Why Not Now? with Amy Jo Martin

Carter Reum left his job at Goldman Sachs to pursue an entrepreneurial career because he was, in his words, “just young enough and just stupid enough, but in a good way, to think it was a good idea.”   Leaving the corporate world ended up being a great idea for Carter and his brother. They founded an innovative alcohol company called VEEV which sold to a multi-billion dollar strategic acquirer.   Carter now runs M13, an angel investment firm with a portfolio totaling over $137B in enterprise value and including companies like Lyft, Ring, Daily Harvest, and FabFitFun.   On this episode of Why Not Now? Carter and Amy Jo talk about investing in companies with products that can directly improve people’s lives, the importance of being a storyteller as an entrepreneur, and making the impossible possible.   Carter tells Amy Jo about his company’s policy that every new hire must pass the “Airport Test,” meaning you’d want to be stranded at the airport with that person, in order to preserve their team’s positive culture.   Carter also shares the importance of setting boundaries as a leader, including quitting email on the weekends and not letting your inbox be your to-do list.   Learn more about Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carterreum/   Super Coffee is hooking up Why Not Now? listeners with an exclusive 25% discount on all products! Head to https://bit.ly/AmyJoSuperCoffee and use code WHYNOTNOW for your 25% discount. https://bit.ly/AmyJoSuperCoffee is the ONLY place this offer is available and your discount works for ALL products. No restrictions.   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Leah Walters is the Head of Communications at monday.com.    In this episode, Leah and Amy Jo discuss how moving from New York to Tel Aviv, Israel led Leah to her Why Not Now? moment. She found herself having an identity crisis once she got to Tel Aviv, and wasn’t sure how to fully take advantage of the experience. Without any previous experience, she began applying for jobs in the tech start up industry which presented her with 3 very different options. One of those options would change the trajectory of her life and identity.   Leah and Amy Jo also talk about the impact a company's culture can have on its consumers. Leah shares how much she enjoys the impact monday.com can have on people's lives. In addition to added organization, she says the company's positive culture rubs off on monday.com's users.   Leah shares the journey of starting her family. She was a one-woman show and finding someone that could fill her roll while she was on maternity leave was a difficult task. You’ll get to hear the story of how she navigated this journey and what happened on the day she went into labor.   Leah also shares productivity tips (apart from monday.com) and some advice she would give her younger self.   Learn more about Leah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahwalters   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Jamie Kern Lima is the Co-Founder of IT Cosmetics as well as the author of “Believe It.”   In this episode, Jamie and Amy Jo discuss Jamie’s Why Not Now? moment that is a story of resilience. Jamie was working as a news anchor and found herself in what she describes as “a season of setbacks.” She had developed a skin condition and had difficulty finding makeup that could help conceal it, while she was on camera. She learned that her skin condition doesn’t have a cure which caused her to go down a path of self doubt.   This path led her to the realization that if she can’t find makeup to help her, then there has to be so many other women with the same problem. With zero prior experience in the cosmetics industry, Jamie created IT Cosmetics.   Her first few years of business weren’t easy, and even after hearing no after no, she didn’t give up. Jamie had a gut feeling that she should approach QVC. After being told no multiple times she was finally given the chance to showcase IT Cosmetics on the network and it quickly became the top selling product.   Jamie also discusses the risks of becoming addicted to your job, as well as her time management tips and the advice she’d give to her younger self.   Learn more about Jamie's new book: https://www.believeit.com  Follow Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiekernlima   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Amy Stanton & Amy Jo Martin explain everything you need to know about the new social media app, Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a drop-in audio only platform that can be described as part podcast, part zoom call, and part house party. It can be very confusing at first and you can quickly find yourself lost on the platform, but luckily we have Amy Stanton to be our guide.   Amy has been called “The Queen of Clubhouse”, and for good reason. She has learned more about the platform than most and is sharing everything she knows with us. She walks through creating your profile, finding people to follow, finding rooms and clubs that fit your interests, as well as starting your own clubs.   Amy also shares a few of her personal experiences using Clubhouse, from joining a room with Elon Musk, to hosting Katie Couric’s welcome party, and the most random room she’s experienced yet.   This may sound overwhelming and foreign but after listening to this conversation things will start to make sense and you’ll find yourself navigating the halls of Clubhouse in no time! Follow both Amy and Amy Jo on clubhouse @AmyKStanton & @AmyJoMartin. Follow Amy Stanton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykstanton/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/30-days-clubhouse-5-lessons-learned-amy-stanton   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

In this bonus episode, we're diving into the Why Not Now? archives to revisit Amy Jo's conversation with Heather Allen. Heather Allen is the founder of Kaleidacuts. Heather used to be a school teacher, then started a greeting card company. That company didn't work out as she had planned, but her second company - Kaleidacuts - is thriving. She is living where her passion, purpose & skill collide. In this episode Heather talks through running a 7-figure company without a website, building a loyal and engaged community, following and honoring your internal compass, owning up to your mistakes and learning from them, designing what makes you happy and much more.   Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidacuts/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Special Episode: Vic Keller offers Renegade Accelerator Scholarships   In this episode, Vic Keller is back on the show and he makes a big announcement. He’s not just offering a Renegade Accelerator scholarship, there’s much more. Listen to learn the details and visit the scholarship page here to apply: https://amyjomartin.com/rascholarship. To learn more about the Renegade Accelerator program, head here: http://renegadeaccelerator.com/   Vic Keller is one of Amy Jo’s personal “investor mentors”. He has always supported the advancement of women in business, in fact he shares a very tangible, and unusual, story in this conversation. This scholarship is just another way Vic continues to walk the talk. In the Renegade Accelerator, Amy Jo shares some of the impactful learnings he has directly taught her.   The great thing about mentorship is that it’s transferable from generation to generation. Amy Jo is honored to pass on this mentorship to women in the Renegade Accelerator.   The scholarship is officially offered by Vic Keller of KLV Capital.   The Renegade Accelerator is a 10-week program that helps you go from idea to action. You’ll learn the Renegade Mentality in real-time with a group of like-minded, like-hearted women. Everything you need to execute your ideas, build your platform, grow your presence online and own your voice while generating more revenue. Visit http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/ to learn more.   More about Vic Keller: Start following and learning from Vic now: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickeller/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickeller   Vic has studied Warren Buffet’s business principles since age 14. He was fortunate to have his companies acquired by Berkshire Hathaway. Vic went on to have an executive capacity overseeing several divisions of Berkshire Hathaway, overseeing more than 11,000 employees.   Vic began his career with JP Morgan in commercial banking, where he earned the coveted top performance achievement award in his first year of employment. He then transitioned into the automotive industry as an executive with Wynn’s International in their oil and insurance subsidiary, Wynn’s Automotive. As a young leader, Vic oversaw all national accounts generating $120 million in sales annually and implementing processes that increased sales year over year and expanded the distribution network.   Over the past fifteen years, Vic has continued to launch several other companies including the highly successful, vertically integrated ZAK Automotive Companies, an official partner of NASCAR, which was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.   Vic is the founder of KLV Capital, a lower-middle-market private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, where he pursues his passion of building and leading businesses. He continues to identify new and strategic opportunities to leverage his business expertise, innovative vision, and an extensive network of resources to generate success. The KLV portfolio includes a variety of companies across many industries, some of which generate hundreds of millions of dollars in e-commerce revenue annually.   In addition to his leadership role at KLV Capital, Vic is the founder of Venture Capital Fund, Experience Ventures. He continues to fulfill his entrepreneur nature by personally investing in private businesses that exhibit creative, passionate, and innovative visions. He supports them through mentorship, raising capital, business development, customer acquisition, sourcing talent, and by leveraging strategic relationships.   Vic is a resident of Whitefish, Montana, Seaside, Florida and the Lone Star State. He graduated from Texas Tech University. Never afraid to take on a new adventure, Vic spends time flying, cycling, skiing, diving, and taking unique, adventurous trips with his wife and two sons all over the world.     To follow and learn more about Vic Keller: https://www.instagram.com/vickeller/ https://twitter.com/vickeller https://vickeller.com/ https://klvcapital.com/ Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/      Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

We've got a bonus episode for you this week! We're diving into the Why Not Now? archives to revisit Amy Jo's conversation with Lauren Holiday. Lauren Holiday is our guest this week. Lauren is a 2-Time Olympic gold medalist & FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup Champion. Amy Jo & Lauren have one of the most intense conversations we’ve heard on the Why Not Now? show. Lauren shares her journey from winning Olympic gold to winning the Women’s World Cup, to being diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening medical condition while she was 5 months pregnant. Lauren’s strength, perseverance, & love for her family shine through in this amazing conversation. Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenholiday12/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

David Meltzer is the Co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and host of The Playbook podcast.   In this episode, David and Amy Jo discuss his Why Not Now? moment when he decided to start his own company.   Between 2006 and 2008, David had lost 100 million dollars. More importantly, David said he hit emotional rock bottom. This moment caused him to look within and take inventory of his values. In doing so, he realized his new values didn’t align with his current job. He wanted to create a company that reflected this.   David talks about how he balances data and intuition. He views intuition as a muscle and shares ways to strengthen it.   He also discusses his relationship with time & when he chooses to use it as a factor to make decisions.   Learn more about David: https://dmeltzer.com/ Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Jaclyn Lindsey is the co-founder & CEO of Kindness.org, as well as the co-author of “Be Kind: A Year of Kindness, One Week at a Time." (She's also a graduate of the Renegade Brand Bootcamp!) In this conversation with Amy Jo, Jaclyn talks about the steps involved in making a major pivot in her career. She shares exactly what she did to begin the process and how it evolved into her discovering what she wanted to do next. She shares how the simple act of sitting down and writing out the things she wanted to stand for led her to create a non-profit global organization rooted in kindness. Jaclyn also discusses the importance of kindness and the scientific research showing the positive impact it has on not only others but ourselves as well. Amy Jo and Jaclyn discuss how she's navigating the process of becoming the face of her brand and sharing her own WHY and brand essence, which led to starting the organization.   Learn more about kindness.org: https://kindness.org/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Pankaj Shah is an Investor, Business Advisor, Founder of Finches, a global collective of thought leaders in early stage technology and Founder of Sparrows, a networking platform that allows you to humanize your professional life.   In this episode, Pankaj and Amy Jo discuss a Why Not Now? moment in which he decided to quit his job, sell his house, and go 103 weeks without a paycheck to start his first company. Pankaj shares the professional and personal sides of that journey, which includes the birth of his second child in the middle of it.   Pankaj has invested in dozens of companies and he discusses what he looks for in a founder when he’s deciding to invest in a company. He also talks about what he does to invest in himself as well as recognizing the difference between happiness and purpose.   Pankaj also talks about his new company, Sparrows. The platform was designed to allow you to share more of who you are rather than what you’ve done in order to humanize your professional life to make stronger connections.   You’ll also hear his unique time management tips & the things he does throughout the day to keep his mind engaged.   Learn more about Pankaj: https://www.sparrows.co/sp/pankaj Follow Pankaj on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somepin22/?hl=en   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book