How do you build something meaningful without losing yourself in the process?
In this episode, David talks with Betsy Fore, Co-Founder and former CEO of Tiny Organics and Founding Partner of Velveteen Ventures. Betsy shares her remarkable journey from toy inventor to serial entrepreneur and impact investor, becoming the first Native American woman to raise a Series A along the way.
She opens up about co-creating Tiny Organics alongside 100 founding families, facing setbacks like her unaired Shark Tank appearance, and learning to redefine success through purpose and presence. Betsy also reflects on the lessons that shaped her new book, Built on Purpose, blending practical entrepreneurship with spiritual grounding and a values-driven approach to leadership.
Now, through her venture fund and nonprofit, Betsy is focused on investing in solutions that uplift communities, children, and the planet, showing that business can be both profitable and deeply purposeful.
Takeaways:
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#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #TinyOrganics #VelveteenVentures
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:26 Building Tiny Organics with Founding Families
07:47 From Tiny Organics to National Recognition
08:34 Lessons from a Previous Venture
13:51 Shark Tank Experience
19:18 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape
25:07 Securing Initial Funding and Building a Strong Advisory Board
26:15 Realizing the Importance of Giving Back
27:55 Founding Natives Rising and Healing Through NLP
29:20 Investing in Underrepresented Founders
31:39 Writing 'Built on Purpose' and the Power of Manifestation
35:38 Inspiring Stories from Native American Founders
38:21 Launching a Venture Fund with a Purpose
41:26 From Rural Illinois to International Success
49:35 The Importance of Self-Compassion for Founders
50:35 Outro
How do you scale exceptional customer support without losing the human touch?
In this episode, David sits down with Ryan Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Assembled, to explore this very challenge. What started as a simple scheduling tool has evolved into an AI-powered customer support platform trusted by leading companies like DoorDash and Salesforce.
Ryan opens up about the realities of scaling a fast-growing company, balancing innovation with culture, leading through learning, and keeping mission and execution at the heart of everything. His insights offer a playbook for founders and leaders aiming to build resilient, adaptable organizations.
Takeaways:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Assembled
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Deep Dive into Leadership and Management
04:25 Networking with Industry Leaders
09:12 Balancing Multiple Roles as CEO
15:31 Transition to CEO Role
23:33 Evolution of Assembled's Product
29:13 Running Through Y Combinator
30:28 Demo Days and Team Dynamics
32:16 Staying on Top of Rapid Changes
35:53 The Concept of Moat in Business
40:22 Adapting to AI and Cultural Challenges
45:09 Future Vision for Assembled
47:42 Personal Background and Influences
52:45 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
55:15 Outro
How can founders build companies that scale without burning themselves out in the process?
In this episode, Noah Shanok, Founder and former CEO of Stitcher, reflects on his entrepreneurial journey leading one of the earliest podcast platforms, which ultimately sold to SiriusXM for $325 million. He shares candid lessons from the early days of Stitcher, navigating sleepless nights, hiring versatile early employees, and learning from missteps along the way.
Noah also discusses how his time at Amazon influenced his approach to structured hiring, why prioritizing personal well-being is critical for long-term effectiveness, and how founders can overcome imposter syndrome. Now working as a coach to entrepreneurs, he brings a unique perspective on balancing growth with sustainability, drawing on both successes and challenges from his own journey.
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Stitcher
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:42 The Importance of Hiring a Versatile Team Member
02:24 Finding the Right Person for the Job
07:00 Lessons from Amazon's Hiring Process
13:29 Stitcher's Early Business Development Deals
21:37 Challenges and Realities of Strategic Partnerships
26:53 Coaching Founders: Common Challenges and Solutions
32:29 Transformative Changes and New Habits
33:13 The Impact of Prioritizing Self-Care
37:50 The Power of CEO Support Systems
38:24 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
45:24 Lessons from Stitcher: Timing and Market Dynamics
48:58 The Drive to Build and Help Others
51:50 The Importance of Mentors and Advisors
57:25 The Need for a Support System for CEOs
59:38 Advice for Founders
1:00:58 Outro
Do you know how essential a support system is for a CEO? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David discusses the often overlooked, yet critical support necessary for CEO success.
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #OctoberCEOPulse
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:53 The Importance of a CEO Support System
03:57 Key Components of a CEO Support System
05:10 The Role of Co-Founders and Key Executives
07:33 The Value of Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff
09:24 Leveraging Board Members and Advisors
14:38 The Importance of Therapists and Personal Relationships
19:16 The Power of CEO Peer Networks
21:27 Outro
What can founders learn from an entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and exited multiple companies while reshaping an entire city’s startup ecosystem?
In this episode, David Cummings, Founder and CEO of Atlanta Ventures, reflects on his journey building ten companies, including Pardot, which sold to ExactTarget for $95 million, and investing in some of Atlanta’s most successful startups like Calendly and SalesLoft. He shares the guiding principles that shaped his entrepreneurial path, from building a culture-first company to navigating the realities of bootstrapping, scaling, and liquidity events.
David also opens up about his role in transforming Atlanta’s tech landscape through Atlanta Tech Village and his ambitious project to redevelop South Downtown into a vibrant startup district. Along the way, he offers candid advice for founders on leadership, resilience, and blending work with life in a sustainable way.
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #AtlantaVentures
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:44 Early Challenges and Successes at Pardot
02:24 Building a Strong Company Culture
03:02 Product Vision and Customer Focus
05:55 Transition from Doer to Leader
12:49 Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising
20:34 The ExactTarget Acquisition
31:08 Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Liquidity
36:52 Understanding Startup Valuations
38:09 Building a Winning Team at Pardot
41:17 Investing in Founders with the Right Attributes
43:29 The Atlanta Tech Village Journey
51:44 Revitalizing Downtown Atlanta
01:00:56 David's Entrepreneurial Beginnings
01:06:57 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family
01:10:36 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
01:12:50 Outro
THE FIRST EPISODE OF INVESTORS UNFILTERED!
What do venture capitalists really look for in founders, and how can CEOs build strong, lasting relationships with their investors? In this episode, Chip Hazard, Co-Founder and General Partner at Flybridge, offers an inside look at how VCs think about evaluating founders, funding opportunities, and long-term partnerships. He shares the traits that consistently stand out and explains how these factors matter as much as business metrics, especially in the early stages.
Chip also unpacks the evolution of fundraising, from vision-driven early rounds to later stages where metrics and revenue quality become critical. He reflects on the dynamics of board relationships, the importance of clear alignment on strategy, and why constructive feedback and ongoing communication are vital to scaling effectively.
Takeaways:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Flybridge
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:11 The Key Traits of Successful Founders
04:09 Assessing Founders Beyond the Pitch
06:04 Stages of Investment and What VCs Look For
15:36 Working with Founders Post-Investment
22:08 The Importance of External Perspectives
25:52 Challenges in Board Dynamics
30:37 Aligning with Venture Capitalists
37:55 Geographical Differences in Startups
40:13 Reflections and Regrets in Venture Capital
43:18 The Passion for Investing
45:47 Outro
What does it take to reinvent an entire industry that’s been rooted in tradition for decades? In this episode, Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, shares his journey from corporate consulting to transforming the floral business.
Michael explains how he grew a single 3,000-square-foot location into a $9 million operation by modernizing systems, cutting inefficiencies from the supply chain, and infusing emotion into every part of the customer experience. He also reflects on the challenges of scaling in a traditional industry, the decision to franchise, and the importance of mentorship, high standards, and culture in building a business that lasts.
Takeaways:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #FrenchFlorist
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:38 Transformative Leadership and Infusing Emotion
03:22 Building a Culture of Love and Excellence
08:25 Hiring for Values and Unconventional Interviews
14:51 The Origin Story of French Florist
19:19 Initial Challenges and Early Improvements
24:36 Revolutionizing the Floral Industry with Technology
31:43 Revenue Growth and Optimization
33:15 Supply Chain Innovations
35:15 Direct Importing from Farms
37:36 Challenges in the Floral Industry
40:28 Franchising and Expansion
48:18 Personal Reflections and Motivation
1:01:01 Outro
How can CEOs stay adaptable while leading through pivots, growth, and constant change? In this episode, Scott Voigt, Founder and CEO of Fullstory, shares his journey from a failed first product to creating the leading digital analytics platform used by thousands of companies worldwide.
Scott dives into the tough realities of leadership, from making difficult people decisions to evolving as a CEO as the company scales. He opens up about the power of storytelling in fundraising and leadership, the importance of mental well-being, and the lessons he’s learned from being an early builder in Atlanta’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Fullstory
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:36 The Biggest Impactful Decision at Fullstory
03:35 The Challenges and Lessons of Letting People Go
08:38 Hiring Philosophy and Interview Techniques
18:56 The Importance of Storytelling as a CEO
24:54 Fundraising Journey and Product Pivot
33:38 Reflecting on the Early Struggles
37:14 The Importance of Team Chemistry
43:28 Navigating the Atlanta Tech Scene
48:20 Biggest Challenges and Lessons Learned
51:01 Future Vision for Fullstory
57:15 Personal Reflections and Advice
01:07:53 Outro
How do you scale a global company while transforming an industry as traditional as law?
In this episode, Max Junestrand, Co-Founder and CEO of Legora, shares how he’s building the world’s first truly collaborative AI platform for legal services.
Max reflects on his unconventional path from engineer to entrepreneur, what it took to win over law firms as an outsider, and why ambition and adaptability matter more than experience in fast-scaling environments. He also opens up about navigating hypergrowth, hiring with intention, and the cultural values that drive Legora’s mission to reshape how legal work gets done.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Legora
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:41 Founding and Early Challenges
02:42 Sales Strategy and Growth
06:40 Building a Strong Team
13:55 Global Expansion
29:43 Expanding Beyond Local Markets
31:13 Challenges of Going Global
33:40 Product Development and Iteration
37:08 Competing with Industry Giants
42:43 YC Experience and Early Challenges
49:52 Personal Background and Motivation
1:00:48 Outro
Ever wondered what to consider when hiring your first key employees beyond the founding team? Or what are the secrets to successful fundraising for startups? In this solo episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David shares his insights from CEO gatherings, trends he’s noticed in the community, and a recent family trip that emphasizes the importance of origin stories.
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #AugustCEOPulse
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:55 Hiring Your Founding EA
13:08 Fundraising Isn’t Fair
18:55 The Importance of Origin Stories
23:55 Outro
What does it take to build and scale a company while staying grounded in your values? In this episode, Flint Lane reflects on his journey founding and growing Billtrust and coming out of retirement to start Major League Table Tennis. He shares lessons on resilience, leadership, and the balance between personal integrity and business success.
Flint also discusses the challenges of navigating growth, what he has learned about himself along the way, and the importance of staying true to purpose even in difficult times.
Takeaways:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #MajorLeagueTableTennis
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:23 Flint Lane's New Venture: Major League Table Tennis
01:56 The Importance of Stacking Wins
04:06 Effective Communication and Decision Making
06:30 The Role of Transparency in Leadership
14:51 Hiring the Right People
21:06 The Evolution of Executive Teams
27:17 The Importance of a Strong Board
31:53 Navigating the Startup Journey
33:19 The Decision to Go Public
36:34 The Acquisition Process
39:06 Cybersecurity Crisis
43:54 Transition to Major League Table Tennis
49:33 Reflections on Entrepreneurship
56:46 Final Thoughts and Advice
57:48 Outro
How does an aspiring product leader transition to the helm of a successful tech company? In this episode, Nick Patrick shares his unique perspective on leadership and growth in the tech industry.
Nick discusses critical insights on how Radar's unique product strategy, company culture, and operational practices have driven their success.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Radar
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:12 The Impact of Multi-Product Strategy
03:16 Challenges and Management of Multi-Product Approach
07:43 Product Involvement and Team Structure
12:30 Customer-Centric Engineering
14:42 In-Person Collaboration and Office Culture
19:52 Founding Radar and Early Challenges
28:36 Fundraising Journey and Investor Relations
34:55 Navigating Business Through Uncertain Times
35:47 Adapting to Market Changes and Setting Expectations
38:20 Cultural Shifts and Social Issues
41:21 Future Vision for Radar
43:24 Personal Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit
47:38 Balancing Work and Family Life
51:03 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
54:25 Outro
What happens when you jump from a career in finance to tackling the beauty industry? In this episode, Natalie Mackey shares her reflections on building Winky Lux, from bootstrapping to private equity.
She opens up about the importance of core values, the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, and the lessons she learned navigating through different growth stages.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #WinkyLux
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:23 Core Values and Company Culture at Winky Lux
11:28 The Importance of Customer Feedback
24:38 Challenges and Insights in Fundraising
33:32 The High Stakes of Venture Capital
35:06 The Changing Landscape of Entrepreneurship
36:37 The Role and Structure of YPO
40:00 Challenges and Resilience in Business
45:03 Future Prospects for Winky Lux
48:17 The Journey from Finance to Entrepreneurship
51:27 Mentorship and Community Support
59:11 Final Reflections and Advice
1:00:55 Outro
What does it take to leave a high-profile role at Tesla and start your own electric vehicle company? In this episode, David talks with Toby Kraus, Co-Founder and CEO of Lightship, about his journey from working on Tesla’s Model S to building an innovative electric RV startup.
Toby shares insights on taking big risks, scaling early teams, and navigating the challenges of a hardware business in the EV space. They dive into lessons learned at Tesla, the importance of building trust with investors, and the unique market opportunity Lightship is chasing.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Lightship
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:46 The Importance of a Co-Founder Coach
02:28 Building a Strong Co-Founder Relationship
07:15 The Tesla Connection
14:38 Raising Capital During COVID
16:20 Challenges of Hardware Startups
24:00 Demonstrating Commercial Traction
26:50 Sales and Marketing Strategy
28:22 Hiring for Innovation
30:05 The Importance of Interviewing Candidates
30:39 Understanding the Common Failure Mode
32:02 The Value of Authentic Motivation
33:38 Emotional Runway vs. Cash Runway
34:31 Challenges in Building Lightship
37:38 Managing a Growing Team
40:40 Relinquishing Control and Trusting Your Team
44:00 Future Vision for Lightship
50:03 Balancing Work and Family Life
56:41 Reflecting on the Journey
58:21 Outro
What does it take to drive significant transformation in a tech company? In this episode, David interviews Bryan Murphy, the seasoned entrepreneur and current CEO of Smartling. Murphy shares insights into his strategic decision to integrate AI rapidly at Smartling, the challenges faced in execution, and the creation of a separate R&D function to innovate without disrupting core operations.
Murphy discusses his approach to leadership, the impact of meeting with hundreds of customers, and the critical role of operational discipline. Additionally, he reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, from his early ventures to his mentoring experiences and the factors driving his unyielding ambition.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Smartling
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:36 Embracing AI at Smartling
02:43 Implementing AI in a Production Environment
07:29 Customer-Centric Innovation
11:01 Understanding Customer Needs
24:25 Balancing Leadership and Involvement
31:37 Weekly Operating Rhythm
33:58 Strategic Planning and Key Initiatives
35:43 Balancing Focus and Resources
48:52 The Importance of Mentorship
51:40 Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Journey
54:06 Outro
What’s it really like to build a SaaS company from scratch, not just once but twice? In this episode, David talks to Thomas Pedersen, the serial entrepreneur who co-founded OneLogin and now leads Bunny, a bootstrapped billing platform for B2B SaaS.
Thomas also opens up about co-founding two companies with his brother, surviving a major security breach, and how he’s approaching company-building differently this time around.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
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Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #bunny
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:32 Building Bunny: Lessons from OneLogin
02:39 Team Dynamics and Hiring Strategies
05:59 Working with Family: A Brother's Partnership
10:55 Remote Work and Company Culture
16:40 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital
23:37 Marketing and Personal Branding
28:46 Passion for Solving Business Problems
31:21 The Importance of Solving Business Problems
31:38 Challenges and Solutions in Billing
33:24 Early Days of OneLogin
33:40 Building SAML Integrations
36:20 Acquiring First Customers for Bunny
37:35 The Role of Design Partners
41:28 Handling Security Breaches
45:04 Transparency and Customer Trust
48:09 Future of Bunny
50:46 Entrepreneurial Journey and Background
54:45 Mentorship
59:13 Advice to His Younger Self
01:03:04 Outro
Do you know the key factors for successful leadership in high growth tech companies? In this episode, CEO of commercetools Andrew Burton shares his extensive experience in building and scaling tech companies.
With over 25 years in the industry, Burton details his approach to leadership since becoming CEO of commercetools in 2024. He emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining customer focus, building strong team culture, and aligning company goals.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #commercetools
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:58 The Importance of Customer-Centric Leadership
04:21 Engaging with Customers: Strategies and Insights
09:36 Aligning Company Mission and Team Goals
13:10 Defining the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
17:50 Building Trust and Credibility as a New CEO
23:15 Strategic Planning and Measuring Success
31:50 Monthly Cadence and Operational Efficiency
33:05 Reflections on Planning and Offsite Meetings
34:50 Journey to Becoming a CEO
35:58 Curiosity and Leadership
43:44 Mentorship and Influences
46:24 Hiring and Growth Mindset
51:43 Future of Commerce Tools
53:36 Personal Background and Motivation
56:59 Work-Life Balance and Career Advice
01:01:48 Outro
What happens when you commit to shipping a podcast episode every week for an entire year? In this solo episode, David Politis reflects on 12 months of building Not Another CEO Podcast, from humble beginnings to an ever-growing audience of Founders, CEOs, and leaders.
David shares 10 of his favorite highlights from the journey so far, covering everything from guest stories and personal milestones to the behind-the-scenes evolution of the show. This episode is a heartfelt thank-you to the community that has grown around the podcast and a look ahead at what’s next.
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #Podcast #1YearReflection
What does it take to transform a scrappy logistics startup into a leading supply chain platform trusted by Fortune 500 brands? In this episode, Sean Henry shares the story of founding Stord, dropping out of college to build it, and scaling a distributed logistics network from zero to national reach.
He opens up about fundraising setbacks, building conviction in tough moments, keeping customer experience front and center, and navigating the pressure of rapid growth while staying anchored in purpose.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Stord
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:49 The Importance of Customer Obsession
05:44 Hiring for Customer Obsession
10:19 Scaling and Company Culture
21:30 Early Challenges and Pivots
39:26 The Rise and Fall of the Trucking Network
40:23 Navigating Hard Decisions and Growth
42:50 Investor Relations and Fundraising Journey
44:11 Mentorship and Early Influences
45:33 Strategic Partnerships and Business Alignment
51:23 Overcoming Challenges and Turning Points
56:10 Future Vision and Expansion Plans
01:03:51 Personal Background and Entrepreneurial Spirit
01:13:14 Advice to His Younger Self
1:14:40 Outro
What can you learn from someone who built and sold multiple enterprise startups, led teams through acquisitions, and now mentors the next generation of Founders? In this episode, Ellen Rubin shares lessons from her journey as a serial Founder and now Operating Partner at Glasswing Ventures.
She talks about building strong cultures, nurturing early career talent, supporting women in tech, and helping startups avoid hype in favor of real-world value. From lunch-and-learns to boardroom decisions, Ellen reflects on what it takes to grow people and companies with clarity and purpose.
Takeaways:
Quote of the Show:
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Causely
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:45 Key to Startup Success: Building the Right Team
03:08 Exposing Team Members to the Bigger Picture
06:08 Encouraging Curiosity and Engagement
09:45 Supporting Women in Technology
15:03 Challenges in the Tech Industry
17:50 The Boston Tech Ecosystem
21:37 Importance of Local Community in Remote Work Era
27:08 Customer Engagement and Feedback
30:07 Effective Operating Rhythms
35:23 Lessons from Amazon
37:50 Navigating the M&A Process
38:31 Deciding the Right Time to Sell
40:59 Taking Calls from Corporate Development
44:30 The AI Revolution: A 70-Year Overnight Sensation
46:00 The Role of AI in Modern Enterprises
01:01:58 The Importance of Mentorship
01:06:25 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family
01:09:13 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1:10:27 Outro