Matt Curtis on Building a Hard Work Ethic One Project at a Time

In Chapter 1 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Matt Curtis answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Curtis learns his work ethic by watching his grandfather constantly help others and find projects to do. Curtis takes this own approach in his life, building his work ethic by always finding a project to do where he can help others, including his current work on a urban rail system for Austin, Texas.

Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was deputy to Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He has represented the City of Austin at the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. In 2011, Curtis joined the Harvard Kennedy School Urban Policy Advisory Board to work on national best practices facing American cities. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. 

Matt Curtis on How to Measure the Quality of Relationships in Your Life

In Chapter 4 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Measure the Quality of Relationships in Your Life?" Curtis shares how watching The Godfather and hearing Don Corleone say to his son Michael, "It wasn't enough time, Michael. It wasn't enough time"made him think about friendship. Curtis finds relationship strength is about surrounding yourself with good people who are loyal and who you feel loyalty toward. From that he is able to gauge the depth of relationship he has and wants to continue building.

Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was deputy to Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He has represented the City of Austin at the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. In 2011, Curtis joined the Harvard Kennedy School Urban Policy Advisory Board to work on national best practices facing American cities. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. 

Matt Curtis on Making a Difference by Helping Clients Solve Problems

In Chapter 11 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Matt Curtis answers "On a Daily Basis, What Does It Mean to Contribute in the Work That You Do?" Curtis shares how each day his work is about helping clients around the world solve problems and preparing resources to help clients solve problems in the future. By constantly communicating with clients, he is able to address issues as they come up and gain insights on how to prepare strategies and case studies to assist them in the future.

Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was deputy to Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He has represented the City of Austin at the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. In 2011, Curtis joined the Harvard Kennedy School Urban Policy Advisory Board to work on national best practices facing American cities. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. 

Matt Curtis on Finding Strength and Struggle Losing Nearly 250 Pounds

In Chapter 20 of 20 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, Matt Curtis answers "At This Moment in Time, What Are the Sources of Strength and Struggle in Your Life?" Curtis shares how this applies to his weight loss journey. After starting at a high weight of 490 pounds, Curtis is closing in on a 245-pound milestone. He shares how challenging it has been to lose those final 25 pounds given his desire to live life fully and travel extensively with his girlfriend. He shares how she has given him strength by providing him emotional support on his journey.

Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was deputy to Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. He has represented the City of Austin at the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. In 2011, Curtis joined the Harvard Kennedy School Urban Policy Advisory Board to work on national best practices facing American cities. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas. 

Bijoy Goswami on How to Make Your Talk a Class You Can Teach

In Chapter 13 of 17 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, community leader Bijoy Goswami answers "How Did You Learn to Translate a Keynote Talk into a Class or Workshop?" Goswami shares how he treats his audience as co-learners going on a learning journey together with him. He builds on this by turning a one-way talk into a conversation. Working with Siminars.com, Goswami finds motivating audience members or students to do work and be active, not passive, is the start of translating talk to class or workshop. From there he adds the element of time to plan out a more formal learning journey.

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. 

Audrey French on Deciding When to Move in With Your Partner

In Chapter 1 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "How Did You Manage the Transition of Moving in With Your Partner?" French shares how she and her boyfriend had conversations around taking their relationship to the next level. They agree it makes sense to move in together as a next step toward eventually getting married while not putting too much pressure on the relationship and let it develop naturally over time.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French 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 graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Audrey French on How Having a Baby Changes a Marriage

In Chapter 6 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "How Has Having a Baby Changed the Relationship You Have With Your Spouse?" French shares how having a baby with her husband has deepened her marriage bonds in a beautiful way. She finds marriage joins your lives together but creating a life together builds a physical bond that goes beyond words.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French 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 graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Audrey French on Why to Carry on Family Christmastime Traditions

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "What Family Traditions Do You Feel are Important to Carry on to Future Generations?" Getting married introduces French to husband's family Christmastime traditions, including decorating the Christmas Tree and watching "It's a Wonderful Life" together as a family. She and her husband look to carry on these Christmas traditions while also doing the same with daily traditions such as having family dinners to talk about the day as a family.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French 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 graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Audrey French on Why to Have Advocates and Sponsors in Your Life

In Chapter 13 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "What Role Have Advocate and Sponsor Relationships Played in Your Development?" French shares how sposors and advocates - people who not only give advice but provide support to help put that advice to work - have been instrumental in both her personal and professional growth. Professionally, CLEAResult president Glenn Garland, who advocates for her as she learns through failure. Personally, French's best friend advocates for French as she becomes a new wife and a mother.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French 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 graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Audrey French on How to Measure the Quality of Personal Relationships

In Chapter 17 of 21 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, new mother Audrey Parker French answers "How Do You Measure the Quality of Relationships in Your Life?" French shares how she measures relationship quality by intimacy level, a feeling a connectedness, and an experience of realness. When these are present, she finds both sides of a relationship can open up, be vulnerable, and share in a way that is mutually enriching and supportive.

Audrey Parker French is a new mother living with her husband and son in Austin, Texas. Before leaving work to focus on family, French 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 graduated from Wake Forest University. 

Courtney Spence on Deciding When to Move in With Your Partner

In Chapter 2 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "How Did You Manage the Transition of Moving in With Your Partner?" Spence shares how she slowly transitioned into moving in with her partner and his daughter while relocating from Austin to San Francisco. She finds the change a hugely important step in moving the relationship forward and toward getting married.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Courtney Spence on the Joy of Becoming a Stepmother

In Chapter 3 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "How Has Becoming a Stepmother Put Your Life in a New Perspective?" Spence shares the joy that becoming a stepparent to a young girl has brought to her life. As a stepmother, Spence focuses on parenting aspirations and what she can do to be a family foundation for her stepdaughter as she grows up.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Courtney Spence on How to Avoid Burnout Working a Fast-Paced Job

In Chapter 6 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "How Do You Avoid Burnout and Maintain Performance Working a Fast-Paced Job?" Spence shares how the last six to nine months before her interview has been one of the most difficult times of her life. In that period, she has also experienced great joy, getting married and becoming a step-parent. Never one to work out regularly, she finds regular workouts and acupuncture wellness therapy help keep her more present at work and with family.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Courtney Spence on Living Up to Expectations as a Company Leader

In Chapter 11 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "What Role Does Living Up to the Expectations of Others Play into the Way You Live?" As a leader of a company, Spence, experiences and accepts the constant pressure that comes with meeting expectations from investors, employees, clients and partners. She finds it is about staying mindful of her journey and her organization's mission, purpose, and values while making a difference and having fun doing so.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

Courtney Spence on How to Be a Better Strategic Partner

In Chapter 16 of 20 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, nonprofit CEO Courtney Spence answers "How Are You Improving How Your Organization Builds Strategic Partnerships?" Spence shares what she has learned about being a better strategic partner over the 15-year journey leading a nonprofit. She finds being a better partner comes down to appreciating partner commitment, finding values that align, and regognizing that a true relationship is about both the "relation" and the "ship." She notes how everyone wants the relation but many overlook the need to want and embrace the ship.

Courtney Spence is founder and CEO of Students of the World, a nonprofit empowering a diverse network of student and emerging filmmakers to apply storytelling skills in purposeful work. She is also the Founder and CEO of CSpence group, a creative agency building millennial-focused content and programs for brands. Spence earned a BA from Duke University. 

3 Insider Tips on Finding a Small Business Investor

In Chapter 10 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What Advice Do You Have for Small Business Owners Considering Taking on an Investor?" A small business owner who brought on an investor over the past year, Elliot shares three ways to improve the investor solicitation process. First, she notes the importance of doing due diligence to hone a business plan and financial model. Second, using the models, calculate the amount of funding you will need and map the use of funds out over a timeline to make sure you raise the right amount. Third, finding an investor comes down to matchmaking and finding the right person with the right motives to be your business partner.

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 Staying True to Your Customers as You Grow a Business

In Chapter 11 of 15 in her 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Hattie Elliot answers "What New Challenges Are You Facing as You Grow Your Business?" As Elliot expands her business by taking on investment and expanding into new events and trips, she learns the importance of staying true to her clientele. To do this it is about maintaining a level of quality service in her offerings while also being considerate of evolving tastes that come with getting older.

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.

Matt Ruby on Why to Work Hard to Be the Best at What You Do

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2014 Capture Your Flag interview, standup comedian and Vooza founder Matt Ruby answers "Where Did You Learn Your Work Ethic?" Ruby shares that his comedy work has taught him to work hard so you can be proud of your work. Working hard gives you a chance to be the best you can be and also avoid embarrassment by being the worst. He learns to be mindful of where to apply this approach in his life and to set priorities accordingly.

Matt Ruby is a standup comedian based in New York City. He also founded Vooza, on online comic strip web series that makes fun of tech startup culture. As an actor, director, writer and producer, Ruby leads the creative direction for the team. Before his comedy career, Matt was employee #1 at 37Signals. He graduated from Northwestern University.