Every founder has a story, but the ones who rise above the noise are those who can articulate their WHY with clarity and conviction. Your WHY is more than just a mission statement—it’s the heartbeat of your vision, the lens through which others see your purpose, and the driving force that inspires trust and investment. It’s what makes you memorable, relatable, and irreplaceable. Beyond the pitch deck, your WHY communicates how you’re wired, what truly matters to you, and why you are uniquely positioned to tackle the challenges ahead.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, Tara Flickinger from ON Search Partners shares ways for startup leaders to step confidently into the spotlight. Tara explains how to communicate in ways that will leave a positive indelible impression. She offers steps for differentiating yourself, standing out, and inspiring confidence. She also provides recommendations for ways to show up with clarity that motivates others and builds trust with investors.

• [02:15] Tara's background and her role at ON Search Partners
• [03:17] How Tara got into the talent and financial industry
• [07:23] How to communicate your WHY effectively and why it is important
• [09:56] Practical steps to simplify and separate personal and business WHY
• [12:08] How to reframe and overcome impostor syndrome
• [14:24] Ways to tap into your WHY, differentiate yourself, and be memorable
• [20:00] Forgiveness vs. permission: Balancing confidence, assertiveness, and humility
• [23:21] Tara’s WHY and passion for the talent space

• “The investors are investing in the person, as much as they are investing in the company, and the better they are able to communicate their WHY, the more they are going to gain the trust of the investors and ultimately the investment.” [08:16]
• “Differentiate yourself and be memorable so you are not just another founder.” [14:54]
• “If a founder comes across very confident and convicted in their ask and what they are looking for vs. asking for permission, they resonate more with investors.” [21:05]

Start with why: TED Talk by Simon Sinek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA.

Tara Flickinger is a partner and executive committee member at ON Search Partners, a retained talent search firm specializing in VP, C-level, and board searches. Tara came to ON Search Partners from Parker Executive Search, and before that, Goldman Sachs. She earned an MBA at the University of North Carolina Keenan-Flagler Business School and a BA from Brown University, where she captained the women's golf team. Tara brings extensive experience with environments that demand presence and presentation.

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On this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, BIP Ventures Chief Performance Officer Christy Johnson is joined by Hailey Devlin and Jason Moore, co-founders of DNA Partners. Hailey brings over a decade of experience in sales, marketing, and product leadership, while Jason is a seasoned entrepreneur with two successful exits. Together, they bring a depth of knowledge and tips for creating operational clarity, improving leadership, and prioritizing communication. Their approach emphasizes the importance of simple, scalable systems that can support long-term growth.

Timestamps:

• 00:55 Building a Content Foundation for Startups

• 04:10 The Importance of Iteration and Lean Practices

Points of Wisdom:

• "Don't aim for perfection; aim for progress."

About Haley Devlin and Jason Moore

Haley Devlin is a Growth, GTM, and Operations Consultant with over a decade of expertise in sales, marketing, and product leadership. Jason Moore is a specialist in operations, sales, and executive leadership. He founded and scaled two companies. Together, these industry experts share tips for setting up a successful recruitment approach that builds a winning team, leverages strengths, and establishes a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

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BIP Ventures

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As we step into a new year, strategic leaders pause to consider what went well and what to do in the year ahead. That process begins with an annual retrospective. For startups—especially those that are in an intense growth mode—an annual retrospective is a crucial exercise. It clarifies what worked, what didn’t, and why from internal and external perspectives and from subjective and objective perspectives. The process requires exercises like team SWOTs and customer surveys. This result is a broad view that can help uncover blind spots and provide the necessary context for setting informed, measurable, effective goals for the coming year.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Ventures Chief Performance Officer Christy Johnson shares insights based on decades of experience as a startup executive and a venture investor. She explains what startup leadership should prioritize at the start of a new year—from conducting an annual retrospective to setting measurable goals and KPIs. Christy also offers actionable advice on aligning teams, creating visibility, and fostering accountability.

Whether you’re revisiting your strategy or planning for growth, this timely episode is packed with invaluable counsel.

• [01:58] Christy's career background and role on the operating side
• [04:11] The core components of annual strategic retrospective planning
• [10:20] Conducting surveys effectively with minimal cost and time
• [13:51] How to maximize value from SWOT analysis and surveys
• [18:39] Key considerations for assessing performance and building KPIs
• [20:00] Leadership responsibilities: visibility, alignment, and accountability
• [26:12] Tracking and adjusting KPIs based on your strategy throughout the year
• [30:26] Where to start and what to prioritize now
• [33:19] Wrap up and end of the show

• “It’s not just about the metrics and how you do it, it’s about all the rich context around that, both externally and internally, and making sure every person has a voice.” [08:52]
• “If you’re trying to do an external analysis of competitors, have your success and sales team contribute because they have a unique lens from talking to customers and prospects all the time.” [14:40]
• “When people understand all the different mechanics of what makes a company successful, they tend to make better decisions about how they contribute, and it’s easier to set goals for individuals and teams.” [24:15]

Christy Johnson is the Chief Performance Officer and General Partner at BIP Ventures. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with small and scaling companies, gaining hands-on expertise in what it takes to build thriving organizations. From rolling up her sleeves in early-stage startups to leading a technology business as CEO, Christy has experienced the full spectrum of business challenges. Her journey has provided a deep understanding of the obstacles founders and leaders face, making her a valuable resource in helping companies navigate their growth.

At BIP Ventures, Christy partners with portfolio companies to unlock the insights that drive sustainable growth, focusing on efficient scaling, data-driven decisions, and organizational design. Her work includes guiding executive teams to build strong foundations before scaling aggressively and serving as a trusted advisor to help leaders sharpen their decisions and overcome challenges. Follow Christy on LinkedIn.

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The final episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures is a special year-end and look-forward discussion with a recognized and respected authority in the innovation economy.

Mark Buffington is the CEO of BIP Capital and Managing Partner of BIP Ventures. A seasoned investor who has endured the launches of disruptive technologies since the start of the Internet era, Mark has written a sweeping look at the transformative impact of AI. In this conversation with host Rachelle Kuramoto, Mark offers his informed perspective on the topic, offering detailed, objective insights into how AI is shaping private capital, innovation, and the larger economy.

The discussion covers topics including the danger of AI hype cycles, the ways AI is augmenting human capabilities, and the ethical considerations of this transformational technology. Mark emphasizes the importance of unique data in leveraging AI effectively and offers advice for founders who are contemplating how to integrate AI into their businesses. He raises concerns about government regulation of AI and discusses the need for an informed citizenry to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by this powerful technology.

This is an episode not to be missed.

Points of Wisdom:

• "AI is going to augment human beings."

• "AI will be applied to many problems."

• "AI's impact will be mostly positive."

• "AI tools are becoming more powerful."

Timestamps:

• 00:00 AI's Impact on Venture Capital in 2024

• 01:32 Emerging AI Opportunities for 2025

• 04:51 Ethical Considerations in AI Development

• 10:22 AI's Role in Private Capital Relationships

• 16:06 Advice for Founders on AI Integration

• 23:39 The Future of AI and Government Regulation

About Mark Buffington:

Mark Buffington is the co-founder and CEO of BIP Capital and the Managing Partner of BIP Ventures. Since founding BIP Capital in 2006, Mark has led the venture capital firm to its position as one of the most active and recognized brands outside of Silicon Valley.

Mark has led investment rounds in more than 80 companies in numerous industries (Healthcare, Digital Media, Ed Tech, Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, and Advanced Computing). Notable investments include Vendormate, Ingenious Med, QA Symphony/Tricentis, PlayOn! Sports, Huddle Tickets, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Cypress.io, ConnexPay, REACH Health, Trella Health, Shareholder InSite and Aspirion Health Resources.

Mark earned an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and a B.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology (where he lettered as a varsity baseball player).

Mark serves on the board of directors of several companies, including the NFHS Network, AchieveIt, Trella Health, PlayOn! Sports, UserIQ and ConnexPay. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including Buckhead Coalition, Inc. and the Georgia Tech College of Computing.

• Website: https://www.bipventures.vc/team/mark-buffington

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bipmarkbuffington/

BIP Ventures:

• Website: www.bipventures.vc

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/bipventures/

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In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, John Thackston, co-founder of SOAR Performance Group, joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to discuss the importance of key performance indicators (KPIs) in business. He focuses his counsel on how startups should measure success and align company goals.

John emphasizes the need for clarity in KPIs, suggesting that companies should limit their dashboards to avoid confusion and ensure effective communication across teams. The conversation highlights the balance between measuring performance and maintaining focus on strategic objectives as businesses scale.

Timestamps:

• [00:56] Key Performance Indicators for Business Success

• [05:21] Managing KPIs Effectively as Companies Scale

Points of Wisdom:

• "Pick one dashboard per KPI."

About John Thackston:

John Thackston is the co-founder and CEO of SOAR Performance Group, a consulting and training company that concentrates on transformation, enablement, and training for sales and customer success. John is a business and sales performance expert and consultant who designs, develops, and implements Sales Capital Management℠ projects to help B2B companies adopt new go-to-market (GTM) strategies and enhance their bottom line. He is a sought-after guest speaker and panelist who shares guidance about ways to improve how to land, expand, and retain customers by creating customer value.

• John Thackston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thackston/‍

• SOAR Performance Group: https://soarperformancegroup.com/‍

• SOAR Performance Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soar-performance-group-inc

BIP Ventures

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In a rapidly scaling startup, growth can feel like a wild ride—full of highs, lows, and moments of uncertainty. What many founders don’t realize is that the key to sustained success lies not just in having a great product but in building a strong, repeatable foundation. As teams expand and resources stretch thin, having clear objectives, aligned strategies, and a disciplined approach can make all the difference.

The most successful companies know this: it’s the business fundamentals that fuel their ability to scale quickly and efficiently, turning early-stage potential into long-term, predictable growth.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, Bart Fanelli from Skillibrium shares insights into how great companies build the objectives and business fundamentals that guide successful field sales teams. He shares stories of starting and growing companies at the million and billion levels and offers tips for under-resourced founders to build a bench as they grow a high-performance team. He also explains a shared ownership model that has contributed to the enduring strength of his own startups.

• [02:12] Bart's career background and philosophy at Skillibrium
• [06:02] How to bring teams to a horizontal baseline for better outcomes
• [08:13] Objective measures that create successful field sales teams
• [12:17] Building a field team and a repeatable fundamental baseline for scaling
• [19:58] How to build a high-performing field force when dealing with market headwinds
• [27:17] The biggest benefits of cultivating a shared ownership model
• [33:51] Great business fundamentals: Truth in operating
• [36:43] How to build a proper and disciplined approach to the market
• [39:06] About Bart’s book and how you can find it
• [39:47] How to connect with or learn more about Bart

• “Bring teams together on a horizontal baseline, and they will serve the clients and customers exceptionally well.” [07:19]
• “The best companies are very diligent at ensuring they don’t confuse their field teams, and they build a repeatable cadence to serve their market, which allows them to scale.” [14:22]
• “You don’t only invest in the product or the concept; you have to have adult leadership beside a tech founder.” [37:06]

The Success Cadence by Bart Fanelli

Bart Fanelli is the founder and CEO of Skillibrium, a company focused on transforming the way organizations drive scalable growth. With decades of experience in sales leadership and a deep understanding of organizational strategy, Bart created Skillibrium to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in sales: aligning talent and tactics to drive predictable and repeatable success. His extensive experience spans roles as an executive advisor, entrepreneur, and co-author of The Success Cadence: Unleash Your Organization’s Rapid Growth Culture.

• Website: https://skillibrium.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartfanelli/

BIP Ventures

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In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, host Rachelle Kuramoto interviews Maija Ehlinger, editor-in-chief of Hypeopotamus. They discuss the nuances of storytelling in the innovation economy, the importance of timely news, and how entrepreneurs can effectively pitch their stories to journalists. Maya emphasizes the need for tailored pitches and understanding the audience to increase the chances of coverage.

Timestamps:

• [01:26] Understanding Timeliness in Storytelling
• [03:54] Crafting Effective Pitches for Journalists

Points of Wisdom:

• Don't be discouraged if your news isn't a full story.
• Timeliness is key in determining what makes a story.
• Pitches should be tailored to the journalist's audience.
• Avoid superlatives in pitches; get straight to the point.
• Include a clear ask in your pitch.
• Understand the trends relevant to your pitch.
• Your pitch is an opening for conversation, not the final story.
• Curate every pitch for better response rates.
• Know the journalist's beat and what they cover.
• A compelling story often hides behind timely announcements.

About Maija Ehlinger:

Maija Ehlinger is the editor-in-chief of Hypepotamus (aka “Hype”), the leading innovation digital news source in the Southeast. Maija's experience as a journalist has given her the chance to cover companies of every size, from seed to enterprise, but her passion is innovation companies. She took the helm of Hype after spending close to five years at CNN.

• Website: https://hypepotamus.com/author/maijaehling
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-liisa-ehlinger

BIP Ventures

• Website: www.bipventures.vc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/bipventures/
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A well-optimized hiring process can be a significant growth catalyst for early-stage companies. To attract top talent, interviewers must be organized and prepared as the candidate. A streamlined and effective hiring strategy prioritizes flexibility and responsiveness to candidates' needs. The interviewer must be able to clearly define roles, keeping in mind competitive compensation ranges. Engaging data in the preparation and decision process helps to enhance recruitment efforts, streamline interviewing and hiring processes, and attract high-quality candidates.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, aquesst co-founder Renata Mathison joins BIP Ventures talent specialist Jacki Hertenstein to explain how early-stage companies can conduct a successful hiring process. She discusses how to create an effective interview structure that enhances the candidate experience, the need for flexibility and responsiveness in today’s competitive job market, common hurdles that startups face in their recruitment efforts, and actionable tips for building a strong team.

• [02:02] A bit about Renata Mathison and aquesst
• [02:29] How early-stage companies can improve their candidate experience
• [03:54] Common mistakes companies make when engaging with candidates
• [09:22] How to create an effective interview process for a different role
• [10:30] When a company should pursue a contingent or retained search
• [11:36] What early-stage companies should focus on during the hiring process
• [12:20] How to adapt your hiring process to market competitiveness
• [15:08] The biggest hurdles for start-ups in the hiring process

• "A disorganized interview process is a hindrance for a lot of startups and causes a lot of candidates not to pursue the opportunity." [04:31]
• "The most successful startups are the ones that can be flexible, listen, take the data, and implement it in order to benefit what they are looking to achieve internally." [12:55]
• "Make sure that you understand the compensation ranges that are appropriate for the role that you’re looking to fill and match them to the skills, not the person." [16:04]

Renata Mathison is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of aquesst, a specialized Information Technology search firm that sources talent for organizations including small businesses, mid-sized enterprises, and Fortune 500 companies. The company offers flexible hiring options such as contract, contract-to-hire, direct hire, and project-based placements. Renata brings a wealth of IT recruitment experience, demonstrating a consistent ability to identify individuals who not only possess the required technical expertise but also align seamlessly with the culture of their prospective organizations.

Renata Mathison & aquesst

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renatamathison/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquesst/
• Website: https://www.aquesst.com/

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