Disruptive CEO Nation

Meet Satyam Kantamneni, the managing partner and chief experience officer at UX Reactor in the San Francisco Bay Area. Satyam shares insights on the work of UX Reactor and why he believes focusing on ‘experience’ should be considered a powerful superpower in a CEO’s toolkit. 

Here are five high points from our conversation:

– Satyam emphasizes the importance of the human-centered design process in making technology more user-friendly and efficient. UX Reactor specializes in bringing human experiences to technology, making products easier and more efficient to use.

– Key considerations when working with enterprise clients in the software space, such as ServiceNow, Nokia, VMware, and Compass. The focus is on creating seamless experiences for complex products used across different contexts and modalities.

– Satyam introduces a test for leaders to determine if they are truly user-centric. The four key questions are: Do you know who your user is? Do you know the top pain points? Do you know what you’re doing about it? Do you know the measure of success? User-centricity involves understanding users, their pain points, and continuously working to improve their experience.

– Satyam’s vision for the future is to scale the impact of UX Reactor at a global level. The goal is to do what they do at scale, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness in driving business growth through experience design.

Prior to founding UXReactor, Satyam led various in-house design organizations such as Citrix and PayPal. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, Satyam realized that most businesses aren’t leveraging the full power of User Experience (UX) Design as an engine for strategic growth. So, he resolved to change that. Through UXReactor, Satyam demonstrated that UX can and should drive enterprise-wide innovation and business outcomes. UXReactor has enabled its clients-partners to generate hundreds of millions in additional revenue from user-cen- tered innovation. Satyam is passionate about user-centered innovation and he is authoring a book titled User Experience Playbook: A Practical to Fuel Business Growth, which will be released on May 10, 2022.

Connect with Satyam:

Website: Uxreactor.com

Facebook: /UXReactor/

Instagram: /UXReactor/

Twitter: /uxreactr

LinkedIn: /company/uxreactor/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Meet Sanchali, a woman on a mission to help everyone be a good climate-conscious citizen. In this episode, we cover Sanchali’s business story and discuss the trajectory for Commons, an app that places sensible choices in the palm of the consumer’s hand.

We caught up with Sanchali as Common is on its way to scale to one million users. The app’s data demonstrates that users can reduce emissions by 20% in the first year alone. This is all part of the company’s goal to help everyone ‘decarbonize their life’ by the 2050 planet targets.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

– Sanchali shares her journey from working in international development to founding Commons, including her thoughts on what it takes to build, scale, and grab hold of consumer attention in the app space.

– We gain insights into the impact the app has on reducing emissions and how users can save money while shopping sustainably. She explains how none of the companies on the app have paid to be there but that all are vetted independently based on Common criteria.

– We dive into how users can be better motivated by harnessing rewards and incentives for making eco-friendly choices.

– Sanchali talks about Commons’ growth strategies, including lessons from working with the Sequoia ARC accelerator and building a team that continues to grow.

 – We even get a sneak peek into the app’s future developments, including enhanced data visualizations and gamification.

Commons, recognized as one of Time’s top 100 most innovative companies, is revolutionizing sustainable spending. As the founder and CEO of Commons, Sanchali shares insights into the app that helps users make eco-friendly choices effortlessly. From discovering sustainable brands to earning rewards for conscious shopping, Commons is transforming the way we spend. 

Sanchali founded Commons to empower people to make spending choices that are better for them and the Earth. Prior to founding Commons, Sanchali worked in sustainable development at Dalberg, during which time she lived in Ethiopia and India and worked with communities directly affected by the climate crisis. Sanchali holds a BA from Princeton in Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Connect with Sanchali:

Website: https://thecommons.earth/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchalipal/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.commons.earth/ 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, we take time to connect with the exceptional Frank Husman, founder of Maxiality and an expert in authority marketing for B2B SaaS companies. Frank shares his insights into the dynamic realm of authority marketing and offers practical ideas that can elevate your approach to authority marketing.

Here are the key takeaways:

– Frank emphasizes the significance of showcasing your company’s journey and thought leadership. By documenting your experiences, challenges, and successes, you can build trust and authenticity in the eyes of your audience.

 – In the evolving landscape of content marketing, business leaders must shift from traditional blogs to engaging multimedia content. Leveraging platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn for short, impactful videos can captivate your audience and make your brand more relatable.

– Frank shares his experiences working with European SaaS companies targeting both local and international markets. Understanding the nuances of each country and tailoring your marketing strategy accordingly is crucial for success in the global landscape.

– The conversation delves into the growing importance of personal branding for leaders. CEOs should be more human in their approach, sharing experiences, and connecting with the audience on a personal level can significantly impact a company’s growth.

Frank Husmann is an internet entrepreneur focused on B2B and SaaS marketing. As a former SaaS founder, he knows the challenges and pitfalls of growing a company. With over 20 years of experience in B2B marketing and sales, his goal is to assist B2B founders and marketers to show their expertise. 

Frank started an internet agency for the travel industry on the 11th of September, 2001. A recession right after that hit the global economy, and despite that he has managed to create an agency with about 15 people and sell it in 5 years. After that, he was a co-founder of an international lead generation agency operating in 10 countries with 30 people. After he sold this agency, he started a SaaS business in B2B marketing and sold that after 5 years. Right now, he’s using all the knowledge he has accumulated in these ventures to help grow B2B companies with his agency Maxiality.

Connect with Frank:

Free training: How To Become An Industry Authority And Consistently Generate Opportunities

https://maxiality.com/training-expert-content/

Website: https://maxiality.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinspiratie/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Meet Jessica Young, the founder of Bubble Goods, who is on a mission to change the way we think about buying food products. In this episode, we dive into the world of food innovation, consumer choice, and the disruptive business model of Bubble Goods.

Building on her view as a trained chef, Jessica matched gained business skills with passion and great technology to design a business ecosystem supporting the needs of independent health-conscious food producers with health-conscious humans.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

– How Bubble Goods serves as an online marketplace for emerging and “better for you” food brands, offering consumers a curated selection of unique and health-conscious products.

– Unlike competitors like Thrive Market, Bubble Goods operates like an Etsy for food, giving vendors and food makers direct access to a targeted audience, offering a unique alternative to the traditional bulk-buying model.

– The platform curates and filters collections based on current food trends, helping consumers discover the latest and greatest products, such as those trending on TikTok.

– Jessica discusses the streamlined onboarding process for food brands, allowing them to create an account on the platform, get approved quickly, and start growing their sales with ease.

– Jessica shares her journey from being a chef to becoming the founder of Bubble Goods, highlighting her dedication to quality and her mission to connect people with high-quality food sources.

With 10+ years in the food and wellness industry, Jessica saw a gap in the market: food brands were innovating (specifically in the health foods sector), but they didn’t have the digital know-how or right platform to launch and scale on. It was becoming harder and harder for these brands to get onto Whole Foods, launch and scale within Amazon, and inefficient to drive customers into their own singular e-com channels. Jessica saw an opportunity to launch something similar to what Farfetch has done in fashion and Etsy has done in the handmade goods space: create and curate a marketplace for the innovative, truly strict label, independent food brands.

Prior to launching Bubble Goods, Jessica worked as a chef in NYC in Michelin-starred restaurants, before transitioning to the food startup scene, which eventually led her to become the first employee and Head of Product and Operations for Daily Harvest.

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubblegoods/

TikTok: @bubblegoods

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJM3giq6He1fbVPYQxx2zsA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BubbleGoods

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Meet Daniella Green, a TEDx speaker and globally acclaimed authority in coaching the C-suite. Daniella shares her expertise in helping professionals break through the glass ceiling and advance their careers while addressing issues of diversity and pay disparity. She also provides insight into why CEOs and business builders need to consciously care about valuing diversity on their teams.

Daniella is a passionate advocate for closing the wealth gap in Black households and tackling pay disparities among women of all backgrounds. She emphasizes the importance of individual contributions to bring about these positive changes.

Here are some of the keypoints in this episode:

– Importance of Diversity in Leadership: The conversation delves into the significance of diversity in the C-suite. It’s not just about appearing socially responsible but it’s also a risk avoidance strategy. Having a diverse leadership team helps organizations avoid ignorance, reputational risks, and misunderstandings in an increasingly diverse world.

– Transparency Reporting and Accountability: The discussion touches on the importance of transparency reporting, especially for company founders and CEOs. Transparency reporting is essential in maintaining a company’s financial health and addressing issues that might hinder its growth and success.

– Trends in Tech and Beyond: Daniella highlights the blurring of industry lines, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the problems you can solve rather than limiting yourself to a specific industry. Tech is no longer confined to those with a tech background; it encompasses various sectors, offering opportunities for professionals from diverse backgrounds.

– Preparing for Conflict: Why a critical part of planning for diversity is also planning for how people develop open communication pathways and have a safe space for conflict resolution.

Daniella Green is not only an accomplished executive coach but also a trailblazer who’s making a significant impact in the world of business. Her dedication to closing the wealth gap and addressing disparities is inspiring. If you want to learn more and benefit from her wealth of knowledge and insights, you can connect with her on social media, where she shares valuable content and holds free workshops on career development.

Connect with Daniella:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@slaypedia

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/slaypedia/channel/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Slaypedia/

YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UClp4tTnjgn39bvRuTKyD4Gg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellagreeninternational

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, Allison welcomes Jonathan Keyser, the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller You Don’t Have to Be Ruthless to Win. Jonathan is the founder and managing partner of Keyser, a global commercial real estate firm, where he has been recognized in USA Today as an “Industry Disruptor”. He is also an expert on the topic of business trust and how a company can be positioned to be a business partner of choice in today’s fast-paced world.

The episode touches on Jonathan’s personal journey, lessons learned, and the principles that have made his company, Keyser, one of the most trusted in the industry. Highlights include:

– The Journey to Success: Jonathan shares his unique journey, starting as a Christian missionary kid in Papua New Guinea and entering the cutthroat world of commercial real estate to achieve financial success.

– Selfless Leadership: The discussion highlights the importance of selfless service and how success can be achieved by helping others succeed. Jonathan’s company focuses on advocating for the tenant’s interests in real estate transactions.

– Redefining the Industry: Keyser is known as a commercial real estate disruptor, challenging the traditional practices of the industry. They emphasize giving tenants a fair shake and helping under-served company leaders regain control of their real estate processes.

– The Power of Perseverance: Jonathan stresses the value of not giving up, even when facing challenges as a leader. He shares the wisdom of staying committed, learning from mistakes, and constantly striving for self-improvement.

Jonathan Keyser is the founder of Keyser, one of the most innovative and trustworthy occupier services commercial real estate firms in the country. Along with their international partners, they have over 560 people worldwide. Jonathan is a #1 Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author for his book, “You Don’t Have to be Ruthless to Win”, and he was named “The Commercial Real Estate Disruptor” by USA Today. He has also been named a “Top Social Capital CEO” by the International Business Times, is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, a thought leader featured in over 150 articles, publications, and podcasts, and during the pandemic was recognized as one of the “Top 20 Virtual Keynote Speakers” in the country.

As an entrepreneur himself, Jonathan has built Keyser into an eight-figure firm named recently as one of the “Top 50 Most Trustworthy Companies in America” by The Silicon Review. Today through his 6,7,8 Selfless Leadership workshop series, he helps other business leaders activate the three levels of reinvention to boost profits while increasing client and employee retention. Jonathan’s efforts to change the business world through selfless service manifest in his content, his thought leadership, and the level of excellence he holds his team to within Keyser.

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: www.keyser.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankeyser/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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On today’s episode, we’re joined by creativity coach and podcaster Melissa Llarena. Melissa discusses her mission to empower working moms through her book “Fertile Imagination” and podcast “Unimaginable Wellness.” She shares how she developed the concept of “fertile imagination” and some big names she’s interviewed. Melissa also offers insight into waking up your imagination when it’s feeling dormant. Plus, she recalls a piece of memorable life advice involving intergenerational connections. Tune in to learn Melissa’s techniques for tapping into your imagination and living an unimaginable life.

Here are the key points of our conversation:

– Melissa’s mission is to ensure that every working mom doesn’t feel left out of the world of business and commerce.

– Her podcast, Unimaginable Wellness, explores creativity, imagination, and wellness via interviews with entrepreneurs, creators, and founders including Gary Vee, Beth Comstock, and David Roberts.

– The book, Fertile Imagination: Every Mom’s Superpower, focuses on three stages to optimize your imagination and is not just for moms but anyone looking to boost their creative thinking abilities.

– The ability to use one’s imagination is a critical component of finding joy in life and business.

Melissa Llarena is an author, imagination coach, consultant, speaker, contributor to ForbesWomen articles that have garnered 4 million+ views, and the host of Unimaginable Wellness, the podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, and creators who are moms. Featured guests include GaryVee and Beth Comstock. She holds a psychology degree from NYU, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Transformational Coaching Academy certificate and is training to become a meditation practitioner. Melissa lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and three sons. Visit www.fertileideas.com for a 5-day imagination to impact challenge, quiz, and for more goodies for moms.

Connect with Melissa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissallarena/

Website: www.fertileideas.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Fertile-Imagination-Stretching-Superpower-Maximum-ebook/dp/B0CJGTZ9MJ/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Melissa+Llarena&qid=1695746846&sr=8-11

Podcast: https://www.melissallarena.com/podcast/

Book release date is October 31, 2023! Want a jet engine to deliver on your dreams? Check out the book: Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom’s Superpower for Maximum Impact

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, we explore the correlation of the importance of caring for women’s health to her success in business. For this, we turn to Dr. Sophia Yen, one of the top authorities in this space in the US. Dr. Yen also shares her journey in founding Pandia Health and its mission to revolutionize women’s hormonal and reproductive health. When you listen to this episode you will recognize why Dr. Yen was named one of Inc’s Female Founders 200 in 2023.

Here are the key points of our conversation:

– Breaking Down Taboos: Dr. Yen discusses the need to break the taboo surrounding women’s health and why women must seek help and not “suck it up.”

– The Intersection of Women’s Health and Business Success: Discover how women’s health, including menstrual care, impacts professional success, and why it’s essential for businesses to care about these issues.

– The Birth Control Revolution: How Pandia Health is focused on transforming the landscape of women’s health by providing an end-to-end solution for hormonal health. Dr. Yen has developed a unique algorithm for birth control options to match individuals with the most suitable birth control based on factors like age, body mass index, and race.

– A Mission to Empower Women: Understand the importance of eliminating obstacles in accessing birth control, such as the need for prescriptions, to empower women to take control of their health and life.

– Menopause Matters: Dr. Yen explains the lack of knowledge and expertise related to menopause and how she is poised to provide expert care for this stage of life.

– Challenges and Growth: Insights into business building in the highly regulated healthcare industry and Pandia Health’s vision for the future, including expansion and growth that leads to ringing the Nasdaq bell.

Sophia Yen, MD, MPH is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Pandia Health, the only women-founded and women-led birth control delivery service and is one of Inc.’s 2023 Female Founders. Pandia Health has recently expanded into acne services and will be launching menopause services by the 2023 holiday season. Dr. Yen has more than 20 years of experience in medicine and graduated with a B.S. from MIT, M.D. from UCSF Medical School, and M.P.H. from UC Berkeley in Maternal Child Health. She serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford Medical School and has co-founded three non-profit organizations and projects in her endeavors to improve the lives of women: The Trust Women Silver Ribbon Campaign, SheHeroes.org and the #FFF movement.

Connect with Dr. Yen:

Pandia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pandiahealth

Pandia Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/pandiahealth/

Dr. Yen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsophiayen

Dr. Yen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiayen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pandiahealth/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pandiahealth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pandiahealth

Website: https://pandiahealth.com/periodsoptional

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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One of our values at Disruptive CEO Nation is doing business while still being able to deliver social good, but in a cluttered market and constant noise, how do change agents get the attention they deserve? Enter Eric Ressler, the founder and creative director of Cosmic, a social impact creative agency based in Santa Cruz, California. Cosmic serves non-profits, B Corps, funders, and organizations dedicated to advancing humanity.

Eric discusses the importance of authentic messaging and their team’s unique approach to creative design and he even shares insights into an organization that they are currently helping in Morroco.

Here are some of the stops we made in our conversation:

-Introduction to Cosmic and its mission to serve social impact organizations.

-The concept of the attention economy and its relevance in today’s digital world.

-The why behind Cosmic’s manifesto and tips your organization can take in developing your own.

– Balancing the creative process with sustainable work-life balance. Think rest equals better business results.

– Eric’s journey from a freelance designer to founding Cosmic.

-The role of AI in content creation and the importance of human connection.

-Distribution channels, focusing on email as an owned channel, and building authentic communities

Eric Ressler is the Founder and Creative Director at Cosmic, a Social Impact Creative Agency.

Eric launched Cosmic in 2009. Cosmic empowers social impact organizations to catalyze real-world change by helping them nail their impact story, build brand awareness, and inspire action. Cosmic is a distributed team of creatives, strategists, and technologists with roots in Santa Cruz, CA but working around the world.

A self-taught photographer and cinematographer, Eric operates the camera on Cosmic’s photo and video shoots. He’s also one of our primary video editors and colorists. His musical background frequently comes into play during the video post-production process.

Connect with Eric

LinkedIn Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmiceric/

LinkedIn Cosmic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-by-cosmic-inc-/

Website: https://designbycosmic.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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217 Eleanor Kaye, Executive Director of Newton Venture Program; London, England

As the Executive Director of the Newton Venture Program (affiliated with the London Business School and in partnership with Local Globe VC), Eleanor Kaye focuses on diversifying the venture capital (VC) ecosystem. The discussion highlights the importance of representation in the VC industry and the need to empower individuals from overlooked backgrounds.

Eleanor also discusses the challenges and opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs seeking investments and the impact of remote work on diversity and inclusion. The interview concludes with Eleanor sharing insights from her own career journey, emphasizing the value of diverse backgrounds and the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in leadership.

Take a listen and learn…

– Newton Venture Program’s mission is to diversify the VC landscape to better represent the world’s diversity.

– The program uses blind hiring to ensure a diverse cohort of learners, with around 50% female participants from various backgrounds.

– Diversity of thought is highly valued, as it leads to innovative solutions and approaches to problems.

– The program teaches not just practical skills but also personal skills, like networking and communication, that are crucial for success in VC.

– There’s no one-size-fits-all path in venture capital; individuals should carve out their unique journeys and leverage their personal strengths.

– The program aims to make VC education accessible globally by developing open-source resources for learning.

– The future of VC involves embracing diverse perspectives and leveraging backgrounds, even outside of traditional finance and technology industries.

Eleanor Kaye is the Executive Director of the Newton Venture Program. Newton is a leading executive education provider with a mission to level the playing field for people from typically and structurally overlooked and underestimated backgrounds – ensuring that the next generation of investors represents the world we live in.

Connect with Eleanor:

Website: https://newtonprogram.vc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EleanorK_Newton

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorkaye/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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