Mike Germano on 3 Criteria for Investing in Entrepreneurs

In Chapter 18 of 20 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, Carrot Creative social media agency CEO Mike Germano answers "What Has Being an Entrepreneur Taught You About Investing in Entrepreneurs?"  Before he even looks at the business idea, Germano looks at three things.  First, he looks at the major personal relationships in an entrepreneur's life, in particularly their life partner.  Second, he looks at how they handle money.  Thirdly, Germano looks at the team. 

Mike Germano is co-founder and CEO of DUMBO Brooklyn-based social media agency Carrot Creative.  Previously, Germano ran for and was elected to public office in Connecticut.  He is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. 

Phil McKenzie on How Family Relationships Change With Age

In Chapter 2 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are Your Family Relationships Changing As You Get Older?"  McKenzie finds the biggest change is that he is thinking far more about family legacy and the long-term thinking that comes with it.  Seeing parents age and friends go through new challenges motivates Phil to make the greatest positive impact he can in his lifetime. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

How to Manage Work Pressure and Reduce Job Stress

In Chapter 6 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?"  As founder of the Influencer Conference, McKenzie feels internal pressure to succeed and external pressures, including deadlines and goals.  In both cases, he finds better organization helps manage pressure and limit negative job stress. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on What You Learn Bootstrap Financing a Startup

In Chapter 7 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Has Bootstrapping a Startup Taught You About Doing More With Less?"  Bootstrap financing his startup teaches McKenzie to get creative with limited resources.  It forces him not to be lazy and to make the most fewer financial resources, for example when getting publicity and marketing his business. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Iterating a Lean Startup Business Model

In Chapter 9 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How is Your Business Model Evolving as You Gain Experience?"  In three years operating his global event series, McKenzie evolves his business from a vocational-based platform to a values-based platform.  By honing business goals around core values - transparency, innovation, creativity, mindfulness - McKenzie and his team are better able to align operations and strategy to community and partner needs. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Why Patience is Key to Small Business Success

In Chapter 11 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Problems Are You Trying to Solve to Grow Your Business?"  McKenzie finds impatience is the greatest challenge he faces.  The more he wants to do to grow his business, the more resources he needs.  McKenzie learns to set priorities that align with incremental goals and manage that time constraints that come with things like closing a deal and getting paid on that deal. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Rebranding a Small Business

In Chapter 12 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Steps Have You Taken to Build Your Company Brand?"  After three years building his business, McKenzie realizes aesthetic steps were needed - changing the logo, updating branding topography, and redesigning the website.  These updates play into a business model evolution that includes monthly event series, greater two-way communication on the website, and free downloadable knowledge. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on How to Find Speakers for Your Next Event

In Chapter 13 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Steps Do You Take to Source Conference Speakers and Curate Conference Panels?"  McKenzie finds he and his team are able to find speakers and curate panels and keynote ideas first through curiosity.  By identifying what is important across different communities they are able to find inspirational sources and then look for previously unseen connections between these sources. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Managing Multicultural Diversity for a Virtual Workforce

In Chapter 14 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?"  For McKenzie, managing diversity is more about managing cultural diversity than it is personality diversity.  He finds understanding cultural differences, for example how a Sao Paolo team differs from a Detroit or Mumbai team, helps him better lead and manage teams. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Improving Small Business Strategy Planning

In Chapter 15 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "At This Point in Your Life, Where Are You Seeking Advice and Coaching?"  McKenzie looks for support that will help him better plan longer-term strategy for his organization.  He finds support from his Duke business school network as he sets up a board of advisors to help the business grow. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Phil McKenzie on Finding a Management Style to Lead a Company

In Chapter 16 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How Would You Describe Your Management Style?"  Starting his company, McKenzie leads loosely.  Over time, he finds the managerial style that works best for him and his team is more assertive, hands-on, and built on structure and boundaries.  He learns to separate how he works and how he gets motivated from what others require to thrive. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Manager Job Skills That Become Increasingly Important

In Chapter 17 of 18 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Skills Are Becoming More Important to You as Your Career Advances?"  McKenzie finds communication skills are becoming more important.  The better he can distill complex ideas into simple, actionable messages, the better he can lead a globally distributed virtual team. 

Philip L. McKenzie is the Founder and Global Curator of Influencer Conference, a global content platform that brings together tastemakers in the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology to discuss the current and future state of influencer culture. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC and an equities trader at Goldman, Sachs & Co.  He earned an MBA from Duke University and a BBA from Howard University.

Cathy Erway on How to Improve Your Work Relationships

In Chapter 4 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "How Are You Learning to Work More Effectively With Different Personality Types?"  For Erway, it comes down to appreciation.  By finding a way to appreciate, not just tolerate, someone who may think or act differently, Erway finds she can establish a mutual connection that creates a better working relationship. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Cathy Erway on How to Find a Literary Agent Right For You

In Chapter 5 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "What Advice Do You Have for Writers Looking to Build a Literary Agent Relationship?"  Erway notes the two literary agent sources, the sole proprietor agent and the literary agency.  She gives advice on how to build a relationship with the agency and its agents that is in line with your long-term career goals as a writer. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Cathy Erway on Using Reflection to Hone Writing Focus

In Chapter 6 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "What Role Has Reflection Played in Shaping Your Personal Growth?"  Writing a memoir and charting two years of her life helps Erway focus on healthy, just, local and seasonal eating advocacy projects.  Writing, from blog or recipe posts to magazine articles, provides Erway a timeline of experiences she can reflect upon and learn from over time. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Cathy Erway on How to Communicate More Effectively Online

In Chapter 7 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "How Are You Learning to Communicate More Effectively?"  Erway finds it comes down to the quality of your communication and making sure that your message is the best it can be.  She finds setting personal standards an important way to evaluate what you have said and how well you said it.  She finds she is hard on herself when evaluating how she communicates and also finds it helpful to do more with less when sharing or writing. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

How Podcast Host Cathy Erway Improves Interviewer Skills

In Chapter 8 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "How Have You Learned to Conduct Better On-Air Interviews?"  Erway finds practice and repetition help her get more comfortable in her role as a radio podcast on-air interviewer.  She learns not by formal training but by working with the audio engineers and staying relaxed.  She enjoys the improvisational elements of talking with interesting "Eat Your Words" radio podcast guests in an open and personal way.  

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.

Cathy Erway on Getting Inspired Interviewing People You Admire

In Chapter 9 of 17 in her 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, writer and healthy food advocate Cathy Erway answers "How Has Interviewing People You Admire Informed Your Own Career Ambition?"  By hosting a weekly radio show on Heritage Radio Networks, Erway is able to bring on guests she admires and learn from the conversation.  Erway shares an example of how cookbook author Lukas Volger has inspired her by sharing ways to make money from your food passion, be it writing or other media. 

Cathy Erway is a Brooklyn-based author, part-time cook, freelance writer, radio host and teacher focused on healthy food advocacy.  Her first book, "The Art of Eating In" developed from her blog "Not Eating Out in New York".  She earned a BA in creative writing from Emerson College.