From Big Tech to AI Company Founder with Brooke Hartley Moy
Episode 91. A wealth of experience comes from someone who joined the tech world with experiences at as such places as Google, Slack, Salesforce and most recently Humane. Not surprisingly, the experience eventually leads to becoming a founder herself.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Brooke Hartley Moy, co-founder of the AI startup Infactory. Brooke shares her journey from being a history major with no programming background to co-founding a tech company. The discussion covers her career trajectory, insights on working at major tech companies like Salesforce and Google, and the challenges and benefits of starting her own company. Brooke also explores the future of AI, the importance of soft skills in the tech industry, the complexities of venture capital, and her experiences as a woman in tech. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and the value of personal relationships in career development.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Brooke Hartley Moy01:07 Brooke's Journey into Tech04:05 Breaking into the Industry13:09 Starting Infactory15:42 Challenges of Entrepreneurship17:57 Venture Capital Insights23:53 Women in Tech34:27 AI Optimism and Skepticism40:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals42:32 Conclusion and Farewell
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Think Big: From Rockets, to Social Media, to VR, to the Movie Business with Mary Spio
Episode 90. Mary Spio has a very impressive background. She’s a rocket scientist who turned to the movie industry to transform how the industry delivered content. She built a virtual reality platform while also working to let content creators better monetize their work. What’s behind all this?In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Mary Spio, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Seek (CEEK) - a platform designed to monetize online content. Mary's journey is discussed from her beginnings as an aerospace engineer, working with companies like Boeing to her current endeavors in VR and AI powered content monetization. They delve into the challenges creators face with free content, the importance of VR in training and education, and how CEEK empowers creators to control and monetize their own data using blockchain technology. The conversation provides insights on the evolution of virtual reality, the future of content monetization, and valuable career advice.00:00 Introduction00:23 Meet Mary Spio: From Aerospace Engineer to CEEK Founder01:50 Understanding CEEK: A Platform for Content Monetization06:30 Mary's Journey: From Digital Cinema to VR19:05 The Future of VR and Content Monetization36:15 Career Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs40:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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How to Become Really Good from the Founder of San Francisco’s Leading Restaurant Group with David Steele
Episode 89. It’s hard to create one successful business, but if you can take what you learn from doing one thing and apply it to another the opportunities are endless. They key: getting really good at one thing.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews David Steele, a successful restaurateur and founder of One Wealth Advisors. They discuss David's journey from working in the restaurant industry during high school to founding a highly successful restaurant group in San Francisco and a thriving financial planning practice. Key topics include his love for hospitality, the transition to wealth management, building successful businesses through systematic processes, and career advice for young professionals. David also shares insights on the evolution of the restaurant industry, the impact of the Me Too movement, and the role of technology and AI. Additionally, David talks about his involvement in other entrepreneurial ventures, including a restaurant company in New York, a rock and roll band management company, and a yoga studio.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet David Steele: Restaurateur and Financial Planner01:16 David's Journey: From Restaurants to Wall Street02:55 The Allure of the Restaurant Industry05:15 Hospitality in Finance: A Unique Perspective07:01 Starting Flour + Water: Challenges and Successes12:16 Universal Business Principles for Success16:21 David's Diverse Ventures and Board Roles18:00 Building Systematic Processes for Success30:23 Empowering Teams and Delegation31:44 The Evolving Restaurant Industry35:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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A Journey in Finance, to at Mission Fixing Homeownership with Frank Rhode
Episode 88. How do you put yourself in the position as a founder to solve a really big and complex problem—while building a great company along the way?In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Frank Rohde, founder and CEO of Ownify, about his diverse career in financial services and his mission to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers. Frank discusses his early life in Germany, his transition from banking and consulting to launching financial startups, and the challenges he faced during the .com bust. He explains the impetus behind Ownify and how the company aims to reduce barriers to homeownership through innovative financing solutions. The conversation also covers the broader economic factors affecting housing affordability and the balance of creating impactful work that also yields financial returns.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Meet Frank Rohde: From Wharton to Ownify01:06 Frank's Early Life and Career Beginnings02:51 Consulting at Oliver Wyman07:29 The Dot-Com Boom and Bust15:25 Joining FICO and Leveraging Data17:23 Nomis Solutions: Price Optimization in Financial Services21:34 Navigating the Financial Crisis23:13 Reflecting on Career and Future Goals26:15 Identifying the Housing Crisis27:12 The Genesis of Ownify28:07 Economic Factors Affecting Home Ownership30:30 Challenges for First-Time Home Buyers37:45 Ownify’s Innovative Solution46:39 Balancing Financial Return and Impact50:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
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Building and Buying E-Commerce Businesses with Neil Twa
Episode 87. Neil Twa has built the type of business that can be repeated again and again. He’s in the world of e-commerce and has lots to share after trying again and again, failing and finding the way.In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Holdings. Neil shares his unconventional career journey, from learning about the internet to having to file for personal bankruptcy for a failed venture to working his way up in the corporate tech world at Sprint and IBM. Following a personal tragedy, Neil made the leap to entrepreneurship, building a successful e-commerce business through innovative product strategy rather than invention. They discuss the evolution of e-commerce, the importance of automation, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the need for a purpose-driven approach and strategic thinking in building a sustainable and profitable business.00:23 Meet Neil Twa: From Fighter Pilot Dreams to E-commerce Expert01:23 Neil's Early Career and Internet Beginnings04:00 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Early Challenges10:03 The Shift to Affiliate Marketing and E-commerce12:25 Understanding E-commerce and Amazon's Role20:45 The Power of Data and Innovation in E-commerce26:25 Testing the Engine: 18 Months of Discovery26:51 Rapid Brand Launches and Market Domination27:21 Teaching and Scaling: From Employees to Partners28:47 Acquiring and Automating Businesses30:21 Veteran-Focused Business Growth31:28 The High Voltage Business Builders Podcast32:09 Building an Eight-Figure Business Strategy34:21 The Importance of Patience and Realistic Expectations35:06 The Role of the Operator in Business Success45:26 Creating Value and Purpose in Business47:31 Special Offer and Final Thoughts
About Lifetime at Work: Finding the Meaning in Our Careers
Your career is more than just a job—it’s a chance to create an impact and find personal fulfillment. This podcast explores the journeys of business leaders, uncovering how work shapes our lives, the world, and what makes a career truly meaningful. Hosted by Greg Martin, a Toronto-based investment banker and M&A advisor, the show dives into the deeper questions behind our careers—why we work, what drives success, and how our professional lives shape the world around us. In an era of AI, career freedom, and globalization, the meaning of work is evolving, leaving many to question its true purpose.Through conversations with founders, business leaders, and investors across private equity, public markets, and venture capital, the podcast uncovers insights from those who have built, grown, and influenced some of North America's most successful companies. It also features advisors, consultants, and investment bankers who help shape the future of business, sharing lessons from their wins, losses, and defining career moments.
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