Connect with Allen! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-cooper-4a07598/ Website: https://ancillaventures.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:40 The Value of an MBA and Entrepreneurship 07:16 The Need for Transparency in Healthcare Costs 12:07 Improving Room Turnover Efficiency and Infection Control 26:34 Improving Efficiencies and Infection Control 28:50 Addressing the High Cost of Care 35:11 Minimizing Infections in Hospitals 38:37 Optimizing Labor and Improving Patient Care 41:29 ReadyList: Growing and Expanding Summary Allen Cooper, CEO and President of Ancilla Ventures and CEO and Co-founder of ReadyList, shares his background and journey in entrepreneurship. He discusses the value of getting an MBA and how it can provide a strong foundation in business knowledge. Allen also talks about the opportunities and challenges in the healthcare industry, particularly in terms of transparency and cost. He explains the focus of Ancilla Ventures on providing solutions and support to hospitals, and highlights the importance of trust and building relationships with healthcare providers. The principal themes of the conversation are improving efficiencies in hospitals, addressing labor shortages, and managing infection control. The cost of care in hospitals is attributed to factors such as high overhead costs, luxurious facilities, and competition among health systems. Infection control is crucial for hospitals to maintain their brand reputation and quality of care. ReadyList offers solutions to help hospitals minimize infections and improve patient turnover. The ROI of properly managed infection control includes cost savings, revenue optimization, and improved patient experience. ReadyList aims to expand nationally and develop new products. As a CEO, Allen Cooper emphasizes the importance of resilience, energy, and nurturing a positive experience for both customers and employees. He advises entrepreneurs to understand their why, make deliberate decisions, and strive for excellence rather than perfection.

Connect with Patrick! https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/ https://disasterpatrick.com/
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:08 The Importance of Finding a Mentor

10:56 Challenges and Fulfillment in a Career in Emergency Preparedness

14:48 Understanding the Phases of Disaster Response

24:44 Building Resilience: Being Prepared and Independent

30:23 The Risk of Disasters in Louisiana

35:32 The Importance of Business Recovery in Disasters

46:29 Creating a Fun and Empowering Disaster Preparedness Channel on YouTube

52:08 Embracing the Future and Using Obstacles to Grow

01:04:20 The Power of Preparation in Avoiding Disasters

Summary

Patrick W Hardy, an expert in disaster recovery, shares his career journey and the importance of disaster preparedness. He emphasizes the need to find a mentor who can guide and support personal and professional development. Patrick believes that disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors, such as insurance or a single job. He encourages people to be proactive in preparing for disasters and to view them as opportunities for growth and resilience. Patrick also explains the different phases of disaster response, including preparedness, response, and recovery. Patrick W Hardy discusses the importance of understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas prone to disasters. He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and having a plan in place in case of a disaster. He also shares his decision to start a YouTube channel focused on disaster preparedness, where he aims to make the topic approachable, fun, and empowering. Patrick plans to finance the channel through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities. He also highlights the significance of mentorship in his career and advises others to seek out mentors.

Takeaways

Finding a mentor is crucial for personal and professional development

Disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors

Preparing for disasters can turn them into opportunities for growth and resilience

The phases of disaster response include preparedness, response, and recovery Understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas is crucial.

Having a plan in place for disasters is essential, and personal responsibility is key.

Patrick W Hardy aims to make disaster preparedness approachable, fun, and empowering through his YouTube channel.

The channel will be financed through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities.

Mentorship has played a significant role in Patrick's career, and he encourages others to seek out mentors.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Prashant! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pka3300/ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:53 Defining Startups Beyond Technology

04:29 Challenges of Starting a Technology Business

08:38 Building Viable Technology as a Non-Technical Founder

11:49 Resource and Time Requirements for Building Software

14:44 Exploring Funding Options Beyond Venture Capital

21:36 Mistakes in Approaching Venture Capital

24:38 Research-Based Approach to Finding the Right VC

25:35 Understanding the Conversion Ratio in Fundraising

26:50 The Relationship Between Founders and VCs Post-Funding

28:54 The Control VCs Have Over Startups

32:13 Selection Criteria for VCs

38:08 The Democratization of Technology and its Impact on VCs

45:55 Best Options for Securing Initial Funding

Summary

Prashant Agrawal, a former banker turned consultant, works with startups and small businesses to develop their business strategies and improve their pitches. He emphasizes that startups are not limited to technology companies and that any tangible business solving a real problem can be considered a startup. Prashant advises founders to focus on understanding the problem they are solving before incorporating technology into their solution. He also highlights the importance of diverse funding sources and recommends exploring options beyond venture capital, such as bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants. The conversation covers post-funding dynamics and the relationship between founders and VCs. It emphasizes the importance of finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose. The VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the journey. The VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins. The conversation also touches on the selection criteria for VCs, highlighting the focus on the problem being solved rather than proprietary technology. The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors are still interested in the scalability and viability of the solution. The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family.

Takeaways

Startups can be any tangible business solving a real problem, not just technology companies.

Understanding the problem and developing a clear solution is crucial before incorporating technology.

Diverse funding sources, including bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants, should be explored before seeking venture capital.

When approaching venture capitalists, it is important to research and target those with aligned interests and priorities. Finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose is crucial for a successful partnership.

VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins.

The focus of VCs has shifted from proprietary technology to the problem being solved and the scalability of the solution.

The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors still look for scalability and viability.

The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Heba! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-ayad-4a029797/ Website: https://www.talent-360.me/

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Nico! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupislander-nicogramenz/ Website: https://project-bay.de/en Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

09:09 Nico's Journey into Entrepreneurship

22:30 The Demographic Crunch and Germany's Industrial Power

27:22 Project Bay: Addressing the Talent Shortage in Rural Regions

29:25 The Need for Remote Work and Flexibility

33:25 Productivity and Data in Remote Work

39:10 The Importance of Community in Remote Work

42:43 Co-Working Spaces in Hotels

48:30 The Future of Work: Flexibility and Choice

54:02 Expanding the Network of Work Locations

Summary

Nico, the founder of two businesses, shares his journey from being a military officer to becoming an entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of changing perspectives and developing new ideas. Nico discusses the changing dynamics of work and the need for flexible work models. He also highlights the impact of the Russian-Ukraine war on Europe and the need for defense innovation. Nico addresses the demographic crunch in Germany and the challenges faced by industrial companies in adapting to new ways of working. He introduces Project Bay, a startup that offers remote work solutions and aims to attract talent to rural regions. Project Bay is a platform that offers flexible work and travel experiences for remote workers. They partner with hotels and other accommodations to provide professional co-working spaces in desirable locations. The goal is to connect rural regions and provide a professional work environment in beach, mountain, and nature settings. Project Bay aims to be the go-to B2B platform for flexible work models and differentiate themselves by offering a complete experience, including community spaces and events. They believe that the future of work is about freedom of choice and flexibility in where and how people work.

Takeaways

Changing perspectives and developing new ideas are crucial for entrepreneurship.

The dynamics of work are changing, and flexible work models are becoming more important.

The Russian-Ukraine war has highlighted the need for defense innovation.

The demographic crunch in Germany poses challenges for industrial companies.

Project Bay aims to attract talent to rural regions through remote work solutions. Project Bay offers flexible work and travel experiences for remote workers, partnering with hotels to provide professional co-working spaces in desirable locations.

Their goal is to connect rural regions and provide a professional work environment in beach, mountain, and nature settings.

Project Bay aims to be the go-to B2B platform for flexible work models and differentiate themselves by offering a complete experience, including community spaces and events.

They believe that the future of work is about freedom of choice and flexibility in where and how people work.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com.

Connect with Jarod! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarodspiewak/ X: https://x.com/JarodSpiewak Website: https://cometfuel.com/

Chapters

00:00 Jarod's Background and Comet Fuel

00:29 Choosing Your Own Path: College or Real-World Experience?

04:33 Reflecting on Early Graduation

06:04 The Myth of School Performance and Success

06:35 The Value of Hands-On Experience and Self-Education

07:57 The Limitations of Traditional Education in a Changing Industry

27:02 Going Solo and Developing Confidence

30:30 Reflection on Starting a Business

30:41 The Challenges of Starting an Agency

33:00 Recovering from a Crash and Burn Period

38:05 Mastering a Single Marketing Channel

50:34 Setting a New Standard in the Industry

Chapters

Summary

Jarod Spiewak, founder of Comet Fuel, shares his journey from graduating high school early to starting his own marketing agency. He discusses the value of hands-on experience and self-education in the digital marketing space. Jarod emphasizes the importance of gaining real-world skills and building a portfolio before starting a business. He also highlights the limitations of traditional education in keeping up with the rapidly changing digital landscape. Jarod @ Comet Fuel shares his experience of starting and growing his ad agency, highlighting the challenges he faced and the strategies he used to recover. He emphasizes the importance of reflection and learning from past mistakes, as well as the need to have systems and processes in place to effectively manage the business. Jarod also discusses his approach to sales, leveraging his technical knowledge to provide valuable insights to potential clients. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on channels they are familiar with and to pursue marketing strategies that align with their strengths and interests. Finally, Jarod talks about his goals for Comet Fuel, emphasizing the importance of setting a new standard in the industry and prioritizing work-life balance and personal happiness.

Takeaways

Gaining hands-on experience and building a portfolio are valuable steps before starting a business.

Traditional education may not always provide the most relevant skills for the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Self-education and continuous learning are crucial in the digital marketing industry.

Real-world skills and practical experience can outweigh academic performance in the business world.

Exploring different career paths and gaining industry-specific knowledge can help in making informed decisions about education and career choices. Reflect on your business regularly and learn from past mistakes to improve and grow.

Have systems and processes in place to effectively manage your business and avoid chaos.

Leverage your technical knowledge and provide valuable insights to potential clients to stand out in sales.

Focus on marketing channels that you are familiar with and understand how people interact with them.

Set goals that align with your personal happiness and work-life balance, rather than just pursuing growth for the sake of it.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Mo! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohallaba/ X: https://x.com/ElectronicMo Website: https://www.datawisp.io/
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:25 Transition from Finance to Entrepreneurship

05:26 Working on Wall Street

08:32 Challenges and Rewards of Startups

12:09 Building Something Big vs. Flexibility

15:08 The Problem Data Wisp Solves

20:00 User-Friendly AI and Upskilling

22:16 The Future of AI and Data Analytics

24:32 Optimism and Pessimism in AI Progression

27:51 The Role of Human Creativity in AI

30:08 The Efficiency Gains and New Opportunities of AI

34:56 The Future of Work: Shorter Workweeks or Increased Productivity?

41:23 The Importance of Education and Access to Information

50:21 Challenges of Building a Successful Company

54:05 The Value of Execution in Building a Business

Summary

Mo Hallaba, CEO of Data Wisp, shares his journey from finance to entrepreneurship and the development of his AI data analytics company. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and work ethic in building a successful startup. Mo discusses the challenges of working on Wall Street and the transition to running his own business. He explains the need for startups to handle all aspects of the business and the value of efficiency in decision-making. Mo also discusses the problem Data Wisp solves, which is making data analytics more accessible to non-technical users. He envisions a future where AI improves efficiency and frees up data scientists to work on more complex tasks. The conversation explores the efficiency and speed of AI, its impact on job roles, and the potential for AI to unlock new opportunities. It discusses the balance between automation and human creativity, and how AI can free up time for more meaningful work. The conversation also touches on the future of work and the traditional workweek, as well as the motivation behind building a successful business. The importance of education and the potential for technology to improve access to information and empower individuals is highlighted. The challenges of scaling a company and the value of building a strong team are also discussed.

Takeaways

Perseverance and work ethic are crucial in building a successful startup.

Startups require handling all aspects of the business, which can be overwhelming but also provides opportunities for growth.

Efficiency in decision-making is essential for startups, as it allows for better use of resources and faster progress.

Data Wisp aims to make data analytics more accessible to non-technical users, enabling them to ask questions and get answers without relying on data scientists.

AI can improve efficiency in data analytics, freeing up data scientists to focus on more complex tasks. AI offers efficiency and speed that can unlock new opportunities and free up time for more meaningful work.

The balance between automation and human creativity is crucial in leveraging the benefits of AI.

The traditional workweek may evolve as technology advances, allowing for more flexibility and productivity.

Building a successful business can provide the resources and influence to make a positive impact on society.

Education plays a vital role in empowering individuals and addressing societal issues, and technology can enhance access to information.

Hiring the right people and learning from the experiences of others are key factors in scaling a company.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com.

Connect with Klaus!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klausbartosch/

Website: https://www.dreamoro.com.au/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:15 Entering the Health Tech Space

09:37 Challenges Faced by Health Tech Founders

11:53 The Need for Innovation in Healthcare

21:42 Taking a Holistic Approach to Health

27:25 The Impact of Preventive Measures

29:36 Managing Healthcare Issues Early

32:08 The Role of Technology in Healthcare

38:02 Challenges and Mistakes in the Health Tech Space

55:14 The Rewarding Nature of Health Tech

01:00:51 Advice for Founders and Learning from Failures

Summary

Klaus Bartosch, a venture capitalist and experienced technology founder, discusses his background and the healthcare industry. He shares his experience building a health tech business focused on improving the way people engage with healthcare services. Klaus emphasizes the need for a more proactive and integrated healthcare system that addresses not only treatment but also the overall well-being of patients. He discusses the challenges in the current healthcare system, such as lack of collaboration among healthcare providers and the focus on payment rather than outcomes. Klaus believes that technology and data-driven solutions can incentivize better lifestyle choices and early screenings, leading to improved outcomes and cost savings. The conversation explores the role of technology in improving healthcare and addressing the challenges of an aging population. It discusses how technology can help individuals make better decisions about their health and well-being, detect health risks early, and manage chronic conditions. The conversation also highlights the unsustainable cost of healthcare and the need for technology to mitigate the burden on the healthcare system. It emphasizes the importance of passion and purpose in the health tech space and the challenges that founders face, including hiring the right team, raising capital, and achieving product-market fit. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring founders and the rewarding nature of making a positive impact in healthcare.

Takeaways

Klaus Bartosch is a venture capitalist and experienced technology founder focused on health tech.

He built a health tech business that aimed to improve the way people engage with healthcare services.

Klaus emphasizes the need for a more proactive and integrated healthcare system that addresses overall patient well-being.

The current healthcare system faces challenges such as lack of collaboration among providers and a focus on payment rather than outcomes.

Technology and data-driven solutions can incentivize better lifestyle choices and early screenings, leading to improved outcomes and cost savings. Technology can help individuals make better decisions about their health and well-being.

Early detection and management of health risks can be facilitated through technology.

Technology can help individuals manage chronic conditions and stay in their homes longer.

The unsustainable cost of healthcare can be mitigated through technology.

Passion and purpose are important in the health tech space, and founders should be prepared for challenges.

Hiring the right team, raising capital, and achieving product-market fit are key challenges for founders.

Failure should be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Building a successful health tech company requires resilience and a focus on making a positive impact in healthcare.