Forward Obsessed

The Future Of Sustainability With Al Subbloie

Al Subbloie is president and CEO of Budderfly, the fastest growing Energy Efficiency as a Service company in the United States. 
 
In this episode, learn about the importance of macro-dynamics when starting a business, why fear holds most entrepreneurs back, and whether grinding hard is better than having talent. Listen to Al’s philosophy about turning a loss into a win, finding pleasure in your work, and being disciplined about curiosity.
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) -  Intro
(5:00) - Cutting My Teeth At Anderson Consulting
(6:40) - Fear Holds Entrepreneurs Back
(9:40) - Starting My First business
(12:00) -  Look At Macro-dynamics When Starting A Business
(15:00) - Why I Founded Tangoe  
(24:00) - The Intersection of Sports And Business
(26:00) - Grinding Vs. Talent
(28:15) - What Is It Like Going Public? 
(31:25) - How To Turn A Loss Into A Win
(35:25) - Learning To See Work As Play
(41:11) - How To Find Your Passion
(43:23) - Be Disciplined About Curiosity
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Budderfly: https://www.budderfly.com/
Tangoe: https://www.tangoe.com/
Al’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-subbloie-92b5302/
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
 
 

Co-Founding Honest Tea With Barry Nalebuff

Barry Nalebuff is Co-Founder of Honest tea, Kombrewcha, Real Made Foods, and Just Ice Tea.  Barry is also a professor at Yale School Of Management, and has authored multiple award-winning books. 
 
In this episode, learn how Barry co-founded multiple successful food and beverage products using real economic principles. Class is in-session: Dive into concepts like declining margins of utility, arbitrage, games of inversion and symmetry, and negotiation tactics like “splitting the pie.” Don’t forget to take notes as Barry explains how these concepts helped him build a successful business that sold for $43 Million. 
 
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(06:46) - The Idea Behind Founding Honest Tea
(11:17) - The Declining Margin Of Utility
(15:15) - You Can’t Have Lovers If you Don’t Have Haters
(17:34) - How To Make “Honest” Products
(20:00) - Origin Of The Name “Honest Tea”
(22:09) - Personal Financial Guarantees In Entrepreneurship
(24:51) - What Does It Mean To “Split The Pie” 
(25:44) - Selling Honest Tea to Coca Cola
(28:57) - Never Offer A Deal You Wouldn’t Take Yourself
(38:38) - What Is “Just Ice Tea”
(44:27) - What Is The Game Of Arbitrage? 
(48:04) - The Games of Inversion and Symmetry
(51:49) - Pitfalls 
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Just Ice Tea: https://eatthechange.com/products/just-ice-tea
Honest Kids: https://www.honestorganic.com/products/honest-kids
Real Made Foods: https://realmadefoods.com/
Eat The Change: https://eatthechange.com/
Personal Website: https://barrynalebuff.com
 
BOOKS BY OUR GUEST:
Split the Pie: https://www.splitthepiebook.com/
The Art of Strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Strategy-Theorists-Success-Business/dp/0393337170
Why Not?: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Ingenuity-Solve-Problems-Small/dp/1591391539
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 
Charlie Munger’s Mental Model of Inversion: https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/inversion
Never Split The Difference (Chris Voss): https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Buying Weed From Women With Meg Sanders

Meg Sanders is CEO of Canna Provisions, a chain of cannabis dispensaries in New England. She worked directly with the governor of Colorado to develop its cannabis laws, then personally led the charge by opening one of the state’s first dispensaries. Meg is now one of the biggest forces in the new Massachusetts cannabis cultivation and consumer sales fields. 
 
Tune in to explore the ups and downs of the Cannabis industry, the importance of compliance, and what it means to be an ‘accidental entrepreneur.’ In this episode you’ll learn about  what quiet quitting is, how companies should try to make better humans, and why everyone should buy weed from women.  Listen in to learn from Meg about why women must take a seat at the table, and how men can be better allies to their peers. 
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early Years
(6:22) - Compliance In the Cannabis Industry
(7:38) - Accidental Entrepreneurship
(11:40) - Best Resources For Leaders
(13:50) - What is Quiet Quitting? 
(16:28) - Leaders Are Put On A Pedestal
(21:12) - Leaders Must Develop Their Own Teams
(23:14) - Companies Should Try To Make Better Humans
(26:18) - Buy Weed From Women
(35:40) - The Drug War Is Not Over
(39:45) - What Is Missing From The MSO World? 
(42:45) - Learn To Get Back Up When You Fail
(46:40) - What Is The Future Of Canna Provisions? 
(52:32) - Women Must Take A Seat At The Table
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Canna Provisions: https://cannaprovisions.com/
Meg Sanders Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-sanders-16001441/
Meg Sanders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megajuana_mass/
 
BOOKS OUR GUEST LOVES:
Dare To Lead, Brené Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 
CliftonStrength Test: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx
It’s The Manager: https://www.gallup.com/itsthemanager/home.aspx
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Building Purpose Built Ventures with Miles Lasater

Miles Lasater is the CEO and Founding Partner of Purpose Built Ventures. In this episode, hear from Miles on why learning to sell at a young age is so important to learn entrepreneurship, and how you can manage your time more effectively to create new habits. Miles dives into the pitfalls behind taking a company public, the real role of a start-up investor, and what it means to be a “purpose built venture.”
 
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(2:00) - Early college years
(3:50) - Working in food service gives transferable skills 
(8:45) - Starting his first business, “Help With Home Computers” 
(10:25) - Founding Higher One in college
(14:25) - How did Higher One help university students?
(18:48) - How do new entrepreneurs pick a partner? 
(32:05) - Books and podcasts for developing leadership skills
(36:15) - Time management and making habits
(42:19) - Running a public company is painful
(47:13) - What is it like to take a company public?
(52:01) - Developing pattern recognition skills
(55:00) - The role of a start-up investor
(57:55) - What is Purpose Built Ventures?  
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Purpose Build Ventures: https://www.purposebuilt.vc/
Higher One: https://www.linkedin.com/company/higher-one
Miles Lasater LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mileslasater/
Miles' Podcast, "Startups For Good": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startups-for-good/id1538756698
Miles' Newsletter, Venture Patterns: https://venturepatterns.com/blog/general/start-here-welcome-to-venture-patterns/
 
BOOKS OUR GUEST LOVES:
The 15 Commandments Of Conscious Leadership - Jim Dethmer
Getting Things Done - David Allen
The Great CEO within - Matt Mochary
Shoe Dog - Phil Knight
Miracle Morning - Hal Elrod
 
PODCASTS OUR GUEST LOVES
How I Built This: https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this
Acquired: https://www.acquired.fm/
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
 
 

Leading An Entrepreneurial State With Governor Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont is the Governor of the State of Connecticut. In this episode, learn about the governor’s early years as he transitioned from running a local newspaper to founding Campus Televideo, a telecoms company that was acquired by Apogee in 2015. Hear about his pivot into politics, and how he measures success as Governor of the State of Connecticut. Governor Lamont shares his personal experiences as he led the state through the pandemic, delving into how he designed a strategy that helped Connecticut have one of the best outcomes in the country. In the end of the episode, Governor Lamont shares his ideas for the future of entrepreneurship in his state. 
 
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Intro
(1:00) - Early Years As A Journalist
(4:21) - Founding Campus Televideo 
(6:11) - Pivoting From Entrepreneurship To Politics
(7:10) - How Does A Politician Measure Success? 
(9:10) - How To Lead Through A Pandemic
(11:05) - Why Did Connecticut Do Well During the Pandemic? 
(12:10) - Tips To Develop Entrepreneurial Skills 
(13:51) - Dealing With Mental Health During A Crisis
(18:00) - How I Built My Administration
(19:58) - What Is The Future Of Entrepreneurship In Connecticut?
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/govnedlamont 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/GovNedLamont
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govnedlamont/ 
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

Building An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem With Matt McCooe

Matt McCooe is the CEO of Connecticut Innovations, a strategic venture capital firm and leading source of financing for Connecticut's technology, consumer, and life sciences companies. 
 
In this episode, learn what it takes to get funded by one of the top VCs in Connecticut. Explore what breakthrough entrepreneurs all have in common, which heuristics are used by VCs when they choose a project, and whether delusions of grandeur are helpful when establishing a business. 
 
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(1:41) - What is a “state venture capital arm?”
(6:12) - What do breakthrough entrepreneurs have in common? 
(7:57) - What heuristics are used to fund new projects? 
(11:02) - Characteristics of exceptional founders
(14:00) - Cultivating clarity of vision and purpose
(15:45) - Jockey or Horse? 
(18:33) - Hustling in the early years
(22:22) - Selling Brazilian soft drinks in a first job
(27:14) - What does it feel like to lose? 
(28:47) - Founding a Telecom business at the end of the boom
(40:55) - Theranos and delusions of grandeur
(44:28) - Good Venture Capitalists can sense BS 
(50:00) - ADD is a superpower
(55:00) - Columbia University Science and Technology Ventures
(57:03) - What Is Connecticut Innovations
(1:04:15) - How successful is Connecticut Innovations?
(1:09:00) - The Future of Connecticut Innovations
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Connecticut Innovations: https://ctinnovations.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecticut-innovations/
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
 

Bootstrapping A Billion Dollar Company From A Dorm Room With Austin McChord

Austin McChord is the CEO of Casana, a healthcare technology start-up dedicated to improving the health and wellness of patients via at-home health monitoring. Austin was previously the founder and CEO of Datto incorporated, exited that company in a $1.5 Billion acquisition, and is the Founder of Norwalk Havoc Combat Robotics. 
 
In this episode, explore Austin’s incredible journey from getting terrible grades at Rochester Institute of Technology, to founding and exiting a company valued at $1.5 Billion. Learn about incrementally building a new company, what selling your business really feels like, why every interaction that a leader has is meaningful, and why having fun is always the most important goal.
 
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(03:15) - Getting a bad GPA at Rochester Institute of Technology
(12:45) - Being told not to start a company by an advisor
(15:25) - What is Datto? 
(17:10) - Losing a million dollars from a small mistake
(22:01) - Where confidence comes from
(25:55) - Building Datto and taking it public
(31:20) - What it’s like to sell a company
(34:29) - Evolving into a leader of over 700 employees
(37:20) - Learning how to evolve and delegating tasks
(47:35) - Becoming a different version of myself
(49:30) - Founding Havoc Robotics
(54:45) - Founding Casana
(1:00:12) - Learning to have fun in life
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Datto: https://www.datto.com/
Casana: https://casanacare.com/
Norwalk Havoc Robotics League: https://nhrl.io/
Outsiders Fund: https://outsidersfund.com/
Austin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/austinmcchord
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/
 
 

The Future Of Inventing Products With Chris Allen

Chris Allen is the CEO of iCleanse, which is known for their  UV-C rapid disinfection devices that clean cell phones. He was previously the Founder and CEO of iDevices, which was acquired by Hubbell Incorporated in 2017.
 
In this episode, dive into the difficult path of inventing a new product and taking it to a global market. Learn about how Chris Allen was able to get his new iGrill device into Apple retail stores, and what it was like to be a leader with no business background at the top of  a rapidly growing company.. Hear how Chris was able to get out of $1.4 million in debt, how he dealt with subversive leadership, and why he started a company that can clean any phone in 15 seconds with UV light.
 
OUTLINE:
 
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(1:40) - Self Introduction
(3:00) - Founding iGrill and getting into Apple retail
(7:15) - Learning to be a leader without a business background
(11:30) - Experiencing struggle and making sacrifices
(21:00) - Getting out of $1.4 million in debt with an amazing team
(25:00) - Dealing with a “snake” on your team
(28:00) - Rapid phone disinfection and founding iCleanse
(43:00) - Life after selling a company
 
EPISODE LINKS:
 
iDevices: https://idevicesinc.com/
iCleanse Swift UV: https://icleanse.com/
 
PODCAST INFO:
 
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
 
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

The Future of Building Creative Companies with Jenny Lawton

Jenny Lawton is the Executive Vice President of Bolster, a marketplace to connect high-growth companies with executive talent. Previously, Jenny was the Chief Innovation Officer and COO of Techstars, she was also the CEO of MakerBot Industries, a global leader in desktop 3D printing. 
In this episode, learn what it takes to navigate the process of an acquisition, when to sell your company, why self-care is critical in leadership, how to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem, why having a mentor is essential, and more. 
 
OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode:
(00:30) - Introduction
(02:00) - Early years as a young mother and entrepreneur
(16:14) - Selling a business and the acquisition process
(26:45) - Pitfalls and tough times
(39:00) - Makerbot Industries
(47:00) - Challenges of going public
(49:45) - Transitioning to LittleBits
(51:57) - Bringing structure to innovative disruption
(54:50) - Creating entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities
(1:05:09) - What is Bolster? 
(1:08) - Importance of having a mentor
 
EPISODE LINKS:
Bolster: https://bolster.com/ 
Makerbot: https://www.makerbot.com/
 
📚 BOOK RECS:
The Third Wave by Steve Case: https://www.amazon.com/Third-Wave-Entrepreneurs-Vision-Future/dp/1501132598
Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters: ​​https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-Essential-Combination-Business/dp/1942952317
 
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://forwardobsessed.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-obsessed/id1615760781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2TrkOZ7xL7WSlzc2mrwXuC?si=aa5e7790aca64e05
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5b9WPqVXz_qlfXgK3hHPs4z
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ldUUGxQZ5Yt0LiPml0y6pNUSrqHzWql
 
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
Digital Surgeons Website: https://digitalsurgeons.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/digitalsurgeons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsurgeons
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/210497/

The Future Of Leading Innovation with Josh Geballe

Dive into the world of innovation and crisis management with Josh Geballe, Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Yale University. Josh was previously the COO for the State of Connecticut under Governor Ned Lamont. During Josh’s tenure as COO, he oversaw Connecticut’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  
 
In this episode, Josh reveals his method for making effective changes in governmental organizations, explores how a crisis can facilitate innovation, and describes the kind of leadership skills needed to inspire your team through difficult times. Additionally, Josh talks about what it takes for start-ups to succeed, why “fire fast, hire slow” is easier said than done, and discuss how Yale is facilitating an entrepreneurial renaissance in New Haven. 
💡 Learn more about Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Yale
📚 Books that our guest loves: 
 
Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets 
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable 
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation. 
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