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

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Ethan Austin, Founding Partner of Outside VC, to discuss venture capital, outsider founders, and the power of community and empathy in investing. Outside VC is a pre-seed venture firm dedicated to supporting founders outside traditional funding networks, with the goal of lifting 100M people to the middle class over the next decade. The conversation explores the challenges faced by non-traditional founders, the role of peer learning and transparency in venture, and the importance of investing in people over ideas. Ethan also shares insights on mental health for entrepreneurs, scaling teams effectively, and the impact of AI on business operations. Key Takeaways: Venture capital is not a meritocracy—outsider founders often build the best businesses. Founders want investors they connect with, not just those proving they’re smart. Community and peer learning play a crucial role in founder success. Empathy and transparency are essential in venture capital relationships. Fun matters in the startup journey—not everything has to be serious. Mental health is a superpower—sleep, stress management, and mindset shape success. AI is transforming venture capital and how startups scale. Employee equity structures need reform to better reward workers. Exceptional founders focus on execution, not just ideas. Reverse engineering success helps entrepreneurs navigate long-term growth. YouTube Chapters: 0:00 - The Human Element in Venture Capital 3:09 - The Journey of Outsider Founders 6:08 - The Role of Community in Entrepreneurship 9:13 - Investing: A Passion for Supporting Founders 11:57 - The Impact of Personal Background on Entrepreneurial Drive 14:49 - Empathy and Transparency in Venture Capital 18:03 - The Importance of Fun in the Startup Journey 28:05 - Investing in People, Not Just Companies 30:06 - Mental Health Strategies for Entrepreneurs 31:27 - The Role of Empathy in Venture Capital 32:57 - Building Effective Teams in Startups 36:10 - Reverse Engineering Success 40:04 - The Importance of Mission and Vision 41:50 - Building the Engine to Scale 43:59 - Key Traits for Investment 46:07 - Navigating AI in Business 47:51 - Employee Equity and Fairness 51:01 - Desert Island Album Choice Don’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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu 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 #OutsideVC #VentureCapital #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Investing #jeffjamesmartin #EthanAustin #FounderSupport #AI #ProductLedGrowth

In this episode, Jeff James Martin sits down with Jeremy Vaughan, the founder behind Start Left® Security, to explore the intersection of cybersecurity, startup culture, and leadership. Jeremy shares his approach to transforming security from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage by integrating Secure by Design thinking into software development. They discuss the cultural shifts needed in cybersecurity, the challenges of software decay, and the evolving role of leadership in navigating complex environments. Jeremy also opens up about personal experiences that fuel his passion for building trust in technology. Key Takeaways: StartLeft Security: Focuses on embedding security into the software development process from the start, making it scalable and actionable. AI’s Role: AI should augment human efforts, enhancing efficiency and enabling teams to focus on critical challenges. Software Fragility: The economic and human impact of software decay highlights the urgency of addressing cybersecurity. Empowering Developers: Security becomes more effective when developers are empowered and involved in the process. Personal Experiences: Real-world events, such as Jeremy’s daughter’s journey with Type 1 diabetes, drive a deeper commitment to building trust in technology. Investor Engagement: Investors should act as supportive partners, aligned with a company’s long-term vision. Clarity and Alignment: Clear roles, responsibilities, and OKRs are essential for team efficiency and cross-functional collaboration. Mental Health: Founders often face significant stress and isolation; personal well-being practices like therapy and physical activity can help maintain balance. Execution Matters: The most organized and aligned teams consistently outperform chaotic ones. Chapters 0:00 - The Significance of StartLeft Security 02:49 - The Role of People in Cybersecurity 06:07 - Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape 08:55 - The Meaning Behind the Logo 11:51 - Personal Motivations in Cybersecurity 15:09 - The Impact of Software Decay 17:59 - Investor Dynamics in Cybersecurity 20:54 - Identifying Startup Moochers 24:11 - Building a Cohesive Team Culture 28:52 - The Power of Clarity in Team Execution 32:43 - Performance-Based Metrics for Advisors 38:54 - Mental Health Challenges for Founders 46:58 - Navigating Focus and Alignment in Startups 55:33 - Desert Island Album Choice Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu Visit Collective Genius™ to Build your team with the Peak Operating System™ (Peak OS™) - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #TechScenes #StartLeftSecurity #Cybersecurity #SaaS #Leadership #StartupCulture #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #jeffjamesmartin #JeremyVaughan #SecureByDesign

Join Jeff James Martin as he sits down with Jason Heltzer, Managing Partner at Origin Ventures, for a deep dive into the world of venture capital, technology investments, and the importance of adaptability in rapidly changing business landscapes. Jason shares his journey from a technical background as a software engineer to becoming a venture capitalist and professor, offering unique insights into what it takes to evaluate, support, and scale high-growth technology companies. Key Takeaways Adaptability is Key: Startups must adapt to rapid changes in the market, prioritizing execution over perfection in strategy. Origin Ventures: Focused on investing in technology companies that shape the "Digital Native Economy," leveraging their team’s operational and engineering experience. Experience Matters: Investors with backgrounds in building companies bring invaluable insights to their portfolio companies. Transparency Builds Trust: Open communication between founders and investors strengthens alignment and fosters resilience during challenges. AI and Services Businesses: The intersection of AI and services presents untapped opportunities for enhancing business economics. Focus Wins: Staying committed to current strategies often yields better outcomes than expanding too quickly. Music and Personal Reflection: Music preferences, like Led Zeppelin, can mirror personal journeys and experiences. YouTube Chapters 0:00 - Adapting to Change in Business 01:20 - The Journey of Origin Venture Capital 03:45 - From Technical Background to Venture Capital 07:55 - The Allure of Venture Capital 10:20 - Understanding Investment Strategies 14:09 - Evaluating Companies: Strategy and Adaptability 18:55 - The Balance of Focus and Adaptability 24:07 - The Importance of Vision and Goals 27:52 - The Role of an Investor 30:19 - Transparency Between Founders and Investors 33:44 - Lessons Learned in Investing 39:58 - The Future of Services Businesses and AI 42:18 - Desert Island Album Choice Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System (Peak OS) - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #TechScenes #OriginVentures #VentureCapital #StartupGrowth #AI #Entrepreneurship #jeffjamesmartin #jasonheltzer #DigitalNativeEconomy

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with André Ferraz, Co-Founder and CEO of Incognia, to discuss the journey of building one of the world's most precise location technologies for fraud prevention. Incognia empowers industries like food delivery, ride-hailing, marketplaces, and financial services with its innovative solutions to protect reputation, retention, and revenue.

The conversation delves into André's early experiences with technology, the pivotal moments in Incognia's evolution, and the challenges of scaling globally during the pandemic. André also shares valuable insights on customer engagement, building strong teams, and the personal influences that have shaped his entrepreneurial path.

Key Takeaways:

Early Start in Technology: André began coding at a young age, inspired by his father, and later pursued a university research project that became the foundation for Incognia.

Innovative Location Technology: Incognia's proprietary solution surpasses GPS accuracy, enabling advanced fraud prevention through user behavior and location analysis.

Pandemic Pivot: The company adapted quickly during the pandemic, focusing on a new product to address fraud prevention, which delivered remarkable results for its customers.

Customer-Centric Approach: Engaging with customers and focusing on one product type has been crucial for Incognia's growth and success.

Remote Team Excellence: Investing in onboarding and training has been essential for building and maintaining a strong remote engineering team.

Personal Influences: André's love for music and personal experiences have significantly influenced his entrepreneurial journey.

Chapters:

0:00 - Early Beginnings and Influences

01:08 - Understanding Incognia and Its Mission

10:01 - The Evolution of Technology and Business

16:43 - Navigating Challenges and Pivots

20:08 - Lessons Learned and Focused Growth

30:24 - The Importance of Customer Engagement

32:15 - Scaling a Global Company

38:03 - Personal Reflections and Musical Influences

Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#TechScenes #Incognia #FraudPrevention #LocationTechnology #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #SaaS #jeffjamesmartin #andreferraz #productledgrowth #customerengagement

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Jason Hable, Co-Founder and Partner at Camber Partners, to discuss the evolving SaaS landscape, the power of Product-Led Growth (PLG), and the operational strategies that drive Camber’s success. Camber Partners is a growth-equity fund focused on investing in product-led SaaS businesses, leveraging capital and operational expertise to accelerate growth and create enterprise value.

The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of PLG, the integration of sales strategies, the role of data science, and the importance of a well-loved product. Jeff and Jason also touch on the impact of AI, the significance of OKRs in aligning teams, and the characteristics of strong investment teams.

Key Takeaways

Consumer Behavior is Unpredictable: Understanding and adapting to consumer behavior remains a key challenge for businesses.

Operational Support is Crucial: Camber Partners provides functional expertise in marketing, sales, and customer success for its portfolio companies.

Product-Led Growth (PLG) Advantage: PLG enables products to sell themselves, making it more capital-efficient and predictable than traditional sales-led models.

A Well-Loved Product is Key: Strong product-market fit is essential for successful investment and scalability.

Data Science Drives Quality: Leveraging data science enhances revenue streams and improves customer acquisition strategies.

Ecosystem Integrations: Ecosystems and integrations offer significant opportunities for scaling PLG companies.

OKRs Align Teams: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) provide focus and alignment in high-growth environments.

AI Enhances Operations: AI is increasingly integrated into SaaS operations, improving efficiency and decision-making.

Sales Integration with PLG: Successfully incorporating sales into PLG models requires strategic planning and execution.

Strong Teams are the Foundation: Effective teams with aligned goals and complementary skills are critical for investment success.

YouTube Chapters

0:00 - Navigating Consumer Fickleness and Execution Challenges

01:17 - Understanding Camber Partners and Its Focus

02:17 - Diving into Product-Led Growth (PLG) Strategy

05:38 - The Appeal of PLG for Investment

08:28 - Key Investment Drivers for PLG Companies

10:54 - Enhancing Revenue Quality in PLG Models

11:52 - Building Centers of Excellence for Portfolio Companies

14:12 - Challenges in Integrating Sales into PLG

18:03 - Leveraging Ecosystems Over Traditional Channels

19:29 - Jeff's Journey into PLG with When I Work

25:43 - The Importance of OKRs in High-Growth Companies

32:18 - Iterative Approaches to OKRs

34:41 - Identifying Good Teams for Investment

39:01 - The Role of AI in PLG and Future Prospects

43:51 - Desert Island Entertainment Choices

Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #PLG #productledgrowth #saas #venturecapital #jeffjamesmartin #entrepreneurship #startup #camberpartners

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Rebekah Johnson, Founder and CEO of Numeracle, a company dedicated to restoring trust and transparency in voice communications. Rebekah shares her inspiring journey as a female founder navigating challenges, truth, and the complexities of creating a pioneering technology. Numeracle’s mission focuses on solving issues related to robocalls, spoofing, and call verification, ensuring businesses can communicate effectively and maintain trust with their customers.

The conversation explores the evolution of Numeracle’s solutions, the importance of educating the market, and the financial and operational discipline required to scale a business. Rebekah’s personal story of resilience and her advice for entrepreneurs provide valuable insights for founders, innovators, and leaders.

Key Takeaways

Numeracle’s Mission: Tackling the problem of erroneously blocked and labeled calls to ensure trust in communications.

Identity Verification Technology: Enabling businesses to authenticate their calls and protect consumers from spoofing.

The Journey to Educate the Market: Simplifying complex solutions to improve buyer understanding and adoption.

Bootstrapping Success: Rebekah’s decision to self-fund after extensive investor meetings highlights the value of independence.

Challenges for Female Founders: Overcoming biases in leadership perceptions and the funding process.

Team Alignment: Building and maintaining aligned, focused teams to drive business growth.

Managing Growth Responsibly: Balancing cash flow and resource allocation to scale effectively.

Building a Support System: Asking for help and fostering resilience as a single parent and founder.

Episode Chapters

0:00 - Challenges for Women Founders

Rebekah shares experiences as a female founder facing biases in leadership perceptions.

1:30 - Introduction to Rebekah Johnson and Numeracle

Rebekah Johnson joins Tech Scenes Unplugged to discuss her journey with Numeracle.

2:15 - The Problem with Robocalls

Rebekah explains the FCC’s Robocall Strike Force and Numeracle’s mission.

4:20 - How Verified Calls Work

An overview of how identity verification and call authentication protect businesses and consumers.

6:00 - Call Verification Technology

The role of carriers, devices, and identity data in stopping spoofed calls.

8:15 - The Shift to Educating the Market

Rebekah’s journey from complex solutions to simplifying and educating buyers.

10:45 - The ROI of Verified Calls

How call centers benefit from Numeracle’s solutions in both efficiency and profitability.

12:15 - Why Rebekah Founded Numeracle

A phone call that inspired Rebekah to solve a critical industry problem.

14:30 - Lessons from Fundraising

Rebekah’s decision to bootstrap after 100+ investor meetings and its impact on Numeracle’s growth.

17:00 - Female Founders and Funding Bias

How female founders are viewed as a risk versus growth opportunities.

19:10 - The Importance of Alignment in Teams

Rebekah’s perspective on building and aligning teams for growth.

21:45 - Managing Growth Responsibly

Balancing cash flow, hiring, and resource allocation to scale Numeracle effectively.

24:00 - Lessons in Building a Business

The discipline of focusing on what matters and avoiding unnecessary complexity.

26:00 - Building a Support System as a Founder

Rebekah’s experience as a single mom and the importance of asking for help.

Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Victor Pascucci III, an accomplished venture capitalist and the driving force behind Energy Capital Ventures, the only early-stage VC fund solely focused on the sustainability, resilience, and digital transformation of the natural gas industry. With over 19 years of experience and a top-decile performance track record, Vic shares his expertise on ESG imperatives, green molecule innovation, and the evolving role of venture capital in the energy sector.

Energy Capital Ventures combines the innovation of the startup ecosystem with the scale of the energy industry, enabling game-changing companies that deliver clean, safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy for all communities. Through a unique focus on "Green Molecules™," the firm is driving decarbonization and fostering the next generation of sustainable energy solutions.

Key Takeaways:

"Green Molecules™" are a game-changer for decarbonizing the energy sector.
Energy Capital Ventures is uniquely positioned to blend startup innovation with large-scale energy solutions.
The fund focuses on building sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective energy systems.
Hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels represent promising green molecule opportunities.
Strategic partnerships with utility companies help de-risk deep tech ventures.
Transparency, intellectual honesty, and purpose-driven leadership are critical to success.
Deep tech requires unique funding strategies and a long-term vision for scaling.
Venture capital is evolving toward pragmatic, capital-efficient investment strategies.
Building strong teams and selecting aligned investors are crucial for early-stage success.
A clear and compelling mission helps startups navigate challenges and drive innovation.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to Venture Challenges
1:15 - Welcome to Tech Scenes with Vic
1:36 - Energy Capital Ventures Overview
3:50 - Green Molecules Explained
5:00 - Portfolio Highlights
8:31 - Fund Structure and Investors
10:00 - Challenges in the Green Molecule Space
11:37 - Vic’s Career Journey
14:53 - The Future of Green Molecules
15:50 - Investing Criteria
19:06 - Overcoming Founder Challenges
20:00 - Scaling Deep Tech
22:06 - High Risk, High Reward
23:16 - Funding for Deep Tech Startups
25:26 - Venture Capital Market Trends
28:41 - Testing and Iterating in Venture
31:10 - Raising Capital Efficiently
32:15 - Desert Island Album

Don'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://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #energycapitalventures #victorpascucci #greentechnology #venturecapital #sustainability #greenmolecules #deeptech #startups #innovation