In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Alex Jekowsky, CEO and Co-founder of Cents, to discuss the realities of startup life, building technology for unsexy industries, and transforming the laundry industry with product-led innovation.Alex shares his journey as a second-time founder, explaining how he turned his passion for simplifying everyday problems into scalable businesses. With Cents, he’s building a network of garment care SMBs, empowering local laundromats and dry cleaners to take back laundry day in America through centralized technology and streamlined operations.This conversation dives into the critical role of customer-driven product development, the importance of guiding principles in shaping company culture, and fostering open communication to build high-performing teams. Alex also shares key lessons from fundraising, why startups require mental resilience, and how happiness in the workplace is crucial for long-term success."It’s not worth it if you don’t enjoy it." – Alex on why founders must love the grind of building a company.
"Act like an owner, not just a shareholder." – A mindset shift that drives real business success.
"Fundraising is not a vanity metric." – Alex discusses the dangers of chasing investment for the wrong reasons.
From hiring practices rooted in core values to scaling through optionality and efficiency, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.Key Takeaways:Startups should be enjoyable—if you don’t love the process, it’s not worth it.Enduring challenges and pain is part of the entrepreneurial journey—it builds perseverance.Creating centralization and optionality empowers SMBs—helping them scale more efficiently.Customer relationships drive product development—listening to their needs shapes the roadmap.Act like an owner—this mindset enhances business success at every level.Guiding principles align the entire company—they provide clarity in decision-making.A selfish environment creates dysfunction—team success depends on alignment.Open communication is essential for high-performing teams—transparency fosters trust.Fundraising is not a vanity metric—it's a tool, not an end goal.A learning culture is key to scaling a startup successfully—leaders must continuously grow.Happiness is a choice in the workplace—building a positive culture leads to better outcomes.
Chapters:0:00 - The Reality of Startups and Small Business Ownership2:11 - Understanding Cents and Its Mission5:06 - Transforming the Laundry Industry with Technology10:01 - Product Roadmap and Customer-Centric Development15:47 - Guiding Principles and Company Culture22:04 - Fostering Open Communication and Team Dynamics29:34 - Building a Culture of Happiness30:01 - Establishing Guiding Principles31:59 - Core Values and Hiring Practices33:06 - High-Performing Team Behaviors34:29 - Enduring Pain for Growth36:23 - Navigating Fundraising Challenges39:25 - Lessons from Second-Time Founders40:41 - Personal Development and Leadership42:55 - Creating a Learning Culture45:44 - The Importance of Happiness in Teams50:34 - Final Thoughts and Desert Island AlbumDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.Learn more about the book Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ https://www.collective-genius.com/ Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie#TechScenes #Cents #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #LaundryTech #Leadership #jeffjamesmartin #AlexJekowsky #ProductLedGrowth #CustomerSuccess
