In this episode of OUTBOUND, host Joseph Lewin interviews entrepreneur and CEO of Nexigen, Jon Salisbury, about strategies for building deeper relationships with customers through vulnerability and trust. Jon shares stories and examples from his experience founding multiple companies, including a cybersecurity firm and a smart city startup.

Key Discussion Points:

- Leading with complete vulnerability and exposing who you are builds trust and empathy with customers (00:01:58)

- Focusing on understanding the customer's needs rather than pushing your own agenda leads to better outcomes (00:02:20)

- Improving yourself and empowering your team to show up as the best version of themselves allows you to serve customers better (00:02:59)

- Jon shares examples of helping customers in difficult situations simply because it was the right thing to do, not because he expected an immediate sale (00:04:06, 00:05:31)

- He started a nonprofit providing cybersecurity education to high school students, which led to new business opportunities (00:06:33)

Guest Bios:

- Jon Salisbury: Founder and CEO of Nexigent

Key Quotes:

"Honestly, right off the bat, it's complete vulnerability, exposing who you are in totality." (00:01:38)

"If clients know that your focus is on their long-term outcome, they trust you because it's trustworthy." (00:02:20)