Who Are Your Co-Founders Or People Who You Work Very Closely With? How Do Their Skills Supplement Yours?
My co-founders are Tim Kring and Raj Kamachee. They’re terrific for me because Tim is a famous story teller and very creative, whereas Raj is a seasoned CTO who builds extraordinary software with his talented team. Between the two of them, I have both the left brain and right brain covered. Also, our Head of Partnerships is Katie Nathan who is very skilled at meeting customers where they’re at and finding solutions that we can provide to help them succeed. Last, Dickon Kent is our Senior Product Designer and someone I’ve worked with for over a decade. Dickon is my creative partner and muse and some of my favorite sessions are imagining new things with him.
What Was The Inspiration Behind The Company Name?
The name ChangeUp is a play on the round-up of spare change and also the idea of putting positive change in the world. I told myself if I could trademark such a great name that I would build an entire business around it. The trademark was available and we booked it around the world in multiple categories and, at a later date, we acquired the URL too. I love our name!
Tell Us About Your Typical Workday Schedule. What Are Your Morning And Evening Routines? What Are Some Tips You Have For Staying Productive?
I have kids in grade school, so the bedtime ritual, wake up ritual, drop-off at school takes priority. And for that reason, my time at work during the day needs to be focused and productive. At some point in the middle of the day I swim or hike and come back energized. If I don’t exercise, I risk “falling down the hole of my laptop,” which means just staring at my screen while losing productivity.
What Are The Top Qualities or Skills You Believe Entrepreneurs Need In Order To Be Successful? Also, What Advice Do You Have For Entrepreneurs Who Are Just Starting Out?
I’d have to say that I’ve found authentic communication to be very valuable with both my colleagues, investors and clients. I owe it to them to share what works and what doesn’t, and vice versa. Also, it’s important to set boundaries and share what you’re able to commit to and, equally important, the things that you cannot commit to. Last, I would say that a general feeling of positivity and hope is important for any team anywhere. You have to believe in your product, your company and your colleagues! And as a founder, your team will take their cues from you, they will mirror your attitude and habits.
Tell Us A Story Of Something That Happened To You That Taught You An Important Lesson.
“People may not believe what you say, but they’ll always believe what you do.” I love that because start-ups are often a lot of pitch decks, cute logos and general ideas. But it’s all just talk until you go out and build it.
If You Can Have A One-Hour Meeting With Someone Famous Who Is Alive, Who Would It Be And Why?
Barack Obama. I’d like to learn from him how he stayed calm and focused during the extraordinarily stressful rebuilding efforts after the financial collapse, how he endured the pundits and stayed focused on positive long-term goals, and how he’s maintained his “audacity of hope” all these years. He’s a remarkable man and his commitment to his wife and children is inspiring too.