Phil McKenzie on How Aspirations Change as Experience Grows

In Chapter 6 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Experience Grows?" McKenzie shares how growing his global conference series has opened new possibilities not only for new event locaitons but also for different types of product offerings. He builds upon his globally distributed Influencer Conference series to create a research program and salon talk series to complement the core annual events.

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss influencer culture. Previously, he led an influencer marketing agency and was an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co. He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Mike Germano on Being Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

In Chapter 17 of 23 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, VICE Media Chief Digital Officer Mike Germano answers "How Have You Learned to Be More Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations?" Germano shares how getting comfortable being uncomfortable is something he embraces. Knowing others may see this scenario as a negative thing, Germano sees it as an opportunity where he can be at his best. He cites Robert Duvall's character Lt. Bill Kilgore from Apocalypse Now, who embraced discomfort enough to surf amidst a firefight.

Mike Germano is Chief Digital Officer at VICE Media, a global youth media company based in Brooklyn, New York. Germano joined VICE Media via its 2013 acquisition of Carrot Creative, a social media agency he co-founded and led as CEO. 

Bijoy Goswami on How to Make Progress By Living in the Present

In Chapter 11 of 17 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, community leader Bijoy Goswami answers "As a Business Owner, How Do You Decide What Time Horizon to Focus on in Your Work?" Goswami finds he is more capable of achieving goals by living in the present and not making long-term plans. He embraces living on a journey that often takes unexpected turns and gives himself flexibility to take those turns when things go differently than planned.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University. 

Bijoy Goswami on How to Turn Constraints Into Opportunities

In Chapter 16 of 17 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, community leader Bijoy Goswami answers "How Are You Learning to Do More With Less?" Goswami shares how it is not about doing more with less but recognizing that doing more with more is a better way achieved by taking a different point of view on the situation. He references the bootstrap metaphor from the Baron Munchausen story where Munchausen pulls himself up by magical bootstraps to have himself and his horse from drowning in a swamp.

Bijoy Goswami is a writer, teacher, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. He develops learning models to help individuals, organizations and communities live more meaningfully. Previously, he co-founded Aviri Software after working at Trilogy Software. Goswami graduated from Stanford University. 

Hattie Elliot on How Optimism Builds Relationship Trust

In Chapter 3 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "How Do You Establish Trust When Building Relationships?" Elliot shares her optimistic philosophy on believing others are good people and trustworthy until they prove you wrong. She finds that while the approach may not always work, the optimism she brings into relationships has helped her build a business around relationships and develop trusting friendships she builds over time.

Hattie Grace Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, a social networking company that creates destination events and experiences to forge lasting personal and professional connections across its young professional members. Elliot graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

Hattie Elliot on What It Means to Be a Leader Running a Small Business

In Chapter 14 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?" Elliot shares how being an entrepreneurial leader running a small business starts with waking up each day and making the most of it. It means fighting through adversity and challenge, staying honest with others, being optimistic about reality, and never playing the role of a victim.

Hattie Grace Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, a social networking company that creates destination events and experiences to forge lasting personal and professional connections across its young professional members. Elliot graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

Hattie Elliot on Making New Year Plans to Grow a Small Business

In Chapter 15 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Has You Most Excited About the Year Ahead?" "Elliot shares how the New Year has given her opportunity to put new investor financing to work growing her business. From expanding corporate business partnerships to scaling the size and scope of destination events such as a Telluride Ski House and Hamptons House, Elliot looks to build her relationship business and improve her member experiences.

Hattie Grace Elliot is the founder and CEO of The Grace List, a social networking company that creates destination events and experiences to forge lasting personal and professional connections across its young professional members. Elliot graduated from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she studied economics, philosophy, and politics.

Preston Smith on the Awesome Feeling of Working at a Job You Love

In Chapter 6 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About What You Do?" As CEO of a network of schools serving low-income districts in California, Smith finds inspiration working with talented and committed co-workers doing mission-based work to build higher quality schools to give students a better education.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows. 

Preston Smith on Going From Employee to Entrepreneur

In Chapter 7 of 22 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, elementary charter school network CEO Preston Smith answers "How Did You Make the Leap From Being an Employee to Become an Entrepreneur?" Smith talks about pushing through a transition out of teaching elementary school to becoming an entrepreneur and starting a school. Seeing an unaddressed need for higher quality education, Smith embraces youthful energy to work through family and financial challenges to start a small school called LUCHA.

Preston Smith is co-founder and CEO of Rocketship Education, the highest performing low-income school system in California. After graduating the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Smith joined Teach for America. After three years teaching 1st Grade, he founded a district school in San Jose and became its principal. Smith was selected as a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute New Schools Fellows. 

Idan Cohen on Finding Inspiration and Support Living in New York City

In Chapter 4 of 13 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, technology entrepreneur Idan Cohen responds to "Living in New York, it's an aspirational city and people have big dreams - how has being around that community of people affected you?" Cohen shares how much more optimistic and supportive people are in New York City than where he lived before in Tel Aviv. As an entrepreneur, he finds the diverse, positive support system helps him dream big dreams and work toward those dreams.

Idan Cohen is a technology entrepreneur and product management leader at Samsung Electronics. He co-founded Boxee, which was acquired by Samsung in early 2013. 

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: Living in New York, it's an aspirational city. People here have big dreams. How has being around that community of people affected you?

Idan Cohen: So I think the main thing for me, moving here and being here, was the positive and optimistic approach that everyone has. You know, coming from Tel Aviv, which is a very entrepreneurial place or Israel in general, and a lot of people have a lot of aspirations, and they do something about it, and they are not afraid to shake things up, definitely more than anywhere else. They're always ready to cut corners and go around walls, and they have their own unique and successful way of doing that.

But the main difference of being here is, first of all, I feel that at the end of the day, it's just that people have more appreciation to what other people are doing. And I remember when I first moved here, when you would meet people and you'd tell them what you were doing or they would tell you what they were doing, and everyone is just, you know, “Wow, that's great. That's so awesome that you are doing that.” And in Israel, that was not like that. Everyone would start punching holes. It's kind of like the nature, that nature of, you know, “Yeah, it's great that you're doing that, but this is not going to work, this is going to work.” And it's not a bad thing. I mean, it's okay, but at some point, it starts grinding on you.

And here, even though sometimes it might be a little superficial, but that-- the fact that, like, everyone is a big support system, and in a place like New York, which is actually so big, and in a place like the US, then it's wonderful, and it helps a lot. And then combine that with being in a city that's extremely diverse and funnels the most talented people in the world, you know, in every domain, I think that's what makes it so interesting because where I came from, yeah, I was in a community that was doing-- you know, that was around technology, but even there, it's very segmented to very specific things just because you can achieve very specific things when you're, like, from there. Like, not every startup is the right startup. I mean yeah, I can give tons of examples, but things that you couldn't build in Israel. Or, I mean, you could move here and do them. Obviously I did that, but still, yeah, maybe even Boxee is not something that you can do from Israel. You have to be here. And that's the thing. Just in New York, you can find all these people, and they're all a big support system, and that's wonderful.

Idan Cohen on How Entrepreneurs and Lawyers Think Differently

In Chapter 12 of 13 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, technology entrepreneur Idan Cohen answers "What Has Working With Lawyers Taught You About Business?" While he respects lawyers, Cohen still has a hard time with the worst-case scenario mindset lawyers bring. He understands the need for safety but, as an entrepreneur, he also understands you can't achieve certain things without taking chances. He shares how lawyers are not alone offering a protective mindset and shares an example from a conversation with this mother.

Idan Cohen is a technology entrepreneur and product management leader at Samsung Electronics. He co-founded Boxee, which was acquired by Samsung in early 2013. 

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: What has working with lawyers taught you about business?

Idan Cohen: That they always think of the worst outcome. It's a very pessimistic way of life. I also-- It's funny, but I have a lot of lawyer friends, and just-- I really appreciate them and love them, but you know, they go through an education process where they always think of the worst thing, and it's just a horrible way to go through life, sadly. I hope I'm not hurting anyone. I can't say I'm in favor of that. I mean, that's their job, to think of the worst-case scenario and figure out what to do in that case, but first of all, usually, they don't figure out what to do in that case. They just throw it at you, you know, and you need to figure out, and then you just have more things that you need to figure out. But just, you can't always do that. You need to take chances-- that's exactly when you take chances. And in a way, when you always think of what's the worst thing, then you don't take chances.

Erik Michielsen: That's right, because the worst thing is usually pretty bad.

Idan Cohen: Exactly. Growing up, I remember that especially after I got my license, my driver's license, and every time I would go out of the house, my mother would say drive carefully, or, you know, she would say something like you should really be careful out there. It's like, if you always focus on what's the worst that can happen, you're not going to enjoy that. I remember a couple of years ago, I was talking on the phone, and I told her that I think we're going skiing over the weekend or something. "You should be careful." I was like, why-- like, I'm telling you were going skiing. Instead of focusing on, "Oh, it's gonna be awesome. Who are you going with? What are you going to do?" You know, she's focusing on the dangers of going skiing, and she's 5000 miles away. You can't do anything to affect that, and I think that in a way, that's the same thing with lawyers. Let's try and then figure out.

Yoav Gonen on Turning 40 and Planning for the Future

In Chapter 18 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City reporter Yoav Gonen answers "What is on Your Mind as You Turn 40 This Year?" As he hits the age 40 milestone, Gonen notes that like it or not, you are forced to reflect. After a tough 39th year full of challenges including a physical injury and recovery, Gonen looks ahead to fully embracing 40 and making the most out of the year ahead. Yoav Gonen is a reporter and City Hall Bureau Chief for the New York Post daily newspaper. Previously he spent nearly six years covering the education beat for the New York Post. Gonen earned a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Journalism from New York University.

Slava Rubin on Making Lofty Career Aspirations a Reality

In Chapter 4 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Indiegogo CEO Slava Rubin answers "How Are Your Aspirations Changing As Your Responsibilities Grow?" Rubin shares how his aspirations actually remain constant while his optimism toward how realistic it is to achieve those aspirations grows. Rubin shares how his lofty goal to revolutionize finance and change how the world funds projects is slowly becoming a reality. As he approaches the goal, Rubin works with his co-founders Danae and Eric to bring together more people to share in realizing the vision. Slava Rubin is CEO and co-founder of Indiegogo, the world's largest crowdfunding platform. Indiegogo empowers anyone, anywhere, anytime to raise funds for any idea—creative, cause-related or entrepreneurial. Prior to Indiegogo, Rubin worked as a management consultant. He earned his BSE degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: How are your aspirations changing as your responsibilities grow? 

Slava Rubin: I would say, actually, my aspirations are staying the same. Maybe I’m only starting to become more optimistic of how realistic it is to hit my aspirations, ‘cause maybe, if several years ago, I still have the same aspirations to become the world’s funding platform, but maybe I was lying to myself that it was even possible, or maybe I was so naïve. And now that it’s becoming a little bit more realistic, I think that I’m just trying to follow through in our potential and realize it, right? I don’t think that my aspirations are changing because it was always a pretty lofty goal.

Erik Michielsen: Yeah.

Slava Rubin: Changing the world of finance and allowing people to fund whatever matters to them is a huge goal. So that’s still the same goal but, you know, now, I just want more co-workers and people to be part of the team to help realize our dream together.

Erik Michielsen: Do you have those moments where you look at Danae, look at Eric, and just shake your head, and say, “How did this all happen?”?

Slava Rubin: It’s actually incredible. We just opened our new office in San Francisco. It’s a beautiful, incredible office, built out, brand new for us, and it’s really a signature Indiegogo office, and we just had our all hands there, with 60 employees, and I stood up, gave a State of the Union talk about Indiegogo, and it’s really incredible to have all these great talent, all these great employees, co-workers, just working towards the same vision, to change people’s lives, have an impact, and let people fund what matters to them.

How to Make Employee Culture a Competitive Advantage

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "What Has Working at frog design Taught You About What It Takes to Build a Strong Company Culture?" Working at 40-year old design strategy company frog design, Stallings sees firsthand how people not only can come together to solve client problems but also can individually contribute to shaping what the company represents in carrying on the company history via actions and values. As he assimilates into frog culture over time, Stallings learns how to contribute, embrace the impromptu nature of interaction, and, ultimately, add to how the company differentiates with its culture.

Hammans Stallings is a Senior Strategist at frog design. Previously he worked in strategy at Dell and investment banking at Stephens. He earned an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas and a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Mike Germano on Learning from a Middle East Office Expansion

In Chapter 5 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Did You Learn From Expanding Your Business Into the Middle East?"  After speaking in the Middle East before the Arab Spring in 2011, Germano and his team opened an office there in 2012.  The experience teaches him what it means to do business in new locations and the challenges doing business in different cultures can present.

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Cathy Erway on Embracing Technology in a Food Writing Career

In Chapter 13 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "What New Challenges Are You Facing in Your Food and Writing Career?" Erway notes new challenges come with keeping up with and figuring out how to embrace new technology.  She sees opportunities in using technology to make sustainable and local eating more approachable.  She also notes the challenge she faces trying to keep up with new digital publishing tools and figure out where to invest her time. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Lulu Chen on How Confidence Improves Your Work Performance

In Chapter 4 of 16 in her 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, art director Lulu Chen answers "What Role Does Confidence Play in the Work That You Do?"  As a fashion professional, Chen finds confidence helps improve your own performance and, as a result, those working around you. 

Lulu Chen is a photo art director working in retail e-commerce in New York City.  Previously, Chen worked as a freelance stylist for leading fashion catalogs and magazines.  She earned a BFA in design and art history from the University of Michigan.

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: What role does confidence play in the work that you do?

Lulu Chen: So I think confidence comes into play in a lot of different ways actually. I think it comes into play for yourself, in that you trust your own abilities and, you know, if you have to lead a team or direct for—in what I’m doing now, you direct a team of people, you also—I think when you exude confidence, they trust you, and they, you know, they trust in the process and the project, and—I mean, no one really wants to take direction from someone who seems unsure of themselves, right?

When you’re confident, I think you stress less. You’re just more sure, you’re more steady. I think that’s great for yourself and anyone you work with. But also when you aren’t confident, I think it snowballs, you know. Everybody kind of through osmosis, everyone becomes a little, you know, unsure of themselves. And that’s just a disaster. Right? Because—And also, you know, when you confidently present something to someone in a meeting even or let’s say a prospectus or something, it definitely sells better than if you carry yourself in an unsure way. You know, the way you speak, and how you feel about it too.

Matt Ruby on Why to Work With Teams on Comedy Projects

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, standup comedian Matt Ruby answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About Working With Teams?"  Group comedy writing, performance and production not only provides Ruby a collaborative feeling but also creates an optimistic creative energy that can be positively reinforcing as material gets created and shared or performed. 

Matt Ruby is a standup comedian and comedy writer based in New York City.  He co-produces the weekly show "Hot Soup", co-hosts the monthly show "We're All Friends Here", and manages a comedy blog "Sandpaper Suit".  Ruby graduated from Northwestern University. 

Transcript: 

Erik Michielsen: What do you enjoy most about working with teams?

Matt Ruby: I mean I enjoy hanging out with other people so I think that’s just a constructive aspect on it just from a personal or emotional level I think it’s good to hang out with other people and to work on stuff together, I think, you know, comedy can a lot of times be sort of a lone wolf sort of thing so it’s nice to feel like there’s a group working on something. And then also, you know, it’s just nice to have like a group point-of-view to have like, “oh did you think about it this way?” Or like to have one person come up with an idea and you bounce it off them and then they’re like, well, what if we tried it this way or — like, they’ll take things in a direction that you never would’ve thought of and it could be really like cool and surprising and sort of like an interesting twist to an idea that you had but you never would’ve taken it there. 

And I think it’s, you know, you got more juice behind you. I don’t know, it’s more like being a gang than just a vigilante, you know, there’s more of a group effort and you feel like you can accomplish more and do more, you know. At the very least, there’s this group of people who believes in what you’re doing and is excited about it, so that’s to me like more indicative that other people will be excited about it as opposed to like sometimes when you’re just on your own trying to come up with ideas, like you just don’t — you might think it’s good, but you don’t really know until you release it to the world, and you have to wait, you know, until that happens. Whereas like when you’re producing stuff as a group, at least you’re, hopefully, like pleasing each other or entertaining each other along the way and so you’ve got some clue that you’re on to something.