The CEO Is the Salesperson: Why Founders Can't Hand Off the Pitch | Jen Bonnett, Ep 49

The CEO Is the Salesperson: Why Founders Can't Hand Off the Pitch | Jen Bonnett, Ep 49

Jennifer Bonnett, a longtime tech entrepreneur and former ecosystem builder at ATDC and Invest Atlanta, discusses her transition back into technology through AI experimentation. She shares lessons from building a search engine in 1997, her current work vibe coding consumer apps with Claude, and her philosophy that CEOs must personally sell for at least the first year before delegating. The conversation explores how AI is lowering barriers to entrepreneurship while emphasizing that founders still need strong networks, customer discovery skills, and the discipline to market early.

Triathlons, Startups, and Success: A Playbook for Entrepreneurs | Kathryn O'Day, Ep 19

Triathlons, Startups, and Success: A Playbook for Entrepreneurs | Kathryn O'Day, Ep 19

Katherine O'Day, partner at Atlanta Ventures, discusses her journey from employee number nine at Pardot through two successful acquisitions (ExactTarget, then Salesforce) to becoming an early-stage investor and venture studio operator. She shares lessons on bootstrapping companies, building culture through core values, and why consistent execution over time—like training for an Ironman—matters more than short bursts of effort in entrepreneurship.

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