Forward Obsessed

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 

The Future of Information Technology with Ari Santiago

Join Pete and David as they dive into the world of technology and entrepreneurship with Founder and CEO of Compass MSP, Ari Santiago.
Ari’s story is truly inspirational, from his childhood days of when he started his first business selling bubble gum, to becoming paralyzed from the waist down at the age of 13 due to a skiing accident. The journey of overcoming adversity led to Ari’s passion in computers, which solidified the foundation of his career in information technology at the age of 14. 
Despite these setbacks, Ari’s entrepreneurial instincts and his unflappable spirit enabled him to build a multi-million dollar company that received a spot on Inc Magazine's list of fastest growing privately held companies in the US, as well as recognition from Marcum Tech as one of the Top 40 fastest growing technology companies in Connecticut.
Learn about how Ari was able to overcome the trauma of his accident, and turn a disability into an empowering cornerstone of his career. Ari also explains the number one secret to his success has been experimentation, experimentation, experimentation - and that taking the L.E.A.P could change the course of your career. 
Find out more about Compass MSP: https://compassmsp.com/
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Books our guest swears by: 
The Dip, by Seth Godin
Drive, by Daniel Pink
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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 

The Future of Tequila with Kat Hantas

Join Pete and David as they dive into the world of infused tequila with Founder and CEO of 21 Seeds, Kat Hantas. Kat explains her entrepreneurial journey of working in the television and film industry, transitioning to becoming a full-time mother, then discovering a massive product opportunity in the tequila industry through her own life experiences. 
Learn about Kat's journey & origin story of founding 21 Seeds.  This conversation outlines Kat’s methods of observation and market research that allowed her to find an unserved demographic in the alcohol industry. She also shares her perspective on building a team and raising capital from a new idea, and how her ability to follow her instincts led to growth & overall success for the brand.
In this interview, listeners will learn about how to connect with a specific target audience demographic, how to use personal experiences and cultural observation to find customers by tapping into trends, and how becoming a CEO is not about gaining control of a company, but about letting that control go to a team you trust. 
Find a 21 Seeds product at a store near you: https://www.21seeds.com/ 
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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 

The Future of Thrift Shopping with Topper Luciani

Join Pete and David as they dive into the twists and turns of the direct-to-consumer thrift clothing industry with Topper Luciani, founder of Goodfair. Learn about how the rising popularity of thrift shopping has unveiled the harmful effects of the clothing industry that fast fashion has created for our society and planet. Topper dives into why he's dedicated his life (and created Goodfair) to save the planet through thrifting.
Learn about Topper's journey, from buying and reselling used ties on Ebay, to building the skills of a savvy entrepreneur in the clothing industry.  Topper’s successes and failures led him to founding Goodfair, an online used clothing store with a mission to "save the world with thrift."In this interview, Topper explains his perspectives on branding as a form of communication, his insights on essential tools that every direct-to-consumer brand should utilize, and his personal philosophy that guides his life as well as his business.
Entrepreneurial Tools for the Road: 
Klaviyo: A marketing platform that helps eCommerce store owners deliver a more personalized experience for their customers through automated email and SMS pathways. 
ShipStation: A shipping software for eCommerce fulfillment, exceptionally efficient at syncing, managing, and shipping orders with detailed analytics. 
CartHook: A private Shopify application which enables online vendors to build customizable one-page checkouts and post-purchase one-click upsells. 
Kustomer: A new type of CRM for customer service that uses data-driven processes so clients can resolve conversations quickly across a wide variety of platforms. 
Books our guest swears by: 
Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
Principles, by Ray Dalio
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We Design Demand. Learn more about Digital Surgeons