When asked what makes her different, Eléonore Crespo—Co-Founder of Pigment—doesn’t point to titles or milestones. Instead, she rejects the idea that success is a destination. For her, real success lies in the micro-wins: a customer fully realizing the value of the product, a team executing with precision, a bold vision…
Eléonore Crespo, Co-Founder of Pigment, doesn’t lead with the label “female founder”—she leads with impact. But she’s clear-eyed about the challenges: we still lack women and diversity across the tech and startup ecosystem, and that absence affects everything from AI bias to poor decision-making at the board level. The opportunity?…
When you’re building something no one’s ever built before—like Pigment—you’re not just following a playbook, you're inventing the sport as you go. Eléonore Crespo, Co-Founder of Pigment, compares it to competing in the X Games: years of disciplined training, followed by the courage to attempt a move no one's ever…
Eléonore Crespo, Co-Founder of Pigment, shares how her childhood in a small mountain town in France gave her the mindset to build globally. From an early age, she knew she'd need to leave her comfort zone, master new skills, and embrace international ambition to succeed. The mountains taught her something…
For Ajay Nwosu, courage is the foundational virtue that drives success. He believes it takes true "testicular fortitude" to act on your vision, especially in today’s world where cause and effect play a massive role. Courage isn’t just about being bold—it’s about trusting your instincts and pushing forward, even when…
Ajay Nwosu believes that generosity isn’t just a virtue; it's a powerful competitive advantage. He’s built his life on living from a place of abundance, offering introductions and building communities without expecting anything in return. This mindset has opened doors to extraordinary relationships and growth, both for himself and those…
Ajay Nwosu’s mission is all about helping others break free from their limiting beliefs and realize their true potential. He believes that knowledge should be actively tested and applied, not just collected. In his own journey, he’s focused on pushing others "off the cliff" of life to help them soar.…
Scaling a $100 million company or fund requires a mindset shift—Ajay Nwosu knows this firsthand. The biggest difference at the $100 million level is the ability to move fast, build as you go, and learn from failures. He believes that over-strategizing can hinder progress, and action is what leads to…
Ajay Nwosu’s journey from pro soccer player to CEO of TEQBALL is an inspiring story of entrepreneurship and innovation. Growing up in multiple countries, Ajay’s early experiences led him to soccer, where he played professionally in England and the U.S. After transitioning out of sports, he found his true calling…
What if prosperity wasn’t a prerequisite for purpose? In this clip from Innovation & Leadership, Alex Bean—Managing Partner at Tandem Venture Partners—shares an essential message from his book, “Factory For Good, the frameworks for legacy and purpose aren’t reserved for the wealthy. While originally written for founders navigating life after…
Alex Bean opens up about the unexpected void he faced after retiring in his 30s, realizing that providing for his family had filled the role of purpose for years. But when the structure of the workday disappeared, so did the clarity of identity. #InnovationAndLeadership #AlexBean #JessLarsen #CharlieGarcia #FortunateFishes #TandemVenturePartners #PurposeAfterSuccess…
Alex Bean—Managing Partner at Tandem Venture Partners—joins Jess Larsen and Charlie Garcia to explain his vision of the “Factory for Good.” Instead of money being the only output, Alex proposes a retooled life where time, capital, and intention become inputs to create lasting impact—on your community, your legacy, and generations…
Founders spend years chasing success, but no one prepares them for what comes next. On this episode of Innovation & Leadership, Alex Bean—Managing Partner at Tandem Venture Partners—joins Jess Larsen and Charlie Garcia to explore the silent struggles that emerge after financial freedom. From taboo conversations around wealth to the…
Frank Rodriguez knew that traditional bonus systems often create silos and internal competition. So he took a different route—one inspired by the NBA’s revenue-sharing model. Instead of individualized incentives, he implemented a team-wide bonus structure, where every employee’s reward was tied to the company’s realized gross profit and openly shared…
Frank Rodriguez knew that traditional bonus systems often create silos and internal competition. So he took a different route—one inspired by the NBA’s revenue-sharing model. Instead of individualized incentives, he implemented a team-wide bonus structure, where every employee’s reward was tied to the company’s realized gross profit and openly shared…
Before the digital age, starting a business meant navigating outdated, paper-based processes. Frank Rodriguez, Chairman of the Miramar Group, reflects on the inefficiencies of corporate filings in the late 80s and early 90s—where forming a company required physical documents, overnight couriers, and third-party intermediaries. His discovery of an obscure law…
Frank Rodriguez, Chairman of the Miramar Group, believes that culture always beats strategy. He built his company by empowering employees, fostering a culture of freedom, and eliminating fear of mistakes—allowing the business to scale effectively. By prioritizing realized gross profit over revenue, he ensured financial discipline, motivating his team with…
Alastair Callender highlights a common mistake in the yachting industry: not asking the right questions before purchasing or chartering a yacht. His advice? Always seek a trusted, independent advisor before making any decisions. Understanding your needs is crucial to ensuring the yacht fits your family’s purpose.
For Alastair Callender, true luxury isn’t just about yachts—it’s about the experience. One of the biggest mistakes in the industry? Treating ultra-high-net-worth clients with a one-size-fits-all approach. Every client has distinct expectations, and delivering a seamless, personalized service requires understanding their unique lifestyle, needs, and vision.
For Alastair Callender, selling and chartering the world’s most exclusive yachts isn’t just about transactions—it’s about relationships. With 20 years in the industry, he sees himself in the relationship business first, ensuring that every yacht experience meets the unique needs of his ultra-high-net-worth clients.
For Alastair Callender, the path to yachting and sustainability was shaped by one of the greatest yachtsmen of all time—Sir Peter Blake. As a young boy, Alastair learned to race sailing dinghies under Blake’s guidance, but it was Blake’s later work in ocean conservation that left the biggest impact. Seeing…
Discover how Jay Carney transitioned from the White House to Silicon Valley, bringing his expertise in communication and policy to shape the future of travel with Airbnb. In this episode, Carney discusses the importance of design thinking, integrity in leadership, and the power of reinvention in today's fast-paced world.
Josh Yellin, former co-founder of Google's first Startup Accelerator and co-author of "Bonfire Moment," breaks down the common interpersonal issues that can derail even the most promising ventures.
Discover the unique approach of venture capitalists with Ilya Strebulaev, author of "The Venture Mindset," on the latest episode of Innovation and Leadership. Learn how they assess potential success and failure differently from traditional CEOs.
