Authentically Successful

In today's episode, host Carol Schultz sits down with Randy Wootton, the CEO of Maxio, a financial operations platform for B2B SaaS companies. They explore the challenges and triumphs of competing in the B2B tech world, market contractions, and the importance of understanding company capabilities for future growth.  

Randy shares invaluable lessons from his past, from transitioning from a military background to corporate leadership, to leading a venture-backed company.  

The two explore the capital structure, taking on debt, and the importance of having a reliable CFO. They also discuss the company’s unique approach to talent strategy: avoiding Silicon Valley and building a culture of high IQ, high EQ, and low ego. 

Join us as we unravel the story behind Maxio and delve into the world of B2B.  Learn more about Randy and Maxio.

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

"As you transform your personal life, you will transform your business life." - Rob Swymer

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Authentically Successful: After Hours," where hosts Carol Schultz and seasoned hi-tech sales leader Rob Swymer dive into the intricacies of performance reviews in today's business landscape. With over 30 years of experience, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, shedding light on the evolving dynamics post-pandemic and the crucial role of empathy in effective leadership.

In this insightful discussion, Carol and Rob dismantle the traditional approach to annual reviews, advocating for ongoing feedback and transparent communication. They emphasize the importance of cultivating a culture of trust within organizations, where clarity in expectations and written agreements serve as pillars for success. Through personal anecdotes and practical strategies, they explore the transformative power of embracing feedback with empathy and highlight the need to address biases in leadership.

Tune in as they challenge conventional norms and inspire listeners to reimagine their approach to employee performance evaluations. Join us for an engaging conversation that promises to ignite positive change in both personal and professional realms.

Find more information about our host Carol Schultz and her company at Vertical Elevation, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

On this episode of “Authentically Successful,” we hear from Mitali Saxena, the CEO of Fashom, an AI-powered clothing brand based on body shape designed for busy moms. She reflects on the challenges of rapidly changing markets, the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry, and her advocacy for body positivity, especially in women.  

During the podcast, Mitali candidly shares her diverse journey from engineering, to working at a software startup, to later founding Fashom. She even recounts the exact moment in New York City that caused her to start Fashom and also how the fashion industry has failed to represent the population it’s advertising to.  

Throughout the episode, she discusses the evolution of her business, her passion for promoting body positivity in the fashion industry, and the challenges and victories of entrepreneurship. She reflects on leadership mistakes, the misconceptions surrounding body image and health, and gives valuable advice for individuals seeking to enter the fashion industry. 

Tune in as Mitali Saxena shares her compelling story as a founder and offers advice for other entrepreneurs. 

Learn more about Mitali and Fashom.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Want to be our next guest? Email [email protected] with your information.

And of course, click "follow" to stay up-to-date on new episodes and leave an honest review/rating letting us know what you thought!

In this episode of "Authentically Successful," previous founder and entrepreneurship expert Joshua Ross shares his candid experience in starting and growing companies to now teaching students how to do it.  

From his early days at a healthcare startup to founding his own IT consulting business and navigating the challenges of multiple startups, Joshua offers valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. Topics such as the importance of understanding the target market, the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, and how to pivot are discussed.  

Joshua also delves into his role as the current director of entrepreneurship at the University of Denver where he teaches students the ins and outs of business. He discusses the program and his commitment to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.  

Listen for insight into forming a company, working with partners, overcoming failures, and more. 

Learn more about Joshua Ross and the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Denver.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

In this insightful episode, host Carol Schultz welcomes Gleb Budman, CEO of Backblaze, a cloud storage and data backup company that competes with industry giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.  

The two delve into the founding of Backblaze and the decision-making process behind taking the company public. Gleb shares how his company offers an alternative for those seeking to optimize and be more efficient with their spending. 

They also discuss venture funding and bootstrapping in business, challenging the common belief in Silicon Valley that venture funding is the only path for startups.  

The conversation then focuses on the journey Gleb and his co-founders took to this point and the way they built their team. He also shares key moments in Backblaze's history, including a crisis in 2011 when a flood in Thailand disrupted the availability of hard drives.  

Listen for a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an influential leader in tech and the inside scoop on his company.  

BIO 

Gleb Budman, three-time founder and CEO of Backblaze, has had a fascinating journey through business. With a passion for solving the universal problem of data management, Gleb's company provides storage solutions for individuals, corporations, and application developers at a fraction of the cost of major competitors. Gleb is dedicated to revolutionizing the way data is stored and utilized, making it more accessible and cost-effective for everyone. He has guided the business from its inception in a Palo Alto apartment to a company serving customers in more than 175 countries with over an exabyte of data under management. 

Learn more about Gleb Budman and Backblaze.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Welcome to another episode of Authentically Successful, where host Carol Schultz has a compelling conversation with the founder of McKie Consultants, Miranda McKie. 

In this episode, Miranda shares her journey of building her consulting firm, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, HR analytics, and inclusive product design.  

The two discuss the ongoing challenges of DEI in business, including varying struggles across different countries, media sensationalization, and the lesser-known aspects of DEI. The need for more control and certification of those hired in the DEI landscape was also mentioned.  

Miranda also dives into the challenges her clients face, the importance of evidence-based decision-making, and the complexities of selling services in the consulting industry. She also provides valuable insights into scaling a business, engaging with HR professionals, and the need for strategic buy-in from top executives.  

Tune in and don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave an honest review. 

BIO 

Miranda McKie is a strategic consultant in the field of human resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With a passion for helping organizations align their HR and DEI strategies with their broader business goals, Miranda works closely with clients to address challenges around culture, employee engagement, and diverse recruitment. She emphasizes the importance of HR and DEI in supporting strategic priorities such as revenue growth and customer satisfaction. She is dedicated to helping organizations leverage these capabilities to drive success. Miranda's expertise lies in guiding clients through the shift from tactical HR and DEI use cases to larger strategic initiatives, ultimately contributing to the overall success of their organizations. 

Learn more about Miranda McKie and McKie Consultants.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

In our first episode of 2024, Carol is joined by longtime journalist and founder Jeff vonKaenel. He leads N&R Publications, an organization that utilizes professional journalists to help government and nonprofits tell their stories effectively, simplifying critical issues for impactful storytelling. 

They delve into Jeff's fascinating journey, starting with his grassroots advocacy and political coverage in Santa Barbara in 1973. He details what motivated him to choose a career in storytelling.  

From there, Jeff tells us how working with the Salvation Army catapulted the founding of N&R Publications. He also walks us through the organization's unique approach to storytelling and driving social change through words.  

Tune in to hear about the unique method of marketing N&R Publications has developed and how companies are utilizing it to affect change. Listeners will also get a glimpse into the complexities of journalism today.  

BIO 

Jeff vonKaenel attended UC Santa Barbara in 1969, where he was heavily involved in anti-war activism, civil rights, and environmental causes. He was a part of the 1st Earth Day in 1970 and became frustrated with the political climate after Nixon's re-election. Taking advantage of new technology, he and a group of activists started one of the first alternative newspapers in the country in 1973. Their work led to significant victories, including winning city council elections and getting the district attorney indicted, showcasing the power of controlling the narrative through media. 

Learn more about Jeff vonKaenel and N&R Publications.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

"The real leader is the one who does whatever is needed to get that tower done, whether it's sitting there quietly folding something or directing the tower or getting the coffee. It doesn't matter,” Leif Cocks shares. “The real leader supplements whatever he's doing, whatever makes sense to the greater cause and fills in the gaps that is necessary for the team to achieve their goals." 

In today's episode, we are joined by a fellow author and founder Leif Cocks. He founded the world-renowned Orangutan Project, an international conservation charity.  

Through this engaging conversation, Leif shares his incredible journey from working at a zoo to becoming a founder and worldwide leader. He details the urgency of conserving the rainforest and species in this decade.  

From the dangers faced by rangers in Indonesia to the impact of the pandemic on fundraising, he provides valuable insights into the importance of collective action. On the topic of hiring, they discuss key strategies he uses in building his team. He also offers advice to leaders looking to get into conservation.  

Join us as we explore the vital work of the Orangutan Project and gain valuable lessons in leadership and environmental work. 

BIO 

Leif Cocks is a passionate advocate for saving viable ecosystems and preserving megafauna such as orangutans, tigers, and elephants. He recognizes the urgency of the situation, as he believes we only have the next decade to ensure the survival of these species and their habitats. Leif is dedicated to working with indigenous communities to provide livelihoods with dignity while also protecting the environment. He understands the importance of preserving the right type, shape, and size of ecosystems in order to support biodiversity and combat climate change. With his unwavering commitment, Leif is fighting to make a meaningful impact in conservation efforts. 

Learn more about Leif Cocks and the Orangutan Project.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

"People generally want to do the right thing, but it's hard to figure out what the right thing is when there's 12 different priorities and you can only afford to do three of them." - Mike Rowlands 

In today's episode, our host, Carol Schultz, sits down with Mike, president and CEO of Junxion, an international consultancy with a keen focus on sustainability and social impact.  

Mike discusses the evolving perceptions of work among millennials, the importance of a purposeful career, and how these ideas are reshaping the workforce. He also points out how businesses must react to the new generation seeking information about investments and critiquing companies' practices. 

We explore the importance of social responsibility and the complexities of building and growing a purpose-driven company. They dive into the three ways companies typically react to the climate crisis and how it affects consumers. Mike tells how businesses can better communicate about these topics.  

Tune in to the full episode to hear about the challenges that Junxion has faced and a rare question for our host.  

BIO 

Mike Rowlands is a social impact consultant and entrepreneur who is dedicated to helping companies navigate the growing imperative to prioritize social and environmental benefits. With a background in corporate social responsibility, Mike understands the challenges that many businesses face in transitioning from a focus solely on shareholder needs to a more holistic approach that includes the well-being of employees, the environment, and the communities they serve.  

Through his consultancy, Mike provides guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs, business leaders, and boards of directors as they work to integrate social impact into their business strategies. His passion for driving positive change has positioned him as a leading voice in the movement toward more socially responsible business practices. 

You can find Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowlands/ or on Twitter @mrowlands.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

“I actually think that’s the case with a lot of women...you just get used to bad behavior and you normalize it.” - Gavriella Schuster 

This week, our host Carol Schultz sits down with a renowned figure in the tech industry, Gavriella Schuster. Now a solopreneur, Gavriella was formerly a longtime leader at Microsoft and continued into an extensive career in the tech industry.  

Throughout her time at Microsoft, Gavriella witnessed the challenges faced by women in executive roles but found support from a few female mentors. She details what it was like at Microsoft and what led her to become an advocate for women in the workplace. 

They also dive into Gavriella’s experience in joining a board as a woman, whether it be private equity or public, and the disparities women face on boards. 

The episode wraps up with a breakdown of microaggressions in the workplace and actions that allies can take to lead an inclusive environment.  

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode to learn more about Gavriella's journey and her commitment to driving diversity in the tech industry. 

BIO  

Gavriella Schuster, a longtime leader at Microsoft and current solopreneur, focuses on helping women in tech. With a passion for empowering women and their allies, she aims to transform environments in the tech industry. As a DEI Advocate, she has presented at TEDx, is an ATHENA Global Leadership award winner, and is co-founder of Women in Cloud and Women in Technology Network. 

 Learn more about Gavriella Schuster.

You can find more information on all our episodes at Vertical Elevation, and you can find Carol on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.