Welcome to another compelling episode of the "Genius at Scale" podcast with your host, John Hittler! In this episode, John delves into the fascinating world of entrepreneurship and scaling businesses with the brilliant David V Duccini.

Tune in to discover David's unexpected journey from a wilderness enthusiast and survivalist mindset to becoming a tech entrepreneur and coding maestro. Find out how a serendipitous encounter with source code in seventh grade ignited a passion that would shape his future in ways he never imagined.

Get ready for a deep dive into the high-five secrets of startup success. David shares invaluable insights learned from years in the trenches, emphasizing the importance of focusing on breaking even over the allure of the hockey stick. Uncover why the order of your pitch matters and why resiliency and sweat equity are essential ingredients for any entrepreneur.

Join John and David as they explore the intriguing dynamics between flounders, founders, and the art of risk. Discover the truth behind the myth of the Elon Musk gunslinger persona and why calculated risks often lead to more sustainable success.

Whether you're a seasoned CEO, a C-suite professional, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom and practical advice. Don't miss out on the engaging conversation that could reshape your perspective on business and success.

Join the captivating conversation between renowned podcast host John Hittler and David Hassell, the visionary mind behind a thriving company in the competitive landscape of HR solutions. In this exclusive episode on the 'Genius at Scale' podcast, David bares all about the rollercoaster ride of scaling up his business, from the brink of acquisition to becoming a market leader.

Journey to Resilience: Discover the untold story of how David faced the dilemma of potential acquisition, weighed the options, and ultimately decided to chart a bold path forward. Learn the invaluable lessons that shaped his leadership and defined his company's trajectory.

Unteachable Talents: Delve into the unteachable talents crucial for scaling success. From charisma to dogged determination, David shares insights into the intrinsic qualities that make a difference and elevate CEOs and entrepreneurs to new heights.

Strategic Pivots: Gain strategic wisdom as David unravels the critical decisions he made during the scaling process. From funding challenges to market positioning, explore the pivotal moments that defined his company's evolution.

CEO Chronicles: Get an inside look into the highs and lows of being a CEO. Navigate the complex landscape of annual planning, hear about successful methodologies, and discover the secrets behind fostering a unified, high-performing team.

Tune in now for a dose of inspiration, practical insights, and unfiltered truths from the heart of entrepreneurship. Don't miss this chance to tap into the genius at scale, as David shares his entrepreneurial journey with authenticity, vulnerability, and a wealth of wisdom. Subscribe and transform your scaling game today!

In this episode of the "Genius at Scale" podcast with your host John Hittler, we delve into the world of scaling businesses with an insightful conversation featuring entrepreneur and scaling expert, Erik Malin. Discover the highs and lows of scaling companies, the transformative impact of industry pioneers like Uber and Airbnb, and the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Erik shares his experiences and lessons learned, shedding light on Uber's scrappy and competitive approach that revolutionized the transportation industry. Dive into the discussion about Airbnb's journey, overcoming mental barriers, and creating a new market. Uncover the concept of "requisite number of miracles" and how entrepreneurs solve complex problems to drive innovation.

Explore the critical importance of valuable talents in scaling a company and the pitfalls of optimizing for specific metrics without considering broader consequences. Erik and John share stories of companies in the dot-com era and discuss the nuances of scaling out of challenges. The conversation also touches on the traits that may indicate future success in entrepreneurship, including perseverance and system navigation.

Join us for an engaging and informative episode that offers valuable insights for C-suite professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone intrigued by the dynamic world of scaling businesses. Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical tips, or a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship, this episode has it all.

Tune in to "Genius at Scale" and gain a deeper understanding of the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling businesses with our esteemed guest, Erik Malin.

Embark on a riveting journey into the world of business scaling with Hesky Kutscher, the accomplished CEO of Aktivate, on the "Genius at Scale" podcast hosted by John Hittler. In this compelling interview, Kutscher shares profound insights into entrepreneurship, navigating challenges during the pandemic, and implementing strategic growth that has defined Aktivate's success.

Dive deep into the uncharted territories of entrepreneurial parenting as Kutscher reveals his unique approach to instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in his children. Gain practical wisdom on shaping the entrepreneurial spirit from a young age and learn from Kutscher's experiences, including door-to-door book selling.

Explore Aktivate's remarkable journey during the pandemic, uncovering pivotal moments, and understanding the iterative nature of growth in a dynamic business landscape. Discover Aktivate's focus on optimizing for customer value and strategic growth, with innovative approaches to engaging parents and students.

Join the discussion on the future vision of Aktivate, aiming to scale impact in education by reaching more schools and districts. Gain insights into the role of technology in streamlining education processes and improving student experiences. Delve into Aktivate's CEO growth philosophy, emphasizing a coachable and growth-oriented team.

Whether you're a C-suite professional navigating challenges or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode provides actionable insights and real-world experiences to fuel your scaling journey. Subscribe to the "Genius at Scale" podcast with John Hittler and unlock the secrets of success from industry experts who have mastered the art of scaling businesses. Tune in now for a captivating exploration of entrepreneurship and leadership in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Embark on a transformative journey with Gabe Luna-Ostaseski, founder of Brain Trust, as he unveils the riveting narrative of scaling in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley. In this captivating interview on the 'Genius at Scale' podcast with John Hittler, Gabe shares invaluable insights, hard-earned wisdom, and unconventional tactics that every C-suite professional, CEO, and entrepreneur must heed in their pursuit of scaling excellence.

Highlights include:

Learned Wisdom from Missteps: Gabe candidly recounts his biggest misstep during the early days of Modernize, unraveling the vital lessons that shaped his investment thesis and operational framework.

Urgency as a Core Competency: Delve into the critical role of urgency in scaling, understanding why Gabe sees it as an underappreciated but essential element for success in high-growth startups.

Specialization vs. Autonomy Dilemma: Explore Gabe's unique approach to maintaining a delicate balance between role specialization and autonomy within a scaling organization, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive bureaucracy.

Whether you're navigating the challenges of scaling, seeking strategies for maintaining speed in your operations, or pondering the delicate dance between specialization and autonomy, Gabe Luna-Ostaseski's insights are a beacon of guidance in the dynamic world of business growth. Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable takeaways from a seasoned entrepreneur who has turned mistakes into scaling mastery.

Tune in to the 'Genius at Scale' podcast now and elevate your scaling game with Gabe Luna-Ostaseski's unparalleled expertise.

Join us in this eye-opening episode of the "Genius at Scale" podcast with your host, John Hittler. We have the pleasure of welcoming a remarkable entrepreneur and CEO, Mike Petrakis, to the show. Mike is the founder and visionary behind Batch (formerly Bach), a rapidly growing platform that's transforming the way people experience unforgettable parties, bachelorette trips, and more.

Mike's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this candid conversation, he shares the riveting story of how Bach took shape and flourished, even when the world was hit by the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic. Discover how Mike navigated through the turbulence, pivoted with precision, and managed to scale a business that now stands at the brink of becoming a multi-billion dollar brand.

We delve into Mike's incredible experiences, from his ambitious youth to running a t-shirt business and even selling water bottles at stadium venues. These early ventures laid the foundation for what would become an entrepreneurial empire.

Tune in to hear Mike's valuable insights on enduring the challenges, maintaining focus, and the importance of mentorship. Learn how Batch is now reshaping the party experience industry and how Mike's unconventional path has shaped his leadership style.

If you're a CEO, C-suite professional, or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration and practical advice for scaling a business, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Discover the secrets of success from someone who's truly mastered the art of scaling in unprecedented times.

Hollis Carter, co-founder of Baby Bathwater, shares his journey from being a dyslexic student to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He explains how the name "Baby Bathwater" came about and the philosophy behind it.

Hollis discusses the importance of networking and learning from experienced individuals rather than relying solely on traditional education. He also talks about the evolution of Baby Bathwater from an event-based business to a community organization focused on providing value and support to high seven to nine-figure entrepreneurs.

Hollis emphasizes the significance of building a strong team and making wise hiring decisions. He reflects on the setbacks and challenges faced, including the impact of COVID-19 on the live event business.

Hollis concludes by discussing the metrics Baby Bathwater focuses on, such as member retention and growth, and the importance of continuously improving and adapting to meet the needs of the community.

Hear from Dave Lee, an accomplished Portfolio Entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in scaling businesses.

Dave shares practical wisdom on leveraging partnerships and influencers, discovering the importance of weekly focus to avoid scaling dysfunction, and defining the CEO's role in a rapidly growing company. One key takeaway is the necessity of periodic de-scaling and re-evaluation of processes, ensuring adaptability in a constantly evolving business environment.

Dave's journey from his formative years, marked by adaptability and leadership skills, to becoming a successful CEO in the tech and software industry, offers valuable insights for C-suite professionals aiming to scale their businesses effectively.

Tune in to gain actionable knowledge that can help you navigate the challenges of scaling your business and enhance your leadership skills. Listen to the "Genius at Scale" podcast today to empower your business's growth journey.

Hear from Andrew Berberick, the co-founder and CTO of Baton a logistics technology company that was recently acquired by Rider.

Andrew shares the inside story of his startup journey, from the early days of raising money to the challenges of scaling and the ultimate success of the acquisition.

Baton is at the forefront of using AI to transform his industry. In this episode, Andrew shares his insights on how to use AI to solve real-world problems, improve customer service, and increase efficiency. He also talks about the challenges and opportunities of using AI in business.

If you're a CEO or C-suite professional, this episode is a must-listen. You'll learn valuable lessons that you can apply to your own business, no matter what industry you're in.

In this episode of 'Genius at Scale,' we chat with David Siegel, the dynamic CEO of Meetup. Siegel delves into his illustrious journey—from his early days at DoubleClick to helming the world's largest platform for community building. Beyond his professional accolades, including his tenure at Investopedia and authoring 'Decide and Conquer,' Siegel sheds light on the importance of scaling not just businesses, but also personal growth and family. Join us for an inspiring conversation about tech, leadership, and the art of scaling in every facet of life.