Product Coffee

In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin sits down with Liz Steblay, a two-time entrepreneur, solopreneur advocate, and founder of PICA (Professional Independent Consultants of America) and the ProCo Agency. Liz shares her insights from over 20 years of consulting experience, including her six keys to solopreneur success, advice on pricing, and strategies to build wealth while doing work you love. 🎙 Topics Covered: Overcoming fear, uncertainty, and doubt (the “FUD Monster”). The importance of narrowing your niche and being memorable. How to grow and nurture your professional network for long-term success. Why running your solopreneurship like a business is essential. Tips for setting rates, pricing strategies, and transitioning to fixed pricing models. Building wealth as a solopreneur through smart tax and financial practices. Emerging trends in fractional leadership and productizing services. 📌 Episode Highlights: 6 Keys to Solopreneurship: Practical steps to thrive in self-employment. Vanquishing FUD: Identify and tame the fears holding you back. Be Known and Memorable: Tips for creating a distinct brand and reputation. Networking Insights: The power of outreach and building trust over time. Wealth-Building Tactics: Tax strategies, retirement planning, and financial management. Future Trends: The rise of fractional executives and solopreneur-friendly tools. 💡 Listener Homework: Try Liz’s “More Of/Less Of” exercise: Draw a circle on a piece of paper. Write “MORE OF” inside the circle and “LESS OF” outside. Jot down tasks and activities over the next week to clarify what energizes or drains you. 📚 Resources & Links: Liz’s Book: Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth. Learn More: Visit sixkeys.info for Liz’s courses, book, and more. Platforms Mentioned: Thinkific, Kajabi, Squarespace. ☕ About the Show: Product Coffee is your go-to podcast for insights, stories, and advice from product management leaders, served with a side of caffeine. Got Feedback? Share your thoughts, questions, or ideas for future episodes at ProductCoffeePodcast.com. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Discover how Khurram Javed Mir, Co-founder and Chief at Kualitatem, is revolutionizing quality assurance (QA) and software testing with automation and AI. In this insightful episode, Khurram shares his 15+ years of experience building a global QA consulting and product company, achieving TMMI Level 5 certification, and integrating AI into testing workflows. Learn about his journey from software test engineer to entrepreneur, the importance of embedding quality in every stage of product development, and how AI-driven test case generation and reporting can transform QA processes. Perfect for product managers, QA professionals, and aspiring founders, this episode offers actionable insights into problem-solving, team building, and the future of quality assurance. Connect with Khurram Mir: Khurram on LinkedIn Support Product Coffee: Merch: Get your Product Coffee mug and stickers at ProductCoffeePodcast.com. Feedback: Share ideas or questions via a voice message—your input might be featured in an episode! Subscribe & Review: Don’t miss an episode! Follow Product Coffee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Timeline: 00:28 Meet Khurram Javed Mir: QA Powerhouse 01:00 The Journey to Kualitatem 02:40 Challenges in QA and Testing 05:00 The Importance of Early Testing 06:48 Automation in QA 08:26 AI's Role in Testing 12:39 Future Trends and Opportunities 20:42 Founding Kualitatem: A Personal Journey 23:44 The Importance of Complementary Skills in Co-Founders 24:23 Securing the First Customer: A Journey of Persistence 26:39 Innovative Business Models and Customer Confidence 28:44 Learning from User Feedback and Product Evolution 32:05 The Role of Intuition in Product Management 33:29 Future Horizons: AI and Reporting Innovations 42:13 Balancing Work and Personal Growth 44:39 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Founders 46:05 Conclusion and Homework

In this episode of Product Coffee, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Bob Ainsbury, Chief Product Officer at Granicus, for an engaging conversation on trust, team dynamics, and navigating complexity in the GovTech space. Bob shares his journey from software engineer to CPO, leading Granicus through remarkable growth—from a small team of 90 to over 2,200 people globally. Discover how Bob approaches platform strategies, integrates AI/ML to deliver customer outcomes, and fosters trust within government systems and communities. The discussion dives deep into leadership insights, including empowering teams, managing ADHD in high-stakes roles, and balancing long-term vision with short-term priorities. If you’re curious about scaling organizations, building trust in products and people, or actionable advice for leaders looking to make an impact, this episode is packed with takeaways for product managers at every level. Takeaways this week: • Challenge yourself to simplify and focus: What can you remove from your roadmap or scope to create more impact? • Reflect as a leader: How can your actions better inspire and empower your team? Tune in, level up, and discover how to lead with intention and adaptability. Resources: Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn Bob Ainsbury on LinkedIn 📍 Visit ProductCoffeePodcast.com for merch, voice messages, and more episodes!

In this exciting episode of Product Coffee, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Brendan Fortune, Director of Product at Customer.io. Brendan shares his unique journey from the music industry to product leadership, how Customer.io scaled from 60 to nearly 300 employees, and the key role OKRs play in aligning teams for success. They also explore the concept of flywheels, managing product roadmaps, and the challenges of remote work. Brendan was nice enough to share his Annual Planning via Product Flywheel Miro board. Check it out here! 📅 Episode Timeline: [00:00] – Welcome & introduction to Brendan Fortune [00:34] – Brendan’s career journey: From music to product management [01:25] – Why Brendan thrives in startup & mid-sized companies [02:00] – Life in Minnesota: Remote work, family time, & hobbies [03:09] – Music-making with kids & the joys of Kung Fu [04:00] – The growth of Customer.io: From 60 to 300 employees [05:32] – Brendan’s challenge: Building OKRs that align with real outcomes [07:25] – Introducing the concept of a flywheel strategy [10:00] – How Customer.io's flywheel aligns data, messaging, & influence [14:21] – Structuring product squads & assigning objectives [20:00] – Using Prometheus & Mixpanel to track metrics & influence behaviors [25:19] – Combining annual & quarterly planning cycles [30:00] – Leadership’s strategic pillars & their impact on product teams [33:50] – Brendan’s "rock tumbling" ritual: Collaborative product reviews [37:00] – Navigating budgeting & resource allocation [41:29] – The shift from CapEx to OpEx & its impact on product planning [45:20] – Brendan’s advice: Discovering your flywheel & measuring success [46:26] – Where to connect with Brendan Fortune --- 📩 Got a question or comment? Send it our way, & we might feature it on a future episode! ➡️ Where to Connect with Brendan: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bfortune34 Resources Mentioned: Good to Great by Jim Collins Measure What Matters by John Doerr Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary Hooked by Nir Eyal Reforge resources on growth loops & flywheels Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to rate, review, & subscribe to Product Coffee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! ☕ Grab some Product Coffee merch! Visit productcoffeepodcast.com to order your mug or sticker.

This episode is packed with insights from Nick McEvily, who takes us on a journey from his studies in human-centered design to founding and leading multiple startups. 🚀 Nick drops wisdom on how to build customer-focused products, explaining core principles like empathy in design, the Jobs-to-be-Done framework, and how to nail those all-important customer interviews. He also shares stories from his work with Mode Mobile and Relivable, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at both the wins and the lessons learned. 💡 To cap it all off, Nick discusses his current role as a fractional product leader and dishes out practical advice on turning customer insights into actionable strategies. You won’t want to miss his tips on building the right product-market fit muscle or his heartfelt take on balancing fatherhood with leadership. 👨‍👧‍👦 Resources: Nick McEvily on LinkedIn Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn 🕒 Timeline: 00:56 - Meet the Guest: Nick McEvily 01:13 - Nick's Career Journey 01:59 - Deep Dive into Human-Centered Design 02:52 - Nick's Startup Ventures 04:09 - The Evolution of Mode Mobile 07:56 - User Acquisition & Marketing Hacks 15:38 - Design & UX Tips 18:16 - Collaborating with Engineering Teams 21:13 - Scaling & Retention Strategies 23:31 - Joining Accelerator Programs 24:17 - Starting Further, Faster: Nick's New Venture 24:29 - Building That Product-Market Fit Muscle 💪 25:14 - Crafting a Curriculum for Founders 26:08 - The Art of Customer Discovery 26:36 - Effective Interview Techniques 27:06 - How to Make Data Believable 📊 31:56 - Success Stories from Further, Faster 34:52 - Fatherhood Meets Leadership 36:43 - The Role of a Fractional Product Leader 39:19 - New Ventures on the Horizon 43:11 - Homework: Synthesis Methodology ✏️ 46:14 - Wrap-up & Final Thoughts Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this caffeinated dose of product! ☕ Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

In this episode, Kevin chats with Rani Al Hajji, a seasoned expert in consumer goods and marketing, about the importance of staying focused on the end user. Rani shares insights from his career at L'Oreal and Colgate, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer needs and maintaining a balance between product obsession and customer feedback. He also discusses his transition to advising startups, helping them define and articulate their value propositions. The conversation touches on the art and science of innovation, the significance of diverse perspectives, and practical steps for founders and product managers to stay customer-obsessed in their development process. Resources: Rani Al Hajji on LinkedIn Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn Timeline: 00:32 The Importance of Customer Focus 02:52 Rani Al Hajji’s Background & Experience 05:35 Challenges & Insights in Startups 08:58 Balancing Innovation & Customer Feedback 14:55 Corporate Innovation at L'Oreal & Colgate 25:41 Advising Startups: Value Proposition & Market Fit 42:16 Practical Advice for Founders & Product Managers Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

Kevin chats with the amazing ✨ Jason Fraser ✨, a well-known author and advisor, about his journey from linguistics to product management. Jason shares leadership tips from his popular book 'Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama,' co-authored with his wife Janice. He talks about team transformation, creating a software lab for the Air Force, and the importance of feeling safe at work. Jason also covers key ideas from his book like being honest, focusing on results, using team skills, and making lasting decisions. The episode ends with advice on staying well in tough times. If you're into leadership and product management, you'll get great tips from this chat. Episode Resources: Leverage the Brains - Jason’s YouTube Channel Jason Fraser on LinkedIn BUY JASON’S BOOK: Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead Kevin on LinkedIn Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Jason Fraser 00:53 Jason's Unique Background 01:58 Current Ventures and Future Plans 02:49 Musical Journey and Learning 03:41 About the Book: Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama 06:07 The Four Leadership Motions 09:03 Implementing Leadership Motions 13:18 Challenges with Goaling Systems 16:50 Transforming Organizational Culture 21:48 Balanced Teams and Design Integration 26:27 Prioritization Decisions in Product Management 29:36 Understanding Organizational Missions 32:58 Navigating Organizational Transformations 40:25 The Power of Collaboration and Partnership 44:07 Self-Care and Personal Growth 46:10 Final Thoughts & Plugs Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

Kevin Gentry welcomes back David Pereira, who shares insights about his new book Untrapping Product Teams. They delve into David's journey from a software engineer in Brazil to a leadership role in Germany, touching on his experiences and learnings in product management. David discusses the core themes of his book, including facing reality, overcoming dangerous traps, and remaining untrapped. He also shares practical advice on writing, leadership, and team management, offering valuable perspectives for product leaders and managers. Resources: Untrapping Product Teams on Amazon David’s Website David Pereira on LinkedIn Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn Timeline: 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 01:07 David Pereira's Background 01:54 Introduction to the Book: Untrapping Product Teams 03:56 The Writing Journey 15:10 Collaborative vs. Coordinative Work 20:51 Investing in Capital Projects 21:25 Driving Change in a Startup 21:50 Evaluating Team Performance 22:53 Experimenting with Outcome-Focused Teams 23:41 Overcoming the Interest Trap 24:33 The Ingredients of Product Management 26:58 Learning from Top Restaurants 29:06 Adapting Strategies for Success 30:47 Remaining Untrapped with Health Checks 35:08 Leadership and Hard Decisions 38:56 Practical Homework for Listeners Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

This week on Product Coffee ☕️, Kevin chats with guests Leslie Kee and Paul Ballenger about their journey in building businesses like Auctus Security and Ally Assist. They cover military and business leadership, work-life balance, adaptability, and teamwork in high-stress environments. Leslie and Paul share tips on planning, delegation, and work-life balance for new entrepreneurs and product pros. Resources: Paul Ballenger on LinkedIn Leslie Kee on LinkedIn Auctus Security Ally Assist Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Product Coffee Podcast 00:28 Meet Leslie Key & Paul Ballinger 00:59 Paul's Background & Journey 02:07 Leslie's Background & Partnership with Paul 03:22 The Dynamics of Their Partnership 05:03 Challenges & Successes in Entrepreneurship 07:45 Military Influence on Business Leadership 09:55 Building Effective Teams & Maintaining Morale 12:22 Adapting to Virtual Work Environments 15:53 Current Ventures & Future Plans 21:51 Automating Business Processes 22:35 The Importance of Delegation 22:50 Assessing Executive Team Strengths 23:12 Building Effective Teams 25:59 Challenges Faced by Small Businesses 28:20 Tailored Solutions for Business Needs 32:03 Measuring Success & Client Feedback 36:15 Balancing Work & Personal Life 39:42 Conclusion & Final Thoughts Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

This week on Product Coffee, Kevin Gentry talks with Matt LeMay, a product leader, consultant, and author known for his work with Google, Mailchimp, Spotify, and Bitly. Matt shares his journey from musician and music journalist to product management, highlighting how his communication and team-building skills from his music career translated into tech. They discuss the importance of goal clarity, embracing facilitative roles in product management, and balancing creative work with business needs. Matt also previews his upcoming book on 'Impact First Product Teams,' offering advice on setting high impact, high specificity goals to drive team success. The episode ends with Matt reflecting on the challenges and joys of writing his new book and his broader views on maintaining balance between professional and personal creative projects. Episode Resources: Kevin Gentry on Linkedin Matt LeMay’s Website Timeline: 00:23 Meet Matt LeMay: Product Leader & Author 02:00 Matt's Journey into Product Management 03:25 From Musician to Product Manager 09:20 Career Growth & Key Lessons 12:25 Embracing Facilitative Work in Product Management 21:07 Challenges & Insights in Agile Transformation 28:00 Resource Allocation & Team Collaboration 28:09 High Specificity in Goal Setting 28:51 Consulting Insights on High Impact Goals 30:42 Challenges of Innovation Teams 32:39 The Importance of Specific Goals 34:11 Project-Based vs. Team-Based Approaches 41:58 Writing Process & Creative Work 48:09 Balancing Work & Creativity 51:04 Homework & Plugs Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️