Disruptive CEO Nation

248 Is an Amazon Business for You? With Steven Pope, Founder of My Amazon Guy; Georgia, USA Steven Pope, widely known as "my Amazon guy," is a seasoned entrepreneur who transitioned from TV reporting to creating a 500-person agency focused on enhancing businesses' presence on Amazon. His unique perspective on Amazon delivery and ordering is shaped by his profound experience in e-commerce. He perceives Amazon Prime's delivery service as unrivaled in convenience and speed, thanks to its customer-centric approach and efficiency. He sees Amazon as a marketplace where many businesses can thrive due to high customer demand, though he notes not every business will succeed in this highly competitive platform. Steven believes that everyone can succeed on Amazon but cautions he has spent years learning the ins and outs that can keep you from stumbling when you take your own business down this path. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Native Born Amazon Brands are unique to the e-commerce world and exclusively exist on Amazon. - Sellers on Amazon face challenges like price pressure, Chinese competition, and changing rules by Amazon. - Amazon Prime's fast delivery service is discussed compared to Walmart and Target. - Setting big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) is crucial for overcoming growth challenges. - Replacing yourself in leadership is essential for scaling up and advancing in a leadership role. - Sticking to known expertise is crucial in business for sustained growth. Steven is the founder of My Amazon Guy, an agency with 20-million dollars in annual revenue and 400+ active brands. Steven is a best selling author with his book “Amazon Selling Tips.” Steven started his career as a TV reporter in Idaho, then was an eCommerce Director for 10 years for brands ranging from Gold & Silver Coins to Women’s Plus Size Clothing. Steven then created My Amazon Guy, an agency with 500+ employees on growing traffic and sales on Amazon. Steven not only owns MAG but also My Refund Guy, My Warehouse Guy, 4 Amazon Brands: Momstir & Age of Sage, HOLSTIT, and Lilly Posh. Steven has been viewed by millions of people on YouTube in thousands of videos where he shows how to handle ANY problem faced on Amazon. Connect with Steven: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-pope/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/myamazonguy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myamazonguys/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/myamazonguy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #AI #Bootstrapping #Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Radisson was introduced to us as a serial ‘unicorn breeder’ that we needed to talk with. Well, yes, he has over 20 years of experience in strategy, operations, and growth with global companies like Uber and Brazil's 99Taxis, but what we were really excited about was his passion for bringing frontline workers digital advancements so that they weren’t left behind and left out of the technology revolution that has improved the worklife of desk workers in the last five years. Jason is the founder of Movo, a platform designed to streamline processes for any ‘on their feet’ or ‘in the field’ workforce member by providing a flexible and better connected work experience. All with the goal to lead to productivity enhancements, employee satisfaction and reduction in turnover. Our conversations balanced lessons learned by Jason as a business builder as well as the ambitions of his latest work through Movo. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Motivation Behind Movo: Jason identified a significant gap in the market for digitizing frontline work, particularly for blue-collar workers who lacked the benefits of automation and connectivity seen in white-collar settings. - Value of Experience: Drawing from personal experiences, Jason stresses the importance of gaining industry experience before venturing into entrepreneurship. He suggests that learning from seasoned professionals can help avoid common pitfalls and accelerate growth. - Team Dynamics: A key aspect of Silicon Valley's success, according to Jason, lies in the team's ability to tackle any problem collectively. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a team culture where members feel empowered to solve challenges effectively. - Knowing the Value of Where You Come From: Jason shared how his humble beginnings led him to value education and seek out more in life. He explained how his drive was enriched by a self-funded education, a Fulbright scholarship, and graduate studies at Harvard. Jason Radisson started his career at McKinsey & Company, where he worked with the Firm’s top clients in Spain, Germany, and Latin America on high-profile, M&A, organizational design, and workforce projects. As a Regional General Manager at Uber, he launched and grew cities in the western US. He was then hired to run Brazil’s 99Taxis, where as COO he grew the business 10x on $50M in invested capital, and sold it to DiDi Chuxing for $1B, making it the most capital-efficient scale-up recorded by a gig marketplace. He is also a member of the Rappi-Mafia, where he was an early investor and helped the Rappi founders scale their Operations and Growth teams efficiently across Latin America. Today, more than 20 venture-backed CEOs are alumni of his earlier teams. Jason is passionate about using mobile technology and algorithms to empower and uplift the frontline workforce, which he believes is the foundation of the economy and society. He founded Movo to address the challenges and opportunities of digitizing this workforce, which is overlooked and underserved by the horizontal technology incumbents. Connect with Jason: Website: https://movo.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-radisson/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #FrontlineWorkers #AI #Bootstrapping #GlobalEntrepreneurship #LatinAmericaInsights #RideSharing #EntrepreneurialAdvice #MarketDynamics #HiringAutomation #ProductivityBoost #ExperiencedEntrepreneurs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shayna Solis is a creative soul applying her vision and dreams to shake up technology applications through her company Navteca. Focusing on emerging tech and IT innovation, like cloud, ML/AI, and virtual reality, Navteca develops technical solutions for government clients like NASA, NOAA, and the Spain Ministry of Tourism. Shayna's vision for Navteca extends beyond business success, aiming to leverage technology, particularly AI and data visualization, to address pressing global challenges like climate change. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Voice Atlas Revolutionizes Access to Knowledge: Navteca's Voice Atlas is a product born out of their exploration of natural language processing and AI. Initially piloted with NASA, Voice Atlas enables users to access designated knowledge bases securely and seamlessly through voice-enabled devices, revolutionizing information accessibility and usability. - A Twist on the Path to Being a Founder: Shayna's journey to becoming a tech entrepreneur wasn't linear. With a background in fine arts and a childhood dream of becoming a NASA astronaut, she emphasizes the value of multidisciplinary experiences in bringing fresh perspectives to the tech industry. Her eclectic inspirations from music, literature, and current affairs underscore her multifaceted approach to innovation and leadership. - Global Teams Cultivates Creativity: Despite being headquartered in Washington, DC, Navteca boasts a global team spanning across continents. Shayna underscores the importance of diversity and creativity within their team, fostering an environment where innovative ideas flourish. - Lessons in Entrepreneurship: Shayna shares candid insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship, from facing fears head-on to the importance of building and maintaining relationships, especially during tough times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. - Tech Ecosystem in Washington, DC: Contrary to misconceptions, Washington, DC, hosts a vibrant tech ecosystem, particularly in collaboration with government agencies. Shayna highlights the opportunities and benefits of being located in DC for tech entrepreneurs aiming to work with governmental and international organizations. Shayna Solis is the co-founder, CEO, and creative mastermind behind Navteca, a technology company with a focus on emerging technologies and IT innovation. For more than a decade, Navteca has created practical applications based on new and emerging technology to help fulfill customers' needs, solve real-world problems, and use technology for good through artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud technology, high-performance computing, platform engineering, virtual and augmented reality, and GIS data visualization. Solis is also the visionary behind Voice Atlas, a safe and secure conversational AI product tailored for government and enterprise use. Currently employed by entities such as the D.C. Government, NASA, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Voice Atlas facilitates insightful answers and knowledge across custom, curated databases. She is a graduate of Towson University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree with a dual concentration in English and Spanish. Connect with Shayna: Website: https://navteca.com/index.html LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaynasolis/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #aerospace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of coffee and business intersectionality with Cole Shepard, the founding partner of Legacy Group and the visionary behind Green Coffee Company, Colombia's largest coffee producer. Cole shares his journey, from merging asset management with agriculture to building a vertically integrated coffee empire emphasizing that it's the people that matter when it comes to building a successful enterprise Cole also highlights emerging opportunities in Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Argentina, offering valuable insights for business leaders eyeing an expansion in the region. Here are the highlights of our talk: -The Birth of Green Coffee Company: Cole shares the genesis of Green Coffee Company, highlighting its evolution from an asset management venture to Colombia's leading coffee producer. With a focus on consolidating coffee farms and enhancing infrastructure, Green Coffee Company has transformed into a vertically integrated powerhouse in the coffee industry. -Navigating Colombian Terrain: Cole's transition from a career in financial services to entrepreneurship in Colombia was met with skepticism. However, his keen eye for opportunity and the untapped potential of Colombia's coffee sector propelled him to leap despite initial challenges and language barriers. -Challenges and Triumphs: Building Green Coffee Company from the ground up was no easy feat. Cole reflects on the early struggles, from capital constraints to operational hurdles, and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. Despite the setbacks, strategic hiring and a relentless pursuit of excellence paved the way for success. -Impact on Local Communities: Green Coffee Company's expansion brought both excitement and skepticism among local communities. Cole shares anecdotes of how the company's investments in infrastructure and formal employment opportunities have transformed small towns like Salga, Colombia, offering residents new avenues for growth and prosperity. -Traceability and Sustainability: In an increasingly conscious consumer market, traceability and sustainability are paramount. Cole discusses Green Coffee Company's commitment to transparency, tracing coffee origins from farm to cup, and embracing sustainable practices to meet evolving consumer demands. Cole Shephard is the founding partner of the alternative investment firm, Legacy Group, and the founder and a board member at the Green Coffee Company, Colombia's largest coffee producer. With over 3,000 hectares of farmland, Green Coffee Company owns and operates 39 farms and manages over 11.5 million coffee trees. Cole is a PwC alum having worked in accounting, advisory, M&A and consulting across the United States, Bermuda, Hong Kong and Beijing, Cole is an expert in emerging markets and understanding the capital movements of high-net-worth investors. Legacy Group is a leading investment firm in Latin America with a strict focus on high-quality LATAM businesses for international high-net-worth & accredited investors that can produce outsized returns. Connect with Cole: Website: www.gcc-coffee.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-shephard-67b1a51a/ Instagram: @gcc.colombia Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #coffee #specialtycoffee #coffeeexporters #sustainableagriculture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the world of wine with Marian Leitner-Waldman, the founder and CEO of Archer Roose Wines. Join us as we explore the journey of building one of the fastest-growing and fun-loving wine companies in the U.S.  Self-proclaimed as a luxuriou-ish wine, canned to perfection, Archer Roose is female-founded and co-owned by Elizabeth Banks.  Marian provides insight into the evolving landscape of consumer preferences and behaviors and why we need this creative brand to bring joy to our lives from stadiums to movie theaters and from retail stores to having it shipped directly to your doorstep. Be a rebel and live by your own rules when it comes to your wine! -Redefining Wine Consumption: Archer Roose Wines is a brand focused on providing consumers with a better wine experience through innovative packaging and a commitment to quality, transparency, and sustainability. The brand's mission is to eliminate the internal conflict often associated with opening a full bottle of wine by offering single-serve packages that maintain freshness and reduce waste. -The Story Behind the Name: Archer Roose: Marian shares the creative inspiration behind the brand's name, which centers around a fun and quirky character named Archer Roose, representing adventure, boundary-pushing, and whimsy. The goal is to create a unique brand identity that stands out in a crowded market and resonates with consumers looking for authenticity and enjoyment in their wine experience. -Navigating Consumer Trends in the Wine Industry: Despite initial expectations of a shift towards e-commerce post-COVID, consumer behaviors have largely reverted, emphasizing the importance of in-person experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations. Consumers seek authenticity, connection, and transparency, challenging traditional marketing narratives. Leveraging omnichannel distribution, Archer Roose focuses on reaching consumers in diverse settings, from bars and restaurants to music venues and airlines, reflecting a shift towards experiential consumption rather than product-centric marketing. -Sustainably Produced Products: Archer Roose believes in low-intervention winemaking by partnering with wineries located within 20 miles of where the grapes are grown. They prefer vineyards that leverage solar energy and are a dry vineyard. They use no additives in the process and seek only to deliver the highest quality products. Marian Leitner-Waldman is a wine lover and adventurer who is passionate about bringing you great wines at an affordable price. Marian is the founder and CEO of Archer Roose Wines, one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the U.S. She is on a mission to democratize fine wine by making the wine industry more inclusive and leveraging format to fit the lifestyles of modern consumers. Her emmy-award winning commercials, starring business partner Elizabeth Banks, have been lauded by the San Francisco Chronicle as the "most innovative wine marketing around." Archer Roose has been recognized by Wine Spectator and the Beverage Tasting Institute. Her wines can be found in James Beard Award Winning restaurants, Target, Hannaford and JetBlue. Connect with Marian: Website: https://archerroose.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianleitner/  Instagram: @ArcherRooseWines Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO   #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Mautz, the celebrated author and keynote speaker, is well known for his competence in leadership training and the books he has authored, such as "Find the Fire," "Make It Matter," and "The Mentally Strong Leader". With a special focus on the mental strength aspect of leadership, Scott’s perspective is shaped by his belief in the necessity of self-regulation of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, to achieve productive outcomes despite unpredictable circumstances. In a rapidly evolving world marked by uncertainty, division, distraction, and fear, he emphasizes mental strength as an indispensable leadership superpower. The habits that underpin this strength, according to Scott, are vital for leaders to navigate challenges and lead effectively amidst adversity. His commitment to these principles is palpable in his coaching and training efforts, as well as in the wealth of free resources on his website. Here is some of what we discussed: - Mental Strength Defined: Mautz defines mental strength as the ability to self-regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors for productive outcomes, emphasizing its significance in today's uncertain and chaotic world. He highlights elements like fortitude, confidence, and positive messaging as key components of mental strength. - Impact of Remote Work: The shift to remote work has significantly impacted workplace dynamics, leading to increased insecurity and self-doubt among employees. Mautz discusses the challenges of maintaining connections and identity in a remote environment and the importance of self-assessment in building mental resilience. - Overcoming Indecision: Mautz addresses the prevalence of indecision in the workplace and its detrimental effects on productivity. He emphasizes the need to recognize one's baseline of mental strength and shares tools for overcoming indecision, such as setting time-bound parameters and accepting inevitabilities. - Decision-Making: How decision-making is a critical mental muscle for effective leadership. Mautz highlights common biases that affect decision-making, such as confirmation bias and sunk cost bias, and provides strategies for making informed and objective decisions. - Goal Focus: Maintaining focus on goals amidst distractions is essential for achieving success. Mautz introduces the concept of the "mental spotlight," a metaphorical tool for staying focused on priorities and avoiding distractions. He emphasizes the importance of simple habits in building mental strength and offers practical tips for enhancing goal focus. Scott Mautz is the CEO and Founder of Profound Performance™, a keynote, workshop, and training organization empowering business leaders to become better, more inspired versions of themselves. Scott is an award-winning bestselling author, a popular LinkedIn Learning course instructor, and a faculty member at Indiana University’s School of Business for Executive Education. His most recent book is The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors. Scott’s unique combination of corporate experience, research, storytelling techniques, comedy, and dynamic delivery engages both hearts and minds. Connect with Scott: Website: https://scottmautz.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmautz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCESjWJrnWegel9lAlhXDS3A Book on Amazon Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we delve into the world of the narrative economy and its profound implications for businesses. Our guest, Kristian Alomá, CEO of Threadline, offers insights into the power of storytelling, branding, and purposeful marketing. I have known Kristian for many years and I am always impressed by the wisdom and insights he brings to strategic business conversations. Is your team doing all it can to build meaningful connections with target audiences in today's dynamic landscape? See what Kristian thinks you should consider as you expand your brand. - Understanding the Narrative Economy: Kristian introduces the concept of the narrative economy, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding and marketing. Drawing from his background in psychology, he highlights the parallels between human relationships and brand-consumer connections, stressing the need for authenticity and emotional resonance. - Building Relationships with Brands: Kristian discusses how consumers form relationships with brands, mirroring the dynamics of interpersonal connections. By focusing on enhancing the customer experience and aligning with their values, businesses can foster loyalty and trust, transcending transactional interactions. - Know the Role of Purpose in Branding: Kristian emphasizes the significance of purpose-driven branding in today's market. He shares case studies, including Tony's Chocolonely, to illustrate how brands can align with social causes and advocate for positive change, resonating with socially conscious consumers. - Consider Narrative Design Principles: Kristian explores the core principles of narrative design, a framework rooted in narrative psychology. By understanding and shaping the stories that resonate with their audience, businesses can craft compelling brand narratives that engage and inspire, driving long-term relationships. - Know Trends in Marketing: Kristian reflects on current marketing trends, cautioning against a sole focus on virality over purpose and authenticity. He highlights the evolving expectations of consumers, particularly younger demographics, who prioritize brands that demonstrate social responsibility and ethical practices. Kristian is a seasoned storyteller and strategist who believes in harnessing the power of narrative psychology and social sciences to forge meaningful connections with audiences. Kristian has spent over 20 years enhancing major brands like Harley-Davidson and Coca-Cola and boosting nonprofit outreach with his marketing acumen.His brand strategy firm leverages his PhD in narrative psychology to develop impactful stories that engage stakeholders. A lecturer at the Kellogg SchoolCenter for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University and author of "Start with the Story," Kristian champions storytelling's role in brand building, especially for nonprofits. Committed to ethical communication, he contributes to the American Psychology Association and B Lab's Marketer’s Network. Connect with Kristian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianaloma/ Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Story-Brand-Building-Narrative-Economy/dp/1544537379/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YLBakXksk8A5MMPV7kuXBjmsP-l5rlzSwBEcMM64oxE.YHNJb5BblzS-UpuS7L4fiPpTucb9GCe9SzpGCQhFD9o&qid=1708439935&sr=8-1 Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clemence Sop is a global thinker and distinguished marketing expert renowned for her proficiency in data-driven strategies. As the current head of marketing innovation at InterSystems, Sop's proficiency in creating innovative campaigns that incorporate advanced technologies stands out. Her unique engineering-minded approach revolves around the use of data and algorithms to deliver personalized messages, adapting to the unique qualities of the targeted audience. Drawing from her life experience in Africa, Europe and the US, she emphasizes the need for understanding the evolving customer journey, mastering the art of identifying customer challenges, and offering personalized experiences. Even as she recognizes the role of AI tools in enhancing productivity and data interpretation, Sop warns against over-reliance on AI, advocating for the integration of a human touch in marketing to foster authentic relationships and stimulate word-of-mouth recommendations. Here are the highlights: – Innovation in Marketing: Creating disruptive campaigns that utilize the latest technologies to solve problems efficiently is crucial to effectively reach and engage customers in today's digital landscape. - Global Marketing Impact: Utilizing data-driven strategies in global markets is necessary for meeting customers' needs and building trust through content. By using AI tools for personalization and adjusting tone of voice for different cultures, marketers can navigate the evolving buyer's journey and create unique experiences that resonate with customers. - Innovation and Vision: These ideas are closely linked, with a leadership team playing a key role in guiding innovation towards tangible outcomes. Clemence also highlights diversity as crucial for fostering creativity and innovation, leading to more effective problem-solving and greater business success. - Entrepreneurial Passion: Clemence encourages early business leaders to embrace their unique value proposition, learn from mistakes, and continue growing. She says it’s important to believe in your product's unique value proposition, learn from mistakes, and keep growing by staying open to learning opportunities. Clemence Sop has built a career out of crafting disruptive strategies focused on reaching sales, social recruiting and go-to-market goals. Her career has taken her across Europe including offices in Monte Carlo, Germany and now the U.S. where she serves as Head of Marketing Innovation at InterSystems. InterSystems is the leading data technology provider for critical healthcare, finance, and logistics data. Its cloud-first data platforms solve global interoperability, speed, and scalability problems for large organizations. Connect with Clemence: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemence-sop/ Website: https://www.intersystems.com/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Sommer has spread her wings worldwide and is helping female founders crack the code to business success. Hive Founders is a global network supporting female founders in launching, funding, and scaling their businesses. The focus is on providing access to capital and building robust businesses to increase funding success; and the results are amazing. They are moving the needle from averaging funding levels of 2% up to 70% in some instances, proving that the right coaching and knowledge network pays off. As I always say, Andrea is someone to connect with and follow. Here is some of what we talked about: -Origins of Hive Founders: The initiative began as a collaborative support group when Andrea and a colleague, struggling with fundraising, realized the lack of representation for women in pitch events. This led to the creation of a network that has since grown to 2000 members globally. -The Investment Playbook: Hive Founders emphasizes building robust businesses through deep analysis and problem-solving. They support and teach women the fundraising process successfully, tailored to their needs and experiences. -PR and Personal Brand Management: Fundraising is compared to a performance where founders need to effectively communicate their vision. Andrea stresses the importance of founders being comfortable in the spotlight and authentic in their presentation. -Diversity of Founders: Hive Founders attracts founders from various industries, promoting diversity of perspectives and ideas. They believe good ideas can come from anywhere and encourage a generalist approach to entrepreneurship. -Trends and Sustainability: Andrea discusses the growing importance of sustainability in business performance, driven by legislative changes and investor interest. Businesses are focusing on sustainability as a performance improvement strategy. -Personal Approach and Advice: Andrea shares her personal approach to balancing work, family, and hobbies, emphasizing the importance of making the world better for future generations. She also advises embracing discomfort and viewing anxiety as excitement to seize new opportunities. Andrea is an entrepreneur, advisor, investor and strategist with global expertise in investment strategy, emerging technology, innovation, and strategic growth initiatives. She’s built four businesses in the technology space, including in analytics & event technology, femtech & wearables and HRtech. Before her entrepreneurial career, Andrea was Director of Strategic Initiatives Europe at Avanade, a joint venture between Accenture & Microsoft where she focused on growth and optimization projects and M&A. She also consulted for other technology brands including Microsoft in the US, South America and Europe. Connect with Andrea: Website: https://www.hivefounders.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrealsommer/ Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO #digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices