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Hadleigh Ford, founder and CEO of SwipedOn, shares his adventurous transformation from maritime to tech CEO in our latest episode. Discover the captivating journey of how a young New Zealander became one of the youngest harbour pilots and went on to work on some of the most luxurious vessels in the world.

Learn from the real-world challenges and triumphs Hadleigh. Hear about the early days filled with financial missteps and the critical role of customer feedback in pivoting to success. He also delves into the strategic decisions that shaped their growth, including outsourcing development, as well as the pivotal moment of bringing on a co-founder to enhance operational efficiency.

Lastly, Hadleigh opens up about SwipedOn's unexpected acquisition by a UK-listed company. He shares the pros and cons of being part of a public company and offers invaluable advice on perseverance, early customer engagement, and balancing work with personal life.

You can connect with Hadleigh here and go and check out SwipedOn.

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Join us as we sit down with Connor Archbold, Founder and Co-CEO of Tracksuit.

Connor shares his compelling journey and what lead him and his co-founder Matt Herbert to start Tracksuit.

Through his story you’ll gain insights into the resilience and innovation required to launch and scale a tech venture at speed.

Ever wondered how Tracksuit developed its game-changing SaaS market research model? Connor dives deep into the strategic manoeuvres that turned a white-labeled data visualisation app into a standalone powerhouse. Discover how early commitments from customers validated their vision and propelled their growth. Understand the pivotal role of customer feedback, the balancing act of maintaining other jobs during the early stages, and the critical decisions that led to focusing full-time on Tracksuit.

Culture is the bedrock of any successful startup, and Tracksuit is no exception. We chat about the importance of fostering in-person connections and maintaining high hiring standards as the company scales. From managing the excitement and stress of scaling to balancing startup demands with family life, Connor shares invaluable advice on staying focused, avoiding burnout, and making values-based decisions.

Tune in for rich entrepreneurial wisdom, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies for growing and managing a thriving tech venture.

You can connect with Connor via LinkedIn and check out Tracksuit.

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Curious about how a serendipitous encounter at a wedding can shape your career trajectory? Meet Laurissa Hollis, the new VP of Sales at Blackpearl Group, who journeyed from the US to New Zealand, embracing opportunities from Warner Music to groundbreaking roles in SaaS.

Laurissa's story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the right support system. She shares her experiences and insights into the dynamic, innovative environment at Blackpearl, a company known for its early public listing. We also uncover her profound belief in balancing truth, forgiveness, and love as key principles in both leadership and personal growth.

Explore how Laurissa aligns her passion for coaching with her leadership style, fostering a culture that blends family-like support with high-performance sports team dynamics. Learn why clear reporting and analysis are vital in sales, and how nurturing personal development goes beyond just hitting numbers. Laurissa opens up about the struggles of maintaining discipline and the importance of a resilient mindset, driven by her personal faith. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand how to cultivate a winning mentality and thrive in both professional and personal realms.

You can connect with Laurissa here and also check out Blackpearl.