Emma Stratton, founder of Punchy and author of 'Make it Punchy,' shares her inspiring transition from creative writer to entrepreneur. She reflects on overcoming panic attacks tied to money and how life coaching propelled her forward. Emma discusses the pressure of immigrant family expectations and the challenges of toxic workplaces. She opens up about transforming her money mindset and conquering self-doubt while embracing her unique journey. This conversation highlights the power of following your heart and the importance of personal growth in finding success.

In this conversation, Georgiana Laudi, co-founder of Forget the Funnel, shares her background and journey into B2B SaaS. From working in her family’s retail florist business, to becoming the VP of Marketing at Unbounce, and advising a bunch of impressive companies. We explore some of the speed bumps and challenging moments in Gia’s journey along the way.Gia opens up about:Returning from maternity leave and learning someone had been hired above her.The challenges of managing a rapidly growing teamGetting feedback that she’s intimidatingThe importance of clear communication and transparencyThings to listen for:(02:30) Georgiana was influenced by her parents to become an entrepreneur(05:53) Her first business idea was selling martini glasses(11:13) She said “no” all the time because “who has time for that?”(15:21) Her advice to someone who is figuring out their personal brand(19:17) Someone was promoted above her when she was on maternity leave(32:07) Georgiana was told she was “extremely intimidating” by her team(36:52) She never holds back what she’s thinking(39:38) Take notes before confronting an underperforming employee(47:40) How Georgiana learned her communication skills(51:05) She wishes she had learned how to run a business earlier(53:48) Georgiana knows she needs a better work-life balance…Resources:Connect with Georgiana on LinkedInCheck out Forget The FunnelGet your copy of “Forget The Funnel” todayConnect with Andrew on LinkedInWork with AndrewLearn more about AppcuesLearn more about Navattic

In this conversation, Wes Bush, the founder and CEO of ProductLed, talks about his background and journey in the product-led growth space. We start by exploring his childhood, entrepreneurial drive, and transition into the tech world. Then, Wes reflects on being fired from his job at Vidyard, how that experience fueled him to start his own business, and how he navigates being a leader today. Along the way, we explored some of the speed bumps in his journey: from making tough decisions as a leader, maintaining emotional distance from his team, managing anxiety, and finding balance while traveling.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why Wes was fired from Vidyard - and what he learned from the experienceHow he navigates being a leader today and approaches tough convos with his teamWhat gives Wes anxiety, and how he manages itThings to listen for:(01:21) Wes shares what his new book is about (03:48) His entrepreneurial spirit and itch from a young age(06:55) The moment Wes realized that any job that didn’t use his brain was a waste of time(11:25) When he got fired for challenging his leadership’s approach(17:53) Wes was told to stop sharing ideas(23:05) Being glad he got fired because it wasn’t the right environment to be in(30:30) Wes’s advice to a younger individual who needs to make a tough decision(35:46) His experience spending 19 weeks of traveling in 2023(41:00) Dealing with down days and anxieties(46:30) He describes how his job has opened new doors and opportunities(49:38) Which skill Wes wishes he worked on earlierResources:Connect with Wes on LinkedInCheck out ProductLedConnect with Andrew on LinkedInWork with AndrewLearn more about AppcuesLearn more about Navattic

In this episode, Talia Wolf, CEO and Founder of GetUplift, shares her experiences growing up in a family that valued hard work, her early jobs as a waitress and skydiver, her transition into the tech, marketing, and CRO world - and many of challenging moments along the way, including balancing her career and motherhood, the need to ask for help from your support system, and navigating critical feedback.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Staying in a CMO role she didn’t like because she was afraid to start her own businessBeing a woman in a male-dominated field and how she overcame her imposter syndromeReceiving a “slap in the face” piece of feedback from someone on her teamThings to listen for:[06:20] Talia's diverse career path, from skydiving to wedding planning and tech[12:48] The challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry[18:05] The creation of a supportive group among women to share vulnerabilities and experiences[24:37] How having children changed Talia's perspective on work-life balance[28:52] Learning from critical feedback and using it to improve as a leader[33:17] The importance of accepting and building upon experiences or letting go in business[37:44] Talia's upbringing and how it influenced her unconventional approach to CRO[42:56] Struggling with self-doubt and imposter syndrome when starting her own business[47:19] The impact of a supportive network in overcoming fears and boosting confidence[52:03] Balancing the identity of a driven career woman with motherhood[56:28] Learning to trust her team and achieve a better work-life balance after having childrenResources:Connect with Talia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taliagw/?originalSubdomain=ukGetUplift CRO Agency: https://getuplift.co/Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/Work with Andrew: https://deliveringvalue.co/get-startedLearn more about Appcues: http://appcues.com/value

Yuriy Timen, a SaaS advisor and solopreneur, shares his unique journey from finance to leading tech companies like Grammarly, Canva, and Airtable. He reflects on how his upbringing during the Soviet Union's collapse shaped his strong work ethic and values. Yuriy opens up about career mistakes, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of empathy in leadership. He discusses the lessons learned from tough feedback and highlights the significance of intentional networking and work-life balance, aiming to be 'empathetically intense' in his professional relationships.

Growth advisor Kate Syuma reflects on career lows, adjusting leadership style, and hiring mistakes. She shares pivotal moments, embracing uncertainty, and balancing authenticity as a solopreneur. Topics include feedback impact, career conversations, and intuition in decision-making.

In this episode, Samantha Leal, Growth Advisor, discusses her journey and experiences in the SaaS PLG marketing world, the importance of understanding and practicing critical thinking and effective communication in leadership roles, and the blend of art and science in marketing.In this episode, you’ll hear about:1. When Samantha knew she needed a radical shift in her approach and decided to hold a no-holds-barred feedback session with her team2. Samantha’s boss telling her word-for-word she “lacked critical thinking skills”3. The moment when Samantha had to take over the marketing and felt like she was failing continuouslyThings to listen for:[03:13] Writing started to feel draining for Samantha[13:13] Her ‘welcome to the league’ moment when she felt ashamed for not knowing her role[18:09] Samantha’s wakeup call from office gossip[33:36] The constant feeling of failure that she felt in her new role[34:45] When her CEO told her she “lacked critical thinking skills”[49:17] Samantha’s goals at the stage she’s in right nowResources:- Connect with Sam on LinkedIn- Work with Sam- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn- Work with Andrew- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Joe Wilkinson, Founder and CEO at Artisan Strategies, discusses some of the challenges he’s faced in his career, his personal journey into handling workplace stress, and the lessons learned from handling transparency during company changes.In this episode, you’ll hear about:1. The time when Joe trained an individual to take over the team he was leading, just for him to transfer to a different team2. When Joe was stuck between choosing his friend or the company he was working at3. Joe’s boss telling him, “Great job everything is going amazing! You are the only one of your peers who won’t get promoted or a raise. No reason why.”Things to listen for:[03:32] When Joe gained the courage to go off on his own[07:21] His ‘aha’ moment into entrepreneurship[11:33] When Joe’s trainee was supposed to take over his team, but was persuaded to join a different team[18:10] Will he choose his friend? Or the business?[29:49] When Joe was told, “Great job! But you’re not getting a raise” at his performance review[37:30] Feedback can either make or break a relationship[41:16] Joe’s self doubt journeyResources:- Connect with Joe on LinkedIn- Check out Artisan Strategies- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn- Work with Andrew- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Amanda Natividad, VP of Marketing at SparkToro, talks about some of the low points in her career, the toughest feedback she’s ever received, how she navigates burnout, and how she’s been able to find her authentic voice as a leader.In this episode, you’ll hear about:1. When Amanda was told ““Wow. Rand opened up a lot of doors for you!”2. Amanda’s boss said it was obvious when she didn’t know what she was doing3. When Amanda was told “You’re too junior” and “You’re too direct”Things to listen for:[06:34] When Amanda was told “Wow. Rand must have opened up a lot of doors for you”[15:39] During the pandemic, she was furloughed from her job at Liftopia[19:01] Amanda felt powerless in her personal and professional life…[27:29] Being told “It’s so obvious you don’t know what you’re doing” by a manager[31:11] Seeing feedback as positive and her co-workers wanting to help[32:38] Being told “You’re too junior” and “You’re too direct”[39:34] “I don’t know” shows maturity and awareness on a personal level[45:57] The skills she wishes she worked on earlierResources:- Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn- Check out SparkToro- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn- Work with Andrew- Learn more about Appcues

As we wrap up the miniseries, I wanted to touch on the ‘big swings’ the Navattic team is taking in 2024 as well as the key takeaways from filming this show.In the final episode of the Behind the Scenes Miniseries with the Navattic growth team, you’ll learn:1. The different strategies Navattic adopts when taking "big bets," especially in growth roles2. How startups, especially those at the stage of a "supersede round" of funding like Navattic, approach team expansion and resource allocation3. The challenges and realities of working in growth-focused roles within a smaller company contextThings to listen for:[00:47] Big swings Navattic is taking this year[01:40] Potential threats to their plan[02:33] Why going slower enables them to start faster[04:07] Their hiring process and when they’ll hire a new growth team member[06:30] The value of having a small team[06:58] Natalie and Raman’s top takeaways[07:33] Feeling like everyone else has it figured out[08:08] The realities of filming this series[08:25] The question Natalie and Raman hoped I’d askedResources:- Binge the whole series on the Delivering Value Substack- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn- Connect with Raman Khanna on LinkedIn- Connect with Natalie Marcotullio on LinkedIn- Learn more about Navattic