The CEO.com Show l442d

In this episode of the CEO.com Podcast, Clint sits down with Liz Hunt, the dynamic CEO and Chief Creative at Day Cloud Studios. Liz shares her incredible journey from being fired from her dream job to founding a successful creative agency in Omaha, Nebraska. Discover how she landed her first major clients, the evolution of Day Cloud Studios, and the challenges and triumphs of managing a team of creatives. Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 00:53 - Liz's journey to founding Day Cloud Studios 02:25 - Landing the first major clients 03:19 - The evolution of Day Cloud Studios 06:01 - The impact of AI on the creative industry 08:12 - The Agency Rocket Show 10:14 - Managing a team of creatives 11:54 - A typical day for Liz 13:02 - Social media strategy and content planning 18:32 - Mental health and entrepreneurship 22:46 - Preparing for 2025 26:08 - The importance of giving and receiving chances

In this episode, Clint sits down with Marie Moody, the founder and CEO of Stella & Chewy's, to explore her incredible journey from the fashion industry to revolutionizing the pet food market. Marie shares the heartfelt story of how a sick dog led her to discover the benefits of raw diets for pets, ultimately inspiring her to create Stella & Chewy's in 2003. She discusses the challenges of starting a business pre-internet, the evolution of pet food manufacturing, and the importance of building a strong team. Marie also opens up about her experiences stepping back into the CEO role, the impact of economic changes on the pet food industry, and the future of AI in manufacturing. Plus, get a glimpse into her personal life as she balances being a CEO and a mother. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:09 - Marie Moody's background and the founding of Stella & Chewy's 00:43 - The story behind the brand's inception 02:08 - Early challenges and the first steps in the business 04:09 - Educating consumers about raw pet food 06:01 - Scaling the business and building a brand 09:10 - Moving to Wisconsin and opening a manufacturing plant 11:50 - Realizing the business potential 13:57 - Changes in manufacturing over the years 17:44 - Pricing and selling strategies 21:32 - A typical day for Marie Moody 24:28 - Returning as CEO 25:31 - Economic environment and its impact 27:25 - Product development and innovation 28:40 - The role of AI in the future 29:03 - Personal insights and family life 30:29 - The importance of giving and receiving chances

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, we sit down with John Mueller, the CEO of Greenlight, a leading multi-state cannabis operator. John shares his fascinating journey from running a cattle feedlot in China to becoming a key player in the cannabis industry. Discover the challenges and intricacies of operating in a highly regulated market, the process of obtaining licenses, and the impact of political changes on the industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:34 - Early Ventures and Entry into Cannabis 01:25 - Overview of Greenlight Operations 02:20 - Opening a Dispensary and Licensing 03:16 - Licensing Process and Challenges 05:58 - Lottery System for Licenses 06:41 - Product Diversity and Consumer Preferences 07:21 - Distribution and Security Measures 08:56 - State of the Cannabis Industry 10:45 - Market Trends and Economic Impact 13:00 - Political and Legal Landscape 16:06 - Black Market Competition 18:02 - Fentanyl Crisis and Safety Concerns 18:29 - International and Domestic Market Dynamics 20:26 - Typical Day of a CEO 21:42 - Impact of AI on the Cannabis Industry 23:34 - Recruitment and Hiring Practices 24:55 - Preparing for Political Changes 26:32 - Reflection on Opportunities and Mentorship 27:55 - Conclusion and Future Prospects

In this episode, Clint sits down with Shawn Boom, the CEO of Labster, to explore the innovative ways his company is transforming education and healthcare. Labster is at the forefront of creating immersive virtual simulations for STEM education, addressing critical issues like the nursing shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction and Background of Labster 00:36 - Impact of COVID on Education and Labster's Role 01:18 - Virtual Simulations in STEM Education 01:49 - Future of Education: Immersive and Personalized Learning 02:50 - Labster's Collaboration with Educational Institutions 03:33 - Addressing the Nursing Shortage with VR Training 04:12 - Reasons Behind the Nursing Shortage 05:04 - Role of AI in Labster and Education 07:04 - Research on Nurses' Readiness and Stress 08:22 - AI's Impact on Healthcare 09:54 - A Day in the Life of Labster's CEO 10:43 - Reading Recommendations 12:09 - Lessons in Leadership 13:11 - Planning for 2025 14:30 - Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances 15:57 - Closing Remarks

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, host Clint sits down with Tom, the CEO and President of Samsara Vision, a groundbreaking medical device company specializing in vision restoration. Tom shares his incredible journey from a personal trainer to leading a company that is transforming lives with its innovative implantable miniature telescope for patients with age-related macular degeneration. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:09 - Tom's background and career journey 00:42 - Overview of Samsara Vision and its mission 02:02 - The technology behind the SING-IMT 04:03 - Launching the SING-IMT in China 07:26 - The timeline and challenges of bringing a medical device to market 09:47 - Advice for aspiring medical device founders 10:30 - A day in the life of Tom, the CEO and Ironman triathlete 12:07 - The impact of the Gaza and Israel conflict on the business 14:23 - Mental health and leadership during challenging times 16:28 - The role of AI in Samsara Vision's outreach 19:04 - Tom's reading and podcast recommendations 20:30 - Recruiting top talent and the importance of patient connection 22:09 - The future of medical device investment 24:20 - Leadership lessons learned 26:07 - The importance of empathy and being on the front lines 27:51 - The person who gave Tom his first big break

In this episode, Clint sits down with Satyen, the CEO and co-founder of Alation, to explore the fascinating world of AI and data governance. Satyen shares his journey from being a financial analyst on Wall Street to founding Alation, a company that is revolutionizing how businesses understand and utilize their data. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction and Background of Bastian 00:40 - Founding Alation and Co-Founders' Expertise 01:52 - Evolution and Impact of AI on Business 02:24 - Challenges of AI in Business Information Systems 04:45 - Balancing AI Innovation and Product Focus 06:30 - Governance and Risks of AI in Enterprises 09:23 - Use Cases of Alation's Product 11:51 - Bastian's Reading and Podcast Recommendations 13:31 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 15:44 - Building Culture and Values at Alation 17:29 - Work from Home vs. In-Office Dynamics 19:35 - Raising Venture Capital and Market Perspectives 22:40 - Evolving Leadership Style with Company Growth 25:58 - CEO's Role in Societal Issues 29:02 - Market Outlook for 2025 31:14 - Acknowledging Key ers in Bastian's Journey 33:27 - Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, host Clint welcomes Uday, the CEO and founder of Sentry AI. Uday shares his incredible journey from being a software engineer and management consultant to founding a company that aims to make society crime-free using AI technology. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction and Uday's background 00:33 - The inspiration behind Sentry AI 01:22 - What Sentry AI does 02:01 - Discussion on robotic security and AI 07:00 - Uday's personal experience with crime and the founding of Sentry AI 09:09 - How Sentry AI monitors security cameras 11:03 - The future of AI in security 15:10 - Uday's take on the future of AI 18:43 - Fundraising and building Sentry AI 21:33 - A day in the life of Uday 24:32 - Uday's reading recommendations 27:08 - Thoughts on the future market environment 30:42 - The importance of giving and receiving chances 32:31 - Closing remarks

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Joe Mercorella, the CEO of Lumary. Lumary is a groundbreaking company in the disability and aged care sector in Australia. Discover how he combined his ion for technology and meaningful work to create a company that aims to enable sustainable healthcare globally. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Initial Impressions 00:20 - Guest Introduction and Company Overview 00:36 - Combining ion with Entrepreneurship 00:59 - Journey to Lumary and Initial Steps 01:31 - Vision for Sustainable Healthcare 01:42 - Clarifying Company Name: Lumary 02:01 - Early Work in Disability Sector 02:23 - Australian Government Reforms in 2014 02:45 - Challenges in the Disability Sector 03:16 - Non-Profit Organizations in Australia 03:53 - Government Mandates and Market Conservatism 04:14 - Adoption of Cloud Technology 04:45 - Foundation Clients and Market Advocacy 05:00 - Impact of Cloud Technology 05:33 - Paper-Based Systems in Various Sectors 06:13 - Building a Company in Australia 06:45 - Entrepreneurial Spirit in Different Australian Cities 07:17 - Challenges and for Young Entrepreneurs 08:17 - Venture Ecosystem in Australia 09:01 - Raising Capital and VC Engagement 10:05 - Staying in Adelaide vs. Moving to Bigger Cities 11:02 - Building Locally and Community Impact 11:44 - Expanding into International Markets 12:05 - Challenges of Entering the US Market 12:26 - Simplifying Market Entry Concerns 12:58 - Product Development and Market Leadership 13:30 - Finding Trustworthy People in New Markets 14:07 - Perception of Australian vs. US Companies 15:01 - Impact of AI on the Sector 15:54 - Importance of a Solid Foundation for AI Integration 16:37 - Internal Use of AI for Efficiency 17:08 - Blueprint for Proficient Business Operations 17:53 - Ethics and Marketing of AI 18:26 - Internal Efficiency Improvements with AI 19:40 - Typical Day Across Time Zones 20:33 - Staying Grounded: Family and Faith 21:58 - Reading and Learning Interests 23:36 - Australian Perspective on US Politics 24:20 - Views on US Political Polarization 25:07 - Term Limits and Political Stability 26:09 - Predictability in Political Systems 27:00 - Economic Influence and Market Analysis 28:11 - Fiat System and Crypto Discussion 29:14 - State System and Regional Differences 30:08 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance? 30:22 - Family Influence and Entrepreneurial Spirit 30:56 - Closing Remarks and Appreciation

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint welcomes Nicole Sahin, the visionary CEO and founder of Globalization Partners (GP). Nicole shares her incredible journey of building a company that revolutionizes global employment, making it easier for businesses to hire talent from anywhere in the world. Nicole dives deep into how GP operates in over 180 countries, providing a seamless platform for companies to manage legal, HR, and tax complexities. She also discusses the transformative power of AI in their operations and the exciting launch of their new AI product. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:26 - Nicole's journey to founding GP 00:47 - How GP simplifies global employment 02:43 - Expanding to 180 countries 03:26 - The role of AI in GP's operations 05:41 - Democratizing opportunity globally 08:02 - Nicole's book and key insights 09:04 - Speaking at the World Economic Forum 10:41 - The future of AI and its impact on humanity 11:54 - Nicole's daily routine and reading recommendations 13:48 - Maintaining company culture across countries 16:34 - Staying motivated as a leader 18:06 - The evolving role of CEOs in society 19:44 - Traits of a successful leader 21:08 - Who gave Nicole a chance

Clint recently interviewed Amanda Holmes, the CEO of Chet Holmes International, to discuss her incredible journey from being a singer-songwriter to leading a renowned sales and marketing training company. Amanda shares her personal story of inheriting the company at the age of 24 after her father's ing and how she managed to increase leads by 1176% in her first year as CEO. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Amanda's Background 00:21 - Transition to CEO of Chet Holmes International 01:03 - Battling Adversity and Taking Over the Company 01:50 - Hurricane Alert and Amanda's Dedication 02:31 - Achievements as CEO 03:03 - Key Strategies for Success 04:02 - Condolences and Personal Connection to Cancer 04:33 - Overview of Chet Holmes International 05:03 - Business Success Statistics 05:28 - Skills for Scaling a Business 06:11 - Mastery and Focus in Business 06:52 - Essential Business Skills 07:03 - Time Management Secrets 07:24 - Identifying Quality Clients 07:45 - Effective Messaging in Marketing 08:28 - Importance of Buying the Book 08:41 - Impact of AI on Sales 09:25 - Human Element in AI-Driven Sales 11:25 - Increasing Importance of Human Connection 12:37 - Amanda's Daily Routine and Time Management 16:43 - Keynotes and Training Events 18:29 - Final Thoughts and Gratitude 19:09 - Acknowledging and Guidance

In this episode, Clint sits down with Mike, the CEO and founder of Brightwave, to explore the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on investment research. Brightwave is an innovative platform that leverages AI to enhance human cognition and streamline investment workflows. Mike shares his journey, insights, and the future of AI in trading and investment. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction and Background of Mike and Brightwave 00:30 - Overview of Brightwave's AI-Powered Investment Research 01:12 - Human Judgment vs. AI in Investment Decisions 02:04 - Market Efficiency and AI Limitations 03:00 - Historical Comparison: ants and Computational Spreadsheets 04:11 - Mike's Career and Decision to Found Brightwave 06:00 - Early Work with Language Models and Databricks 07:02 - Open Source vs. Closed Source AI Debate 09:14 - Future of AI: Agentic Tool Use and Long-Term Predictions 11:59 - AI's Impact on Employment and Professional Work 13:01 - Future of Trading Platforms in the Age of AI 14:49 - Rise of Retail Trading and Democratization of Technology 16:00 - Disillusionment and the American Dream 17:08 - A Day in the Life of Brightwave's CEO 19:41 - Mike's Reading Preferences and Recommendations 20:47 - Mental Health and Loneliness in Entrepreneurship 23:42 - Importance of Human Connection in the Age of AI 24:31 - Building and Defining Company Culture at Brightwave 27:23 - Staying Motivated as a CEO 29:20 - Decision to Work In-Person vs. Remote 30:44 - Preparing for 2025 and Capital Efficiency 31:57 - Reflecting on Who Gave Mike a Chance 33:02 - Shoutout to Investors and Closing Remarks

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Anushka, the CEO of Nanit, to discuss how their groundbreaking smart baby monitor is transforming the parenting experience. Nanit’s Pro Camera uses advanced computer vision technology to provide parents with personalized insights and smart alerts on their child's sleep, breathing, speech, and developmental milestones. Anushka shares the inspiring story behind Nanit, founded by two dads who wanted to leverage their expertise in computer vision to help parents get more sleep. She also delves into her own journey from working at Rent the Runway to leading Nanit, and how her ion for consumer technology and data-rich businesses has driven her career. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:09 - Anushka’s background and journey to Nanit 00:23 - Overview of Nanit’s smart baby monitor 01:05 - The benefits of better sleep for families 01:21 - How Nanit’s technology works 02:06 - The founding story of Nanit 02:28 - Anushka’s career at Rent the Runway 03:23 - The challenges of modern parenting 04:01 - The future of AI in consumer tech 06:29 - Integrating AI in product and business operations 07:41 - Expanding Nanit’s technology beyond baby monitoring 08:44 - A day in the life of a CEO 09:40 - Reading recommendations 10:55 - Building company culture and hybrid work models 12:37 - The importance of in-person collaboration 14:07 - The state of consumer tech and economic outlook 17:28 - Balancing product development and customer 19:07 - Staying grounded as a leader 20:05 - The role of empathy in leadership 21:25 - The importance of giving and receiving opportunities

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with RJ Pittman, the Chairman and CEO of Matterport. RJ shares his incredible journey through the tech industry, from his early days in startups to holding key positions at Google, Apple, and eBay. Discover how his ion for technology and real estate led him to Matterport, a company revolutionizing the way we interact with physical spaces through 3D digital twins. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction to RJ Pittman 00:21 - RJ's impressive resume in tech 00:53 - RJ's early entrepreneurial journey 02:48 - Full circle experience at Apple 05:00 - The rapid advancement of technology 06:26 - The resilience of Silicon Valley 09:09 - The importance of Silicon Valley for startups 14:43 - What is Matterport? 20:14 - The growth and impact of Matterport 24:44 - Utilizing AI and spatial data at Matterport 30:12 - The importance of customer interaction 39:38 - Who gave RJ a chance?

Clint recently sat down with Katy Carrigan, the CEO of Goody, a groundbreaking gifting platform that has revolutionized the way we celebrate and appreciate each other, both personally and professionally. Katie shares her journey from ing Goody as Head of Sales to becoming the CEO, and how the company pivoted from a consumer-focused app to a robust B2B platform. Timestamps: 00:09 - Introduction and Background 00:22 - Origin of Goody 01:06 - Pivot to B2B 01:50 - Transition to CEO 03:01 - Platform Tweaks and Growth 03:45 - Preparing for Holiday Season 05:40 - Secret Santa and Creative Uses 07:54 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 09:16 - AI Integration and Efficiency 10:43 - Product Selection Criteria 12:01 - Leadership Lessons 13:27 - Personal Life and Decompression 14:06 - Navigating Macroeconomic Trends 16:00 - Acknowledging Mentors and Opportunities

In this episode, Clint chats with Gary Hoberman, the CEO and founder of Uncork, about his remarkable journey from Wall Street to revolutionizing software development with a no-code platform. Gary shares his insights on the challenges of maintaining legacy systems and how Uncork aims to eliminate technical debt, allowing businesses to create applications that continuously improve without the burden of maintenance. He discusses the importance of democratizing technology for entrepreneurs and startups, the latest innovations from Uncork, and the personal experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Gary and Uncork 00:19 - Gary's Engineering Background 01:02 - Corporate Journey on Wall Street 02:04 - Realization of Legacy Issues 03:49 - Founding Uncork 04:32 - Vision for Software Maintenance 05:16 - Overcoming Legacy System Challenges 06:20 - Removing Barriers to Innovation 08:05 - Uncork's Unique Approach 09:03 - Impact on Major Corporations 10:05 - Open Standards vs. Vendor Lock-in 10:39 - Uncork's Mission-Critical Applications 11:00 - Advice for SaaS CEOs 12:00 - Uncork as an Application Engine 13:04 - No-Code Revolution Explained 14:07 - Building Software Without Code 18:06 - Recent Major Release Overview 19:12 - Implications for Entrepreneurs and Startups 23:04 - Personal Projects and Incubator Initiatives 26:04 - Typical Day in Gary's Life 28:34 - Future Collaboration and Events 29:09 - Acknowledging Influential Figures

In this exciting episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Josh Liss and Rob Bralver, the co-founders of DreamFlare AI, an innovative entertainment platform that merges gaming and storytelling through interactive shows powered by AI. Discover how DreamFlare is revolutionizing the way we consume content, creating a unique space for creators and audiences alike. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to DreamFlare AI 00:20 - What is DreamFlare? 01:31 - Founding Story of DreamFlare 02:42 - Josh's Background and Experience 05:16 - Comparing DreamFlare to Netflix 06:40 - The Future of Content Creation 09:27 - Content Acquisition and IP 10:10 - Differentiating in a Crowded Market 11:00 - Tips for Aspiring Creators 13:19 - Tech Stack for Content Creation 14:33 - DreamFlare's Focus on Interactivity 15:35 - Types of Content: Spins and Flips 18:40 - The Excitement of New Opportunities 20:17 - The Rise of Solo Filmmakers 21:31 - Monetization for Creators 22:46 - The Future of Editing and Production 23:15 - Recommended Content on DreamFlare 25:18 - The Potential for AI-Generated Games 26:12 - The Importance of Creative Skills 29:04 - Vision for the Future of DreamFlare 30:27 - Personal Reflections on Opportunities 31:52 - Closing Thoughts and Future Progress

In this episode, host Clint Betts sits down with Ryan Westwood, the dynamic CEO of Fullcast, to explore the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship and leadership. After successfully selling his previous company, Simplus, Ryan shares his journey back into the CEO role and the ion that drives him to build something extraordinary. Timestamps: 00:10 - Being CEO Again and the Thrill of Entrepreneurship 01:40 - The Importance of Values and ion in Leadership 04:10 - Finding Fullcast: A Focus on Revenue Operations 07:50 - Navigating the Economy and Succeeding in Any Environment 10:25 - Raising Capital to Buy Fullcast 12:30 - Building Long-Term Relationships with Investors 17:40 - The Talented Founding Team at Fullcast 19:15 - Partnering with Epic Ventures 22:30 - Choosing the Right Investors and Avoiding Regret 24:50 - The Sacrifices of Being a Fanatical CEO 29:00 - Finding Balance and Being Present with Family 33:45 - Prioritizing Health as a CEO 38:30 - The Daily Routine of a High-Performing CEO 41:50 - Utah’s Entrepreneurial Shift and the Next Generation of Leaders 45:40 - Utah’s Spirit of Generosity and Community 50:30 - Staying Focused on Mission in a Changing Cultural Landscape 54:00 - Long-Term Vision for Fullcast and Future Goals 57:00 - A Chance Given: Ryan’s Grandfather’s Influence

Clint recently sat down with PJ Oleksak, the dynamic CEO of Nuts.com, to explore her incredible journey from investment banking to leading one of the most beloved online snack retailers. PJ shares her unique career path, starting from her early days in finance and private equity, to her transformative roles at FreshDirect and Slice, and finally, her current leadership at Nuts.com. Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 00:09 - PJ's background and journey to Nuts.com 00:45 - The history of Nuts.com 02:08 - Navigating the COVID-19 boom 03:03 - The story behind the Nuts.com domain name 04:01 - PJ's experience at Slice 10:19 - Logistics and operations at Nuts.com 13:00 - New gifting initiative 14:54 - A day in the life of PJ 16:11 - The role of AI at Nuts.com 19:02 - Reading recommendations 21:05 - Thoughts on the macroeconomic environment 23:34 - Building and evolving company culture 27:10 - The importance of giving and receiving chances

On this episode, Clint sits down with Perkins Miller, the CEO of Fandom.com, to explore the fascinating world of fan communities and the digital platforms that them. Perkins shares his journey from working at StubHub and the NFL to leading one of the largest fan-centric platforms on the internet. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Perkins' journey to becoming CEO of Fandom 01:10 - The core of Fandom: 200,000+ wikis and 45 million pages of content 02:16 - Acquisitions and business expansion 03:35 - Building great communities: Shared values and platforms 05:33 - Strengthening community relationships and commerce 08:02 - Revenue model and competitors 09:06 - Unique insights from Fandom's data platform, Fan DNA 11:02 - The impact of AI on Fandom's operations 13:52 - Working with studios and potential for a game studio 16:51 - Perkins' previous roles at StubHub, NFL, and WWE 20:25 - A typical day for Perkins as CEO 22:14 - The future of web traffic and search with AI 25:31 - Perkins' reading recommendations 27:04 - Leadership lessons learned over the years 29:38 - Handling macroeconomic and geopolitical issues as a CEO 32:35 - The importance of giving and taking chances

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint chats with Catherine Oliver, author of "Working Parents-to-be," and Founder of Bluebell Partnership, about her journey in ing working parents through parental leave and the transition back to work. Catherine shares her personal experiences, the inspiration behind her book, and insights on the evolving landscape of workplace for parents, highlighting the differences between the UK and the US. She offers practical advice for leaders on fostering a ive environment and shares tips for soon-to-be parents on preparing for their new roles. us for an enlightening discussion on empathy in leadership and the importance of community during this significant life transition! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Catherine and Her Book 00:22 - Overview of "Working Parents-to-be" 01:16 - Cultural Perspectives on Parental 03:08 - Catherine's Personal Journey 05:26 - Transitioning from Corporate to Independent Work 06:29 - ing Working Parents and Gender Balance 07:14 - Response to the Book's Launch 08:38 - Advice for Business Leaders 11:46 - Guidance for Working Parents 14:30 - The Role of AI in Workplace 15:37 - A Day in Katherine's Life 17:04 - Traits of Great Leaders 19:41 - Differences in Leadership Between the UK and US 22:19 - The Political Landscape of Diversity and Inclusion 25:53 - Navigating Political Expectations as a Leader 28:48 - Acknowledging Opportunities Given by Others