In this episode of Tech Scenes, we take a ride with Robyn Ward, the CEO of FounderForward. Robyn shares her passion for empowering high-impact entrepreneurs and executives by cultivating exceptional leadership within themselves and their teams. With 20 years of experience working at high-growth companies and expertise in positive psychology, performance science, and conscious leadership, Robyn is redefining how leaders and teams scale and succeed. FounderForward’s transformative work has guided teams at companies like Ritual, Ordermark, and Alloy Financial. Robyn’s journey includes launching the strategic investment arm of United Talent Agency, where she drove investments in standout companies like Patreon and Thrive Market. As a mentor, advisor, and teacher at USC, Robyn is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the tech ecosystem and amplifying female founders and leaders. In this episode, Robyn and Jeff James Martin discuss empowering leadership frameworks, strategies for overcoming personal barriers, and the art of upscaling leadership teams for high growth. Robyn also reflects on her time building venture at UTA, shares insights on creating empowered teams, and explores the challenges and rewards of working with next-generation leaders. Key Takeaways: FounderForward focuses on cultivating exceptional leadership in high-growth teams. Robyn’s leadership combines extensive business experience with performance science. Empowering teams and leaders requires removing personal barriers to growth. Building empowered teams fosters innovation and resilience in high-pressure environments. Mentorship and diversity are essential for creating an inclusive tech ecosystem. High-growth leadership demands adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning. Chapters: Introduction to Robyn Ward and FounderForward Empowering Leadership Frameworks for Teams Building Venture at United Talent Agency Overcoming Personal Barriers to Growth Strategies for Upscaling Leadership Teams Mentorship and Increasing Diversity in Tech Reflections on Empowered Teams and Leadership Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes. Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #leadership #FounderForward #RobynWard #entrepreneurship #ceo #diversity #inclusion #highgrowth #teambuilding

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we sit down with Paul Singh, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Results Junkies. With a mission to invest in 200 companies across North America each year, Paul and his team travel coast-to-coast, engaging with startup ecosystems in cities that are often overlooked by traditional venture capitalists. His approach is a unique blend of "tech possibilities" and "main street realities," creating a diversified portfolio that reflects both cutting-edge technology and everyday businesses.

Paul’s entrepreneurial journey spans from his early days selling websites in high school to building a successful data center business, co-founding 500 Global, and developing an investment philosophy that emphasizes execution, transparency, and adaptability. In this episode, he and Jeff Martin explore the nuances of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of building a company—not just a product—and using data to drive investment decisions.

From the iterative process of experimentation in business to the evolving roles of founders and the impact of technology, Paul provides invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, investment strategy, and the mindset required to navigate today’s dynamic business landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship is a mix of execution and luck, and starting small can lead to significant growth.
• Transparency in leadership fosters collaboration and innovation.
• Building relationships and investing time can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Continuous iteration and experimentation are essential to discovering what works in business.
• Founders’ roles evolve as companies grow; adaptability is key.
• Using data to drive decisions is crucial for investment success.
• Access to the right deals is a competitive advantage in venture capital.
• Focusing on building a sustainable company, not just a sellable product, leads to lasting impact.

Chapters:

• Introduction and Early Connections
• The Journey Begins: Early Entrepreneurship
• Growth and Transformation of a Business
• Navigating Transparency and Collaboration in Business
• Transitioning to Investment and Future Endeavors
• The Evolution of Data Centers and Angel Investing
• Founding 500 Global: A New Venture
• Prioritizing Fun and Profit in Business
• The Importance of Time, Money, and Energy
• Operator, Owner, and Investor Mindsets
• The Distinction Between Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Embracing Entrepreneurship Over Innovation
• The Importance of Building a Company, Not Just a Product
• The Dialing-In Process: Experimentation and Iteration
• The Evolving Role of Founders in Growing Companies
• The Impact of Technology on Company Size and Structure
• The 5% Rule: Winning by Being Less Worse
• Moneyball for Startups: Data-Driven Decision Making

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #entrepreneurship #PaulSingh #ResultsJunkies #500Global #data #investment #startupculture #founderjourney #leadership

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we sit down with Rathna Sharad, the founder and CEO of FlavorCloud, a cross-border shipping platform that’s transforming the logistics landscape for direct-to-consumer brands. Drawing on her 20+ years of experience in global supply chain and e-commerce, Rathna has built a powerful “anywhere-to-anywhere” logistics solution that empowers brands to operate seamlessly on a global scale.

Founded in 2018, FlavorCloud simplifies international shipping for mid-to-large enterprise merchants by abstracting the complexity of customs, carrier disruptions, and compliance. The platform enables businesses to offer guaranteed global delivery with best-in-class rates and a streamlined checkout process, unlocking new revenue opportunities in a $4.8 trillion global B2C and $7.3 trillion B2B e-commerce market.

In this episode, Rathna shares her journey from developer to entrepreneur, offering insights into the complexities of logistics, the challenges of scaling a remote-first team, and the importance of community support among founders. She emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation in a constantly evolving industry, providing valuable advice for early-stage founders, along with reflections on her fundraising journey and team dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

• FlavorCloud simplifies cross-border shipping, making it as easy as domestic logistics for brands and retailers.
• Rathna’s journey spans 20+ years in global supply chain and logistics.
• The logistics industry is complex and ripe for disruption, especially with the power of technology.
• Continuous learning and embracing discomfort are essential for entrepreneurs.
• Remote work creates unique challenges in team alignment and communication.
• Fundraising requires a structured and disciplined approach for efficiency.
• Community support is crucial in navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
• Scaling a startup involves adapting to changing team dynamics and regulatory hurdles.

Chapters:

• Introduction to Rathna Sharad and FlavorCloud
• The Complexities of Cross-Border Logistics
• Rathna’s Journey in Logistics and E-commerce
• FlavorCloud’s Mission to Simplify Global Commerce
• The Challenges of Scaling a Remote-First Team
• Fundraising Insights and Strategies
• The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship
• Embracing Discomfort and Continuous Learning
• Regulatory Compliance in the Logistics Industry
• Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #logistics #FlavorCloud #crossborder #ecommerce #supplychain #entrepreneurship #ceo #founder #rathnasharad #remotework #scalingstartup