The Logan Bartlett Show

Parker Conrad, the Co-founder and CEO of Rippling, dives into his entrepreneurial journey after leading his $13B company to success. He shares insights on balancing founder instincts with team collaboration, while discussing the challenges of investor dynamics in governance. Parker critiques the overselling of VC contributions and emphasizes the importance of aligning with the right investors. He reflects on key lessons learned through past ventures and highlights the significant role of anecdotal feedback in shaping effective leadership at Rippling.

John Fieldly, CEO of Celsius, a nearly $10B energy drink company, reveals the brand's hair-raising journey from near bankruptcy to market dominance. He discusses overcoming massive revenue losses and legal challenges while redirecting the brand's focus from weight loss to energy. John shares insights on securing pivotal distribution deals, including a major partnership with Pepsi, and leveraging digital marketing and influencers to connect with younger consumers. His leadership journey showcases resilience and strategic vision in transforming Celsius into a health-oriented powerhouse.

In this insightful discussion, Josh Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, shares his knack for spotting emerging technologies and contrarian investment opportunities. He dives into the complexities of nuclear energy and biotech, advocates for a proactive investment stance in defense tech, and outlines the shifting landscape of venture capital. Wolfe also touches on the intersection of AI and ethics, the societal pressures affecting happiness, and the art of storytelling in investment, making for a captivating and thought-provoking conversation.

Emery Wells, co-founder and CEO of Frame.io, details his incredible journey from NYC bartender to startup founder, culminating in a $1.3 billion sale to Adobe. He shares insights from his work with SNL that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. Discussing the importance of design and a unique company culture, he rejects the lean startup model and emphasizes maintaining high standards. Emery also navigates the intense processes of fundraising and acquisitions, along with the impact of AI on creativity—highlighting lessons learned along the way.

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, shares insights on navigating one of the world's most complex businesses. He discusses Uber's journey to profitability, the future of autonomous vehicles, and the operational challenges the company faces. Dara emphasizes the need for cultural shifts within Uber and details their global adaptations, from auto rickshaws in India to high-capacity vehicles relieving urban congestion. He reflects on leadership, the importance of constructive conflict, and how personal experiences shaped his approach to innovation.

Mike Maples, an 8x Midas List investor and founding partner at Floodgate Fund, shares his insights on startup success and the future of venture capital. He explores how top startups redefine categories and discusses the significance of 'pattern-breaking' ideas. The conversation dives into pivotal moments in startup history, including the rise of Twitch and Tesla. Maples also highlights the traits of successful founders, emphasizing storytelling and community movements as key elements in creating impactful products.

Josh Reeves, Founder and CEO of Gusto, discusses the early days and strategic growth of Gusto, highlighting the importance of proving product viability before scaling. He emphasizes building a culture aligned with company values, work-life balance, long-term success, and empowering teams for efficient product development. Reeves also shares insights on hiring executives, company growth, and Gusto's vision to become an entrepreneurship platform.

Eric Glyman, CEO of Ramp, shares insights on leveraging AI internally, building moats in AI for startups, and the concept of self-driving money. The discussion also covers hiring strategies, motivations, and success factors in leading a fast-growing startup.

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski discusses turning the company profitable, boardroom drama with Sequoia, and building a digital financial assistant. Topics include leadership, company culture, handling valuation resets, regulatory challenges, AI integration, and lessons in venture capital.

CEO of Datadog, Olivier Pomel, shares insights on fundraising, building the right product, open beta transition, platform vision, customer-centric approach, bottom-up sales strategy, collaborative management, staying close to customers, pricing strategy, fostering culture of discipline, AI impact, choosing NYC over Silicon Valley.