Not Another CEO Podcast

Godard Abel, Co-Founder and CEO of G2 and a seasoned force in the SaaS community, shares his wealth of experience. He emphasizes the critical importance of trusted co-founders and building a committed team. Godard recounts innovative strategies for gathering user feedback and the struggles G2 faced in Silicon Valley before finding success in Chicago. He also discusses leadership transitions, the challenges of recruiting top talent, and the impact of generative AI on software purchasing, all while reflecting on his family's entrepreneurial legacy.

Nick Cromydas, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Hunt Club, shares his journey from competitive tennis to tech entrepreneurship. He emphasizes hiring curious and passionate individuals, detailing how his all-hands meetings evolved to foster transparency and celebrate diverse voices. Nick discusses cultivating open communication, using an innovative interview approach called the 'life walk' to assess candidates' backgrounds. The conversation also touches on navigating growth and challenges during COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of relationships in business.

Joining the show this week is an entrepreneur with a passion for getting people into the tech industry. With over a decade spent trying to improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers, this guest is none other than the Co-Founder and CEO of Pursuit, Jukay Hsu. Jukay joins host David Politis to discuss his journey helping people get jobs in tech. Jukay examines the importance of having a mission-driven team, the challenges of going remote, and the importance of communal activity. He delves into adapting to change and how he sees AI affecting the workplace.  Takeaways:Helping people earn more. Pursuit's fellowship program helps individuals transition from low-wage jobs to successful careers in tech, increasing the average income of their fellows from $18,000 before Pursuit to over $90,000 at their first job after Pursuit. The impact of a mission-driven team. Pursuit’s mission is not one that can be achieved easily. Finding and hiring team members that share the same mission as Jukay helps keep his employees motivated and makes the payoff after successes even greater for all involved.Ease and struggles of going remote. While many were able to easily transition into a remote environment during Covid-19, some fellows asked to remain in person as they do not have the ability to continue from home. Jukay highlights how important it is to understand how much access to technology their community has outside of Pursuit.Technology changing industries. Jukay saw how technology was actively changing industries all over. He chose to focus his business on technology in order to make as big of an impact as he could.The need to veto experts as CEO. CEOs will often get guidance or opinions from many stakeholders before making decisions. It is important to remember that a stakeholder’s expertise in one field won’t always translate to a similar field or situation.People and AI. Jukay shares his thoughts on AI being introduced into the workplace. He points out that AI is just a tool and that people skills and problem solving in a business setting will be necessary no matter how much technology changes.Quote of the Show:“It doesn't feel like work. It just feels like things I'm interested in and care about, and solving things.” - Jukay HsuLinks:Twitter: https://x.com/jukayhsu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jukay/Website: https://www.pursuit.org/ Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 

In this talk, Alex Theuma, Founder and CEO of SaaStock, shares his journey in creating a thriving SaaS community. He emphasizes the transformative power of having an executive coach, especially during the challenges of COVID-19. Alex discusses the importance of community building and how SaaStock evolved from content creation to large-scale events. He also reflects on the risks of founder-led businesses and the significance of hiring mission-driven teams. Additionally, Alex opens up about balancing personal health and professional growth.

This week, Jeron Paul, Founder and CEO of Spiff and SVP of Product at Salesforce, shares his entrepreneurial journey after founding and selling multiple companies. He discusses the crucial role of assembling a strong executive team and the benefits of engaging headhunting firms. Jeron emphasizes the need for CEOs to be hands-on in product development to ensure scalability. He also explores navigating investor relationships and adapting to challenges faced by startups during financial uncertainties. His insights on balancing professional commitments with personal sacrifices provide a heartfelt look at the entrepreneur's journey.

Loren Castle, Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren's, shares her inspiring journey from surviving cancer to creating a successful allergen-free food brand available in over 25,000 stores. She discusses the importance of product quality in building trust and loyalty among customers. Loren emphasizes standing out in a crowded market through eye-catching packaging and effective branding. She reflects on overcoming challenges during crises, like the pandemic, and highlights the significance of authenticity and mentorship in her entrepreneurial journey.

John Fazzolari and Anthony Serina, co-founders of Revivin, discuss their inspiring journey from a makeshift office in a storage unit to leaders in IT hardware recycling. They emphasize the importance of resilience and a 'marathon mindset' in facing setbacks. With insights on culture building, they advocate for transparency and adaptability in team dynamics. They also highlight the freedom that bootstrapping offers, allowing them to grow their company on their terms while embracing personal experiences that shaped their entrepreneurial spirit.

Tony Safoian, CEO of SADA, transformed his family's small business into a leading cloud consulting firm. He shares how focusing on a niche early propelled his success while managing growth without external funding kept SADA disciplined. The discussion highlights strategic decision-making and the importance of adaptability as companies evolve. Tony also reflects on his early life in Soviet Armenia, his shift from a traditional career path to tech entrepreneurship, and the significance of instilling a strong work ethic in the next generation.

Nick Mehta, CEO of Gainsight, is a SaaS expert committed to customer success and building strong company cultures. He discusses the vital role of authentic leadership and the importance of defining core company values. Mehta emphasizes community-building as a cornerstone for genuine customer relationships. He shares insights on hiring effective executive assistants, illustrating their impact on productivity. Moreover, he reveals how childhood experiences shaped his tech career and the journey toward embracing authenticity in leadership.