Lifetime at Work: Interviews with Founders, Investors and Advisors
Greg Martin
Interviews with leaders in the business world to inspire your work, career and the mark you leave. Greg Martin, a Toronto based investment banker and M&A adviso...
Starting a Venture Capital Career with a Founder and CTO Mindset with Mistral’s Raif Barbaros
Episode 76. Those with careers in Venture Capital live an exciting life, trying to discover young founders who can create the next great product and company to drive incredible returns. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, Greg Martin interviews Raif Barbaros, a venture capital partner at Mistral Venture Partners. Raif shares his journey from being a CTO and founder of various startups to becoming a venture capitalist. The conversation covers strategies for success in venture capital, the Canadian venture capital landscape compared to the US, and the importance of understanding market size and having founder empathy. Raif also offers advice for young founders and aspiring tech professionals. The episode provides valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in the VC world and the tech industry.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:17 Guest Introduction: Raif Barbaros01:37 Raif's Early Life and Career Beginnings02:04 Transition to Canada and Early Career05:02 Defining the Role of a CTO08:51 Journey into Venture Capital13:34 Mistral Venture Partners: Strategy and Differentiation18:52 Investment Approach and Competition24:38 Unexpected Funding Connections25:28 Strategies for New VCs26:20 Investment Focus and Background28:18 The Long-Term Game of VC Compensation34:07 The Role of a VC in a Startup41:26 Advice for Aspiring Founders44:26 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
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The Farmers and Brands Behind Your Cup of Coffee with Martin Mayorga
Episode 75. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Martin Mayorga, the founder of Mayorga Coffee. They discuss Martin's journey from growing up in Latin America to discovering the coffee disconnect between its origin and its sale in North America. The conversation delves into Martin's challenges and achievements in building his company, his commitment to supporting small farmers, the complexities of the coffee industry, and his perspectives on the responsibilities of businesses and consumers. Martin also shares personal insights, anecdotes about his family, and travel tips. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the coffee trade and the importance of sustainable practices.Listeners can use the code MARTIN15 to get 15% off orders from the Mayorga Coffee website.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:17 Meet Martin Mayorga: Founder of Mayorga Coffee02:13 Martin's Early Life and Journey to the US06:49 Discovering Coffee and Starting a Business09:17 Challenges and Ethics in the Coffee Industry12:34 Consumer Responsibility and Industry Practices16:03 The Reality of Coffee Pricing and Market Dynamics20:49 The Role of Retailers and Consumer Trust27:34 Overcoming Business Failures28:31 Financial Struggles and Resilience31:08 Current Focus and Future Goals37:49 Life Philosophy and Advice40:49 Exploring Latin America45:14 Consumer Responsibility and Brand Integrity47:55 Conclusion and Call to Action
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Where to Start in Building a Billion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio with Ivan Barratt
Episode 74. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Ivan Barratt, founder and CEO of BAM Companies, which has acquired approximately $1.3 billion in real estate transactions. Ivan shares his journey from property management to owning large multi-residential apartments, offering advice on making money in real estate, discussing his biggest investment successes and challenges, and emphasizing the importance of building a strong company culture. They also explore the pros and cons of being a hands-on real estate investor versus investing through professionals, highlighting important lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:56 Ivan Barrett's Business Overview02:13 Journey into Real Estate04:48 Early Challenges and Learning Experiences09:32 Raising Capital and Scaling Up18:16 Personal Insights and Company Vision19:35 Childhood and Entrepreneurial Roots21:12 Family Business Background21:27 Real Estate Investment Strategies22:11 Owner Operator vs. Passive Investor24:00 Challenges of Real Estate Management26:47 Vacation Properties and Market Risks28:44 Private Equity and Apartment Investments30:53 Navigating Market Volatility35:51 Career Advice for Aspiring Investors39:58 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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A Comedian, A Salon Business and A Software Geek with Erika Wasser
Episode 73. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work Podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Erika Wasser, co-founder of Prospr, a software tool designed to manage frontline employees across multiple locations. Erica shares her journey from starting a salon chain to co-founding a software company, discussing the challenges faced by non-technical founders, the social importance of salons and barbershops, and the common issues in managing deskless workforces. The conversation delves into the significance of well-informed teams for customer experience, the power of culture-building tools, and strategies for overcoming communication barriers in large-scale businesses. Erika also provides insights on the role of AI in frontline operations, the importance of inclusivity and flexibility for employees, and her personal experiences with failure and resilience in entrepreneurship.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:16 Meet Erica Wasser: From Standup Comedian to Entrepreneur01:09 The Birth of Prosper: Solving Frontline Communication Challenges02:19 Real-World Examples of Communication Breakdowns05:23 Building Prosper: A Non-Technical Founder’s Journey07:49 Erica’s Career Journey: From Entertainment to Salons12:12 The Role of AI and Technology in Frontline Work17:51 Engaging Frontline Employees: Strategies and Insights22:58 The Chipotle Effect23:38 Challenges in Building a Business25:15 The Software Industry Transition26:53 The Unique Salon Experience29:47 Navigating Growth and Marketing32:29 The Future of Venture Capital36:30 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs38:34 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Move Over Startups, Working in Government is Even Cooler with Molly Magarik
Episode 72. In this episode of the 'Lifetime at Work' podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Molly Magarik, a seasoned professional in government and political consultancy. The conversation explores Molly's career journey from a political science major with healthcare interests to a deputy cabinet secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic. Molly shares insights on the interplay between campaigns and government service, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health policies, and the intricacies of working in a politically charged environment. They also discuss the personal and societal dynamics of political careers, the importance of internships, and advice for those looking to enter the political arena. Molly's reflections on the recent presidential election, change management, and the future of political dialogue in the U.S. offer valuable food for thought.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:17 Meet Molly McGarrick00:21 Molly's Early Career and Political Beginnings01:12 Career Path and Personal Insights06:23 The Impact of Internships07:37 Fast-Paced World of Political Campaigns13:01 Navigating Government and Public Health15:23 Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic21:44 Political Philosophy and Career Motivation26:46 Making Tough Decisions in Leadership27:52 Reflections on the Recent Election28:20 Understanding Disaffection in America29:37 Challenges of Change Management30:17 Fear and Change in Society31:22 The Role of Conversations in Society32:58 The Impact of the Pandemic on Social Dynamics34:06 The Entrenched Political System39:11 Advice for Aspiring Politicians39:59 The Value of Internships and Networking45:05 Personal Reflections on Career and Mentorship48:29 Future Goals and Career Aspirations52:05 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
About Lifetime at Work: Interviews with Founders, Investors and Advisors
Interviews with leaders in the business world to inspire your work, career and the mark you leave. Greg Martin, a Toronto based investment banker and M&A advisor, hosts Lifetime at Work, featuring interviews with industry leaders across the business world. The show aims to share advice and lessons learned with the hopes of answering the question "why do we do it?".The podcast explores the founders and leaders of some of North America's most successful businesses. It speaks with investors across private equity, public markets and venture capital to explore their successes, failures and advice. The show also interviews advisors, consultants, investment bankers and others who influence great companies.
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