If Not Now Wen Podcast

In today’s episode of If Not Now Wen, we’re excited to talk with special guest Andrea Nicholas, a seasoned corporate leader with over 25 years of experience known for launching award-winning SaaS products and guiding Fortune 1000 companies' growth strategies. Her unique approach, "culture salt hunt," combines coaching and consulting to help high achievers think bigger and lead differently. Andrea shares about her upbringing in a small Midwestern farming community and her involvement in 4-H, where she learned life skills and leadership from a mentor. Her mentor's ethos, "It may as well be me," left a lasting impression, shaping Andrea's proactive approach to seizing opportunities and making a difference. Andrea's career journey includes leaving her small town for Texas at 20, focusing on education, and then rising through corporate America's ranks. She transitioned from a leadership role in a publicly traded company to founding a management consulting firm in 2005 and later pivoted to a product company, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges like the 2008 financial crisis. Andrea's transition from business ownership to coaching and consulting was driven by her passion for supporting executives in expanding their influence and impact. She blends her consulting background with traditional coaching, focusing on helping executives clarify their goals, align with their values, and navigate leadership challenges effectively. In this episode we talk about: 🔹Andrea's philosophy that emphasizes resilience, continuous learning, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. 🔹The highlights of the importance of goal-setting, reflection, and maintaining confidence, emphasizing that success is defined by living one's values and making a positive impact on others and the community. 🔹Andrea's journey, which exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to personal and professional growth, inspiring others to embrace challenges and pursue their aspirations with confidence and purpose. Andrea is such an inspiration, and she has so much wisdom to share. Tune in to the full episode to hear more of her amazing story.

In today’s episode of If Not Now Wen, we’re excited to talk with special guest Amos Schwartzfarb, a seasoned entrepreneur and former managing director of TechStars in Austin, Texas. He is known for his ventures in companies like hotjobs.com and MySpoonful, and he has expertise in product-market fit and early sales. Amos has supported over 100 early-stage companies in securing investment during his tenure at TechStars. The challenges of unwinding from a demanding job like TechStars, which operated at 100% capacity constantly, are highlighted. He shares insights into the difficulty of finding space for contemplation amid the hectic schedule and responsibilities to the portfolio companies. In this episode, we discuss the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing meaningful engagements, and we know that you'll find many of these takeaways beneficial in your own endeavors. In this episode we talk about: 🔹 Amos’s entrepreneurial background and TechStars experience. 🔹 Challenges he faced during the transition post-TechStars, including finding space for contemplation and unwinding from responsibilities. 🔹 Personal reflections on contentment, curiosity, setting boundaries, and prioritizing meaningful engagements. 🔹 Insights into the toll of demanding roles like TechStars' managing director and the importance of self-care. Amos is such an inspiration, and he has so much wisdom to share. Tune in to the full episode to hear more of his amazing story.

In today’s episode of If Not Now Wen, we’re excited to talk with special guest, Michael Dalley, the Chief Revenue Officer at Aerial Vantage. Despite a challenging upbringing, including the loss of his mother at a young age, Dalley pursued a path of self-improvement and growth. He joined the United States Air Force to expand his horizons and later pursued higher education while working in various jobs, including selling software. Throughout his career, Dalley learned important lessons about authenticity, leadership, and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of failing fast, forgiving oneself quickly, and maintaining authenticity in all interactions. Dalley’s leadership style revolves around genuinely caring for his team and creating an environment where they can thrive. He believes in the power of intimate relationships with both customers and team members, fostering genuine connections and lasting value. In this episode we talk about: 🔹 Michael Dalley’s journey from humble beginnings in Detroit to Chief Revenue Officer at Aerial Vantage, Dalley’s path is marked by resilience, self-improvement and overcoming personal hardships. 🔹 Leadership Insights. Dalley’s career taught him valuable lessons in authenticity and leadership, emphasizing the importance of failing fast, forgiveness, and creating nurturing environments for team growth. 🔹 Discussion on Human Nature. Delving into profound insights, Dalley and I discuss the universal desire for success and genuine care for others, cautioning against rooting for failure and emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset. 🔹 Business Lessons and Future Outlook. Michael highlights the shift towards prioritizing predictable, scalable, and profitable revenue, stressing caution in hiring and scaling too quickly. Michael is such an inspiration, and he has so much wisdom to share. Tune in to the full episode to hear more of his amazing story.

In today’s episode of If Not Now Wen, we’re excited to talk with guest Lourdes Graciela Zuniga, who shares her remarkable journey from Lima, Peru, to the United States with a big dream of making a difference despite facing numerous challenges. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Lourdes moved to the United States over two decades ago with a journalist visa and a burning desire to explore opportunities beyond her homeland's limitations. She is the founder and executive director of Financial Health Pathways, and on the podcast episode today, Lourdes shares her struggles, her triumphs, and the impact she's making locally in Austin as well as globally. She candidly recounts her initial struggles, from menial jobs in the hospitality industry to the humbling realization of being a 'nobody' in a foreign land, determined to make it despite the odds. Lourdes discovered her passion for philanthropy and social impact, transitioning from the hospitality sector to championing financial education and reforming the criminal justice system to empower marginalized communities. In this episode we talk about: 🔹 Resilience and Adaptability: Lourdes embodies resilience and adaptability, demonstrating the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. 🔹 Strength in Diversity: She emphasizes the invaluable contributions of immigrants, highlighting their strong work ethic, drive for improvement, and untapped potential to enrich communities. 🔹 Quiet Leadership: Despite her introverted nature, Lourdes exemplifies quiet leadership, challenging stereotypes and making a profound impact through her actions and advocacy. 🔹 Defining Success: For Lourdes, success lies not only in personal achievements but also in uplifting others and effecting positive change in the world. 🔹 Advice for Aspiring Changemakers: She advises aspiring changemakers to find their passion, focus on making a meaningful impact in their chosen field, and embrace their unique journey rather than trying to emulate others. Lourdes is such an inspiration, and she has so much wisdom to share. Tune in to the full episode to hear more of her amazing story.

In today’s episode of If Not Now Wen, we’re excited to talk with special guest Steve Schaffer, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in the magic business to venturing into Silicon Valley's tech scene. With a focus on continuous improvement, Steve reflects on the lessons learned from his ventures like mysterynet.com and offers.com, emphasizing the importance of metrics-driven decision-making and strategic adaptation in the dynamic world of business. Through anecdotes and insights, Steve's passion for entrepreneurship shines, offering practical wisdom and inspiration for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Our conversation delves into the significance of understanding key metrics in business, such as contribution margin, and how we drive sustainable growth. Steve shares insights from his own experiences, including a pivotal moment where a marketing campaign failure led to a re-evaluation of metrics and experimentation processes within his company. Steve reminds us of the transformative power of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic thinking in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. With a renewed sense of empowerment, you'll be inspired to embark on your own entrepreneurial journey with confidence and purpose. In this episode we talk about: 🔹 Steve’s entrepreneurial journey and commitment to supporting startups. 🔹 Steve emphasizes the importance of learning from failures and adapting to challenges in entrepreneurship. 🔹 Discussion on the significance of understanding key metrics in business, illustrated with examples from Steve's experiences. 🔹 Emphasis on the need for a culture of metrics-based decision-making and clear objective setting for sustainable growth. 🔹 Steve shares personal insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of metrics-driven strategies, timing in walking away from ventures, and having a clear plan before raising funds. Steve is such an inspiration, and he has so much wisdom to share. Tune in to the full episode to hear more of his amazing story.