Innovation and Leadership with Jess Larsen

In this episode of ‘Innovation & Leadership’, Jess Larsen and co-host Terrell Maze welcome former MLB player Brant Walker shares his journey from the baseball diamond to private equity operations. Discover the key lessons he learned during his transition and how his experience as a professional athlete has shaped his leadership style in the business world,Discover the parallels between leading a sports team and managing a business, and learn how to apply these principles to your own career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raising $620 million at a $6.8 billion valuation is a remarkable achievement for any company. In this episode of Innovation & Leadership, Jeff Shiner, CEO of 1Password, takes us behind the scenes of the company's record-breaking fundraise. Discover the strategies employed to attract top-tier investors, from demonstrating strong growth and profitability to leveraging strategic partnerships and celebrity endorsements. Whether you're a startup founder or an established business leader, this interview is a masterclass in successful fundraising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Mini-series ‘Hollywood Explained,seasoned producers Laura Walker Lee and Andy Horowitz share their playbook for thriving in Hollywood's new normal. Learn about the key strategies they employ to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the industry, from developing compelling content to building strong relationships with talent and studios. Discover the importance of adaptability, creativity, and resilience in an ever-changing landscape. Gain practical insights and tips for aspiring producers and investors looking to make their mark in Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what it takes to build a top M&A firm from scratch? Jordan Wagner shares the incredible story behind growing Exit Group to over $5 billion in closed deals. Discover the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons learned on his entrepreneurial journey and learn how customer concentration, recurring revenue, and management team impact the multiples you can command when selling your business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Implementing AI in an organization is no easy feat. Today’s guest on ‘Innovation & Leadership’, Robb Wilson, who has worked with Fortune 500 companies on their AI strategies, shares lessons learned from the trenches. Discover common pitfalls to avoid, best practices for AI adoption, and how to foster a culture of innovation. Learn how to start small, iterate rapidly, and scale successfully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jess Larsen welcomes co-host Laura Walker Lee and guest Wolf Ruzicka, Chairman of EastBanc Technologies, reveals how his company helped transform The Washington Post from a legacy media company into a software powerhouse. Learn the step-by-step process they used and how it can be applied to enterprises in any industry looking to own their digital destiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, get an inside look at how IdeaScale uses generative AI across multiple business functions as we join Jess Larsen and the CEO of IdeaScale. Nick shares specific tactics like training prompts that you can implement today to start seeing efficiency gains and discusses how to leverage metrics to guide a business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go behind the scenes of Trevor Blake's biotech companies as he discusses his mission to develop cancer treatments with reduced side effects at lower costs. Learn about the challenges and breakthroughs in his work to make a positive impact, how he sold his biotech company for over $100 million and his unique "hub model" that leverages vendors and contractors can help you grow your business faster and more efficiently. $500 discount code for Jess Larsen Show On Innovation and Leadership listeners.  Use code JessL at www.trevorgblake.com/begin To learn more about Trevor: https://www.trevorgblake.com/ https://www.facebook.com/trevorgblaketgb https://www.facebook.com/TrevorGBlake https://www.facebook.com/groups/successwithbalance https://www.instagram.com/trevorgblaketgb/ https://twitter.com/@TrevorGBlake https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorgblake/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen in an insightful discussion with Rob Finlay, a seasoned expert in commercial real estate and Proptech, as he unveils key strategies from his vast experience and his new book "Beyond the Building." Rob shares his journey from founding and exiting five significant Proptech companies to leading Thirty Capital, a company with a diversified real estate portfolio. Rob emphasizes the importance of generating 'Alpha' through unique insights and operational excellence, adapting to the challenges of rising interest rates and inflation, and the pivotal role of data analytics in differentiating properties in the competitive real estate market. Discover how leveraging technology and adopting a customer-centric approach can revolutionize property management, investment, and operational success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get an exclusive look behind the scenes of Celebrity Cruises' groundbreaking Edge Series ships. Host Jess Larsen welcomes former President & CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo reveals how this $1 billion per ship investment revolutionized the brand and the industry. From infinite verandas to magic carpets, learn about the innovative features that have set a new standard in modern luxury cruising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Levinsohn, former CEO of Yahoo and Sports Illustrated, shares his journey from small-town New Jersey to leading iconic media brands. Discover how he navigated transformative industry shifts by hiring great teams and staying endlessly curious. Ross offers candid insights on the creator economy, work-life balance as a CEO, and the future of media consumption. An inspiring conversation for anyone seeking to future-proof their career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lorien Gabel, CEO of Figment, discusses the growing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Learn about the role of staking infrastructure providers like Figment in enabling large token holders to participate in network security and governance. Lorien also shares his thoughts on the regulatory landscape and the future of institutional involvement in the space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in as Jess Larsen interviews Rob Ferguson, a seasoned former CEO and business advisor, who shares invaluable lessons from his career. Rob delves into his journey of leading companies through significant growth phases, the challenges of raising $350 million in capital, and the nuances of transitioning between public and family-owned businesses. Discover the strategies that propelled companies to valuations of up to $400 million, and learn the importance of investor relations, strategic communication, and exit planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen as he chats with Itamar Zur, co-founder and CEO of Veho, a company revolutionizing e-commerce delivery by enhancing customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Learn about Veho's journey to a $1.6 billion valuation, fueled by over $300 million in funding and a customer-obsessed approach inspired by Amazon. This conversation offers a deep look into the strategies that have propelled Veho to success and how they plan to continue transforming the e-commerce shipping landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen in an conversation with Steve Lucas, former CEO of Marketo and current CEO of Boomi, an influential figure in the tech industry. Uncover Steve's vast career journey, from pivotal roles at SAP and Salesforce.com to leading Marketo through exponential growth and its eventual sale to Adobe for $4.8 billion. Gain unique insights into his leadership philosophy, influenced by industry titans like Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, and learn the importance of maintaining the right focus in conversations, the power of data over value judgments, and the critical role of vision in driving success. Steve also shares his experiences with innovative companies like Drift and Boomi, showcasing his engagement with cutting-edge chat and API technologies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen in an enriching dialogue with Joseph Shalaby, the visionary CEO of E Mortgage Capital, who shares the remarkable story of becoming the number one non-deployed mortgage banker in the U.S. Explore how E Mortgage Capital’s distinctive business model, combining independence and scalability, has led to unprecedented success and growth across 37 states. Discover Joseph’s strategic shift towards branding and thought leadership, aimed at cementing the company’s industry dominance. Learn about the crucial role of technology in revolutionizing the mortgage process, with AI significantly enhancing loan processing efficiency. Joseph also delves into the importance of podcasts and social media for CEOs to establish themselves as industry influencers. Whether you're interested in the dynamics of mortgage banking, the impact of technology on the industry, or strategies for business growth, this conversation offers invaluable insights into achieving success in the competitive mortgage landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen delves into the heartwarming and transformative journey of Caroline Boudreaux, founder of the Miracle Foundation. This episode uncovers how a life-changing experience in India led Caroline to redefine the child welfare system internationally. Discover the foundation’s pivot from improving orphanages to advocating for family and kinship care, aiming to ensure every child grows up in a loving, supportive environment. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in innovative solutions to child welfare and the power of reinvention for a greater cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen for an engaging conversation with Hooman Shahidi, co-founder of EVPassport, exploring how they're revolutionizing EV charging. Discover the mission, innovations, and exceptional growth journey of EVPassport, a company at the forefront of providing seamless electric vehicle charging solutions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This in-depth discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at EVPassport's approach to making EV charging accessible and straightforward, their successes, operational strategies, and the future of electric mobility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Innovation Leadership, Jess Larsen is joined by Earl Foote, the visionary founder of Nexus IT. Discover the remarkable 25-year journey of Nexus IT from its nascent stages to becoming a leader in the tech industry. Earl shares the evolution of his company, the pivotal role of leadership, culture, and the constant pursuit of innovation in navigating the competitive landscape of technology. Gain insights into the challenges and triumphs that shaped Nexus IT, and Earl's valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jess Larsen as he engages with real estate veteran, Mike Shapiro, who shares his journey from Chicago's trading floors to pioneering strategies in the real estate world. Michael discusses how seizing opportunities at the right time, focusing on asset management, and a unique educational approach to serving clients propelled his agencies to a staggering $7 billion in volume. Discover the role of consumer-centric marketing and providing value through information, shaping the way agents and clients interact in the real estate market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices