we talk about:The Main Challenges of Hiring GloballyOvercoming Legal and Compliance BarriersMaintaining Company Culture in Distributed TeamsManaging Time Zone DifferencesPractical Advice for Remote Termination ProcessesThe Role of AI in Transforming Workplaces==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Jul 2, 2024 • 54min
169. What you need to know about building on top of OpenAI, how to validate business idea, why doing wrong things can be worse than doing nothing & reality of choosing startups over well-paid corporate career w/ Martins Vaivars (RivalSense)
Martins Vaivars is the CEO and Co-founder of RivalSense, an AI-based tool designed to help businesses monitor their competitors. He is a serial entrepreneur, this being his fourth company, thus on top of practical AI software building knowledge, Martins also brings plenty of learnings from his previous startups. On this episode we talk about:Knowing what the competition is doingDevelopment and validation of productsChallenges and solutions in data management for AIQuality control and error managementBusiness applications of AI insightsLearnings from previous businesses==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Jun 25, 2024 • 54min
168. Google's Vytautas Kubilius on the risks of too-slow AI adoption, opportunities for startups to build on top of BigTech AI & everyday productivity hacks
Vytautas Kubilius is the Country Director for Google Baltics, playing a pivotal role in driving Google's mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful within the Baltic region. He is also an angel investor and working with such organizations as Change Ventures, StartupWiseGuys and Vilnius Tech Park in various supporting roles.On this episode we talk about:AI Innovations from Big TechResponsible AI DeploymentThe Challenges of Managing Confidential DataCompeting for Talent on a Global ScaleFuture of AI in Startups and EnterprisesEvolution of Google Search with AI==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Jun 18, 2024 • 41min
167. “Solving Climate Change is a business problem and a generational wealth opportunity” + building marketplace business, leadership requirements at various startup stages & opportunities in Ukraine w/ Laimonas Noreika (HeavyFinance)
Fintech entrepreneur Laimonas Noreika discusses building marketplaces, leadership in startups, and opportunities in Ukraine. They talk about climate change impact on agriculture, importance of farmers, and solving climate change as a business problem. They also explore business funding challenges, balancing profitability with climate goals, and viewing climate change as a generational wealth opportunity.

Jun 11, 2024 • 44min
166. Can you combine kids with a career in Tech? Challenges women face at work after pregnancy, FemTech potential & what founders should put in their shareholder agreements w/ Anna Strubel (CARA Health)
Anna Strubel is the founder of CARA Health, a FemTech startup supporting women in their journey to motherhood. The company recently raised a seed round and is part of a burgeoning wave of FemTech startups. Prior to building CARA, Anna worked over six years as a pediatric nurse, specializing in intensive care for premature and newborn babies, as well as in maternity care for women. She moved to Tallinn during Covid from Germany, and is now building her company there.On this episode we talk about:The emergence and potential of FemTechBuilding a femtech companyChallenges for women in tech and startupsTechnological innovations in women’s healthHow to make your company more parent friendly==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

Jun 4, 2024 • 44min
165. Kaspar Korjus (Pactum) on building an AI-powered product, outsourcing negotiations to AI, selling to Fortune 500 companies & do brothers make good co-founders
Kaspar Korjus is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Pactum AI - a tech startup that is revolutionizing the world of business negotiations with chat and AI. Walmart, Maersk and other Fortune 500 companies are among its clients! Prior to Pactum, Kaspar was the founding Managing Director of Estonia’s e-Residency.On this episode we talk about:How AI can help in business negotiationsThe effect of openAI on the AI industryWhat unique challenges are builders in AI facingHow to tackle adoption and trust issues for AI toolsSelling to Fortune 500 companiesPersonal and organizational use of AIThis episode was recorded Live during Latitude59 2024.==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show

May 28, 2024 • 53min
164. Everything you need to know about VCs. When to raise, trade-offs of taking VC money, is there truth behind VC memes & how to tell if you are not performing w/ Jone Vaituleviciute (FIRSTPICK)
Jone Vaituleviciute is the managing partner and co-founder of Firstpick, an early-stage VC and accelerator program based in Lithuania and operating across the Baltics. In this episode we decided to focus more on VC as a business. If you are a founder, this is a great chance to learn how the VCs tick. Before starting Firstpick, Jone was a partner at StartupWiseGuys. On this episode we talk about:When and why startups should consider VC funding.The importance of local presence and knowledge in early-stage investing.Unique hurdles faced by startups in the Baltic region and how to overcome them.When and why startups should consider accelerator programs.Practical advice on managing funds and financial planning for early-stage companies.Predictions and emerging trends in the VC landscapeCheck out https://firstpick.vc/==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/Support the show