Founders Table
Founders Table
Selling before Building with Jake Johnson
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Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -49:30
-49:30

Selling before Building with Jake Johnson

Jake is one of the co-founder of Crew, an AI-powered platform that recruits, vets & pays your team globally. Prior to Crew, Jake worked as a PM at microsoft and an ESPN commentator while attending college at Dartmouth.

In today's episode, we talk about:

  • lessons from doing ESPN broadcasting and focusing on "yes and"

  • getting into YC with the condition that they come up with a new idea

  • initial pivot and importance of validating ideas with sales instead of LOIs

  • moving into hr tech and building automated vetting system with AI

  • high touch go to market

Where to find Jake:

Closing Questions

  • advice to current founders: entrepreneurship is an emotional rollercoaster, find coping mechanism for highs and lows. also find a way to enjoy the ride rather than solely focus on achieving an exit

  • when you think of success, who or what comes to mind: people like Brian Chesky (AirBnb) that are happy and fufilled by their work

  • how do you recharge: prioritize outdoor activities and staying active

  • any recent small investment that has had an outsized impact: investing in new hockey equipment and joining a league

Ask or Offer

  • ask: Check out crew if you're looking to grow your team

  • offer: Jake is moving to San Francisco and open to meeting and networking with fellow entrepreneurs and potential customers

If you're interested in contacting Jake, reach out at offers@founderstable.co with the episode title in the subject and details of your request in the subject!

Referenced

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