Glasp Talk

This is the forty-eighth session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today’s guest is CJ Gustafson, finance thought-leader, creator of the wildly popular Mostly Metrics newsletter, and co-host of the Run the Numbers podcast. With a career that’s taken him from PwC to senior FP&A roles, through stints at Snyk and Veeam Software, and ultimately to CFO at PartsTech (where he steered the company to a successful exit), CJ now splits his time between writing, podcasting, angel investing, and advising fast-growing startups from his base in Naples, Florida.In this wide-ranging conversation, CJ unpacks:The origin of Mostly Metrics – how “stealing” his ideas and writing online for an audience of 400 snowballed into a 65,000-strong community and a top-tier podcast.Playbooks, not theory – why every great CFO develops a repeatable mental model for pricing, monetization, and resource allocation, and how founders can start crafting theirs today.Board-meeting mastery – CJ’s four-part framework for decks that tell a story with numbers, impress investors, and drive decisions.Metrics that move the needle – net-dollar-retention, CAC payback, RPO, CARR vs. ARR, and the sneaky ways companies “dress up” revenue (and how savvy investors see through it).AI’s real super-power – less about 10× coding myths, more about 20 % efficiency gains across finance, support, and GTM teams that let startups raise fewer rounds and keep more equity.Finding (and keeping) product-market-fit – why today’s winners must stack multiple S-curves earlier than ever, and how benchmarking against the right comparables keeps you honest.Career wisdom for future CFOs – brokering risk, being the “goalie in net,” and deciding when a startup needs a full-time finance chief.Legacy & curiosity – CJ’s mission to tear down the gatekeeping around finance and leave a trail of resources that make business fun, accessible, and endlessly learnable.🏷️ Chapters & Key Moments0:00 Intro & CJ’s journey3:50 Building Mostly Metrics & finding audience-market-fit8:20 Top topics: board decks & investor communication12:40 ARR, CARR & revenue “tricks” explained18:30 Retention vs. CAC payback – when to double down24:00 When startups need a CFO29:00 AI for efficiency, not just growth36:30 Private-market vs. public-market multiples45:00 Stacking S-curves & staying in product-market-fit52:00 Advice for newsletter writers & founders56:00 CJ’s legacy and closing thoughtsFollow CJ Gustafson on social:XLinkedInMostly metrics (Substack)Run the Numbers (Podcast)Read the transcript:⁠Decode Startup Finance: Metrics, Board Decks & AI Efficiency | CJ Gustafson | Glasp Talk #48⁠Read the summary:Decode Startup Finance: Metrics, Board Decks & AI Efficiency | CJ Gustafson | Glasp Talk #48Watch the full episode on YouTube:⁠Decode Startup Finance: Metrics, Board Decks & AI Efficiency | CJ Gustafson | Glasp Talk #48⁠Read the newsletter:⁠Decode Startup Finance: Metrics, Board Decks & AI Efficiency | CJ Gustafson | Glasp Talk #48⁠

This is the forty-seventh session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today’s guest is Des Brown, a dynamic force in digital marketing who currently serves as Commercial Lead at Prebo Digital, one of Africa’s top performance agencies. He’s also the founder of Email Expert Africa, a thriving community empowering solopreneurs, creators, and businesses to master the art of email marketing. Drawing on more than a decade of hands-on experience in digital strategy, marketing operations, and client success, Des brings a treasure trove of insights into building impactful email campaigns that truly resonate.In this interview, Des shares firsthand how he helps brands achieve high delivery and deliverability rates, craft personalized emails that keep audiences engaged, and strategically time mailings for maximum click-through. He explains re-engagement best practices to rekindle inactive subscribers, outlines how to harness AI for segmentation, and underscores why a solid technical setup—SPF, DKIM, and DMARC—is essential for hitting the inbox. Des also candidly talks about balancing brand growth on platforms like LinkedIn with the long-term power of email, and how consistent, audience-first communication fosters trust and loyalty.Tune in to discover how you can optimize your email marketing efforts, whether you’re just starting or looking to refine an existing approach. By putting your subscribers first and consistently delivering value, you’ll learn how to generate strong engagement, nurture lasting customer relationships, and scale your digital presence across borders. Enjoy the conversation!Follow Des Brown on social:XLinkedInWebsiteLinktreeRead the transcript:How to Master Email Marketing: Achieve 50% Opens & Grow Your Audience | Des Brown | Glasp Talk #47Read the summary:How to Master Email Marketing: Achieve 50% Opens & Grow Your Audience | Des Brown | Glasp Talk #47Watch the full episode on YouTube:How to Master Email Marketing: Achieve 50% Opens & Grow Your Audience | Des Brown | Glasp Talk #47

This is the forty-sixth session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today’s guest is Sean Ellis, the legendary growth pioneer credited with coining “growth hacking.” He’s an early-stage marketing leader behind unicorns like Dropbox, Eventbrite, LogMeIn, and Lookout—businesses that reached billion-dollar valuations under his data-driven, experimentation-focused approach. Sean is also the creator of the “Sean Ellis test,” a go-to method for gauging product-market fit, and the ICE prioritization framework widely used by startups worldwide.In this interview, Sean shares firsthand how refining activation helped LogMeIn unlock massive word-of-mouth expansion, enabling million-dollar monthly marketing budgets backed by sustainable ROI. He dives into the foundation behind Dropbox’s viral growth, unpacks why deeply understanding retention is a startup’s hidden growth driver, and explains how must-have products and well-honed user onboarding form the bedrock of high-velocity scaling. Sean also speaks candidly about balancing vision with adaptability—how top founders pivot to capitalize on unexpected “must-have” features revealed through customer feedback.Follow Sean Ellis on socialXLinkedInWebsiteSubstack, "Growth with Sean Ellis"Book on Amazon, "Hacking Growth: How Today's Fastest-Growing Companies Drive Breakout Success”Read the transcript:How to Ignite Startup Growth and Build a Billion-Dollar Business| Sean Ellis | Glasp Talk #46Read the summary:How to Ignite Startup Growth and Build a Billion-Dollar Business| Sean Ellis | Glasp Talk #46Watch the full episode on YouTube:How to Ignite Startup Growth and Build a Billion-Dollar Business| Sean Ellis | Glasp Talk #46

This is the forty-fifth session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today’s guest is Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ness Labs. With a background at Google and a marketing leadership role in tech, Anne-Laure is also a PhD researcher at King’s College London who investigates how neurodiversity, especially ADHD, interacts with AI, curiosity, and learning. She’s the author of Tiny Experiments, a book that encourages people to adopt an experimental mindset in their personal and professional lives.In this interview, Anne-Laure shares how she transitioned from a linear, goal-oriented career path to one fueled by curiosity and continuous experimentation. She discusses her concept of a “growth loop” over a “ladder of success,” offering practical methods such as Plus Minus Next for self-reflection, Head-Heart-Hand for beating procrastination, and tangible strategies to prevent burnout. She also delves into how AI can serve as a powerful thinking partner—especially useful for exploring complex topics where we might not even know the right questions to ask. Throughout, Anne-Laure emphasizes enjoying the journey, seeing your life as a laboratory for discovery, and building community-driven learning experiences that focus on collaboration and experimentation over linear achievement.Follow Anne-Laure Le Cunff on social:XLinkedInWebsiteBook, "Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World": Book on AmazonRead the transcript:How to Build a Growth Mindset through Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure Le Cunff | Glasp Talk #45Read the summary:How to Build a Growth Mindset through Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure Le Cunff | Glasp Talk #45Watch the full episode on YouTube:How to Build a Growth Mindset through Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure Le Cunff | Glasp Talk #45

In this conversation, Jason Feifer, the dynamic Editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and author of Build for Tomorrow, shares his insights on navigating change. He outlines his four phases of change, emphasizing the need to swiftly move through panic to unlock new possibilities. Jason discusses how AI can reveal inefficiencies rather than just replace jobs, while encouraging individuals to embrace their core values beyond job titles. His practical advice on identifying opportunities and fostering adaptability highlights the importance of creativity and connection in today's fast-evolving landscape.

This is the forty-third session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today's guest is Shreya Khandra—a writer, content strategist, and visual thinker with a profound passion for the creator economy. Recognized as a Quora Top Writer and a 5x Medium Top Writer, her works have been featured in the Thrive Global Newsletter, The Startup Publication, and Silver Lining Journal. Beyond writing, Shreya brings experience in product management, content marketing, and design, having worked with companies like Wow Labz and White Gold India.In this interview, Shreya shares her journey from starting on Quora to amassing over 70,000 followers on Medium. She dives into her creative process, from ideation and systems for consistent writing, to leveraging visuals and design to enhance storytelling. Shreya also discusses the evolving creator economy—how AI tools affect the landscape, strategies for building a dedicated audience, and the importance of maintaining authenticity over perfection. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a seasoned creator, or simply curious about content marketing, this session is brimming with actionable insights and inspiration to help you craft your unique voice and stand out in a crowded digital world.Follow Shreya Kandra on social: X LinkedIn Medium Substack Instagram Silver Lining Journal: A journal to help you rediscover yourselfRead the transcript:Build a Thriving Writing Career & Stand Out in the Creator Economy | Shreya Kandra | Glasp Talk #43Read the summary:Build a Thriving Writing Career & Stand Out in the Creator Economy | Shreya Kandra | Glasp Talk #43Watch the full episode on YouTube:Build a Thriving Writing Career & Stand Out in the Creator Economy | Shreya Kandra | Glasp Talk #43

This is the forty-second session of Glasp Talk!Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.Today's guest is Gerta Malaj, a seasoned negotiation expert and co-founder of YourNegotiations.com. Gerta has spent over a decade honing her skills in big tech companies like LinkedIn and IBM, as well as in global biotech startups and venture capital firms. She holds a master’s degree in logistics and engineering from MIT and a mathematics degree from Wellesley College. Beyond her current endeavor, Gerta has co-founded multiple ventures—including Inception Studio—focusing on community building and incubating new ideas.In this interview, Gerta shares her passion for empowering individuals to unlock greater career potential and financial freedom through savvy negotiation. She reveals practical tactics for securing better compensation, gaining leverage in high-stakes discussions, and maintaining strong relationships with counterparties. Gerta also delves into the importance of mindset and cross-cultural considerations and why she believes in creating win-win scenarios rather than zero-sum games. Whether you’re looking to negotiate a new job offer, a business deal, or simply sharpen your communication skills, this session is packed with transformative insights and strategies.Follow Gerta Malaj on social: X LinkedIn YourNegotiations.comRead the transcript:How to Master High-Stakes Negotiations & Create Win-Win Opportunities | Gerta Malaj | Glasp Talk #42Read the summary:How to Master High-Stakes Negotiations & Create Win-Win Opportunities | Gerta Malaj | Glasp Talk #42Watch the full episode on YouTube:How to Master High-Stakes Negotiations & Create Win-Win Opportunities | Gerta Malaj | Glasp Talk #42

This is the forty-first session of Glasp Talk! Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them. Today's guest is Julian Weisser, a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and mentor passionate about empowering founders and building impactful startups. Julian is the CEO and co-founder of ODF, a unique program that has helped launch over a thousand startups, raising more than $2 billion. He is also the creator of the Texts with Founders newsletter, where he shares actionable advice for entrepreneurs navigating their startup journeys. As an angel investor, Julian has backed over 150 innovative companies, including Levels, Astroforge, and MagicSchool. In this interview, Julian shares his journey, from co-founding ODF to shaping the future of entrepreneurship. He discusses the critical role of timing, experience, and the spirit of service in building successful startups. Julian offers practical insights on co-founder relationships, fundraising strategies, and the power of momentum in overcoming challenges. He also explores how emerging technologies like AI reshape the startup landscape and the skills founders will need to thrive in the years ahead. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, this session is packed with invaluable lessons and inspiration. Follow Julian Weisser on social: #glasptalk #glasp #ODF #TextswithFounders #JulianWeisser Read the transcript: How to Navigate the Founder Journey and Build Momentum | Julian Weisser | Glasp Talk #41 Read the summary: How to Navigate the Founder Journey and Build Momentum | Julian Weisser | Glasp Talk #41 Watch the full episode on YouTube: How to Navigate the Founder Journey and Build Momentum | Julian Weisser | Glasp Talk #41

This is the fortieth session of Glasp Talk! Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them. Today's guest is Shawn Flynn, a seasoned investment banker with extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions, growth capital, and secondary transactions as a principal at Global Capital Markets. He is also the host of The Silicon Valley Podcast, where he has interviewed a host of visionary entrepreneurs and leaders, such as Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, and Melanie Perkins, co-founder of Canva, covering critical themes like leadership, scaling businesses, and technological innovation. In this interview, Shawn takes us on a global journey, beginning with his entrepreneurial ventures in Beijing, China—where he built, scaled, and exited a business—and guiding us through his return to Silicon Valley’s vibrant startup ecosystem. He offers invaluable insights into navigating international business landscapes, cultural nuances, and the keys to forging meaningful relationships across borders. Shawn also sheds light on the intricacies of investment banking, breaking down the processes behind M&A, growth capital, and secondaries with crystal clarity. Beyond deal-making, he shares practical advice for aspiring founders, emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding and mentorship, and reveals how emerging technologies like AI are poised to reshape the future of investment banking. Join us as Shawn Flynn imparts his hard-earned knowledge, drawing from a rich tapestry of global experiences and industry expertise, to help founders, investors, and innovators pave their path to success in a complex, ever-evolving world. Follow Shawn Flynn on social: X LinkedIn Website YouTube #glasptalk #glasp #ShawnFlynn #thesiliconvalleypodcast Read the transcript: How to Master M&A and Network Globally: Strategies for Tech Founders | Shawn Flynn | Glasp Talk #40 Read the summary: How to Master M&A and Network Globally: Strategies for Tech Founders | Shawn Flynn | Glasp Talk #40 Watch the full episode on YouTube: How to Master M&A and Network Globally: Strategies for Tech Founders | Shawn Flynn | Glasp Talk #40

This is the thirty-ninth session of Glasp Talk! Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them. Today's guest is Ozan Irturk, a brand strategist and founder of Frontera, a consultancy focused on helping B2B SMEs with lean marketing teams build differentiated and profitable brands. Ozan is known for his expertise in positioning, differentiation, and profitable branding strategies. He has been instrumental in guiding companies to stand out in competitive markets by helping them overcome revenue plateaus and achieve effective marketing strategies. Besides consulting, Ozan shares his branding insights through writing, offering actionable advice on successful brand differentiation. In this interview, Ozan delves into his journey from starting a newsletter and blog, driven by his curiosity about mental models and decision-making, to building a successful brand consultancy. He discusses key topics such as how companies can differentiate themselves, the importance of focusing on core messages, and how to build a long-lasting, profitable brand. Ozan also offers practical insights into common branding mistakes, how to conduct a 3C analysis (Customers, Company, Competition), and the role of AI in the future of branding. Join us as Ozan shares his expert advice on branding strategy, growth, and differentiation in today's ever-evolving market. Follow Ozan Irturk on social: X LinkedIn Website Newsletter #glasptalk #glasp #branding #OzanIrturk #interview #frontera Read the transcript: How to Build a Differentiated and Profitable Brand in the Market | Ozan Irturk | Glasp Talk #39 Read the summary: How to Build a Differentiated and Profitable Brand in the Market | Ozan Irturk | Glasp Talk #39 Watch the full episode on YouTube: How to Build a Differentiated and Profitable Brand in the Market | Ozan Irturk | Glasp Talk #39