Scott Switzer: From Dot-Com Dreams to Digital Advertising Dominance
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview: Scott Switzer's journey from Omaha to global tech innovator began with creating computer games on his TRS-80. Facing challenges during the dot-com boom and bust with Big Emmas, later called Article 27, Scott eventually found success with OpenX, an open-source ad platform that became a major competitor to DoubleClick. His experiences with VCs like FirstMark and Flybridge, investing in startups, and exploring blockchain and crypto, have shaped his career. Now, as the CTO of Ozone, Scott is focused on redefining the digital advertising industry. Key Takeaways: Resilience in...
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Dorothy Chang's journey from Long Island to becoming a pivotal figure in the New York Tech Ecosystem
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Dorothy Chang's journey from Long Island to becoming a pivotal figure in the New York tech ecosystem is a story of adaptability, perseverance, and innovation. Growing up with high expectations in a musical family, she found her way into PR and tech, eventually transitioning into venture capital. Dorothy's career highlights include working at renowned firms like Edelman and Brew, co-founding Liberty City Ventures, and playing a crucial role in Foursquare's pivot to a data intelligence company. Currently, she focuses on supporting early-stage founders through Lynx Collective and Next Wave...
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Stacy Spikes: Revolutionizing Entertainment through stories from MoviePass, Music, Movies and So Much More
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview Stacy Spikes, the entrepreneurial force behind MoviePass and the Urbanworld Film Festival, shares his incredible journey from the music industry to creating one of the most controversial subscription services in entertainment. Growing up in Houston, Stacy's ambition led him to LA, where he started as a gopher at American Video, quickly rising through the ranks at Motown and Sony. Transitioning to film, he worked with the Weinsteins at Miramax and then moved to October Films. Stacy's story is one of relentless perseverance and groundbreaking innovation. During our...
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Heather Wagner Reed: From Beyoncé's Side to PR Brilliance
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview Heather Wagner Reed is a force to be reckoned with in the world of PR. We caught up with her at 77 Degrees in North Austin over some tropical tiki drinks to hear about her journey from working as Beyoncé’s right hand to founding her own boutique agency, Juice Consulting. Heather dives deep into the essence of community engagement, the power of storytelling, and the strategic alliances that have fueled her 17 years of success. With anecdotes from her career and insights into the PR industry, Heather shares the challenges and rewards of managing a boutique agency. She...
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Anthony Armendariz: Pioneering Digital Design from the Web’s Dawn to Today
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview: Anthony Armendariz has spent decades mastering the art and science of digital design. Starting his journey in the '90s, Anthony transitioned from straightforward browser design and Flash to leading his own agency, Funsize, in Austin, Teaxas. Fun Size has become a beacon of innovation in digital product design, adapting to the ever-changing technological landscape while maintaining a focus on creating exceptional user experiences. In our conversation at the Austin bar Long Play, where we enjoyed beers and margaritas, Anthony shared his insights into the evolution of...
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Caren Kelleher – A Music Lover’s Entrepreneurial Path
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary Caren Kelleher, the founder of Gold Rush Vinyl in Austin, TX, has had a remarkable journey through the music industry. Starting her career at Paste Magazine, Caren quickly dove into the business side of music, gaining a deep understanding of the industry's intricacies. Her path led her to tech roles, including a significant position at Google where she managed the Artist Hub platform, enabling artists to upload their music directly to Google Play. Caren's commitment to supporting artists remained unwavering, ultimately inspiring her to establish Gold Rush Vinyl. Her pressing...
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David Dylan Thomas: Navigating Cognitive Bias and Creative Innovation
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary: David Dylan Thomas, an expert in cognitive bias and user experience, joins us to discuss his multifaceted career and unique insights into the intersection of technology and ethics. David's journey began in the indie film scene, where he discovered the transformative potential of the internet, leading him to pivot towards UX and content strategy. He has worked extensively in applying cognitive biases to create ethical and inclusive products, making him a sought-after speaker and author of the book "Design for Cognitive Bias." Throughout our conversation, David emphasized the...
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Adam Roberts - How the Amateur Gourmet went from legal briefs to gourmet feasts
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary: Adam Roberts, also known as The Amateur Gourmet, shares his remarkable journey from an unfulfilled law student to a celebrated food blogger, TV writer, and now a novelist. His blog, which began as an escape from law school, quickly gained popularity due to Adam’s creative approach, including writing songs about food and hosting quirky contests. This unique content set his blog apart and opened doors to various opportunities, such as writing cookbooks and TV scripts. Despite exploring different ventures, Adam’s passion for food and storytelling remained constant, ultimately...
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Jimmy Tingle: From Stand-Up to Politics: A Comedian's Journey
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Jimmy Tingle, legendary comedian known for his sharp political humor and reflective one-man shows, takes us through his comedic journey from the vibrant 80s Boston comedy scene to his current autobiographical performances. He shares insights on the evolution of political comedy, how Martin Luther King Jr.'s writings influenced his perspective, and the impact of sobriety on his life and career. Jimmy also delves into the challenges of running for political office and the importance of authenticity in his work. Join us for an insightful and humorous look into the life of a comedian who has...
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Meghan O'Keefe: From Comedy Stages to Television Sommelier
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Meghan O’Keefe discusses her journey from aspiring comedian to becoming a prominent figure in digital media at The New York Post's . Over Hendrick's and Tonics, Meghan reflects on her early days in the comedy scene in New York, her transition into entertainment journalism, and her current role where she influences how streaming content is perceived and reviewed. The episode delves into the nuances of media and comedy, exploring how Meghan's personal experiences shaped her career path. She candidly discusses the challenges of finding her voice in a...
info_outlineAbout the Guest(s):
Alexa von Tobel is a highly-driven founder and financial expert best known for her pioneering work in the financial technology sector. She’s the founder and former CEO of Learnvest, a personal finance company that was acquired by Northwestern Mutual. Alexa’s relentless pursuit to make financial understanding accessible has led her to author several books, including “Financially Fearless” and a kid’s book, “Rebel Girls: Money Matters.” Her latest endeavor, Inspired Capital, finds her on the venture capital scene, investing in other innovative founders with big ideas.
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of Story in a Bottle, host Dan Maccarone engages with Alexa von Tobel over several glasses of Chardonnay. Alexa dives into her journey from art-fencing entrepreneur as a child to revolutionizing personal finance with Learnvest. The conversation provides a raw look at the trials and tribulations of standing up a disruptive fintech startup and the road leading to its eventual acquisition.
Alexa also discusses the inception of her venture fund, Inspired Capital, which focuses on early-stage, generalist investments. From discussing the success and mindset required to back transformative ventures to understanding the intricates of raising a venture fund, the episode is a treasure trove of experiences. With marriage-like mergers and the significance of education in finance, Alexa outlines a life dedicated to impact.
Key Takeaways:
• Alexa’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited early in her childhood, culminating in the creation of Learnvest and its mission to democratize financial planning.
• Even after a successful exit, Alexa’s passion for building has led her to venture capital with Inspired Capital — seeking to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
• Her decision to write a children’s book on financial literacy underlines her lifelong commitment to educating people on managing their finances.
• The episode touches upon the evolution of Learnvest from a content site centered on women and finance to a comprehensive financial planning platform.
Notable Quotes:
• “Learnvest, I really love investing my core. I am somebody who is really thoughtful about how do we make great financial decisions.”
• “I think social media is the one that’s, like, a third rail for us. And so there’s this great professor at NYU, Jonathan Hate, who’s talking all about the impacts, like, the data-driven impacts.”
• “It’s New York City. And so I love to think, know, New York City is an underdog. We’re in so many ways a capital of the.”
• “I became a certified financial planner. I was like, if I’m going to do this, I got to do it right.”
Resources:
• Alexa von Tobel’s book: “Financially Fearless”
• Her book focussed on tech and finance: “Financially Forward”
• Kid’s book on financial literacy: “Rebel Girls: Money Matters”
Tune in to the full episode to hear the complete narrative of Alexa von Tobel’s entrepreneurial journey and her insightful views on investing and finance. Be sure to catch more episodes from Story in a Bottle for compelling conversations with leading voices in tech, media, and entertainment.