Richard Moross on How to Be a More Approachable Company Leader

In Chapter 8 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Moross notes how he faces a daily pressure of feeling like he needs to be everywhere at once. This is compounded by the business growing both in headcount as well as geographically. He realizes these facts mean he no longer can engage with employees as frequently as in the past and works to make sure he makes himself available and approachable to compensate. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Richard Moross on Managing Growth as Company Nears 200 Employees

In Chapter 9 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "In Growing Moo, What Have Been the Headcount Milestones Where Things Changed the Most?" Moross reflects on how staff level milestones evolved the look and feel of his company. He notes important early milestones - 10, 20, 50, 100 - and what nearing 200 employees means for his company. At a technical level, it means more hierarchy and structure. At a personal level, it means Moross recognizes the reality that a progressively large global business will lose some of the intimacy you have in a small local business. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Richard Moross on What Time Horizon to Focus on in a CEO Role

In Chapter 11 of 14 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Moo.com CEO Richard Moross answers "As a CEO, How Do You Decide What Time Horizon to Focus on in Your Work?" As the company has grown in size, budgeting timeframes have moved from month-to-month to several years out. This takes into account managing cash flow, accounting for growth, and making strategic investments. Richard Moross is founder and CEO of award-winning online print business Moo.com. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member at Ladbrokes PLC. Before Moo.com, Moross was a strategist at design firm Imagination. He graduated from the University of Sussex.

Ken Biberaj on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 1 of 23 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, New York City Council Candidate Ken Biberaj answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" Biberaj notes campaigning for office has helped him get better at talking to strangers. Campaigning for over a year, Biberaj learns to get into a daily routine of meeting voters. During this time, he becomes a father and with his wife, learns that the joys of fatherhood come with the sacrifice of not sleeping as much.

Ken Biberaj is currently a 2013 Democratic Candidate for City Council in New York City. He is also a public relations executive for the Russian Tea Room restaurant at One Fifty Fifty Seven Corporation, a family business focused on real estate development, investment sales and retail leasing. Previously Biberaj was Florida Research Director for the Kerry-Edwards for President Campaign. Biberaj holds a JD from New York Law School, a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BA in Political Science from American University. 

Slava Rubin on How to Let Go and Hand Off Responsibility to Others

In Chapter 7 of 15 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Indiegogo CEO Slava Rubin answers "What Has Been Most Challenging About Handing Off Responsibilities to Others?" As a self-proclaimed control freak, Rubin struggles with the challenge of letting go and handing off responsibility to others on his team. Through co-worker support and executive coaching, Rubin learns techniques to share responsibilities with others and empower and motivate employees to take ownership of the work. 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: What has been most challenging about handing off responsibilities to others?

Slava Rubin: The hardest thing about growing and handing off responsibility is if you’re a control freak, like somebody in this interview might be, then it’s hard to just empower somebody else, but no one person can build their company by themselves to be at a scale where they need to be, so you need to really find great other people. So it’s really around that balancing act of knowing what you wanna accomplish, knowing how you might do it, but maybe it’s gonna be much better if somebody else did it, and it could be even more better if you can empower somebody who does an even creative approach. So it’s really that balancing act of finding the right people, having that relationship with them where it’s mutual trust and pushing it forward. If you can find that mutual trust between co-workers, I mean that’s super scalable, that’s awesome.

Erik Michielsen: Has this been something where you use a coaching relationship to best go about that process of handing off responsibility? 

Slava Rubin: Yeah, I mean I think I’m still learning. I think there’s plenty for me to learn. I think that my management team has been a great—done a great job of both listening to me, advising me, giving me feedback, and vice versa, but yeah, an executive coach is definitely helpful because I’m biased in a situation, and they can help think of techniques or ways for you to get better.

Clara Soh on Ways Korean Parents Help You Live the American Dream

In Chapter 1 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, health economist Clara Soh answers "What Childhood Experiences Have Been Most Fundamental in Shaping Who You Are Today?" Soh shares how her Korean parents immigrated to the US to attend graduate school, met while studying and then married and started a family. Born in the US, Soh learns how the American education system offers more freedom of choice than what her parents had in Korea and takes full advantage of the opportunity in studies and career. Clara Soh is a health economist and Senior Director of Policy and Research at a pharmaceutical trade organization in Washington, DC. Previously, Soh held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research (KPCHR) and Health Policy Research Northwest (HPRN). Soh earned her Masters of Public Administration (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Healthcare Public Finance from the NYU Wagner School and a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University.

Leslie Kerner on Parenting Advice for Working Moms Raising Two Kids

In Chapter 2 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Challenges Have You Faced Raising Two Young Children While Working Full-Time?" In her 5th year of parenting and now a mother of two young boys, Kerner shares that successful parenting is less about doing everything right and more with doing your best with the understanding that you never will be perfect. This approach helps Kerner adapt her work and home approach to meet the emotional challenges in her life.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Leslie Kerner on Learning to Lead Teams in a Senior Executive Role

In Chapter 14 of 21 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, education software company executive Leslie Kerner answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About What You Do?" Kerner finds she his at her best when working with other people and helping them to achieve great things. She notes how she has transitioned out of hands-on work for senior management and executive leadership responsibilities. She learns to help others by removing obstacles in their way and providing the best support possible.

Leslie Kerner is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Professional Services group at Amplify, a software and services company innovating K-12 education. She is responsible for building and managing training, professional development and consulting services for schools. Previously, Kerner worked as a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kerner earned an MBA from the Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University.

Randall Metting on Managing Your Time When Working Two Jobs

In Chapter 7 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, brand marketer Randall Metting answers "What Do You Find Are the Keys to Managing a Busy Schedule and Getting Things Done?" Metting makes lists he can carry and constantly updates his calendar to stay on top of his busy schedule. Working full-time while also having a part-time radio DJ job and writing a blog tests his limits for delivering on his commitments to others. Randall Metting is a brand marketer working for Dulce Vida Spirits in Austin. Metting has built a career on helping companies and non-profits develop integrated marketing strategy and brand development programs. As "The Unofficial Mayor of Austin, Texas" Metting authors the randallmetting.com community blog. He is also an on-air radio personality for 93.3 KGSR radio in Austin. Metting earned a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Florida.

Jon Kolko on How a Supportive Family Can Open Doors in Your Education and Career

In Chapter 1 of his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, educator and designer Jon Kolko answers "Where Has Your Family Been Most Supportive in Your Career Development?" Kolko shares how his wife has helped him achieve work goals by making sacrifices so he could grow into new phases of his career. Moreover, Kolko shares how his parents always supported his education and rarely challenged his choices. As an educator, Kolko sees how students make higher education and career choices and challenges the status quo and the need for a college degree. Jon Kolko is VP of Design at MyEdu and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (AC4D). He has authored three books on design and previously has worked in design roles at Austin, Texas venture accelerator Thinktiv and global innovation firm frog design. He was a professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and earned his Masters in Human Computer Interaction (MHI) and BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Courtney Spence on When to Run a Nonprofit Like a Business

In Chapter 7 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "What Problems Are You Trying to Solve to Grow Your Nonprofit Organization?" Spence learns to use business decision-making skills more to understand how to operate Students of the World as a sustainable business. This includes being comfortable making decisions that are not black and white, including needing to layoff staff and form a strategic partnership with Participant Media. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

How to Help Young Working Women Prepare for 20s to 30s Changes

In Chapter 16 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "How Are You Learning to Be a Better Mentor to Young Women Professionals?" Spence, now in her mid-30s, shares how connecting with her sisterhood of friends in the past year has given her greater context for where she can be most helpful to young women professionals in their 20s. She learns to appreciate the difficult decisions that make a woman's professional life more complex and the realistic professional trade offs that women make in their 30s to achieve personal goals. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

How to Reduce Stress and Improve Nonprofit Fundraising Success

In Chapter 20 of 20 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, social entrepreneur Courtney Spence answers "What Steps are You Taking to Make Fundraising a Less Stressful Part of Your Job?" Fundraising for her nonprofit causes Spence a lot of stress and she looks for ways to reduce that stress in her work. She decides hiring a development director who loves to do fundraising will reduce her stress, allow her to focus on other parts of the business, and boost fundraising success. Social entrepreneur and storyteller Courtney Spence founded 501c3 nonprofit Students of the World (SOW) to shine a light on progress and celebrate the world's problem solvers. She is building a movement of next-generation storytellers and creative activists through the SOW program The Creative Activist Network. Spence is a graduate of Duke University.

Audrey French on Why to Stay True to Your Values When Seeking a Spouse

In Chapter 12 of 18 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Audrey Parker French answers "What Role Do Values Play in the Work That You Do?" French why values, especially integrity, have been fundamental in her professional pursuits and also central to her personal journey. She notes how she has refused to lower her bar or lower her standards and how it has often resulted in waiting until the right match is found. She shares an example of this stubborn conviction from dating and looking to find the man she would marry. Audrey Parker French is an entrepreneur who co-founded CLEAResult, an energy management consulting firm she helped grow to #144 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies and then sell to General Catalyst Partners. She currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and teaches children's choir. She graduated from Wake Forest University and lives with her husband in Austin, Texas.

Hammans Stallings on How Role Model Father Inspires Work Ethic

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, innovation strategist Hammans Stallings answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?"  Stallings watches how his father, a physician, works at his job.  He notes how his father orients to his work and how his father stayed connected to his work over time.  Stallings sees the sacrifices that come with a dedicated career and why mindfulness can be useful making that commitment. 

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.

Jason Anello on the Pros and Cons of Self-Financing a Business

In Chapter 14 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, creative director and Manifold ad agency co-founder Jason Anello answers "Right Now, What Problems Are You Trying to Solve to Grow Your Business?" Anello details the challenges he and his Manifold business partners face, including managing cash flow, as they transition from self-financing the business to scaling it by acquiring growth capital. He shares his reasoning behind shifting financing from organic to non-organic and the pros and cons of doing so using outside investors instead of bank loans.

Jason Anello is a founding partner and creative director at Manifold Partners, an award-winning creative advertising agency.  Previously, Anello worked in creative leadership roles at Yahoo!, Ogilvy & Mather, and Digitas.  A passionate foodie and traveler, he runs the Forking Tasty food blog and supper club series.  He earned a BFA from University at Albany.

Mike Germano on How Management Can Inspire Employee Loyalty

In Chapter 11 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Procedures and Processes Are You Putting in Place to Manage Company Growth?"  Germano talks about how role definition and operational processes are necessary to create managed growth at his company.  He shares how his business reached a point of needing dedicated human resources staff and how he arrived at and acted upon the decision to fill the position with an internal hire. 

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. 

Mike Germano on Why Not to Outsource Software Development

In Chapter 12 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "Why Does Your Company Choose to Keep Development In-House and Not Outsource It?"  Germano keeps his software development team in-house to maintain respect for the development process, to integrate the feedback more fully into the creative project process, and to maintain an innovation culture.  It comes at a cost; however, he finds the benefits outweigh the costs. 

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.