The Growth Show

Turf Wars, Tree Men & Murder: Inside the world of Christmas tree selling in NYC

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:25:00 -0000

Christmas trees are big business in NYC. Running a tree lot takes grit and experience, and even then, it's a tough network to break into. All of the lots in the city are divided into separate territories, owned by only a handful of entrepreneurs.

We spent the day working for NYC's busiest Christmas tree seller on Greg Walsh's busiest day of the year to better understand the wild logistics behind NYC’s Christmas tree economy and the tumultuous history of running a lot in this city.

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What does winning a James Beard Award really mean for chefs?

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:10:00 -0000

Often called the Oscars of the food industry, the James Beard Foundation Awards are among the most coveted for chefs in America.

But what's sold and packaged as prestige can sometimes become a distraction from managing the business that got you there.

Host Matt Brown is joined by The New York Times food critic Brett Anderson & chef Chintan Pandya (Dhamaka, Semma, Adda, Unapologetic Foods) to learn that an award can not only change a winner's life but an entire industry as a whole.

Where do tennis balls go when they die?

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 04:30:00 -0000

Every year, the US throws out roughly 125 million tennis balls. That's enough to fill 21 Boeing 737s to the brim.

And until recently, tennis balls were impossible to recycle. That's right, every ball ever produced would eventually end up in a landfill where it could take 400 years to decompose.

But no more. The Hustle’s Matthew Brown visits West Virginia to track down what happens to tennis balls when they die.

Check out The Hustle’s Side Hustles Database: https://offers.hubspot.com/side-hustle-ideas-database

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The Camera Tech That Redefined How We Watch TV

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 04:30:00 -0000

Watch any major awards ceremony. Not right now. You’re busy. But what those keen couple of eyes of yours will quickly notice is the way the camera moves.

You can also see it on every reality tv, news, and competition show. In fact, once you see it, you'll never stop noticing it.

And while the big, sweeping camera technique of these jibs might be etched into our collective brain matters at this point, this way we experience a production wasn’t even possible until the 1990s.

The Growth Show is a special series brought to you by The Hustle Daily Show about how to grow a business, an idea, or a movement. Hosted by Matthew Brown.

Smoking is Cool. Now, So is Quitting.

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:20:00 -0000

Let's face it: Smoking is just f--ing cool. Run go watch any of the biggest films and tv from the past year. What do you notice? They all feature cigarettes and vapes.

The dangers of smoking are well documented. But today, many Gen Z who try e-cigarettes remain e-cigarette users (CDC).

So we talk with a new company called Blip about how they plan to un-hook an entire generation.

The Growth Show is a special series brought to you by The Hustle Daily Show // Hosted and produced by Matthew Brown.

Shred the Mechanical Gnar at Surf Resorts

Fri, 17 May 2024 04:20:00 -0000

We're back -- now in special series form! That's right, the show you love and let stand in your podcast feeds returns for an all new run of growth stories.

So here's how it works: New episodes launch on our cousin podcast The Hustle Daily Show. About a week later, you can catch the second wave over here on our original feed.

Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Show to get new episodes when they drop (and your fair shake of business news each morning while you're at it).

Our first episode back takes a dive into the mechanical wave pool of the future. Aventuur is planning to develop surf resorts in 11 cities across North America. But for their hefty price tag, success will take more than a perfect wave on demand.

Hosted & produced by Matthew Brown // Previously released on The Hustle Daily Show // You're the best.

Welcome to the Mirror World

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 05:30:00 -0000

Kevin Kelly is a futurist and co-founder of Wired Magazine. His latest article looks at augmented reality's role in our future lives, in a world he calls the Mirror World. Kevin talks about how business leaders can be better futurists, and why it's not about being right but being ready.

How Minnesota Freedom Fund Scaled Quickly Under International Spotlight

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 05:30:00 -0000

Following the death of George Floyd, Minnesota Freedom Fund found itself in the international spotlight. Over 900 thousand donations, from around the globe, came pouring in. And celebrity endorsements from folks like Mark Ruffalo guided their followers on how to help support protesters. As Greg Lewin quickly found out, he needed to not only scale operations at Minnesota Freedom Fund fast but maintain the integrity of its important mission to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.

How Aequales Is Closing the Gender Gap

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 04:30:00 -0000

On a global scale, women only hold 29 percent of senior management positions. Not to make any sweeping assumptions, but that’s a far cry from gender equality. But 29 percent is also the highest percentage ever recorded in that category. And it’s thanks to folks like Mia Perdomo and Andrea de la Piedra -- the co-founders and co-CEOs of Aequales. Their consulting firm provides tools for closing gender gaps in the workplace in Latin America.

Black is Beautiful

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Marcus Baskerville created Black is Beautiful -- a collaborative beer initiative amongst the brewing community and its customers -- in an attempt to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily. And you can now find this open source beer at 1,158 breweries, in 50 states, and 21 countries. And As someone who has personally dealt with the abuse of power by the police, this recent turmoil the country is facing has hit home for Marcus.

Why Personalization Makes BarkBox Leader of the Pack

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0000

If you have a dog, then you know BarkBox. It’s customizable monthly subscription boxes are your dog’s favorite pieces of mail. Co-founder Matt Meeker believes the secret to the company’s success is putting every four-legged (and two-legged) friend first. Matt talks about how a pig, yes a pig, redefined the company’s personalization policies and why BARK has invested so heavily in customer service.

The Future of How We Buy is Sound

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Rodney Williams founded LISTNR with one thing in mind: simplicity. He saw that the way we buy items involves too many steps. And it could all be solved through the use of sound. LISTNR uses ultrasonic sound to transfer data. That means truly contactless transactions -- be it at the coffee shop, the drive through, or your next concert. Remember concerts? Register for INBOUND 2020: Inbound.com/register

Why Binging with Babish Says Audience Knows Best

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Andrew Rea started Binging with Babish almost by accident. And nearly 8M subscribers later, he’s grown it into one of the biggest shows on YouTube. His secret ingredient? His audience. Andrews talks about the show’s steady feed of audience insights and opens up about his own struggles with mental health and recovering from COVID-19.

Real Corporate Anti-Racist Training Starts at the Top

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Kim Crowder is a consultant, whose expertise covers diversity, equity, and inclusion. In particular, she’s a corporate anti-racist trainer. To say the least, Kim has been busy lately. The recent protests in the US that started back on May 26 in Minneapolis in response to the death of George Floyd sparked a movement that also had companies taking a hard look at policy bias and racism in their own workplaces. But to make real, lasting change, it all starts at the top.

Yes, You Too Can Become a Servant of Pod

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Nick Quah is almost synonymous with podcasts. His newsletter Hot Pod gives a weekly rundown on all things podcasts. And he recently partnered with LAist Studios to create his first podcast called Servant of Pod. And yes, it’s about podcasts. Wait, have we mentioned podcasts? Nick talks with Meghan about what went into creating his new show, how businesses are in a unique position to determine the future of podcasting, and why his gut questions whether branded podcasts should exist at all.

Trading Camp Canoes for Virtual Classrooms

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Tinashe Blanchet is the founder of The Learning Lab, a New Orleans-based non-profit organization and education space that hosts two summer camps. But given the need for social distancing, Tinashe had to quickly move both camps to fully virtual. She talks about how, for the safety of everyone at the camps, she stood in opposition of local government recommendations. And Tinashe explains why the work being done today will help shape the way technology is used in classrooms in the future.

Why The Lean Startup Is More Essential Than Ever for Businesses

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Steve Blank is not a prophet. But as one of the minds behind the highly influential Lean Startup movement, when Steve starts to look at the future of how we do business, people listen. Steve returns to explain why The Lean Startup is even more essential than ever for businesses right now as they work to not only survive the pandemic but set themselves up to thrive coming out of it.

How Indie Theaters Are Bringing the Silver Screen to Your TV Screen

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 04:30:00 -0000

The Coolidge Corner Theater opened in 1933 during the Great Depression and has become a landmark in the city of Boston. But as non-essential businesses were ordered to close, it left many in the film industry wondering: Is it curtains for the indie theater system? Katherine Tallman, executive director at Coolidge Corner Theater, talks about pivoting online with Virtual Screening Room and whether she sees on-demand studio releases as the future of our moviegoing experience.

Part Two: Reading Is a Revolutionary Act

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Bookshop is an online platform where you can buy books from local and independent bookstores. But founder Andy Hunter never imagined how quickly he’d need to scale the company after only launching in January. That’s because what bookstores were experimenting with in February became what they’d need to survive in March. Andy talks about how he’s not only taking on Amazon, but how Bookshop is creating virtual bookseller communities that are reflective and even larger than their physical ones.

Part One: Reading Is a Revolutionary Act

Fri, 29 May 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Danielle Mullen is the owner of Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery -- Chicago’s only black woman-owned bookstore. She’s worked tirelessly to build a community and improve literacy in the city. As the current crisis closed bookstores around the country, Danielle moved to online sales. But she wasn’t about to handover her store’s keys to the same online giant that’s put so many other independent bookstores out of business. Instead, she found a new platform.

Same Business. New Flavor.

Wed, 20 May 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Ryan Spaccavento, founder of Coffee on Cue, saw an opportunity for an underserved market of coffee drinkers -- business subscriptions and live events. But as companies closed its doors and live events locked its gates, Ryan found his businesses grinding to a halt. So he moved the company online, sold surplus beans to the general public, and distributed fresh coffee to virtual event goers' homes.

How a Community Has Taken the Weight off One Gym’s Shoulders

Wed, 13 May 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Luke Milton of Los Angeles’ top fitness center Training Mate knew he needed to act quickly. His three gym locations were ordered to close and his entire staff’s livelihoods hung in the balance of uncertainty. Luke not only moved his gym online within hours, but he brought with it the sense of community that’s won Training Mate so much acclaim. And it's this power of community that’s affirmed his faith in humanity.

Keeping Spirits High and Communities Safe

Tue, 05 May 2020 04:30:00 -0000

Listoke Distillery is a gin and distillation school located just north of Dublin, Ireland. Owner Bronagh Conlon, herself a former healthcare worker and survivor of breast cancer, has a unique perspective on the need to protect essential workers and the general public. Within hours, she converted the company’s gin distillery to produce hand sanitizer. Bronagh talks about how she made that decision and what’s most important for leaders to focus on right now.

How Piera Gelardi is Refining 29Rooms

Wed, 22 May 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Piera Gelardi founded Refinery29 as a catalyst for women to claim their power. And today, she leads a digital media and entertainment empire. Piera talks about the important role her customers play in Refinery29 and 29Rooms, and how being a new mother impacts her creativity.

Bringing Transparency to Women’s Health

Wed, 15 May 2019 10:30:00 -0000

When Kat Schneider set out to raise funding for her company Ritual, she was four months pregnant. And she was given the choice: Start a company. Or start a family. You cannot do both. Kat talks about the early struggles in securing funding, how the mysteries behind vitamins made her launch the company, and why women’s health is essential to the company’s focus.

How The Success of Canned Wine Nearly Cost Its Founder Everything

Wed, 08 May 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Ryan Harms and his Union Wine Company were the toast of Oregon. They’d done something so crazy, they figured it was only a matter of time until the novelty wore off. Ryan and his team were responsible for putting wine in a can. And people went crazy for it. But just as things were going well for Ryan and the business, his personal life was falling apart. Ryan shares the mistakes he made along the way, and offers insight into what other first time founders can do to manage their own work/life balance.

Hipcamp Is a Breath of Fresh Air. Literally.

Wed, 01 May 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Whether you prefer glamping, treehouses, or the trusty old tent, camping is all about getting outside. But navigating the trail to book public or private camping spots is a hassle. So Alyssa Ravasio founded Hipcamp, an online booking site connecting campers with landowners. Alyssa talks about the strength and confidence she found in camping at a young age and the three questions she needed to answer before deciding whether or not to found Hipcamp.

The Platform Revolution Is Here

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Uber. Amazon. Airbnb. Today’s top platforms all understand the power of connection. And Geoffrey Parker believes the greatest exchange in value comes from companies that put their customers first. Geoffrey’s latest work, “Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy and How to Make Them Work for You,” charts out the future of platforms and reveals how they will change the lives and careers of millions.

Taking Care/of Your Health Just Got Easier

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Let’s be honest. There’s no such thing as a magic pill. But the vitamin industry sure makes it seem like a miracle cure is right there inside every bottle. Akash Shah co-founded Care/of, a subscription vitamin company, to make personalized healthy habits simple and transparent. He talks about how Care/of generates word of mouth marketing and where companies can build more trust with their customers.

The Case for Cubes: Closing the Door on Open Offices

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 10:30:00 -0000

There’s a new trend in office design. And its common enemy? The open office floor plan. Phone booths that once littered our sidewalks have been given new life inside our modern offices. Producer Matt Brown joins us to break down why so many companies are answering the call to install private rooms in the office.

Brace Yourself, Quip Is Changing Everything About Dental Care

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:30:00 -0000

You know the drill. Quick brush in the morning, neglect the afternoon floss, and win your week with a second brush a few nights a week. Changing habits is hard, especially when it comes to dental care. Simon Enever founded Quip to fix oral care. He talks about the role of messaging in the early years, how customers are helping influence new products, and the company’s recent foray into selling offline.

Finding Humanity in Technology

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence. Automation. Bots. Technology has disrupted nearly every aspect of our daily lives. But author Kate O’Neill asks the question, are we steering that technology to create the best future, for the most people? In her latest work “Tech Humanist: How Data and Technology Shape the Future of Meaningful Human Experiences,” Kate explores how we can create more meaningful, intentional, and integrated experiences that better align with businesses and people.

Outdoor Apparel Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 10:00:00 -0000

[Mini Episode] Topo Designs president Jedd Rose believes the outdoor apparel design deserves better. And this week, producer Matt Brown helps us unpack how the company designs for urban and outdoor life. Jedd unpacks the company’s design principles and tells us why the best outdoor gear has more to do with memories than fabrics.

Hims: Baldness. Cold Sores. ED. Optional.

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:30:00 -0000

Hims founder Andrew Dudum knew that less than 10 percent of men feel comfortable talking about their looks and health with their doctor. But even getting people to the doctor meant conflicting work schedules, travel, and countless more headaches along the way. So Andrew decided to not only destigmatize men’s self-care, but make access to prescriptions, products and medical advice easier and more affordable.

Why ThirdLove's Heidi Zak Called Out Victoria’s Secret for Not Supporting Women

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 07:00:00 -0000

When Ed Razek, the CMO of Victoria’s Secret, made disparaging comments about Heidi Zak’s company ThirdLove, she stood up for herself and all women. Her response? An Open Letter to Victoria’s Secret in The New York Times. We talk with Heidi about the open letter, the aftermath that followed, and share the story of lingeries’ most interesting challenger brand.

How Brandless Is Democratizing Access to Quality

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:30:00 -0000

For most shoppers, fair trade, organic, non-GMO products means paying a premium. And the amount of choices? Endless. But conscious consumerism doesn't have to equal uninformed decisions and an empty bank account. Brandless, which charges $3 for a variety of products, is changing this equation. Founder Tina Sharkey talks about her mission to democratize access to high-quality goods, redefine what brand means, and scale the Brandless business alongside its community.

Cracking The Culture Code

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 11:30:00 -0000

Culture happens. Whether you plan for it or not, all companies have a culture. An no one knows more about how culture works than New York Times’s best-selling author Daniel Coyle. Daniel talks about his latest work, The Culture Code, where he goes inside the world’s most successful organizations - Pixar, San Antonio Spurs, SEAL Team Six, and more - to find out what makes them tick.

Why Rejecting $30 Million From Mark Cuban Was Her Best Business Move

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:30:00 -0000

It was the largest offer in Shark Tank history. Mark Cuban offered Arum Kang $30 million for her dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. But she and her sisters swiped left, and that decision made them the targets of keyboard cowboys who labeled them “foolish” and “greedy”. There was a specter of self-doubt, a discovery of the company’s real values, and a final rise above all the noise. Three years later, Kang feels zero regret for her decision to pass on the Shark’s tantalizing offer.

Building an Outdoors Brand Around People

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

Davis Smith grew up like every other kid -- spearfishing piranhas in the Amazon, eating wild coconuts for snacks, and taking family adventures around Central and South America. During these early years, Davis also saw the abject poverty that others lived in first-hand. So he founded Cotopaxi, an outdoor brand committed to alleviating poverty and empowering communities through entrepreneurship.

How Spartan is Growing a 100 Million Warrior Movement

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

Joe De Sena founded Spartan with a single purpose: to change people’s lives. But growing the company has been the toughest race of Joe’s life. Its meant persevering through a near death experience, pivoting after a decade of failing business models, and setting one of the most ambitious growth goals ever.

Amazon Has Spoken. And the HQ2 Winners are… Amazon.

Sat, 17 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

[News] Amazon has officially announced the locations for the company’s second headquarters -- Crystal City, Virginia, and Long Island City, New York. But with the announcement comes controversy. HubSpot’s resident news writer Amanda Zantal-Wiener joins us to break it all down.

Your Next Insurance Agent Is a Bot

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s how much they loathe insurance companies. And yet, despite every technological revolution, the insurance industry continues to operate basically the same way it did in the Middle Ages. Dan Schreiber, co-founder of Lemonade, saw the fundamental wrong of insurance: If people don’t get paid for claims, insurance companies make more money. So he aligned the company with its customers and created a bot to make the process surprisingly more human.

Beep Boop Chop Chop: Robot Chefs Are Taking Over

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

[Mini Episode] The robots have arrived. Welcome! First stop: the kitchen. So we asked, is that really all that bad a thing? We sit down with robot restaurateur Michael Farid of Spyce to hear about why standing over hot stoves, endlessly stirring, chopping, and plating food might just be a thing of the past.

How Rand Fishkin Went From Debt Collectors to Rejecting VCs

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 11:30:00 -0000

After founding and stepping away from Moz, Rand Fishkin finds himself back in the startup world. Only this time, he’s doing things differently. In this live recording from INBOUND 2018, we talk to The Wizard of Moz about why he now refuses venture capital, how he’s helping SparkToro grow better, and what it’s like to play Dungeons & Dragons with Anita Sarkeesian.

How Glossier Is Giving the Beauty Industry a Makeover

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 10:30:00 -0000

Beauty is a $450 billion industry. But traditionally, communication on beauty routines and products came from companies, not other customers. That is, until a little blog named Into the Gloss was launched. Using customer insights, the blog launched Glossier -- it’s own line of beauty products. Ali Weiss tells us how Glossier is giving the makeup industry got a much-needed makeover.

The AI Overlords Have Come for Your Instagram Feed

Fri, 26 Oct 2018 09:30:00 -0000

[Mini Episode] Take a look at your Instagram feed. You likely follow a few different influencers. But look a bit closer. Are each and every one of them human? Not if you’re one of the 1.5M followers of Lil’ Miquela. The rise in AI influencers might not be the stuff of nightmares or summer blockbusters, but it’s not that far off. Our producer Matthew Brown talks with Chris Detert of Influential about our human(less) future.

Payal Kadakia on Building ClassPass and Stepping Down as CEO

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 09:30:00 -0000

Movement is the art of change. You pass through one physical location to the next, with decisions at every step. And whether that’s in dance or starting a company, movement is what inspires us. Payal Kadakia's career has taken a number of tough decisions -- some that could have derailed her entire career. We caught up with Payal for a live recording at INBOUND 2018. She tells us how she knew when to start ClassPass, and more recently, when to step down as CEO.

MoonPie’s Social Eclipse of the Heart

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 06:45:00 -0000

It’s August 21, 2017. There’s only one thing on people’s minds: The solar eclipse. Every brand under the sun jockeyed for the cultural zeitgeist, but it was MoonPie — throwing a little shade at Hostess — that won the day. The company’s viral tweet “Lol ok” broke brand social records and the ensuing demand sold out stores and shutdown the bakery. Dooley Tombras gives us a look into how how he made a humble snack cake one of the most out of this world brands on social.

The Turnaround: Kristen Kish

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Kristen Kish’s road to Season 10 of Top Chef was winding, to say the least. She tried out business school for a spell, got in way over her head as an executive chef, and ended up working for one of the best-known culinary icons in the world. And the entire time, she was struggling with her own identity. In the last episode of The Turnaround season, we explain why appearing on Top Chef was only the second biggest turnaround in Kristen’s life.

The Turnaround: Market Basket

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 09:00:00 -0000

During the Summer of 2014, customers and employees of Market Basket boycotted the company, demanding that the board of trustees reinstate Arthur T. Demoulas, the beloved president and CEO of the grocery store chain. This week, we tell the story of that protest, which is a good reminder that the people sitting around a boardroom table aren’t the only ones who own a company.

The Turnaround: The World’s Only Curious George Store

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0000

The World’s Only Curious George Store sits in the heart of Harvard Square. It’s been there, in some form, since 1995. But behind the bright colors and the cheery facade, there’s been a fight raging to keep the store open since day one. In today’s episode, we tell the dramatic and little-known story of literature’s most mischievous monkey.

The Turnaround: Nintendo

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Nintendo is known for constantly reinventing the video game landscape. But a few years ago, they had just released their slowest-selling product of all time. Sales were so bad that the president of the company cut his salary in half. And for the first time since entering the video game market, they were operating at a loss. In today’s episode, we look at how they got there. And how they managed to turn things around.

The Turnaround: Absinthe

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Before it was banned for nearly a century, absinthe used to be one of the most popular drinks in the world. But somewhere along the way, it got a reputation for making people hallucinate and even go insane. How did it get such a bad reputation? Why was it made illegal in countries around the world for so long? And how did an entire industry come back from such dire straits?

The Turnaround: Narragansett Brewing Company

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -0000

Mark Hellendrung visited a local pub in his home town in Rhode Island. He was just looking for a drink, but he found himself on a journey to bring back the 125-year-old beer brand locals call ‘Gansett. But how do you balance tradition with innovation? With the weight of an entire community (and generations more) behind him, Mark finally brought The Narragansett Beer Company back home.

The Turnaround: Coming Soon

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -0000

Our new season -- The Turnaround -- is right around the corner, but we wanted to give you a little preview of what’s to come. In this mini-episode, Dan Pink and Steve Blank both return to the show, and we ask them about a turnaround from their own lives. Have a turnaround story of your own? Record a voice memo, and send it to hello@thegrowthshow.com. You could end up on a future episode of the show!

We’ll See You in 2018!

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 09:30:00 -0000

After nearly three years, The Growth Show is officially taking a break. But we’re not stopping, by any means. We’ve already begun production on our next season. We’ll be back in 2018 with all new episodes, telling all new stories of companies bringing themselves back from the brink. Until then, subscribe to the podcast and we’ll see you in the New Year!

From Marketing to Mountain Biking: How to Learn Anything

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 09:30:00 -0000

We spend so much of our life in school -- with classes, teachers, tests, and papers. So when structured learning isn’t around anymore, it can be jarring. Like your training wheels just got removed. Noah Kagan, the Chief Sumo at Sumo.com, has trained himself to keep learning new things all the time. Today on the show, he tells us how he manages to keep learning new skills, whether it’s marketing, mountain biking, or anything in between.

From Brain Teasers to Technical Tests: How to Fix Hiring in Tech

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:30:00 -0000

If you’ve ever applied for a job in tech, you know just how painful it can be. Technical tests consume hours of your time, brain teasers leave you baffled, and culture fit questions juice your stress levels. On top of all this, you’re likely still trying to hold down your current position. Jason Shen, CEO and Co-Founder of Headlight, has spent months asking around to see how companies are hiring today. His results are telling, and they’ve given him an idea of how we should be hiring instead.

Building LEGO’s Next Big Move, Brick by Brick

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:00:00 -0000

When you’re one of the most recognizable companies on the planet, how do you decide on your next big idea? If you’re Michael McNally, you think about it all the time. Michael is the Senior Director of Brand Relations at LEGO, and he’s gone from building LEGO cities in his basement to rolling the world’s largest LEGO model into downtown Manhattan. Michael tells us how he approaches partnerships, gets his team out of creative ruts, and what it’s like meeting some memorable longtime LEGO fans.

How one entrepreneur added 700+ people to her network

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Every single day at 9:15 AM, Molly Beck reaches out to a new person in her network. And if you’re trying to get to the next level in your career, you might want to consider doing the same thing. Molly is an entrepreneur and the author of a book called ‘Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network and Increase Your Influence.’

Introducing… Weird Work

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:30:00 -0000

Check out HubSpot’s latest podcast, called Weird Work! Each week, host Sam Balter talks with folks who work some of the weirdest jobs out there. The new show features guests like a dinosaur erotica writer, a professional bridesmaid, and an ASMR artist. In this episode, Meghan talks with Sam about what listeners can expect, and why the people with the strangest jobs are actually a lot more normal than Sam’s own co-workers.

Beyond Meat’s Mission to Convert the Hardcore Carnivore

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 09:30:00 -0000

Innovation is great when it’s in an iPhone. But is it something you want to put inside your mouth? Well get ready, meat industry. Because your days are numbered. Ethan Brown at Beyond Meat is hoping his company’s mission of sustainable, plant-based protein will convert even the most hardcore carnivore. Lofty goals, but he tells us how you too can evolve your own company’s mission to create real change in the world.

The Future Workforce Is Human to the Bot Power

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 09:00:00 -0000

There’s the hype. Sure. But there’s also the hysteria. For most, bots are either the thing that’ll carry our companies into the future, or they’re a skip away from subjugating the entire human race. Today, we’re talking to Adelyn Zhou, CMO of TOPBOTS. She gives us her take on companies using these technologies successfully, how you can build a AI or machine learning team yourself (if you really need one), and what we can really expect from our robot overlords.

Your office is built for extroverts. Here’s why that’s a problem.

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 09:00:00 -0000

When we look for leadership characteristics, are we really building a workplace made for extroverts? We look for leaders to constantly speak up, network, and think on their feet. But what are we missing by excluding the strengths of introverts? Today on the show, we’re talking with Amma Marfo, a speaker, writer and editor, who thinks that we can do better. And she has a good idea of where we can start.

Grief Is Inevitable. Why Aren't We Preparing for It at Work?

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 09:30:00 -0000

Four years ago, Karen Millsap’s husband was shot and killed in the gym they co-owned. There was no warning. No response manual. What followed was a time of immense hardship, struggle, and reinvention. Karen joins us to talk about the importance of creating a psychologically safe work environment and the importance of building a culture of empathy and compassion. She offers ways you can ready your company to respond to even the toughest of life experiences.

Is Your Company Ready for PR 2.0?

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Companies have great stories to tell, but they’re being drowned out by thousands of low-quality messages that journalists receive each day. Ricky Yean and his team at Upbeat realized that the problem is one of coordination. Journalists getting way too much of what they don’t need, and not enough of what they do. In this episode, Ricky talks about his solution, the increasing role of influencers in PR, and whether there’s even a future for humans in a more automated PR world.

How ClassPass is Getting Rid of Your Excuses [Rebroadcast]

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:00:00 -0000

When Payal Kadakia quit her job at Warner Music Group, she didn't have a backup plan. She knew she wasn't happy in her job, but she wasn't sure what she wanted to do next. After a few weeks of soul-searching, she decided on her next move: She was going to start a fitness membership to help people uncover new classes in their area. Five years, and a few business models later, ClassPass is helping hundreds of thousands of people ignore any excuse to not exercise.

Why Chubbies is Tired of Being Called a “Bro”

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 09:30:00 -0000

Not long ago, men’s shorts were long, with as many pockets as possible. But these days, they’re shrinking. And we can trace it all back to four friends with one simple idea. Today, we’re talking with Tom Montgomery, a co-founder of Chubbies, a men and women’s clothing company. Tom tells us what it’s like to bear the “bro” stereotype and sell a product that no one was asking for at the time.

Should Everyone Have an Executive Coach?

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:00:00 -0000

To Jerry Colonna, accepting leadership means accepting to work on yourself. Because if you’re struggling personally, your company is probably struggling as well. Jerry is the founder of Reboot, a coaching company that’s helped some of the tech industry’s most well-known leaders. In this episode, he tells us the first step he takes with all of his clients, how he got into this industry, and where he thinks we’re headed when it comes to mental health in the workplace.

Why a Side Hustle Shouldn't Actually Take That Much Hustle

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Projects fail. Side-projects fail even more. But every once in awhile, a project comes along that shatters expectations (and maybe even a Google Sheet in the process). Yet all too often, we’re left wondering why? Mikael Cho, the CEO and founder of Unsplash, knows the answers to this question. Unsplash was once a side project itself. In today’s episode, Mikael explains which signs to keep a sharp eye on when you’re exploring side projects, and how he transitioned his own into the company it is today.

Stop Looking up to Workaholics Who Look Down on You

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:00:00 -0000

When did working 100 hours become the banner for success? And worse, when did it become so damn cool? Luckily, not everyone thinks so. David Heinemeier Hansson is the creator of Ruby on Rails and the founder and CTO of Basecamp. David believes this type of workaholism starts at the top and quickly trickles down to your employees. He tells us why we need to change the narrative and stop thinking that all-nighters make us better employees.

There’s More to Empowering Young People of Color in Tech Than Coding

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Tech has a diversity problem. And in recent years we’ve seen a wave of programs aimed at teaching young people of color to code. But the reality is that addressing the diversity problem is about much more than just teaching kids how to code. Brandon Nicholson is the founding executive director of the Hidden Genius Project, an organization that teaches engineering skills and equips students with leadership skills.

How Pepsi and SheaMoisture Lost the Heart of Their Brand

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Amanda Spann is a serial entrepreneur, and after seeing major judgment errors like Pepsi's tone-deaf Kendall Jenner ad, she launched the site youneedablackperson.com. She meant it as a joke, but it’s rooted in a much larger issue. On today’s episode, Amanda explains how rapid growth and groupthink can poison a company’s better judgment, and how she’s avoiding having the same issues with her own products.

Every Chain Stitch Tells a Story at Fort Lonesome

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0000

For years, the pace of everyday work has been increasing. But Kathie Sever’s company is a good example of why the future may not be faster. Kathie owns Fort Lonesome, a custom chain stitching outfit in Austin, Texas. After witnessing first hand the unsustainable practices of the garment industry, she wanted to change the way we all think about clothing. And she’s doing just that. One stitch at a time.

Taking The Lean Startup from Silicon Valley to the State Department

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0000

More than a decade ago, Steve Blank helped lay the groundwork for The Lean Startup movement. Instead of innovating in a vacuum, he told entrepreneurs they needed to get outside and talk to customers. In this episode, Steve explains why innovation is fundamentally different in startups, how the Lean Startup can be applied almost anywhere, and what you should do if your company’s innovation engine starts to sputter.

Turning the Worst Day of Your Life into Your Life's Work

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Six months after Karen Aiach’s daughter Ornella was born, she was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Doctors told Karen her daughter would likely live for just over a decade. Left with no option, she created one herself. After only three weeks of receiving the news, and with no medical background, Karen cofounded Lysogene, a biotech company targeting the syndrome. In this episode, she reminds us why “no” or “never” is only the start of the conversation.

Rewiring Our Big Dumb Brains (and Culture) for Goodness

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0000

In a world of unicorns, Anthony Tjan is an investor looking for sea turtles. He watched first hand as his company went bust the same day the Dotcom bubble burst. And he realized that good, steady growth powered by teams of good people is really the only thing that matters. In this episode, Tony tells us how to learn from standout companies that promote goodness, how to surround yourself with good people, why you may want to cook dinner with more of your potential employees.

The $21 billion niche Stefania Mallett caters to

Tue, 30 May 2017 09:00:00 -0000

If you’ve ever had to cater a meeting, you know the panic that comes along with it. The type of panic that sits deep in the pit of your stomach. Will the food be late? Will it be the same as you ordered? Or even worse, will it show up at all? Stefania Mallett heard these concerns first hand. Thousands of these concerns, in fact. All from customers at her previous company. And when that company went under? She knew exactly what problem to solve with her next company -- EzCater.

Your productivity app isn’t the problem. You are.

Tue, 23 May 2017 09:00:00 -0000

On Monday, you download a new productivity app. On Tuesday, you load it up with all the tasks you need to accomplish. By Friday? You’ve abandoned that list - and you’re in the market for the next new app that’s sure to change your life. That’s why Amir Salihefendic, the founder and CEO of the productivity startup Doist, says his company is out to solve a psychological problem, not a product problem.

How $500 Checks Helped Bring a Manufacturing Titan Back From Bankruptcy

Tue, 16 May 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Jim Cline was only a few months away from retirement. That is, until a former colleague of his offered him a job most people would run far away from: CFO of a company $134 million in debt. In today’s episode, Jim tells us why he took on that challenge, how he helped realign his team, and how he’s changing course now that he’s stepped up to be the CEO. This episode is presented with HubSpot’s State of Inbound 2017.

Who's in Control When Everything On Earth is Connected? [Rebroadcast]

Tue, 09 May 2017 09:00:00 -0000

If everything on earth is connected, what does that mean for humanity? This week we’re digging out one of our favorites from the archives. In this episode, Linden Tibbets, CEO of IFTTT, outlines a vision of the world where everything is so connected, that moving across the different systems in your life is as easy as rearranging books on a shelf.

GV's (Google Ventures) Jake Knapp on How to 'Fix' Brainstorming

Tue, 02 May 2017 09:00:00 -0000

If you work in some kind of office, you’ve probably spent a good amount of your time in group brainstorms. Sometimes they work, but often you’re left with a ton of really great ideas - and no action. Jake Knapp is probably the most vocal critic of the group brainstorm. He’s the creator of GV's (Google Ventures) sprint process, and the author of “Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days” in which he lays out a five-day alternative to group brainstorms that actually has

Hello Alfred Is Bringing W-2 Employment Benefits to the Gig Economy

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:00:00 -0000

One criticism of the gig economy is that it takes advantage of employees. Companies like Uber or Lyft classify their employees as independent contractors, disqualifying them from benefits. But Hello Alfred, a personal butler service, started by thinking about work differently. When they launched, they made their workforce all eligible for health insurance, 401Ks, and paid family leave. In this episode, co-founders Marcela Sapone and Jessica Beck explain how their model works and scales.

Always Wear Pants: New Rules of Work From The Muse's Kathryn Minshew

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Back in 2011, Kathryn Minshew and Alexandra Cavoulacos founded the online career resource The Muse. Six years and 50 million users later, they decided to team up again to write a playbook - The New Rules of Work - for people looking to plot a course for their career and execute on it. In this episode, we talk to Kathryn about what getting taken down by government agents while working at the US Embassy in Cyprus taught her about what she truly valued, and why you should always wear pants.

Finding Scale in a Business Where One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Many women find themselves at a point in their career where they’re just stuck. Sometimes it has to do with moving up the ranks in a company, returning to the workforce in general, or even striking out in their own venture. That inflection point is why Lisa Skeete Tatum created Landit, which provides career coaching and a playbook for women trying to reach the next step in their career.

The Myth of Machine Learning & Building a Data Science Team That Works

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:00:00 -0000

It seems like every company is trying to come up with an AI and machine learning strategy. Monica Rogati is an independent data science advisor, and she has some news: You can’t just lock a few data scientists in a room and expect them to sprinkle “magical machine learning dust” on everything. In this episode, she explains how a company can develop a successful data strategy, build a strong data team, and hire (and retain) talented data scientists.

When You’re Not Learning Anymore, It’s Time For a Career Change

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 09:00:00 -0000

There are a lot of different ways to move in your career. You can quit and move on to a new company. You can completely reinvent your job, or even reinvent your company. Rachel Blumenthal has moved in her career pretty much every way you can think of. Today, she’s the CEO and Founder of Rockets of Awesome, a children’s clothing membership. In this episode, she tells us how she knew when it was time to move on, how she did it gracefully, and some of the lessons she learned along the way.

Product Market Fit Should Be Emotional

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Many ecommerce companies face the same two problems: the cost of keeping inventory, and the money they have to swallow when a customer returns an item. Shan-Lyn Ma, the CEO and co-founder of Zola, has dodged both of those problems. Zola is an update on the wedding registry. In today’s episode, Shan-Lyn tells us about what she learned from her time working at the shopping website Gilt, her view on the future of ecommerce, and why it’s a good thing if a customer gets emotional when you’re doing user res

Facebook's Julie Zhou on How To Design For 2 Billion Users

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Julie Zhuo was Facebook’s first intern back in 2006. Today, more than a decade later, she’s their VP of Product Design. You can thank her for the newsfeed, “Reactions”, and a lot more. On today’s episode, Julie tells us how she got to where she is today -- despite having no formal background in design -- why her goal is for her team’s work to be “invisible”, and why changes to your product (even changes that make it better) are still incredibly hard to get users to like.

Reham Fagiri: From Goldman Sachs to Challenging Craigslist

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:00:00 -0000

The process of buying and selling used furniture is painful. It’s hard to know what you’re getting and who you’re getting it from. Reham Fagiri started AptDeco to solve that problem. The company has morphed from a scrappy team poaching furniture sales from Craigslist to operating an end-to-end buying, selling and delivery service. In this episode, she talks about how she got AptDeco off the ground and how she deals with the sometimes “explosive” problems she faces.

How Winnie’s Founder Launched a Company as a New Mom & the Spouse of a Cancer Survivor

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0000

A few months after Sara Mauskopf launched her first company, her husband was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. With an infant at home and investors looking for results, Sara had to find a new definition of what “normal” looked like. In this episode, Sara talks about how she started her company while supporting her husband through his illness, why having a co-founder is so important for stability, and what companies get wrong when they try to create products for parents.

What Vera Fischer Did After Losing Her Job During Maternity Leave

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0000

Just 10 weeks into her maternity leave, Vera Fischer was laid off after her company went through a major reorg. Now, 13 years later, she shares how she launched her successful all-in-one advertising and marketing agency, 97 Degrees West. This episode includes Heliotrope and Shift of Currents by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Gimlet Media Co-Founders Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber Rebroadcast

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0000

Happy Valentine’s Day! This holiday has everything to do with relationships. And there’s one type of relationship that we talk about a lot on this show: co-founders. In the spirit of the day, we’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes with the co-founders of Gimlet Media. Alex and Matt tell us why they decided to document their entire experience starting Gimlet in a podcast called StartUp, how they got away with “sucking” at marketing and how they got listeners to love (like, really love) th

Amazon’s Former Data Scientist on Making Your Data Work For You

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 10:00:00 -0000

In 1949, Andreas Weigend’s father was imprisoned in East Germany by Soviet occupying forces who thought he was an American spy. A decade later, when Andreas tried to find the Stasi file on his father, he instead found one about himself. In his new book “Data For the People: How to Make Our Post-Privacy Economy Work for You,” he works to help people understand how they can use their personal data to their benefit.

How Box's Chief Storyteller Bridges the Sales/Marketing Divide: Live at INBOUND16

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0000

Before Doug Landis stepped into his current role as the Chief Storyteller at the file-sharing company Box, he was a Senior Director of Sales at Salesforce. In our last episode from INBOUND 2016, Doug explains why having a story to tell your customers is important, why there’s so often a divide between sales and marketing teams, and why it’s important to let out your “weekend self” sometimes. This episode features the song “Beats - Here I come” by SK, available under a Creative Commons Attribu

The Inside Story of Making 'Making a Murderer': Live at INBOUND16

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 11:49:02 -0000

It was 2005. Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos borrowed a camera, rented a car, and set out to cover a murder trial in the small town of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. They didn’t realize they were embarking on a decade-long journey to create the Netflix hit series ‘Making a Murderer.’ This week, in our third episode from INBOUND 2016, Moira and Laura give us a behind-the-scenes look into their process. This episode features the song “Let's get it” by J-K, available under a Creative Commons Attribution li

Sarah Cooper on Finding Comedy in the Corporate World: Live at INBOUND16

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0000

Sarah Cooper finds the satire in a normal office job in her blog - The Cooper Review. Today, Sarah is a full-time comedian. This week, in our second episode from INBOUND 2016, Sarah tells us how she makes typical life hysterical and what companies get wrong when they try to make content for regular people. This episode features the song “Sorriso (Parvo)” by J-K, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Alec Baldwin: Live at INBOUND16

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0000

This week is the first of our episodes from INBOUND 2016. First up is Alec Baldwin -- actor, comedian, and most recently, Donald Trump impersonator on Saturday Night Live. In this episode, he tells us why the role of Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock was the best job he’s ever had, how he prepared to play Trump, and why he almost didn’t take the gig in the first place. This episode features the song “Can't Shake You” by Mise, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Dan Pink: Robots Won't Steal Jobs, They'll Transform Them.

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:00:00 -0000

Daniel Pink has been a leading voice in business for more than two decades. He’s written five best-selling books about work and management, including “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” and “To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others.” In this episode, Dan tells us what most managers get wrong when they try to motivate their employees, why feedback is key for younger employees, and why he thinks robots won’t be taking away everyone’s job anytime soon.

Best of 2016: Bill Walton, Charles Duhigg, Patty McCord & More

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 10:00:00 -0000

We’re looking back on a few of our favorite moments from the show this year. In this episode, we hear from basketball legend Bill Walton about his time working with coach John Wooden, author Charles Duhigg on why the making of the movie ‘Frozen’ was so chaotic, and a few other favorite past guests. Cheers to a great 2016! Thanks for listening.

What One Entrepreneur Learned From 100 Days of Rejection

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Getting turned down is painful, whether it’s in your personal or your professional life. After a particularly harsh rejection, Jia Jiang decided to go out and face that pain head on. He purposefully tried to get rejected every day for 100 days in a row. In this episode, Jia tells us about how this experiment led him to fly a plane, drive a police car, give a college lecture, buy some specialty donuts, and much more.

Swears & Stick Figures: Behind the Charm of Tim Urban's 'Wait But Why'

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:00:00 -0000

While most publications are trying to keep their articles short and sweet, Tim Urban from 'Wait But Why' regularly dives deep on his topics, writing thousands of words on a given subject. He also illustrates every post - not with modern, sleek graphics, but with hand-drawn stick figures. In this episode, he explains just how he racks up a million pageviews regularly, how he builds and maintains his audience, and why not being an expert on something might make you better at teaching other people about it.

How Hunter Walk Spots Success Before the Spreadsheet Proves Him Right

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 10:00:00 -0000

When seed stage venture capitalist Hunter Walk is evaluating whether to invest in a company, he doesn’t look at the product. To him, it’s all about finding a great team. Before Homebrew, he worked at YouTube and Google - and even worked for a time on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. In this episode, Hunter explains why Conan was the first startup he worked for, how he identifies great companies when there’s no data to evaluate, and the three factors every company needs to be successful when taking VC fu

Escaping the "Good" Trap: The Tough Choices Founders Make to Be Great

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0000

There are so many advantages to starting a company that didn’t exist 10 years ago, but founders and CEOs face more competition than ever. At Alchemist Accelerator, Ravi Belani has helped budding companies navigate these changes - and as a result, has many lessons to share. In this episode, Ravi gives some concrete advice about how to break into the startup scene in 2016, explains why growth purgatory is much worse than hell, and why persistence is more important than intelligence.

The Hashtag's Creator Is Glad He Gave It Away for Free

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Chris Messina invented the hashtag and the concept of coworking spaces. Today, he works for Uber as a Developer Experience Lead. In this episode, Chris explains that the best thing you can do is to give your work away for free, why conversational interfaces will become commonplace by 2020, and how having an open source philosophy can make the internet a more diverse place.

Twitter's Fmr. Editorial Director on Writing: If You Think You Sound Ridiculous, You Do

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0000

A former journalist turned communications strategist, Karen Wickre has lead communication efforts for both Google and Twitter. Today, she advises other prominent companies on building an effective communication strategy. In this episode, she tells us where companies go wrong when trying to work with journalists, how to avoid mind-numbingly bad copy, and how content creators should work with the rest of the company to convince the rest of the company that their work is vital.

How Do You Build an Online Secondhand Clothes Store? Think Like Richard Branson

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Buying clothing secondhand is nothing new -- but the way Anthony Marino is growing threadUP is. Before moving to thredUP, Marino worked for Virgin, under Richard Branson. He says thredUP is building many of Branson’s sensibilities into their growth strategy: Get the economics right first, then build your brand. In this episode, he talks about his personal crash course in ecommerce, how he innovates in a longstanding industry, and why consensus hiring is such a mistake for a growing company.

Hiten Shah Thinks You Should Admit You Suck

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Hiten Shah has co-founded several successful businesses (Kissmetrics, Crazy Egg, and Quick Sprout), and advises an impressive roster of high-growth companies in his spare time. In this episode, Hiten shares some of his first-hand knowledge with us. He talks about how to avoid the common growth trap new companies fall into, what makes a great founder, and what you need to do to run a successful remote company. He even tells us a secret to parenthood!

Amy Chang’s Secret to Building Accompany? Take Big Bets

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Have you ever been tortured by an idea? Amy Chang, CEO of Accompany, knows this feeling well. In fact, it’s what drove her to leave her seven-year stint at Google to start something new. In this episode, Amy shares her thought process behind some of her bolder decisions - from leaving Google to raising $20 million in three years with a product in beta - and the lessons she learned along the way.

Ramit Sethi’s Counterintuitive Advice for Building a Richer Life

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 09:00:00 -0000

While at Stanford University 12 years ago, Ramit Sethi made a big promise to the readers of his blog: He would teach them to become rich.

Though he may regret his website’s name today, no one can question the following his blog, subsequent best-selling book, and numerous spin-off projects have amassed.

In this episode, Ramit shares his story of turning his side project full-time, along with his advice on receiving feedback, dodging the typical new entrepreneur pitfalls, and mastering the art of persuasion.

Buffer Almost Went Under: The Heartbreaking Consequences of Growing Too Quickly

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 09:30:00 -0000

Earlier this year, all looked rosy at Buffer. But one day, Buffer’s CEO Joel Gascoigne and the rest of the management team realized their math didn’t add up. Buffer would be out of money in just five months. After running the numbers, the path seemed clear: They had to lay off 10% of their staff. In this episode, Joel shares how he navigated this tough decision, pivoted after realizing he made a mistake, and restored the company's faith in their vision through radical transparency.

Scaling Trello: The Challenges of Growing Tech’s Favorite Productivity App

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:30:00 -0000

Getting teams across an organization to work together fluidly, transparently, and productively can be a serious challenge - but it’s one Michael Pryor, CEO of Trello, is on a mission to solve. And for all measures, his company is on the fast track to solving it. In this episode, Michael shares the lessons he learned turning a side-project into an international company, and the tough things he had to learn along the way.

Why Early-Stage VCs Shouldn’t Place Bets

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Rob Go, Co-Founder of NextView Ventures, knows what the future of business looks like. In fact, he’s invested in it. As an early-stage VC, he’s backed many companies that made it big. In this episode, Rob shares his thoughts on what it takes to get traction for your product and what else he looks for in companies he invests in.

Episode 100: Guy Kawasaki's Unconventional Advice on Growth

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Today, we're bringing back one of our listeners' all-time favorite guests: Guy Kawasaki. In January 2015, Guy came on the show to talk about some of his counterintuitive social media strategies. Today, he joins us to talk about what's changed since then: the Snapchat vs. Instagram Stories debate; making the most of Facebook Live; and lessons from his book, The Art of the Start 2.0, on building great businesses.

Your Key to Growth May Be Free(mium)

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:30:00 -0000

Julie Herendeen, a pioneer of the freemium model, knows better than most that sometimes your best marketing is free -- freemium to be exact. Julie’s experience has earned her the trust of top companies looking to implement a freemium model -- and in this episode, we get to cover just that. Julie schools us on how to avoid common pitfalls, induce virality, and succeed using the freemium model - in addition to the lessons she’s learned along the way.

The Psychology Behind Your App Addiction

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:00:00 -0000

We all have habits -- some good, some bad. But why are some habits easy to form and others impossible to break? Nir Eyal, author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, has spent years trying to figure out what makes some products and behaviors more habitual than others. In this episode, Nir shares his findings on the secrets to creating habit-forming products and how to leverage these behaviors in your business, career, and life.

The Neuroscience of Unforgettable Content

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:45:00 -0000

We all want to create content people remember (and hopefully, act on). But what makes some pieces of content easier to remember than others? The Neuroscientist Carmen Simon has researched just that and shared her findings in her book, Impossible to Ignore. In this episode, Carmen shares her researched-backed insights on how to create content that leaves a lasting impression.

The Power of Knowing Your Weaknesses, and Other Advice From eShares’ CEO

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Henry Ward, CEO of eShares, thinks that if you want to build a great product, a great team, and a great company, you've got to get real with yourself on what you're bad at. In this episode, we talk with Henry about some of his weaknesses, and hear his perspective on management, feedback, organizational structure, and a few other hot-button issues he's blogged about on Medium.

What Happens When You Win a Free Super Bowl Ad: The Death Wish Coffee Story

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

What if one moment could change the course of your entire business? That pivotal moment came to Mike Brown, Founder of Death Wish Coffee, in the form of a free Super Bowl ad. In one night, their small business became a household name, all because they won a contest with Intuit. In this episode, Mike shares the story behind winning the $5-million-dollar ad slot, what it meant for the business, and how they dealt with quadrupling in size and revenue.

Growing GE, Intuit, eBay & More: Lorrie Norrington's Advice for Building a Legendary Company

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Lorrie Norrington knows how to grow a company. She’s racked up over 30 years of experience as a senior business executive building companies like DIRECTV, GE, Intuit, and eBay. In this episode, Lorrie shares lessons from her storied career on the benefits of taking enough time to analyze your problems, leading your team with transparency, and watching what your customers do (not what they say).

Building the Netflix for Wine: Winc’s CEO on Creating a Personalized Wine Delivery Service

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

People tend only buy one or two different types of wine, and one company is on a mission to change that. Winc uses machine learning to give subscribers personalized wine recommendations and deliver those recommendations to their doorsteps. In this episode, we chat with Xander Oxman, co-founder and CEO of Winc, about his experience building the wine recommendation service, and what advice he’d give other entrepreneurs on starting a company around their personal passions.

Mattermark’s CEO on Her Accidental Mission to Organize the World’s Business Data

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

In high school, Danielle Morrill started working at her father's business. After spending time as an analyst and the Head of Marketing for Twilio, she founded Mattermark, a business that helps companies uncover actionable insights in the wealth of data at their fingertips. In this episode, Danielle talks about expanding Mattermark’s target market, finding “work-life balance” when you start a company with close friends, and building a team when you’re early on in your startup’s journey.

Why IBM Watson Won Jeopardy (And What It Means for Our Future)

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

In 2011, IBM Watson beat Jeopardy mega-champion Ken Jennings, signaling a seismic shift in computing. Like the human mind, Watson can process massive amounts of information --- but in a fraction of the time it would take a normal person. In this episode, Zachary Walchuk, developer evangelist at IBM Watson, shares how computers are starting to think a lot more like humans and what it means for our future.

Netflix’s Former Chief Talent Officer on the Right Way to Build a Great Team

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 10:00:00 -0000

During her time as Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, Patty McCord created the famous Netflix Culture Deck - one Sheryl Sandberg refers to as “...the most important document ever to come out of the Valley.” It comes as no surprise that Patty is a trusted advisor among bigwigs at places like Warby Parker, Bigcommerce, and Simply Hired. In today’s episode, Patty shares her firsthand advice on hiring invaluable teams, building a company culture, and dealing with the growing pains of scale.

$5M in 3 Years: Behind the Scenes of an Up-and-Coming Fashion Startup

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 10:00:00 -0000

Katie Doyle and Jay Adams, the co-founders of Brass Clothing, met when they were 14 years old. It’s on that foundation that they began Brass Clothing. With $25,000 in the bank from a Kickstarter campaign, they set out to build a company to rival fast fashion giants like H&M and Forever 21. They’re estimating $5M in revenue by end of 2017. In this episode, Katie and Jay share their perspective on fundraising and customer feedback, and how their evolving friendship has accelerated their company’s grow

What If Everything in the World Was Connected?

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:00:00 -0000

What if everything around you was connected? That is our future, and Linden Tibbets, CEO of IFTTT, is at the center of it. IFTTT users have complete creative control over how they connect apps and products -- and the possibilities are endless. In this episode, Linden shares his predictions on the future of connectivity and the possible implications for humanity.

How to Fail Better: Hard-Learned Lessons From Medium’s Top Writer

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:01:34 -0000

Jon Westenberg is arguably one of the top writers on Medium. He has over 50 thousand followers, and his content receives over 300 thousand views in a month. By any measure, Jon is incredibly successful - but he’s also taken his fair share of knocks. In this episode, Jon talks about some of the secrets to his success on Medium - and how a few important failures shaped who he is today.

What Happens When You Start a Business With the Love of Your Life

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:48:48 -0000

Imagine starting a company with your significant other. Does that sound like a dream...or a nightmare? For married couple Anna and Nathan Bond, it seemed only natural to start a business together. Years ago, they began Rifle Paper Co., a stationery company, out of their garage. In this episode, Anna and Nathan share the real implications of having your business partner and romantic partner be the same person in your life - and how their relationship has been a key to growing Rifle Paper Co.

Mind the Gap: The Startup Bent on Helping Women Overcome Resume Breaks

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:01:20 -0000

Over 3 million educated women in the U.S. are looking to re-enter the workforce after taking a career break - yet only 40% secure full-time jobs, according to the Center for Talent Innovation. That’s where Jennifer Gefsky, founder of Après, comes in. In this episode, Jennifer shares advice on how to prepare for a career break, what to do during the gap to ensure an easy transition back, and what businesses around the world have to gain from hiring these valuable candidates.

The Secret to Mixpanel’s Rapid Growth? Question Everything

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:54:23 -0000

Suhail Doshi, the founder of Mixpanel, is not afraid to question the way things are done. It all started in 2009. Suhail challenged the “golden metric” of website success and opened the door to more detailed analytics. Today, Mixpanel has nearly 4,000 customers at companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Venmo. In this episode, Suhail shares how he managed to grow his company during a recession using his passion, discipline, luck, and unconventional way of thinking all along the way.

What Most Managers Get Wrong About Hiring

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:43:19 -0000

On paper, the hiring process appears fairly straightforward: read applications, interview, hire top talent, and then rinse and repeat … right? Well, not exactly. The thing is, the conventional hiring process is broken -- and Jon Bischke, CEO of Entelo, has made it his mission to mend it. In this episode, Jon schools us on the top mistakes managers make in the hiring process and the tactics you can employ to be better at recruiting the right talent to grow your team.

Building Better Bots: Ryan Block on Why Computers Can’t Replace Humans (Yet)

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 13:02:00 -0000

Are computers replacing humans? In short: not yet. That’s what Ryan Block, co-founder of Begin, believes, anyway - and he knows a thing or two about bots. In fact, his team is building one of their own, one that helps you stay on top of everything you've got going on. Ryan knows better than most what the bot timeline means for humans, and despite huge tech advancements, he’s largely skeptical. In fact, he claims we’re “15 Nobel Prizes away” from anything that could even remotely replace humans.

The Convenience Play: How Shyp Became the Hottest Startup in Silicon Valley

Tue, 31 May 2016 12:47:48 -0000

People pay for convenience. In fact, the Journal of Economic Perspectives found that consumers are willing to pay 20% more for a product purchased at a convenience store. Kevin Gibbon, the founder of Shyp, experienced this firsthand during his college years as an eBay PowerSeller. During that time, there was one major inhibitor on his business’ scale: the shipping process. Kevin decided to take matters into his own hands, and started Shyp, an uber-convenient shipping service.

The Risks & Rewards of Getting Acquired by Google

Tue, 24 May 2016 12:42:16 -0000

Victoria Ransom has never been afraid of doing things a little differently than her peers. By never shying away from the risks associated with making big changes, Victoria has reaped the rewards - one of them being an acquisition by Google for a reported $450 million. In this episode, Victoria tells us about the risks and rewards of being acquired by Google and the power of taking a break to unlock career growth.

The Surprising Benefit of Sharing Secrets: PostSecret’s Founder on His Decade-Long Social Experiment

Tue, 17 May 2016 12:38:36 -0000

Meet Frank Warren, the person who likely keeps the most secrets in the world. Twelve years ago, Frank asked people to anonymously send their secrets to him on a pre-stamped postcard. More than a decade later, his social experiment turned into one of the most-visited ad-free blogs in the world. In this episode, Frank shares why vulnerability was the key to PostSecret’s growth, and how it can be used to strengthen your core relationships, leadership skills, and business.

charity: water’s Founder on the Power of Naivety

Tue, 10 May 2016 13:09:00 -0000

charity: water’s founder, Scott Harrison, spent 10 years as a club promoter before starting his nonprofit. A decade later, he’s managed to help over 6 million people get access to clean water. How did he rapidly grow charity: water with no experience in the nonprofit sector? He attributes his success to an often-undervalued quality: being naive. In this episode, Scott explains the perspective he’s gained being an outsider in the nonprofit sector and how this has helped him rapidly grow his organizatio

What NBA Legend Bill Walton Learned From the Most Influential Leaders in His Life

Tue, 03 May 2016 12:44:35 -0000

Bill Walton’s life is one of extremes. Back in the 80s, he was a talented player on the Celtics. He's also experienced some deeply difficult situations with his health. At one point, he didn’t think he’d be able to walk again. To navigate these ups and downs, he’s leaned on lessons from three of the most influential leaders of his life: John Wooden, his basketball coach at UCLA; Larry Bird, his teammate on the Celtics; and Jerry Garcia, his idol in The Grateful Dead.

Making “The Message”: Why GE Took a Big Bet on Podcasting (And What’s Next)

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 13:04:33 -0000

As the Chief Creative Officer of GE, Andy Goldberg led the charge in developing new stories on emerging platforms and broadening General Electric's brand reach in the process. One of Andy's recent efforts was launching a podcast called "The Message." In the few weeks after launch, it shot up to the top of the iTunes charts, beating out hits like "Serial." On today's show, Andy shares advice on how to actually push a brand to explore these new, creative pursuits while still staying true to a company's roots.

How to Inspire Others to Make Bold Changes: Tips for Turning Your Vision Into Reality

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 13:21:16 -0000

Part of being an exceptional leader means setting a solid vision for your team - and getting them on board to execute your vision together. But that is easier said than done. Even if you have a great idea, getting your team to understand and support your vision comes with a host of challenges. Enter communications experts Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez. In their new book, "Illuminate," Nancy and Patti dive into research and real examples from companies like Apple, Disney, and IBM.

Building LEGO: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Iconic Brand’s Growth

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:50:00 -0000

For Michael McNally, working at LEGO was destiny. As a kid, he was a die-hard LEGO fanatic. So when he stumbled on a LEGO job listing as an adult, he knew he had to take a chance and apply. Seventeen years later, he couldn't be happier with his choice. In this episode of The Growth Show, Michael shares stories about what it's been like to work for such an iconic company - and his experiences shaping the future of the LEGO brand.

Why the Best Managers Don't Have All the Answers

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 13:31:38 -0000

The best managers aren't always quick to provide a solution. Instead, they ask more questions to help guide their employees to a solution on their own. Sounds simple, right? The thing is, this can be very tough to put into action. And in this episode of The Growth Show, that's exactly what our guest helps us do. We're joined by Michael Bungay Stanier, author of "The Coaching Habit," to learn what separates good managers from great ones - and the tactics you can employ to become a great manager yourself.

How to Build a Brand When No One Understands What You Do

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 13:06:27 -0000

The first rule of branding is to nail down a solid story. But what if your story is extremely complicated and technical? That's the situation Mike Troiano walked into when he become the CMO of Actifio. His solution? Forget the technicalities - instead, pretend you're talking to a 12-year-old about what your company does. Mike also talks with us about some of the challenges he's run into and the specific growth tactics he's seen work along the way.

The Happiness Equation: How to Design a More Fulfilling Life

Sat, 19 Mar 2016 15:42:31 -0000

Most people think happiness is a destination. You work hard. You become successful. Then, you're happy. Rinse and repeat for a happy life...right? Not exactly. According to Neil Pasricha, we've got this all backward. In his recently released book, "The Happiness Equation," Neil dives into research about what makes people happy at work and in life. In this episode, Neil joins us to share his findings, including how to avoid burnout, why you should never retire, and how to identify your true passions in life.

The Unconventional Habits of Highly Productive People

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 12:00:53 -0000

Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer-winning journalist for The New York Times and author of "The Power of Habit," has spent years trying to figure out what makes some people and teams more productive than others. Last week, Charles released his findings in a book titled "Smarter Faster Better." In this episode, Charles shares some of his findings on how to build a happier and more productive team, career, and life.

The Slow Growth Advantage: How This Food Truck Turned Overnight Fame Into Long-Term Profit

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:52:07 -0000

James DiSabatino didn't set out to build one of Boston's biggest food trucks. In fact, he didn't have much of a plan at all. He just knew he wanted to sell grilled cheese, and a food truck was a relatively cheap way to do so. Since then, his food truck, Roxy's Grilled Cheese, has expanded into multiple brick-and-mortar locations. He's building an arcade in partnership with another local joint. He's even expanding out of his grilled cheese niche with an all-new restaurant theme. How'd he do it?

Patagonia’s Rick Ridgeway: Eye-Opening Lessons for Working (and Living) Adventurously

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:44:49 -0000

At Patagonia, transparency isn't convenient. "Transparency is telling the good and the bad," says Rick Ridgeway, Patagonia's VP of Environmental Affairs. "It is having the moxie to openly tell our customers and other external stakeholders about the harm that we are doing." But how does transparency work in reality? In this episode of The Growth Show, Rick gives us a true behind-the-scenes view of what it's like working at one of the most transparent companies in the world.

Developing the Writing Algorithm: Can Computers Teach Us to Be Better Writers?

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 14:02:20 -0000

Learning to write is a painful process. Here's how it typically goes: You spend hours crafting something you think will be a good piece. You submit it to someone else who's in charge of giving you feedback. They tear your piece apart. You make changes to your piece based on their suggestions. Rinse and repeat with new pieces until you're a proficient writer. Becoming a better writer isn't easy. Nor is it fast. But what if technology could make this whole process a little easier?

The Power of No: 3 Leaders Discuss Their Most Difficult Decisions

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:58:10 -0000

Some things in life are easy to turn down. Offered a boiling cup of coffee in the middle of the summer? That's an easy thing to pass on. But some decisions in life aren't so clear-cut. In this episode of The Growth Show, we hear about the most difficult situations three of our past guests (Radical Candor's Author Kim Scott, Wistia's Co-Founder Chris Savage, and Everlane's Founder Michael Preysman) have been presented within their careers - and why they walked away from them.

How One Entrepreneur Built a Six-Figure Tech Company Without Knowing a Line of Code

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:52:14 -0000

When Mike Wilner first set out to build his tech startup, there was a huge elephant in the room: He had no idea how to code. To make matters worse, the company didn’t have a technical founder, either. Not one to let his background hold him back, Mike set out to build his dream company using the skills and resources he already had. The result? Six figures in sales, and enough product-market fit to attract a technical co-founder to the team.

How ChefSteps Plans to Make You Fall in Love With Cooking Again

Tue, 09 Feb 2016 12:35:59 -0000

For many, cooking is a chore. After a long day of work, you come home to throw together an easy-yet-healthy-enough meal. After whipping it up and scarfing it down, you're on to the next thing: Family time, unresolved emails, or a quick episode of Netflix before you pass out. ChefSteps wants to change all that. With a vibrant community, a plethora of creative recipes, and most recently, a shiny new piece of hardware, the company plans to change the way regular people feel about cooking at home.

Selling Snow: How One Couple Built a Booming Side Business From Boston's Biggest Blizzard

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 14:03:59 -0000

It was snowing. A lot. Boston was in the midst of a blizzard, receiving the most snow ever in recorded history. Kyle and Jessica Waring were stranded in their apartment, racking their brains for something to do. Then, they landed on an idea. What if they sold the snow outside their apartment and shipped it to anyone in the country?

ClassPass' Founder on the Twists & Turns of Growing the Popular Fitness Startup

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:55:28 -0000

When Payal Kadakia quit her job at Warner Music Group, she didn't have a backup plan. She knew she wasn't happy in her job, but she wasn't sure what she wanted to do next. After a few weeks of soul-searching, she decided on her next move: She was going to start a fitness search engine to help people uncover new classes in their area. Three years and several pivots later, Payal's landed on a business model that works.

No Such Thing As Luck? 3 Entrepreneurs Dish on Their Biggest Breaks

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 15:56:46 -0000

Most people would agree: Luck is an integral ingredient to success. The tough part is, getting lucky is all up to chance. You can't predict it. You can't manufacture it. Or can you? In this special episode of The Growth Show, we hear stories from three of our past guests (Chris Savage of Wistia, Jascha Kaykas-Wolff of Mozilla, and Vlad Tenev of Robinhood) about a time they got lucky in business - and find out if getting lucky really comes down to chance.

What Great Bosses Do Differently

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 14:07:12 -0000

When was the last time you held back valuable feedback for fear of being mean? We've all done this before. We think we're being kind. But, we aren't. Turns out, this behavior can have drastic consequences when you do this at work - especially when you're a manager.

How to Discover the Next Big Thing: Advice From Mozilla's CMO, Jascha Kaykas-Wolff

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:12:16 -0000

We all want to be the one to uncover the next big thing - the next big app, the next big trend, the next big growth strategy. We take big bets. We tell our boss that surely this is the thing that's going to take off. If we don't pay attention now, we could be left behind. The truth is, uncovering the next big thing can be very difficult - but it's a necessary skill when you're tasked with growing a company. So how do you go about figuring out which trends are about to take off, and which ones will be duds?

Everlane's Founder on Building a Transparent, Focused & Cutting-Edge Fashion Brand

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 14:22:49 -0000

Everlane isn't like many other contemporary fashion brands. While others drive profits by discretely marking up low-cost goods, Everlane discloses the line-by-line costs for producing their products - and how much money they make on each transaction. While others obscure details about their supply chain, Everlane devotes a whole section of their website to photos and information about their factories. How'd the company build such a transparent and nimble brand?

Disrupting a Centuries-Old Industry: How Robinhood Plans to Upend the Financial Sector's Giants

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:28:44 -0000

When you're up against companies with household names and centuries of experience, how do you win market share? It's simple: Find out what they don't do well ... and then do that thing very well. That philosophy is what has made Robinhood a fierce competitor in their space. They created a mobile app that makes it easy to buy and sell stocks - for free. In an industry where people typically pay $10 per transaction, Robinhood is quickly gaining traction with both brand new and experienced investors.

The Realities of Scaling a Startup: Inside Wistia's 10-Year Path to 200K Customers

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 13:43:00 -0000

In the beginning, Wistia had just a few guys working out of an apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It took them a year to make their first dollar, and then another year to sign on 10 customers. But the folks at Wistia never gave up. Nearly 10 years later, the company's persistence has paid off in spades: They have 200,000 customers using their video marketing platform, and they've hired more than 60 people to grow the company even more.

Lyft's CMO on Disrupting a Competitive Industry, Scaling Culture & Hiring Player-Coaches

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:30:43 -0000

Pink mustaches. Fist bumps. A seat up front. These quirks help differentiate Lyft as the friendly, human option in an uber-competitive industry. And it's working. Today, the company is one of the fastest-growing ride-sharing apps on the market. We chat with Lyft CMO Kira Wampler about surviving (and thriving) in a competitive industry, scaling non-scalable parts of a company, and hiring the best people for a high-growth team.

Behind the Scenes With Zappos: How to Build a Lovable Company Culture

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:22:54 -0000

Ah, company culture. It's the management buzzword du jour. And it's often the overlooked, compartmentalized, and misunderstood element to building a hyper-growth company. How should you actually go about building a company culture people love? To find an answer, we spoke with Zappos' Jon Wolske. Listen to this episode to learn about the company's unique approach to management, organizational structure, and most importantly, culture.

The Secrets to Becoming a Radically Honest, Passionate & Audacious Leader

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:03:00 -0000

Kai Kight's background is anything but typical. When he was three, he began learning the violin, later going on to perform in places like the White House and the Great Wall of China. Then, he went on to earn an engineering degree from Stanford University's d. school where he was entrenched in the entrepreneurship community of Silicon Valley.

Mo Mustaches, Mo Growth: The Rise of the Movember Movement

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 02:31:19 -0000

It began as a bet in a bar. A group of friends got together and decided to see who could grow the coolest mustache. Over a decade later, this bet has blossomed into a global movement called Movember. Each November, millions of men all over the world grow mustaches to raise awareness and funds for men's health initiatives.

Growth Secrets From Canva: How the Design Startup Acquires 30K New Users a Day

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:18:43 -0000

Visual content: Everyone knows they need it, but many people lack the skills or tools to do it well. That is, until Canva entered the picture in 2013. The company created an easy-to-use design platform to help the average person create beautiful content. Two years later, it's acquired nearly 7 million users and secured famous investors like Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. How'd Canva grow so darn fast?

How to Compete With Google: Inside This Startup's Plan to Disrupt the #1 Search Engine in the World

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:28:50 -0000

Would you ever start a company that competed with Google? Back in 2007, that's exactly what Gabriel Weinberg did. He created DuckDuckGo, an alternative search engine to Google, and has been chipping away at Google's massive market share ever since. In the past two years, DuckDuckGo has grown nearly 600% and even reached profitability. How does DuckDuckGo successfully compete against one of the biggest and most recognizable companies in the world?

Succeeding on Medium: How the Hottest Publishing Platform Rewards Quality Content & Conversation

Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:23:42 -0000

In a world where attention spans are shortening and there's more and more content than ever, how should a company grow its brand online? Enter Medium. Part platform and part publisher, the company's out to change the way people create and discover content on the web. This week, we chat with Sophie Moura, the head of B2B partnerships at Medium, to get tips for leaders on building a content strategy on the platform.

How to Become an Influential Leader: Tips on Hiring, Growth & Management From Charlene Li

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:36:41 -0000

Technology has completely changed the way people work -- especially leaders at high-growth companies. How should managers approach hiring, growth, and management today? This week, we sit down with Charlene Li, Founder and CEO of Altimeter Group, to chat about her philosophy on these top leadership concerns.

How to Make Your Own Luck: Problogger's Founder on the Secrets to Success (Live at #INBOUND15)

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:17:00 -0000

It all started with an email from a friend, mentioning this thing called a "blog." Darren Rowse learned of this new trend taking the internet by storm - and he wanted to try it to build a business. Thirteen years later, Darren Rowse has built two extremely successful blogs - Problogger and Digital Photography School - that amass over 5 million visitors each month.

Embracing Doubt & Other Leadership Lessons From a Former Executive at LinkedIn (Live at #INBOUND15)

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:21:36 -0000

It's natural to be afraid of doubt - especially when you're leading a team. You want to be the calm, cool, and collected leader ... but inside you're freaking out. Turns out, some of the best leaders and innovators are those who embrace doubt. In this episode of The Growth Show, Kevin Eyres, an executive coach for hyper-growth companies and former executive at LinkedIn, joins us to talk about the power of doubt, and how it can make you a more innovative leader.

Todd Rowe, Google’s Managing Director, on Creating a Culture of Innovation (Live at #INBOUND15)

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:28:37 -0000

Ever wonder why Google is so successful? According to Todd Rowe, Managing Director at Google, it all comes down to placing big bets on smart people - and giving them the space to achieve those bets. In this special episode of The Growth Show that was recorded live at INBOUND 2015, Todd gives us a great overview of Google’s philosophy on growth.

Sophia Amoruso, Founder of Nasty Gal, Live at #INBOUND15

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:19:55 -0000

The year was 2006. Sophia Amoruso was sitting in her apartment in a bathrobe and selling vintage clothes on eBay. She was the “one man band” behind Nasty Gal: She found the vintage clothes, styled the outfits, modeled them for product pictures, shipped her products to eager customers, and collected feedback along the way. Years later, Nasty Gal has become one of the hottest fashion brands for young women.

Jonah Peretti, Founder of BuzzFeed & The Huffington Post, Live at #INBOUND15

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:38:51 -0000

On this live-recorded episode from INBOUND 2015, Jonah Peretti, founder of BuzzFeed & The Huffington Post, joins us to chat about BuzzFeed's insane growth and how viral content spreads.

Marc Maron Live at #INBOUND15

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 20:51:38 -0000

Comedian and podcaster Marc Maron joins us on this episode of The Growth Show -- the first in a series of live interview's from INBOUND 2015.

Clif Bar CEO Kevin Cleary

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:47:00 -0000

The founders of Clif Bar could have sold the company for $120M in 2000. Most people would have taken that offer, but instead, Clif Bar wanted to build a brand that would last well beyond their founders -- a brand that would matter for current employees, future employees and their kids. Fast forward to 2015 and that’s exactly what Clif Bar has done.

Re-Thinking the Way We Work with Basecamp CEO Jason Fried

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:08:32 -0000

Jason Fried is the founder and CEO of Basecamp, the co-author of Getting Real, Remote, and The New York Times Bestseller REWORK. He’s a frequent speaker on management, leadership and is always challenging the status quo in a quest to change the way we work.

Ghostery CEO Scott Meyer

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:56:48 -0000

Scott Meyer is the CEO of Ghostery, a technology company that allows consumers and businesses to create safer, faster, and more trusted digital experiences. Prior to Ghostery, Scott was President and CEO of About.com and held a senior management role at the New York Times. He joins Dave this week to talk about transparency, why he still makes the time to interview every new hire, how he runs meetings with his direct reports and more.

The Heady Topper Craze

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:45:12 -0000

John and Jen Kimmich are the owners of the Alchemist Brewery. Their most popular beer, Heady Topper, has become a sensation up and down the East Coast. It’s been called liquid gold, sacred beer and the greatest IPA people have ever tasted, and craft beer lovers today go to crazy lengths just to get their hands on a case of it. The thing that makes Heady Topper’s popularity even crazier, is that the beer is only sold within a 20-mile radius near Stow, Vermont.

Sue Heilbronner, CEO, MergeLane

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 20:34:06 -0000

Sue Heilbronner is the CEO and Co-Founder of MergeLane, a startup accelerator in Boulder, CO that discovers, accelerates and invests in exceptional women and the companies they run. We talk about MergeLane and why she started an accelerator focused on women, how she re-invented herself in the middle of her career (she’s gone from Federal Prosecutor to CMO to CEO to investor), and what makes a great leader (based on her work with the Conscious Leadership Group).

Gimlet Media Co-Founders Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:27:57 -0000

Last year, former This American Life producer and Planet Money co-host Alex Blumberg launched a business of his own: Gimlet Media. Today, Gimlet has 20 full-time employees, $2M in revenue, and three shows (including StartUp) that are routinely in the top 30 on iTunes, attracting an audience of over four million people each month.

Harry's Co-Founder and Co-CEO Jeff Raider

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:41:06 -0000

Jeff Raider is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Harry’s. Harry’s is on a mission to make the shaving process easier: all you have to do is enter the number of blades you want and how often you want to get them, and Harry's will send razors right to your door. Before starting Harry’s, Jeff was one of the co-founders of Warby Parker, and many are now calling Harry’s "The Warby Parker of shaving."

Blue Bottle Coffee CEO James Freeman

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:21:27 -0000

James Freeman is the founder and CEO of Blue Bottle Coffee, a coffee roaster and retailer headquartered in Oakland, California.Best known for their long lines of customers who wait for individually brewed cups of coffee, Blue Bottle has caught the eye of Silicon Valley’s top investors, including Chris Sacca’s Lowercase Capital, Google Ventures, Kevin Systrom (Instagram founder) and Tony Hawk.

How 90+ Cellars Became the Fastest Growing Wine Brand in the U.S.

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 19:29:17 -0000

90+ Cellars is the fastest growing wine brand in the U.S. yet they don’t own any vineyards, they don’t plant any grapes, and they don’t even own any wineries. Kevin Mehra (President) and Brett Vankoski (Vice President) join Growth Show producer Dave Gerhardt on this episode to share the story behind 90+ Cellars and going from launching the company during the recession to growing 580%.

Codecademy CEO Zach Sims

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:22:22 -0000

With only one year left until graduation, Zach Sims decided to drop out of Columbia in 2011 to start Codecademy. Fast forward to 2015 and Codecademy has grown to help more than 25 million people around the world learn how to code.

Elon Musk Biographer and Businessweek Writer Ashlee Vance

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 19:30:21 -0000

Veteran tech journalist Ashlee Vance (NYT, Businessweek) joins Mike to talk about Ashlee’s best-selling biography of Elon Musk. Ashlee goes behind the scenes to talk about PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla and SolarCity, Elon’s personality and working style, and why he’s more like Thomas Edison than Steve Jobs.

theSkimm Founders Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 19:32:04 -0000

Carly and Danielle quit their jobs at NBC News without a product and only two months worth of savings in their bank accounts. Today, they’re the founders of theSkimm, which has been called Oprah’s must-read newsletter. And Oprah’s not alone -- theSkimm has grown to over one million subscribers, and the founders are well on their way to turning news into a lifestyle brand.

Harvard Business Review and Venturebeat on the Future of Publishing

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 17:10:23 -0000

We’ve got two special guests on this episode of The Growth Show: Harvard Business Review Group Publisher Josh Macht and Venturebeat Editor-In-Chief Dylan Tweney. Dylan steps in as host and talks to Josh about the future of the publishing industry, how Harvard Business Review has grown an audience of millions in an age where traditional media is declining, and they both share their thoughts on why today’s publishers need to diversify their revenue streams and not rely on a single business model.

How an Event Grew from an Idea to 10,000 Attendees

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 15:38:38 -0000

If you've ever thought about running an event for your business, you don't want to miss this episode. Mike sits down with HubSpot's VP of Brand & Buzz Cindy Goodrich to talk about how INBOUND grew from a small conference to an event with over 10,000 attendees and speakers like Martha Stewart, Seth Godin, Arianna Huffington, Malcolm Gladwell and Amy Schumer.

Mark Roberge, Chief Revenue Officer, HubSpot

Sun, 31 May 2015 17:54:14 -0000

When Mark Roberge joined HubSpot in 2007, he had never run a sales team. So he stuck with what he knew how to do and created a system of hiring and development that relied heavily on metrics and quantitative analysis (he was trained as an engineer at MIT). Mark grew to serve as HubSpot's SVP of Worldwide Sales and Services until 2013, during which he increased revenue over 6,000% and expanded the team from 1 to 450 employees.

Ask Mike Anything

Fri, 29 May 2015 15:27:29 -0000

Mike answers your questions on this special episode of The Growth Show — including how his team maintains a startup mentality, the right way to pay marketers, and what he would do with a billion dollar budget. Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions via Inbound.org.

Michelle Miller, The Underwriting

Mon, 25 May 2015 23:47:14 -0000

In 2013, Michelle Miller left her job at JP Morgan to write a story about Wall Street and Silicon Valley called The Underwriting. She knew nothing about publishing or marketing a book but knew she wanted to do something different, so she wrote the story and released it on her website, one chapter at a time over the course of 12 weeks.

Ministry of Supply CEO Gihan Amarasiriwardena

Wed, 20 May 2015 15:16:51 -0000

Imagine wearing a dress shirt that didn’t make you sweat on your commute to work? Launched out of MIT, Ministry of Supply has set out to do just that: create clothes for work that behave like clothes you’d wear to the gym. After the company was started out of MIT, Ministry of Supply set out to raise just $30,000 on Kickstarter. Within five days of launching their campaign, the team not only met their goal but went on to raise over $400,000 and shattered the record for a fashion campaign on Kickstarter.

Boston Red Sox SVP of Brand and Marketing, Adam Grossman

Sun, 17 May 2015 15:19:10 -0000

The concept of growth is a little different when you run marketing for a professional sports team. For Adam Grossman, SVP of marketing and brand development for the Boston Red Sox, success is often dictated by two things he can’t control: wins and losses. But he still has to fill seats, sell merchandise, and drive revenue for the organization. That presents a unique challenge for his marketing team: How do you measure success, exactly?

Brandee Barker, Facebook’s First PR Executive

Mon, 11 May 2015 20:40:39 -0000

Brandee Barker was hired in 2006 as Facebook’s first head of communications. While at Facebook, she led the PR strategy around their investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships and product announcements, including News Feed, Pages, “Share,” “Like,” and Facebook Ads. As an expert in communications strategy, she’s become the go-to PR person in Silicon Valley and has advised some of the fastest-growing companies of this decade including Airbnb, Dropbox, Groupon, Spotify, and Uber.

Product Strategy with Intercom Co-Founder Des Traynor

Thu, 07 May 2015 20:50:04 -0000

Des Traynor is one of the best in the business when it comes to product strategy and managing growth. He joins HubSpot’s Meghan Keaney Anderson on this bonus episode of The Growth Show to talk about why product strategy means saying no, the best ways to get customer feedback, and why you should think about a cupcake instead of baking a wedding cake.

Seth Godin

Mon, 04 May 2015 22:13:00 -0000

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, a marketer, an author, and a speaker. People have called him the godfather of modern marketing and the best marketing brain on the planet. He joins HubSpot CMO Mike Volpe on this episode of The Growth Show to talk about building a business that will last, the importance of trust in hiring, and why you should think about being better vs. being bigger.

Warby Parker Co-Founder Neil Blumenthal

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 20:42:00 -0000

Neil Blumenthal and his friends (later turned co-founders) were tired of paying outrageous prices for their glasses, so they did what any crazy and ambitious entrepreneur would: they set out to disrupt the eyewear industry by cutting out the middleman. Warby Parker launched in 2010 and hit their first-year sales goals in three weeks. Fast forward five years and not only have Neil and his co-founders achieved their mission, but they’ve built a socially conscious brand that people love.

Meerkat Founder Ben Rubin

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 14:59:00 -0000

Two months ago, Meerkat didn’t even exist. Today, the live-streaming app has over 700,000 active users, including celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Madonna. Meerkat founder Ben Rubin sits down with HubSpot CMO Mike Volpe to talk about how they grew so big so fast, how they’ve kept growing despite being cut off from Twitter’s graph, the decision to pivot the entire company in just five days, and why we should care about live-streaming.

SoulCycle VP of PR & Brand Strategy Gabby Cohen

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:12:25 -0000

SoulCycle has evolved into one of the fastest-growing fitness sensations of all-time — the result of a cult-like following that they’ve built that’s been taking over America since 2006. What began as a single cycling studio in New York City then has now grown to 39 studios and in 2011, the company was acquired by Equinox.

Product Hunt's Ryan Hoover and Erik Torenberg

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 15:11:32 -0000

Product Hunt started as an email newsletter in 2013 about founder Ryan Hoover’s favorite new products. Today, Product Hunt has become the place to discover what’s next in tech -- everything from new products to apps, podcasts, and even books.

Blue Apron Founder & CEO Matt Salzberg

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 20:45:31 -0000

Blue Apron is one of the fastest-growing food delivery businesses. Each week, they send customers a box that includes recipes and the ingredients needed to create high-quality, fresh meals. And these aren’t just your average recipes - Blue Apron meals range from things like Almond-Crusted Cod to Piri-Piri Chicken. Since launching just two years ago, Blue Apron now ships over one million meals every month.

Apple Watch Special: Silicon Valley Veteran Philippe Kahn

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:03:04 -0000

You may not have heard of Philippe Kahn, but you’re definitely familiar with his work: he’s credited with creating the first camera phone and sharing the first mobile photo. Today, his company Fullpower Technologies is behind many of today’s top wearable devices including Jawbone’s UP and Nike’s fuel band. Now he’s helping luxury Swiss watchmakers tap into the smart watch movement -- they’ve created the first watches that look like a Swiss watch but act like an Apple Watch.

Airbnb's Growth Philosophy & Why It's Better to Have 100 People Love You

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:54:38 -0000

Airbnb has already overtaken major hotel companies in terms of its valuation, and their growth could have them on pace to book more guests than hotels over the next few years. On this episode of The Growth Show, Airbnb’s engineering manager for growth Jason Bosinoff joins HubSpot CMO Mike Volpe to talk about what’s behind that growth, why their customers tell the story better than they do, and why they believe it’s better to have 100 people love you than 1,000 people like you.

Slack CMO Bill Macaitis

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:18:15 -0000

Bill Macaitis knows a little bit about growth. In his time as Zendesk CMO, he helped take the company from venture-funded startup through an IPO resulting in a $1.7 billion market cap. When he led online marketing and operations at Salesforce, he helped grow revenues from $900M to $3 billion. Today he serves as CMO at Slack, the hyper-growth messaging startup that is less than two years old and already worth north of $2B with over 500,000 users.

Christine Tsai, Founding Partner, 500 Startups

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 13:52:33 -0000

Christine Tsai is one of the founding partners of 500 Startups. Prior to 500, Christine spent eight years at Google working on AdSense, Google Analytics and YouTube. She joins HubSpot’s Katie Burke on this episode of the Growth Show to talk about what she learned during Google’s crazy growth - there were 1,000 employees when she started there and over 50,000 today.

Executive Coach & Former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK Cameron Herold

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:41:45 -0000

Most people would be thrilled to build one $100 Million business. Cameron Herold has built three, including 1-800-GOT-JUNK, the worlds-largest residential junk removal company, where he grew revenues from $2 Million to $106 Million in just six years. Today, Cameron is a business coach, mentor to several companies, and CEO coach to large corporations globally.

The Podcast Resurgence with Marketing Over Coffee’s John Wall

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:25:30 -0000

John Wall, host of Marketing Over Coffee - one of the most popular and longest running marketing podcasts - joins HubSpot CMO Mike Volpe to talk about the resurgence of podcasts and if you should think about starting one for your business.

Why Beth Doane Left the Fashion Industry to Change It & The Story Behind Raintees

Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:34:45 -0000

After years running a company in the fashion industry and witnessing environmental pollution and human rights violations, Beth Doane had finally seen enough. But instead of leaving the industry behind, she wanted to try and change it -- and that’s exactly what she did with Raintees. Built on her vision that fashion could be made ethically while making a difference, every Raintee sold plants a tree in an endangered forest and helps to donate school supplies to children in need.

Inside the Mind of a Great Leader: What Boston's Chief of Staff Learned from Arianna Huffington

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:45:02 -0000

17 years ago, Dan Koh kicked off his career in public service by working in sting operations designed to crack down on cigarette sales to minors. He was 12 years old. Today - at just 29 - Dan is Chief of Staff to the City of Boston where he advises the Mayor and helps him execute on his vision for the city.

A VC's Advice on Content, Cash & Churn with Tomasz Tunguz

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 00:57:47 -0000

Tomasz Tunguz is a partner at Redpoint Ventures and former Product Manager at Google. Tomasz is best known for his data-driven blog posts about the key questions facing startups including how to fundraise, startup benchmarks, management best practices and team building. Almost all of his writing and thought leadership is centered around one main theme: “What can you do to grow faster?”

5,000 Tattoos, and $75M in Revenue: Inside Tough Mudder's Rapid Growth

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 02:02:18 -0000

Will Dean is the founder and CEO of Tough Mudder. Dean came up with the idea for Tough Mudder while at Harvard Business School and at the time, everyone thought he was crazy. With only $8,000 to spend on marketing, Dean hoped to get 500 people at their first event. Instead, 5,000 people showed up and there was no looking back from there.

Guy Kawasaki on Unconventional Social Media Strategies

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 01:08:30 -0000

Guy Kawasaki, former Chief Evangelist at Apple and now Chief Evangelist at Canva joins us to talk about his latest book, The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users, and a few of his unconventional social media strategies that have helped him drive traffic and build an audience of millions of followers.

How Shopify Grew 10X in 3 Years

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:55:43 -0000

On this episode of The Growth Show, HubSpot’s Mike Volpe and Meghan Keaney-Anderson sit down with Craig Miller, Chief Marketing Officer at Shopify, to talk about the techniques that his team has used to help fuel Shopify's 10x growth since joining the company just three years ago. Miller also talks about why he thinks engineers make great marketers, his decision to re-brand the marketing team to the growth team, and why there are huge opportunities in things that are often boring like your Terms of Servic

David Skok, Matrix Partners (Pt. 2)

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:52:41 -0000

Part 2 of Mike Volpe's interview with David Skok, General Partner, Matrix Partners and four-time entrepreneur.

David Skok, Matrix Partners (Pt. 1)

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:51:05 -0000

On this episode of The Growth Show, HubSpot CMO Mike Volpe sits down with David Skok from Matrix Partners. Skok started his first company in 1977 at age 22, and since then has started four separate companies, three of which went public. Through his experience as a founder and now an investor, Skok has become one of the leading thinkers on growth and building a business -- and specifically in the areas of sales and marketing.

The Naked Brand and the Importance of Truth in Advertising & Marketing

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:09:26 -0000

On this episode of The Growth Show, HubSpot CEO Brian Halligan & VP of Marketing Cindy Goodrich chat with Jeff Rosenblum, the writer, director, and executive producer of The Naked Brand, a documentary that looks at how companies can change the world by doing something revolutionary -- telling the truth in their marketing and advertising.