Rising Tide Startups

Reclaim your time with Jaime Jay, the pioneering mind behind Bottleneck Virtual Assistants, as he shares his journey from U.S. Army paratrooper to entrepreneur extraordinaire, navigating the transition from the rigid structures of corporate America to the creative realm of virtual assistance. We're excited to welcome Jaime Jay back for his third appearance on Rising Tide Startups, and is labelled by our host as the internet's embodiment of kindness. His story is a testament to the transformative power of passion for processes, culminating in the creation of the world's first dedicated Distant Assistant company, reshaping our understanding of work-life balance.   Jaime Jay – a man who wears many hats, and wears them all admirably. He's the founder of the renowned Bottleneck Distant Assistant Services firm, and his book "Quit Repeating Yourself" has become a must-read for founders in this space. When he's not busy building his empire, you can find him on his beloved Harley Davidson, cruising through the count

In this episode of The Rising Tide Startups, we chat with Taylor Black, a dynamic entrepreneur whose roots trace back to high school ventures and now extend into the innovative ecosystem of Microsoft's venture studio. Taylor's narrative is woven from his formative years launching a B2B SaaS enterprise during his legal studies, to his strategic role in shepherding early-stage companies towards market success such as Conduit Venture Labs and Fizzy Ventures. Whether he's sharing the nuts and bolts of product development or recounting the strategic pivot of Altis.io, an AI platform, Taylor's story is a masterclass in business acumen and adaptability.   Taylor Black is a Seattle-based entrepreneur and intrapreneur with an impressive tech industry track record. He currently works in Microsoft's internal Venture Studio. He  also mentors startups through Fizzy Ventures, and founded Altis.io, an AI platform designed to support user researchers.   Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:   The Intrapre

Ever feel caught in a race against time as work consumes every precious moment? Mike Abramowitz, a seasoned expert in time management for high-earners, joins our host, Kevin Prewett in this episode of The Rising Tide Startups to address this struggle, unveiling strategies honed through personal experiences. From humble beginnings at Cutco to enduring financial setbacks post-college, Mike's narrative is one of resilience and transformation.  Mike Abramowitz is a #1 Amazon bestselling author,  impactful philanthropist achieving six figures in earnings, and a partner with "Better Than Rich." Mike's passion lies in uplifting others, guiding entrepreneurs to maximize efficiency, and embracing purpose-driven business through programs like 'Operator to Owner.' Co-host of "The Better Than Rich Show" podcast, he imparts valuable business insights, encouraging listeners to make a positive impact. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: The "Time Rich Six" strategy helps leaders prioritize high-impact tas

Join us on Rising Tide Startups as we welcome Brittany Brewer, Senior Account Executive at FreeUp Marketplace, for a candid discussion about her transition from a freelancer to a pivotal role in a freelancer hiring platform. Brittany shares her unique perspective on navigating the complexities of matching clients with top-tier freelancers to ensure businesses overcome their challenges through strategic hiring.  She also shares FreeUp's unique approach to building a global community of virtual service providers. They explore the balance between integrity and autonomy, where freelancers set fair rates and clients find scalable solutions. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: FreeUp Marketplace is a curated community that simplifies the process of hiring freelancers. It connects clients with freelancers and agencies from diverse industries. Quality Over Quantity: FreeUp is a platform that accepts only the top 1% of freelancers through a rigorous vetting process. Unlike larger platforms lik

When you meet someone like Chris McShanag, you can't help but feel energized by the passion they bring to their work. In this latest episode of the Rising Tide Startups, our host, Kevin Prewett, had the pleasure of chatting with this virtual assistant industry trailblazer, whose story of transitioning from the asset-intensive sector to launching MedVA, BizVA, and OrthoVA is as inspiring as it is informative. These services are not just addressing staffing issues and refocusing professionals on their core activities but truly revolutionizing how healthcare providers and entrepreneurs tackle their workload. Chris McShanag is a transformational leader who brings extensive experience in delivering successful business solutions through innovative and scalable solutions. As a natural entrepreneur, Chris has led numerous organizations, ranging from startups to established enterprises, across diverse industries such as healthcare, mining, utilities, and consulting, consistently steering them toward success. Here ar

Imagine having a strategic partner working remotely yet closely with you, handling complex tasks that go beyond the traditional virtual assistant's to-do list. That's the reality Gina's company, Athena Executive Services, offers to swamped business owners.   In the latest episode of Rising Tide Startups podcast, we interview Gina Cotner, the founder and CEO of Athena. Gina is a driven individual who is passionate about helping others live lives of their own design. She firmly believes that many people go through life feeling like they just have to survive, without realizing that they can design their lives the way they want. With this passion in mind, she founded Athena Executive Services in 2016.  Athena pairs high-caliber, virtual Executive Assistants around the United States with successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives. Through her work, Gina helps her clients achieve their goals and live their lives to their fullest potential. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: The P

Join us as we kick off the new year with a very special conversation on Rising Tide Startups, featuring the Czarina Lei Pineda. In this episode, Czarina (or Cha as her friends call her) shares her journey working as a virtual assistant and the unexpected turns that led to her collaborating with our host, Kevin Prewett, in enhancing the workflow of this great podcast. Cha's impact on the show includes streamlining the processes which in turn gave rise to the launch of a virtual services  agency collaboration, called Naviqus.  Listen in as Cha recounts the rewarding experience of being part of Rising Tide family and how it has developed into partnerships and mentoring, driving both her personal and professional growth. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Naviqus represents a paradigm shift in the virtual assistance industry, focusing on fair wages and exceptional talent.  The agency's mission is to match businesses with top-notch virtual specialists, ensuring that both parties benefit, crea

Welcome to another episode of The Rising Tide Startups, hosted by Kevin Prewett. In this episode, join us as we feature Shawn Lemon's journey. Shawn, a seasoned consultant, has seamlessly transitioned and became a pioneering Digital Organizer From his roots at the Genius Bar, Shawn ventured into entrepreneurship, launching Digital Organizer. Shawn shares his personal and professional triumphs, sharing insights on simplifying digital complexities, streamlining emails, and reclaiming over 15 hours weekly for fulfilling pursuits. With a unique blend of tech expertise, a passion for growth, and a distinct perspective, Shawn Lemon adeptly navigates individuals and businesses through the digital landscape. Here are the key takeaways: Digital Organizer helps businesses organize their digital files, data, and information to enable more efficient management of data, emails, files, and tech stacks. Embracing Digital Organization: Digital organization is crucial for modern enterprises as it affects productivity a

This episode, Jason Shapiro, founder of 82i, shares about his transition from investor to founder. 82i provides affordable and accessible advanced financial expertise and advisory services to startups, with an innovative pricing model based on hourly rates and no commitments. Jason Shapiro, the founder of 82i, forged his path from roles in investment firms like Resolve Growth Partners and Clayton Dubilier & Rice. Starting his finance career at Lazard and previously teaching high school math for Teach for America, Jason's deep interest in entrepreneurship led him to establish 82i, aiming to support founders with sophisticated financial expertise and a novel approach to advisory services. Here are the key takeaways: The Story of 82i: Jason brainstormed ideas about entrepreneurship to help entrepreneurs. He wrote down 82 ideas after recalling wisdom from various founders. The 82i as an alternative to employment for startups: 82i provides expert services on a fractional basis for startups. They offer CFO,

What happens when a university student transitions into entrepreneurship right after graduation? We've got the right person to talk about this - our guest Eric Harrison, founder of Thrive: Bootstrapped. Join us as he shares his challenges, the mentorship gap he aims to bridge for bootstrap founders, and the valuable insights he's gathered along the way.  Eric is a passionate advocate for startups and small businesses. When he started his first company at just 20 years old, he faced the uphill battle of navigating the business world with little experience. Despite early setbacks and the eventual scaling of his business, Eric's determination and thirst for knowledge led him to work closely with a small startup, helping it achieve over $1 million in revenue.  Today, he's on a mission to support founders who, like himself, believe in their business's potential and are determined to see it succeed.  Here are the key takeaways: The Boomerang strategy: This strategy includes leaving a startup job to learn and

Welcome to this week's episode of The Rising Tide Startups Podcast, featuring Aviv Ben-Yosef, an R&D Impact Expert with a knack for helping tech companies triple their Impact-per-Engineer, even in as little as 90 days. He’s a tech executive turned consultant, who possesses an extraordinary talent for leading successful teams. Aviv's unique journey started from being a coding prodigy to being a coach and advisor to high-impact tech leaders. Today, he leverages this experience to guide tech executives on their path to building highly- effective teams. This expertise has earned him a spot in the Million Dollar Consulting Hall of Fame. Aviv's approach to leadership emphasizes the value of listening and observing, setting the stage for innovative solutions in the tech world. Here are the key takeaways: Less is more: Effective listening and observation are key to his leadership approach. He values writing less code to achieve greater results in his coding philosophy. Instant Gratification: Aviv encourages hi

Welcome to another episode of the Rising Tide Startups. In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting a conversation with Ben Foster, experienced product management expert. Ben is a co-founder of Prodify, a boutique advisory and coaching firm specializing in product management and related disciplines. He's also the Chief Product Officer at WHOOP, adding to his rich history in the realm of product management.  Prior to his current roles, he served as the Chief Product Officer at GoCanvas and the VP of Product and Design at Opower, which went public in 2014. Notably, he started his journey during the dot-com boom, amid the rapid growth and eventual implosion of the tech industry. If you’re interested in product management, tune in to this episode and gain some valuable insights. Here are some takeaways: The Importance of Product Management: Product management blends customer needs, business needs, and supporting technology. It was formalized as a specific role during the Silicon Valley boom. The Impor

In the ever-changing world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it can be tough to keep up with the latest tech and figure out how to use it for your business. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups podcast, hosted by Kevin Prewett, we chat with the brilliant Shanif Dhanani, founder of Locusive, a company that bridges the gap between data and AI. Shanif shares his journey and gives valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Shanif's journey from software to data science and now the forefront of AI showcases a unique perspective that simplifies AI to its core – math uncovering patterns. His wisdom on entrepreneurship, his vision, risk tolerance, optimism, and ability to see the bigger picture, provides valuable lessons for aspiring business leaders. He encourages us to embrace AI and use it to its fullest potential as it has the potential to transform industries and societies. Here are a few takeaways: The Intersection of AI and Data - AI is a mathematical tool for pattern recognition that requires am

Check out our newest podcast episode for Rising Tide Startups featuring Dana Lindahl, a thriving entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Legendary Podcasts. Dana shares his journey from freelance writing to starting a cold email company, and ultimately transitioning into podcasting guesting services.  Through his experiences, he emphasizes the importance of adaptability and growth in the entrepreneurial world. Tune in to learn more about his insights on lead generation and how it has shaped his business model. Dana also offers valuable advice on team development, delegating tasks, and exploring new opportunities in the podcasting industry. This episode is packed!  Here are a few takeaways:  The Art of Lead Generation - Dana stresses the significance of directing prospective clients to appropriate resources, not just a homepage. Podcasting Benefits and Challenges -  Podcast hosts have vast networks that lead to opportunities, but attribution tracking is challenging. Running a Two-Sided Ma

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Rising Tide Startups.. Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Andreas Flodström, the Founder and CEO of Beetroot, a tech consulting and academy enterprise based in Ukraine. Andreas shares his experience building Beetroot and how the company has not only survived, but thrived, despite the challenges they've faced. He also talks about Beetroot's commitment to impact-oriented ventures, software development, and helping those affected by war. Join us as we gain insights into Andreas' startup expertise. A few highlights:  The Impact: Andreas aimed to create a positive social impact by starting Beetroot in Ukraine. The business was launched with a student scholarship and an old Soviet car. The Diversity: Beetroot assists impact-oriented companies from 25 countries with software development. It also aids individuals in building successful careers in the tech industry. The Keys to Success: Having a clear mission and building a culture around it is essential fo

Welcome to Rising Tide Startups where our host, Kevin Prewett, interviews Marin Smiljanic, CEO of OmniSearch. Marin shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the potential of Eastern European countries in tech. With extensive experience in startups and industry giants like Amazon, Marin brings wisdom to this episode. He emphasizes the importance of aligning founders with their products, managing expectations, and having a passion for problem-solving. Omni Search, a cutting-edge search company, has seen growth in online education and media. Marin encourages considering startups as a viable career path and embracing the possibility of failure.  Join us for insights into Marin's startup experiences and expertise.   A few highlights:  Founder market fit: Create something that resonates with your target audience. Your product should be something that you, as the founder, have a personal connection to emotionally and possess the skills and experience related to it. OmniSearch: the search engine of tomo

This is a special, short-form episode with Kevin Prewett, host of Rising Tide Startups.  In this episode, Kevin shares six quick lessons learned through running a side-gig.  Take a listen...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Rising Tide Startups, where host Kevin Prewett sits down with Luke Charlton.  Luke is the founder of LukeCharlton.com, a platform dedicated to helping coaches turn advertising into high-paying clients. He shares his inspiring journey from leaving his full-time job in Australia to finding success with Facebook ads. Through his experiences, he highlights the importance of persistence and learning from other successful entrepreneurs. Luke also provides valuable insights on entrepreneurship and business strategies, and unveils the essential steps for effective business leadership. A few highlights: ●      Take the Leap: Luke made a bold decision, transitioning from an IT analyst to an entrepreneur, launching his own agency. Taking the leap proved to be a worthwhile journey filled with challenges and opportunities. ●      Accelerate Success: Rather than trying to learn everything on your own, observe how successful businesses are run. ●      Freedom: For Luke, leaving his 9

Welcome to another episode of "Rising Tide Startups" with your host, Kevin Prewett. In this episode, we are honored to feature John Ehrhard, a true trailblazer in the world of entertainment, entrepreneurship and innovation.  As the founder and CEO of Orson, John brings over two decades of experience in producing and directing captivating stories for various television networks. Orson, his groundbreaking platform that automates unscripted content, revolutionizes the way brands unlock their media potential. Join us as John shares his invaluable insights on leadership, team-building, and the art of creating extraordinary experiences for remote teams. A few highlights: Storytelling is a powerful tool: It helps to connect with customers and create meaningful relationships. Orson: It is a platform that uses the very thing we have all become atrophied by (technology), to help people connect authentically, pulling out the stories of their experiences, aspirations, fears, and dreams.  Create Engaging Stories

Get ready for another episode of Rising Tide Startups, hosted by Kevin Prewett. This time, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Steve Marcinuk, an AI Entrepreneur and seasoned founder who courageously pursued his dreams in South America, leaving behind the conventional post-Ivy grind. We  explore the untapped potential of entrepreneurs and the game-changing capabilities of AI. We also discussed the importance of putting plans into action rather than just having ideas, the resilience and preparedness required for building a successful business and uncovering the innate qualities that make entrepreneurs thrive. Grab some coffee while we dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurship and the transformative power of AI. A few highlights: The drive gene: this motivates entrepreneurs to keep going, exploring, and pushing boundaries. Planning is key to success, and that ideas are cheap but execution is everything. Preparedness is Key: take preparedness seriously and be ready for whatever comes your