Forward Obsessed

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. 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons 

The Future of Inbound Marketing with Bob Ruffolo

Dive into the rapidly growing world of Inbound Marketing with Bob Ruffolo, Founder and CEO of IMPACT, a company focused on helping people find success with inbound marketing through education, events, and agency services. After building his first website in 7th grade, Bob realized he had a talent for web design and a knack for helping people with marketing their business.
Bob started as a freelance Web Designer, then transitioned to creating IMPACT from the ground up. Bob built IMPACT as an inbound marketing firm, but over time transitioned the company’s model into a coaching and consulting firm after partnering with Marcus Sheridan, Author of “They Ask You Answer” 
 
In this interview, listen to Bob’s cautionary tale about entrepreneurial partnerships, how to protect your interests when starting a business, and how honesty and transparency are the most important aspects of a healthy company culture. You’ll get an  inside look on the loneliness of leadership, gain a better understanding on why “empathy flows down” in a hierarchy, and learn how a leader must understand how power dynamics change as a business grows. 
👀Learn more about IMPACT
📖Read “They Ask You Answer” By Marcus Sheridan
📚Other books our guest can’t live without:
“Rocket Fuel” by Gino Wickman 
“Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen” by Donald Miller
“Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't” by Verne Harnish
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation. 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons

The Future of Civic Engagement with Ben Berkowitz

Dive into the technology that helps governments solve problems with Ben Berkowitz, founder of the civic engagement SaaS SeeClickFix. When it comes to city affairs, Ben has always been an actively engaged citizen of New Haven, CT. One day, while trying to report some graffiti in his neighborhood to an unresponsive phone voicemail, Ben realized there had to be a better way to communicate problems to the local government. That is the origin of how Ben founded SeeClickFix, a civic engagement software that allows citizens to report issues to local governments through an app. In the last 15 years over 9 million reports to dozens of government agencies around the world have been submitted through this innovative software. After overseeing an acquisition by CivicPlus, Ben has since made an early retirement. 
 
In this interview, you’ll learn about Ben’s use of transcendental meditation to stay present in every moment, why leaving social media was one of the best decisions he ever made, and how he designed his retirement in a way that works for his family. If you’re interested in exploring the growing entrepreneurial landscape in New Haven and some of the unique companies and maker-spaces that make it ideal for young founders, check out the links below. 
👀  Learn more about SeeClickFix.
🔧 Explore the maker-space Make Haven.
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation. 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons

The Future of Combat Robotics with Kelly Biderman

Dive into the gritty, fast-paced world of combat robotics with Kelly Biderman, CEO of the Norwalk Havoc Robotics League. 
 
Get an inside look on the world of combat robotics, a sport for which dedicated fans will travel hundreds of miles, or watch 13 hours of a livestream, to see hand-made robots fight… and possibly explode. In this interview, Kelly celebrates the incredibly talented builders, the dedicated and diverse fanbase, and describes what her hopes for the future of combat robotics looks like. 
 
Explore Kelly’s past in media, including being Chief of Staff to the CEO of Katie Couric Media, how she fell into this niche sport, and why she fell in love with it. Kelly explains her leadership style that is helping this unique company expand their reach, why delegating to the experts is an important part of managing, what it means to be “Builder First,” and how she “Commits to the Pour” with everything she does. 
 
 
🤖 Buy tickets for NHRL’s next event from July 16-17: 
https://nhrl.io/wiki/index.php/Norwalk_Havoc_Robot_League
https://nhrl.io/
 
💻 Join NHRL’s Discord: 
https://discord.com/invite/ppMRZme
 
👀 Watch NHRL’s live streams and subscribe: 
https://www.youtube.com/c/NorwalkHavoc
 
📚 A book our guest can’t live without: 
The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency - By Chris Whipple
 
📺 A show our guest recommends: 
https://www.fox.com/lego-masters/
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation. 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons

The Future of Beer with Alisa “Lady Lager” Bowens-Mercado

Join Pete and David as they dive into the world of craft brewing with Alisa Bowens-Mercado, Founder, CEO, and Brewmaster at Rhythm Brewing Company. 
Learn about Alisa’s journey founding one of the nation’s first breweries that is owned and run by a woman of color. From a young age, Alisa was inspired by her grandmothers who both drank lagers and encouraged Alisa to “find her rhythm” in life. In this interview, we explore what it means to find your rhythm, discuss why building a brand is like telling a story, and learn about Alisa’s most important mantra that she repeats every day: 
“When you walk into a room, and you are the only person that looks like you in that room, know that you are in the right room. That is where change happens.”
 
You can use the Rhythm Finder at https://rhythmbrewingco.com/ to locate places that distribute Rhythm Brewing Beers.
 
If you’d like to learn more about Rhythm Brewing Company, contact Alisa at alisa@rhythmbrewingco.com
 
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation: www.forwardobsessed.com
 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons: www.digitalsurgeons.com

The Future of Data Storytelling with Andy Greenawalt

Join Pete and David as they dive into the world of data analytics with Andy Greenawalt, Founder and CEO of Storyhub.
 
In a world where every company claims to be data-driven, very few decisions are actually ever made using that data Andy has created a new way to decentralize and translate the complicated language of data analytics like no one else.
 
In this interview, learn about Andy's early successes, a happy accident that made one of his companies into a reality, and why having a truly bad day puts every other day into real context.
 
With Andy as your guide, wade through the murky waters of data analytics. Learn why most companies don't know how to use their data, the difficulties of data translation between "Spock" types and "Kirk" types, and why first movers in an industry can often fail.
 
Learn more about StoryHub at https://www.storyhub.ai/
 
A podcast that Andy Recommends: DadPod 
 
A book Andy can't live without: Trillion Dollar Coach by Bill Campbell
 
Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation: www.forwardobsessed.com
 
We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons: www.digitalsurgeons.com

The Future of FinTech with Matthew Murphy

Join Pete and David as they dive into the world of FinTech & Entrepreneurship with Matthew Murphy, Early Stage Investor and General Partner at  Montage Ventures.
Matthew took advantage of a sudden opportunity in his early 20's to join the rapidly growing FinTech startup, E-Trade, a decision that  changed the trajectory of his life and career in the most unexpected way.  We dive into some of Matthew’s incredible highs and difficult lows, discussing the resilience and work ethic it took to create a series of start-ups in a volatile industry, FinTech.
Learn about the art of the pivot, whether or not the snooze button is your friend, what being afraid to fail can do for your business, and why an overfunded startup can lead to a disaster. As a successful venture capitalist, Matthew offers advice on how a founder can best make initial contact for a pitch meeting, and why great leaders are the key to having great teams.
Matthew is also the owner of Unwritten Wines (https://unwrittenwines.com/) and encourages all listeners to use the code "Podcast" at checkout for a limited-time discount. 
Find out more about Montage Ventures: https://montageventures.com/
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Books our guest swears by: 
"Trillion Dollar Coach," Bill Campbell
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Visit us at Forward Obsessed and join the conversation. 
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We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons