The name of the game is flexibility. Today’s guest is an agent of change who has an exit under his belt, a transition from founder out of the CEO seat and recently increased the company from a 4-day, back to a 5-day work week.

Join Jim and Alejandro as they go deep discussing Alejandro’s journey building Komet Sales - a vertically integrated floral platform - with a focus on what it means to build a strong culture and how to align people to the company’s long-term vision.

3 Key Takeaways

• Embrace Change: Don’t get attached. Whether that’s a title, a GTM approach, a person on your team. Things change, the ability to adapt quickly is an asset. Learn to let go, to move forward!

• Find a Mentor: This is a golden nugget that not nearly enough founders/CEOs do. As Warren Buffet says, “It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.”

• Understand People: Take the time to know your team. This is the foundation for culture. When people believe in what you’re doing, combined with a strong sense of connection, you’ve got a recipe for company success.

Resources

https://www.kometsales.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aperez/

About Our Guest

Alejandro started Komet Sales, the top software platform for the flower industry. He built the business from nothing until he was able to sell it successfully. Along the way, he faced many challenges that most startups deal with. His journey needed a strong passion for what he did, lots of creative thinking, and taking smart risks.

About The Dirt Podcast

The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands.

If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe.

For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast

About Our Company

Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.

Website: https://www.orchid.black

Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/

Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack

All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

From humble beginnings in a Beijing apartment to building a business teaching 50,000 students Chinese and Spanish worldwide, Tom Shugg is well versed in immersive learning.

Whether it’s changing diapers or expanding into a foreign market, Jim and Tom go deep on what it takes to build a company across country lines.

3 Key Takeaways

• Trust the Market: As a business owner or leader, you likely have preconceived notions about what you think is right in your industry. But that’s not always the case, one example - a lack of Spanish teachers in the US.

• Gamification Warning 🚨: Beware buzzwords! Lots of companies in edtech tout gamification, but their offering really doesn’t hold water for engaging students.

• Ride the Wave: The beauty of building a business is that momentum makes it easier over time. Once you’ve proven your offering in one market, it makes your transition into a new one simpler because you have a playbook to follow.
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Resources

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-shugg-3903135a/

www.meglanguages.com

About Our Guest

Tom Shugg is the Co-founder of Meg Languages and it was the inspiration that comes with being exposed to other cultures that inspired him to start a company that can advocate for that.

Tom spent more than a decade living and working in China, he is a fluent Mandarin speaker and prior to starting Meg, worked at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

When not working, Tom is chasing after 3 young kids and spending as much time on his surfboard as possible.

About The Dirt Podcast

The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands.

If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe.

For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast

About Our Company

Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.

Website: https://www.orchid.black

Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/

Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack

All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless authorized by written consent.

In this episode of the Dirt, Graeme Barlow, a seasoned tech founder and entrepreneur, shares his unique journey from starting an online gaming currency business as a rebellious kid to spearheading a multi-million dollar software development agency in Ottawa, Canada.

With a candid recount of his entrepreneurial ventures, Barlow dives into the lessons learned from expanding and then narrowing his company's focus, the pivotal shift to a retainer-based business model, and the importance of investing in people and culture. His story is a testament to the power of adaptability, the value of focused execution, and the unforeseen paths to success.

Join Jim and Graeme as they unpack his unconventional path to tech company success …

3 Key Takeaways

• Focus is Critical for Growth: Maintain the focus on core competencies; expanding services can dilute your core competencies. Concentrating on your strengths leads to sustainable growth.

• Adaptability is Key: Embracing change and the willingness to pivot in response to market demands and internal assessments is crucial to survival.

• Culture and Leadership are Foundational: Develop a strong culture and invest in leadership training. This is critical for maintaining alignment and ensuring quality as a company scales.

Resources

https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemebarlow

https://www.graemebarlow.com/coaching

https://www.iversoft.ca/

About Our Guest

Graeme Barlow, a serial entrepreneur with over 24 years of experience, has co-founded five companies, including a notable digital currency firm and RocketOwl Inc., which were both successfully acquired. He's significantly contributed to the pet industry through ProPetSoftware, achieving an ARR of over $1M. Leading Iversoft since 2016, he's driven its growth from a small team to over 50 members and nearly $10M in annual revenue, specializing in mobile and emerging technologies, and delivering impactful software solutions globally.

About The Dirt Podcast

The Dirt is about getting real with businesses about the true state of their companies and going clear down to the dirt in solving their core needs as a business. Dive deep with your host Jim Barnish as we uncover The Dirt with some of the world's leading brands.

If you love what you are getting out of our show please subscribe.

For more information on how we dig into the dirt check out our other episodes here: https://www.orchid.black/podcast

About Our Company

Orchid Black is a new kind of growth services firm. We partner with tech-forward companies to build smarter, better, game-changing businesses.

Website: https://www.orchid.black

Jim Barnish’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grow-smart-grow-fast/

Orchid Black’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orchidblack/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrchidBlack

All contents of this show are rights of Orchid Black©️ and are not to be used unless...