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Aug 2024

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Interviews with founders, innovators, and experts. Subscribe for new episodes every week! Guest and business inquiries: 📧 connordeckpodcast@gmail.com.

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August 3, 202453 min

Why Are There so Many Inefficiencies in Healthcare? - Allen Cooper, Ancilla Ventures | #76

Connect with Allen! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-cooper-4a07598/ Website: https://ancillaventures.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:40 The Value of an MBA and Entrepreneurship 07:16 The Need for Transparency in Healthcare Costs 12:07 Improving Room Turnover Efficiency and Infection Control 26:34 Improving Efficiencies and Infection Control 28:50 Addressing the High Cost of Care 35:11 Minimizing Infections in Hospitals 38:37 Optimizing Labor and Improving Patient Care 41:29 ReadyList: Growing and Expanding Summary Allen Cooper, CEO and President of Ancilla Ventures and CEO and Co-founder of ReadyList, shares his background and journey in entrepreneurship. He discusses the value of getting an MBA and how it can provide a strong foundation in business knowledge. Allen also talks about the opportunities and challenges in the healthcare industry, particularly in terms of transparency and cost. He explains the focus of Ancilla Ventures on providing solutions and support to hospitals, and highlights the importance of trust and building relationships with healthcare providers. The principal themes of the conversation are improving efficiencies in hospitals, addressing labor shortages, and managing infection control. The cost of care in hospitals is attributed to factors such as high overhead costs, luxurious facilities, and competition among health systems. Infection control is crucial for hospitals to maintain their brand reputation and quality of care. ReadyList offers solutions to help hospitals minimize infections and improve patient turnover. The ROI of properly managed infection control includes cost savings, revenue optimization, and improved patient experience. ReadyList aims to expand nationally and develop new products. As a CEO, Allen Cooper emphasizes the importance of resilience, energy, and nurturing a positive experience for both customers and employees. He advises entrepreneurs to understand their why, make deliberate decisions, and strive for excellence rather than perfection.

July 20, 20241 hr 5 min

Don't Let Disasters Ruin You - Patrick Hardy, Disaster Patrick | #75

Connect with Patrick! https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/ https://disasterpatrick.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:08 The Importance of Finding a Mentor 10:56 Challenges and Fulfillment in a Career in Emergency Preparedness 14:48 Understanding the Phases of Disaster Response 24:44 Building Resilience: Being Prepared and Independent 30:23 The Risk of Disasters in Louisiana 35:32 The Importance of Business Recovery in Disasters 46:29 Creating a Fun and Empowering Disaster Preparedness Channel on YouTube 52:08 Embracing the Future and Using Obstacles to Grow 01:04:20 The Power of Preparation in Avoiding Disasters Summary Patrick W Hardy, an expert in disaster recovery, shares his career journey and the importance of disaster preparedness. He emphasizes the need to find a mentor who can guide and support personal and professional development. Patrick believes that disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors, such as insurance or a single job. He encourages people to be proactive in preparing for disasters and to view them as opportunities for growth and resilience. Patrick also explains the different phases of disaster response, including preparedness, response, and recovery. Patrick W Hardy discusses the importance of understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas prone to disasters. He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and having a plan in place in case of a disaster. He also shares his decision to start a YouTube channel focused on disaster preparedness, where he aims to make the topic approachable, fun, and empowering. Patrick plans to finance the channel through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities. He also highlights the significance of mentorship in his career and advises others to seek out mentors. Takeaways Finding a mentor is crucial for personal and professional development Disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors Preparing for disasters can turn them into opportunities for growth and resilience The phases of disaster response include preparedness, response, and recovery Understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas is crucial. Having a plan in place for disasters is essential, and personal responsibility is key. Patrick W Hardy aims to make disaster preparedness approachable, fun, and empowering through his YouTube channel. The channel will be financed through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities. Mentorship has played a significant role in Patrick's career, and he encourages others to seek out mentors.

July 15, 202451 min

Why You Don't Need VC Funding to Scale - Prashant Agrawal, Be Pacific | #74

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Prashant! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pka3300/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:53 Defining Startups Beyond Technology 04:29 Challenges of Starting a Technology Business 08:38 Building Viable Technology as a Non-Technical Founder 11:49 Resource and Time Requirements for Building Software 14:44 Exploring Funding Options Beyond Venture Capital 21:36 Mistakes in Approaching Venture Capital 24:38 Research-Based Approach to Finding the Right VC 25:35 Understanding the Conversion Ratio in Fundraising 26:50 The Relationship Between Founders and VCs Post-Funding 28:54 The Control VCs Have Over Startups 32:13 Selection Criteria for VCs 38:08 The Democratization of Technology and its Impact on VCs 45:55 Best Options for Securing Initial Funding Summary Prashant Agrawal, a former banker turned consultant, works with startups and small businesses to develop their business strategies and improve their pitches. He emphasizes that startups are not limited to technology companies and that any tangible business solving a real problem can be considered a startup. Prashant advises founders to focus on understanding the problem they are solving before incorporating technology into their solution. He also highlights the importance of diverse funding sources and recommends exploring options beyond venture capital, such as bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants. The conversation covers post-funding dynamics and the relationship between founders and VCs. It emphasizes the importance of finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose. The VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the journey. The VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins. The conversation also touches on the selection criteria for VCs, highlighting the focus on the problem being solved rather than proprietary technology. The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors are still interested in the scalability and viability of the solution. The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family. Takeaways Startups can be any tangible business solving a real problem, not just technology companies. Understanding the problem and developing a clear solution is crucial before incorporating technology. Diverse funding sources, including bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants, should be explored before seeking venture capital. When approaching venture capitalists, it is important to research and target those with aligned interests and priorities. Finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose is crucial for a successful partnership. VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the entrepreneurial journey. VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins. The focus of VCs has shifted from proprietary technology to the problem being solved and the scalability of the solution. The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors still look for scalability and viability. The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family.

July 8, 202446 min

What Every Founder Gets Wrong About Human Resources - Heba Ayad, Talent 360 | #73

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Heba! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-ayad-4a029797/ Website: https://www.talent-360.me/

July 1, 202459 min

Why You Can Work From Anywhere and Be More Productive Than Ever - Nico Gramenz, Project Bay | #72

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Nico! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupislander-nicogramenz/ Website: https://project-bay.de/en Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 09:09 Nico's Journey into Entrepreneurship 22:30 The Demographic Crunch and Germany's Industrial Power 27:22 Project Bay: Addressing the Talent Shortage in Rural Regions 29:25 The Need for Remote Work and Flexibility 33:25 Productivity and Data in Remote Work 39:10 The Importance of Community in Remote Work 42:43 Co-Working Spaces in Hotels 48:30 The Future of Work: Flexibility and Choice 54:02 Expanding the Network of Work Locations Summary Nico, the founder of two businesses, shares his journey from being a military officer to becoming an entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of changing perspectives and developing new ideas. Nico discusses the changing dynamics of work and the need for flexible work models. He also highlights the impact of the Russian-Ukraine war on Europe and the need for defense innovation. Nico addresses the demographic crunch in Germany and the challenges faced by industrial companies in adapting to new ways of working. He introduces Project Bay, a startup that offers remote work solutions and aims to attract talent to rural regions. Project Bay is a platform that offers flexible work and travel experiences for remote workers. They partner with hotels and other accommodations to provide professional co-working spaces in desirable locations. The goal is to connect rural regions and provide a professional work environment in beach, mountain, and nature settings. Project Bay aims to be the go-to B2B platform for flexible work models and differentiate themselves by offering a complete experience, including community spaces and events. They believe that the future of work is about freedom of choice and flexibility in where and how people work. Takeaways Changing perspectives and developing new ideas are crucial for entrepreneurship. The dynamics of work are changing, and flexible work models are becoming more important. The Russian-Ukraine war has highlighted the need for defense innovation. The demographic crunch in Germany poses challenges for industrial companies. Project Bay aims to attract talent to rural regions through remote work solutions. Project Bay offers flexible work and travel experiences for remote workers, partnering with hotels to provide professional co-working spaces in desirable locations. Their goal is to connect rural regions and provide a professional work environment in beach, mountain, and nature settings. Project Bay aims to be the go-to B2B platform for flexible work models and differentiate themselves by offering a complete experience, including community spaces and events. They believe that the future of work is about freedom of choice and flexibility in where and how people work.

June 24, 20241 hr 4 min

Why You Don't Need College to Build a Successful Business - Jarod Spiewak, Comet Fuel | #71

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Jarod! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarodspiewak/ X: https://x.com/JarodSpiewak Website: https://cometfuel.com/ Chapters 00:00 Jarod's Background and Comet Fuel 00:29 Choosing Your Own Path: College or Real-World Experience? 04:33 Reflecting on Early Graduation 06:04 The Myth of School Performance and Success 06:35 The Value of Hands-On Experience and Self-Education 07:57 The Limitations of Traditional Education in a Changing Industry 27:02 Going Solo and Developing Confidence 30:30 Reflection on Starting a Business 30:41 The Challenges of Starting an Agency 33:00 Recovering from a Crash and Burn Period 38:05 Mastering a Single Marketing Channel 50:34 Setting a New Standard in the Industry Chapters Summary Jarod Spiewak, founder of Comet Fuel, shares his journey from graduating high school early to starting his own marketing agency. He discusses the value of hands-on experience and self-education in the digital marketing space. Jarod emphasizes the importance of gaining real-world skills and building a portfolio before starting a business. He also highlights the limitations of traditional education in keeping up with the rapidly changing digital landscape. Jarod @ Comet Fuel shares his experience of starting and growing his ad agency, highlighting the challenges he faced and the strategies he used to recover. He emphasizes the importance of reflection and learning from past mistakes, as well as the need to have systems and processes in place to effectively manage the business. Jarod also discusses his approach to sales, leveraging his technical knowledge to provide valuable insights to potential clients. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on channels they are familiar with and to pursue marketing strategies that align with their strengths and interests. Finally, Jarod talks about his goals for Comet Fuel, emphasizing the importance of setting a new standard in the industry and prioritizing work-life balance and personal happiness. Takeaways Gaining hands-on experience and building a portfolio are valuable steps before starting a business. Traditional education may not always provide the most relevant skills for the rapidly changing digital landscape. Self-education and continuous learning are crucial in the digital marketing industry. Real-world skills and practical experience can outweigh academic performance in the business world. Exploring different career paths and gaining industry-specific knowledge can help in making informed decisions about education and career choices. Reflect on your business regularly and learn from past mistakes to improve and grow. Have systems and processes in place to effectively manage your business and avoid chaos. Leverage your technical knowledge and provide valuable insights to potential clients to stand out in sales. Focus on marketing channels that you are familiar with and understand how people interact with them. Set goals that align with your personal happiness and work-life balance, rather than just pursuing growth for the sake of it.

June 18, 202456 min

Why Inaccurate Data is Costing Your Company Millions - Mo Hallaba, Datawisp | #70

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Mo! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohallaba/ X: https://x.com/ElectronicMo Website: https://www.datawisp.io/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:25 Transition from Finance to Entrepreneurship 05:26 Working on Wall Street 08:32 Challenges and Rewards of Startups 12:09 Building Something Big vs. Flexibility 15:08 The Problem Data Wisp Solves 20:00 User-Friendly AI and Upskilling 22:16 The Future of AI and Data Analytics 24:32 Optimism and Pessimism in AI Progression 27:51 The Role of Human Creativity in AI 30:08 The Efficiency Gains and New Opportunities of AI 34:56 The Future of Work: Shorter Workweeks or Increased Productivity? 41:23 The Importance of Education and Access to Information 50:21 Challenges of Building a Successful Company 54:05 The Value of Execution in Building a Business Summary Mo Hallaba, CEO of Data Wisp, shares his journey from finance to entrepreneurship and the development of his AI data analytics company. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and work ethic in building a successful startup. Mo discusses the challenges of working on Wall Street and the transition to running his own business. He explains the need for startups to handle all aspects of the business and the value of efficiency in decision-making. Mo also discusses the problem Data Wisp solves, which is making data analytics more accessible to non-technical users. He envisions a future where AI improves efficiency and frees up data scientists to work on more complex tasks. The conversation explores the efficiency and speed of AI, its impact on job roles, and the potential for AI to unlock new opportunities. It discusses the balance between automation and human creativity, and how AI can free up time for more meaningful work. The conversation also touches on the future of work and the traditional workweek, as well as the motivation behind building a successful business. The importance of education and the potential for technology to improve access to information and empower individuals is highlighted. The challenges of scaling a company and the value of building a strong team are also discussed. Takeaways Perseverance and work ethic are crucial in building a successful startup. Startups require handling all aspects of the business, which can be overwhelming but also provides opportunities for growth. Efficiency in decision-making is essential for startups, as it allows for better use of resources and faster progress. Data Wisp aims to make data analytics more accessible to non-technical users, enabling them to ask questions and get answers without relying on data scientists. AI can improve efficiency in data analytics, freeing up data scientists to focus on more complex tasks. AI offers efficiency and speed that can unlock new opportunities and free up time for more meaningful work. The balance between automation and human creativity is crucial in leveraging the benefits of AI. The traditional workweek may evolve as technology advances, allowing for more flexibility and productivity. Building a successful business can provide the resources and influence to make a positive impact on society. Education plays a vital role in empowering individuals and addressing societal issues, and technology can enhance access to information. Hiring the right people and learning from the experiences of others are key factors in scaling a company.

June 10, 20241 hr 3 min

Can Technology Outrun the Looming Healthcare Financial Crisis? - Klaus Bartosch, Dreamoro | #69

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Klaus! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klausbartosch/ Website: https://www.dreamoro.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:15 Entering the Health Tech Space 09:37 Challenges Faced by Health Tech Founders 11:53 The Need for Innovation in Healthcare 21:42 Taking a Holistic Approach to Health 27:25 The Impact of Preventive Measures 29:36 Managing Healthcare Issues Early 32:08 The Role of Technology in Healthcare 38:02 Challenges and Mistakes in the Health Tech Space 55:14 The Rewarding Nature of Health Tech 01:00:51 Advice for Founders and Learning from Failures Summary Klaus Bartosch, a venture capitalist and experienced technology founder, discusses his background and the healthcare industry. He shares his experience building a health tech business focused on improving the way people engage with healthcare services. Klaus emphasizes the need for a more proactive and integrated healthcare system that addresses not only treatment but also the overall well-being of patients. He discusses the challenges in the current healthcare system, such as lack of collaboration among healthcare providers and the focus on payment rather than outcomes. Klaus believes that technology and data-driven solutions can incentivize better lifestyle choices and early screenings, leading to improved outcomes and cost savings. The conversation explores the role of technology in improving healthcare and addressing the challenges of an aging population. It discusses how technology can help individuals make better decisions about their health and well-being, detect health risks early, and manage chronic conditions. The conversation also highlights the unsustainable cost of healthcare and the need for technology to mitigate the burden on the healthcare system. It emphasizes the importance of passion and purpose in the health tech space and the challenges that founders face, including hiring the right team, raising capital, and achieving product-market fit. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring founders and the rewarding nature of making a positive impact in healthcare. Takeaways Klaus Bartosch is a venture capitalist and experienced technology founder focused on health tech. He built a health tech business that aimed to improve the way people engage with healthcare services. Klaus emphasizes the need for a more proactive and integrated healthcare system that addresses overall patient well-being. The current healthcare system faces challenges such as lack of collaboration among providers and a focus on payment rather than outcomes. Technology and data-driven solutions can incentivize better lifestyle choices and early screenings, leading to improved outcomes and cost savings. Technology can help individuals make better decisions about their health and well-being. Early detection and management of health risks can be facilitated through technology. Technology can help individuals manage chronic conditions and stay in their homes longer. The unsustainable cost of healthcare can be mitigated through technology. Passion and purpose are important in the health tech space, and founders should be prepared for challenges. Hiring the right team, raising capital, and achieving product-market fit are key challenges for founders. Failure should be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve. Building a successful health tech company requires resilience and a focus on making a positive impact in healthcare.

June 4, 202443 min

What Every Founder Gets Wrong About PR - Aylin Nazlican, Friends in PR | #68

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Aylin! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylin-nazlican-b9a284149/ Website: https://www.myfriendsinpr.com/english Chapters 00:00 Changing Work Environment and Strategy 21:37 The Solopreneur Model in PR: Flexibility and Efficiency 22:59 Navigating Career Growth in Corporate PR 31:37 The Role of AI in PR: Efficiency and Human Connection 36:27 Success Strategies for Aspiring Solopreneurs in PR Summary Aylin Nazlican, a PR manager, shares her experience and insights on the importance of PR for businesses. She explains that PR is about telling your story and controlling the narrative to shape public perception. Aylin emphasizes the need for businesses to communicate their story and connect with stakeholders. She also discusses the role of PR in managing crises and finding compromises between different stakeholders. Aylin recently started her own PR business, leveraging her global network and focusing on handpicking teams for each project. Aylin Nazlican discusses her experience working in the PR industry and her decision to start her own freelance PR business. She highlights the benefits of freelancing, such as the ability to work on a variety of projects and the potential for higher earnings. She also discusses the challenges of working in a corporate PR agency, including limited opportunities for growth and low pay. Aylin emphasizes the importance of building relationships and trust with clients and freelancers to ensure high-quality work. She believes that while AI can be useful in certain aspects of PR, the human element will always be necessary. Aylin's focus for the future is to start working on projects that she can showcase as her own and leverage word-of-mouth referrals to grow her business. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to not be afraid of making mistakes and to focus on the things they enjoy and excel at. Aylin is open to the possibility of partnering with others in the future but wants to maintain a project-based approach rather than a traditional agency structure. Takeaways PR is essential for businesses to communicate their story and shape public perception. PR involves telling your story and controlling the narrative to connect with stakeholders. Managing crises and finding compromises are important aspects of PR. Entrepreneurs can leverage their network and handpick teams for each project to build a successful PR business. Freelancing in the PR industry offers the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and potentially earn higher income. Working in a corporate PR agency can be challenging, with limited opportunities for growth and low pay. Building relationships and trust with clients and freelancers is crucial for delivering high-quality work. While AI can be useful in certain aspects of PR, the human element will always be necessary. Word-of-mouth referrals and testimonials are effective growth strategies in the PR industry. Entrepreneurs should not be afraid of making mistakes and should focus on their strengths and passions. Maintaining a project-based approach rather than a traditional agency structure can offer more flexibility and equitable compensation.

May 23, 202450 min

How Blockchain Tokenization Will Disrupt Traditional Industries - Edwin Mata, Brickken | #67

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Edwin! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinmatanavarro/ X: https://x.com/Brickken Website: https://www.brickken.com/en Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:29 Becoming a Lawyer and Transitioning to Entrepreneurship 06:21 The Education Phase of Blockchain 08:52 The Evolution of Banks in the Blockchain Era 11:52 The Integration of Fiat Currencies and Cryptocurrencies 24:10 Consolidation in the Blockchain Space 25:30 The Commodity and Product Nature of Blockchain 26:48 Choosing Ethereum as the Foundation 28:38 Ethereum's Transaction Fees and Future Developments 32:18 Brick-in's Focus on Tokenization and Digitization 39:47 Brick-in's Value Proposition and Services 47:17 Brick-in's Grand Vision for the Future 48:29 Recommendations for Working in the Web3 Space Summary Edwin Mata, CEO and co-founder of Brickken, shares his journey from being a lawyer to entering the blockchain space and starting his own startup. He discusses the challenges of being a service provider and the appeal of working with technology. Edwin emphasizes the importance of a legal background in understanding contracts and negotiations in the blockchain industry. He also highlights the need for education and regulation in the blockchain space, as well as the potential for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins to revolutionize the financial system. Brickken is a platform that focuses on tokenization, which is the digitization or representation of offline assets on the blockchain. They aim to bring financial instruments, such as equity and debt, online to make transactions more efficient and accessible. Brickken chose to build on Ethereum because it is one of the most developed and widely used blockchains, with a large developer community and high transaction volume. They believe that Ethereum will remain a key foundation in the blockchain ecosystem. However, they acknowledge that Ethereum still needs to address issues such as high transaction fees to become more efficient. Brickken's vision is to be part of the journey towards the full tokenization of equity and the transformation of financial markets. They aim to provide a new alternative for funding and crowdfunding, optimizing investment opportunities for companies and individuals. Their platform offers a seamless user experience, with a Google form for asset origination, an investor portal for distribution, and a management tool for asset and investor management. Brickken charges a monthly fee for their software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. They see themselves as complementing traditional financial institutions rather than replacing them, providing new options and opportunities for raising capital. In the future, Brickken aims to expand their services and become a leader in the tokenization space. Takeaways Transitioning from being a lawyer to working in the blockchain space can offer new opportunities and a different work dynamic. A legal background can be valuable in understanding contracts and negotiations in the blockchain industry. The blockchain industry is still in the education phase, but adoption is increasing, especially with the involvement of institutional players. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins have the potential to revolutionize the financial system and offer new forms of digital money. Brickken focuses on tokenization, digitizing offline assets on the blockchain. They chose Ethereum as their starting foundation due to its developer community and transaction volume. Ethereum still needs to address issues like high transaction fees to become more efficient. Brickken aims to be part of the journey towards the full tokenization of equity and the transformation of financial markets. They provide a seamless user experience with asset origination, distribution, and management tools.