Operator first.
I co-founded Smoke Cartel in 2013, ran its operations for four years, then served as CEO and Chairman, took the company public, and led it through its acquisition. Here I write about what actually keeps an e-commerce business running: operations, fulfillment, technology, and the people who make it all work.
I still consult for businesses looking to improve their operations, grow, and strengthen their teams.
Latest from The Team You Build
To Be an Effective Manager, You Have to Be an Effective Actor →
Every story you tell your team becomes material. Why managing is a role you play every day, what breaks the show, and how to make sure the character you're playing...
Invest in the Team, or the Team Will Invest in Something Else →
Validation isn't something only insecure people need. How to recognize your team's wins out loud, and how to build a team that celebrates and promotes each other without being asked.
Should You Hire Your Friends? A Common Hiring Mistake →
The short answer: usually, no. Hiring your friends puts a brand new power dynamic on top of a relationship that was built without one, and most friendships don't survive the...
The Team You Build
I'm writing a book: a blunt, field-tested guide to building a team that will outlast you. Hiring the scrappers, paying people fairly, building the boring systems so the big stuff doesn't happen, and what to do when it all breaks anyway.
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