In this episode, Liz Christo, Investor and GTM Advisor for Stage 2 Capital, unravels her highs and lows in her workforce journey. From getting told “you’re too ruthlessly execution focussed” to having to dramatically change her working style, Liz’s story unpacks the power of feedback, why you should develop a culture of support, and the significance of vulnerability.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Liz fought so hard to have a global org and ended up burning out and feeling stretched too thin

2. When Liz received the hardest piece of feedback, twice…

3. The story when Liz was not able to get companies to follow through, even when they were in complete agreement on what needed to happen

Things to listen for:

[07:33] Why Liz was described as “great at the “USA Crossword puzzle”

[09:19] Her biggest work burnout moment

[14:46] Not taking care of herself and the impact on her work

[18:53] Getting a new job and it testing her values and culture list

[28:28] Getting told everything that was negative about working with her

[36:34] Addressing feedback and making changes

[38:22] Her biggest imposter syndrome moment

Resources:

- Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

- Check out Stage 2 Capital

- Subscribe to Dear Stage 2 on Substack

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

- Work with Andrew

- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode Adam Goyette, founder of Growth Union and former VP of Marketing at Help Scout and G2, shares his journey into marketing and we explore the three biggest speed bumps he encountered in his career. Along the way, he shares the impact of professional relationships on career development and growth and his strategies for handling stress, self-doubt, and early career hurdles in marketing.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Adam’s boss left and the company promoted their intern, who had an Ivy League MBA, over him

2. When Adam couldn’t explain why they had a bad month and his CFO walked out of the meeting

3. The story of when Adam first got promoted to VP of Marketing in a tough environment

Things to listen for:

[02:26] The risk that led to a huge reward for Adam

[07:17] When he put in his resignation, but was persuaded to stay

[11:02] The intern was promoted over him…

[16:48] Showing off losses made his company see major growth

[28:07] The gut-wrenching moment Adam’s CFO walked out on their meeting

[36:18] Beware of bad marketers at prestigious companies!

[39:59] Advice on building career relationships

Resources:

- Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

- Check out Growth Union

- Sign up Adam’s Substack: The Friday Growth Note

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter

- Learn more about Navattic

- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Kevan Lee, co-founder of Bonfire, shares the most gruesome imposter syndrome he’s ever encountered, the biggest "welcome to the league" moment he experienced from getting rejected, and what it was like to leave a high-flying corporate job to walk the tightrope of entrepreneurship.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Kevan realized his unique path was not climbing the corporate ladder, despite his family history of entrepreneurship

2. His “welcome to the league” when he was initially rejected for a content writer position at Buffer

3. The most frustrating career feedback Kevan has ever received

Things to listen for:

[04:53] Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, but never identifying as an entrepreneur

[11:22] His “welcome to the league” moment

[14:05] Choosing to knock on Buffer’s door again after rejection

[17:18] Having to pull the plug on a large project

[25:20] Moving past a huge career disappointment

[29:30] Being told he need to “speak up more” in a meeting

[37:27] The worst type of interview Kevan has experienced

Resources:

- Connect with Kevan on LinkedIn

- Check out Bonfire

- Kevan’s substack

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or Twitter

- Learn more about Navattic

- Learn more about Appcues