Chef Shuai Wang was the runner-up on the 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef and is the force behind two standout restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina—Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ—where he brings together the flavors of his childhood in Beijing and the spirit of the South in some pretty unforgettable ways. He grew up just a short walk from Tiananmen Square, in a tiny home with no electricity or running water, where his grandmother often cooked over charcoal. Later, in Queens, New York, his mom taught herself to cook—her first dishes were a little salty, but they were always made with love. And somewhere along the way, Shuai learned that cooking wasn’t just about food—it was about taking care of people. After years working in New York kitchens, he made his way to Charleston and started building something that feels entirely his own. Today, we’re talking about how all those experiences come together on the plate, the family stories behind his cooking, and what it’s been like to share that journey on national TV. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures is a conversation between some of the most accomplished and inspiring entrepreneurs, VC leaders, and economists working in the Innovation Economy. The podcast provides content for founders and investors. The ’golden thread’ is story-based education and information about the role of VC in the Innovation Economy. Each episode will simplify complex topics related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and private market investing.
…
continue reading
In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, we're joined by Kristian Schwartz, founder of Montgomery Group Executive Search. Drawing from decades of executive search experience, Kristian shares how to think beyond resumes and reference calls to identify the right leader for the right moment. He unpacks why chemistry matters, how to …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Hiring Beyond the Checklist: Getting the Right Executive for the Job
38:13
38:13
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
38:13What separates a “good on paper” executive from a truly transformational leader? In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, host Rachelle Kuramoto sits down with Kristian Schwartz, founder of Montgomery Group Executive Search, to dig into the art and science of hiring leaders who can move a business forward, especially when the stakes are high. Exe…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, we're joined by BIP Ventures portfolio company leader Greg Reffner. Greg is the founder and CEO of Abstrakt.ai, a call center platform that automates quality assurance and enhances real-time agent support. He joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to discuss the importance of product market fit, the…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Why Every Startup Needs KPIs and How to Set the Right Ones
36:30
36:30
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
36:30Ambition can launch a startup, but metrics scale it. Without clear, measurable goals, teams can lose focus, waste time, and miss opportunities. That's where KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) come in. They transform big ideas into trackable milestones, ensuring that every effort aligns with the company's mission. This episode of Extraordinary Pursui…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Lead at Speed:How to Accelerate Purposefully
38:31
38:31
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
38:31Success isn’t (just) about working hard; it’s (also) about working smart. It’s about bringing clarity, efficiency, and purpose to your efforts. But how do you build and sustain focused momentum without burning out? In particular, how can organizational leaders drive change and set the right pace, rather than falling into reaction mode, especially a…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, ON Partners’ executive recruiting leader Tara Flickinger shares a different approach for founders seeking to improve how they share their “why” as part of the company storytelling. She explains how to lean into unique strengths to simplify complex company narratives. Tara also gives useful tactics for…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The HR Data Revolution: Build High-Performing Teams with People Analytics
39:47
39:47
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
39:47What does it really take to build scalable, high-performing teams—without relying on guesswork? In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Noelle London, founder and CEO of Illoominus, explains how data-driven decision-making is transforming HR from a reactive function to a strategic advantage. From her entrepreneurial journey through Peace Corps, …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
From Chaos to Clarity: Four Principles of Strong Leadership
33:30
33:30
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
33:30What if the key to exceptional leadership isn’t in strategies or techniques but in self-awareness and inner alignment? True leadership isn’t just about managing others—it begins with understanding who we are before influencing others. It requires clarity, patience, and the courage to pause amidst the chaos. By developing a strong inner foundation, …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, HealthyMed CEO Steve Pontius joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to explain how the company is transforming healthcare by meeting underserved patients where they are. Steve discusses HealtheMed's innovative technology offerings, which include remote monitoring devices, a health scoring system, and tel…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Virtual Assistants 101: A Startup’s Guide to Scaling Smarter
32:42
32:42
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
32:42Having an expert assistant is not a luxury reserved for large enterprises—it’s a strategic necessity for any business striving to scale with efficiency and accuracy. In a world where time is our most valuable (and often limited) resource, delegating administrative tasks and specialized operations to a skilled virtual assistant can be the key to unl…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Hustle Culture is Failing Founders: Energy, Focus, and the Power of No
36:02
36:02
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
36:02Hustle culture can look like progress. It rarely is. More likely, it’s a path to burnout and diminishing returns. In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, host Rachelle Kuramoto sits down with productivity expert and bestselling author Graham Allcott to explore why managing your attention, not your time, is the key to real, repeatable progress. G…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

Rapid growth can feel like whiplash for founders—especially once they’ve nailed product-market fit and start scaling fast. But without a repeatable structure for the sales team, growth is often unsustainable. In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Bart Fanelli, founder and CEO of Skillibrium, breaks down the fundamentals of building a high…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Scaling from Startup to $15B – The Compaq Case Study with Karen Walker
33:23
33:23
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
33:23In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, strategic advisor and executive coach Karen Walker talks with host Rachelle Kuramoto about navigating hypergrowth. An early executive at Compaq, Karen had a direct role in one of the biggest success stories in American business. She played a direct role in scaling the company …
…
continue reading
On this mini-episode of the BIP Ventures Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Ventures SVP of Portfolio Performance Mike Vandiver speaks with John Frazier, CEO of Indonero. The two discuss the critical role of financial management in startups and growth-oriented companies, focusing on what roles should be filled in-house and which are best managed b…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Startup Hypergrowth Playbook: Lessons from PlayOn! Sports
41:54
41:54
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
41:54Hypergrowth is the stuff of dreams and legends for many startups. For those who achieve it, it’s also one of their greatest challenges. Scaling at an accelerated pace can unlock massive opportunities – provided it’s executed with a disciplined strategy. The key to navigating hypergrowth toward opportunity (not chaos) lies in balancing agility and s…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, Venture Atlanta CEO Allyson Eman zeroes in on why networking and preparation are critical elements of a healthy startup ecosystem. She explains how and why Venture Atlanta has connected early-stage innovation companies with investors since 2007. Pulling from the near 20-year history of the…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Reality of VC Returns: Why Batting Average Beats the Power Law
30:50
30:50
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
30:50The Power Law of Venture Capital is the theory that an exceedingly small number – as little as 5-10% of an investor's venture capital investments – will yield the vast majority (90-100%) of returns from venture investing. In a special interview for the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Capital CEO Mark Buffington argues that this definition of th…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Delivering Value to Distinct Buyer Audiences
36:40
36:40
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
36:40Great companies are built on and driven by clear GTM strategies, a specific ICP, consistent messaging, and disciplined metrics. Those steps are fairly straightforward when that company has a single audience to serve. But it’s almost a given that a business will have more than one audience. Most have a set of buyers who then have their own set of co…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, host Rachelle Karamoto speaks with Brendan Tolleson, co-founder and CEO of RevPartners, about the importance of revenue operations (rev ops) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems for startups. They discuss how to effectively harness data, the triggers for implementing a CRM, and th…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Key to Leadership Communication
41:15
41:15
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
41:15In many workplaces, “conversations” are actually more like broadcasts—leaders talk and teams listen, but real engagement is missing. In others, the dialogue flows freely, ideas are exchanged, and collaboration thrives. In the first instance, leadership talks AT people, while in the other, people talk WITH each other. Particularly in fast-moving env…
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, Alex Gonzalez, Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer for the Metro Atlanta Chamber joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to discuss why Atlanta is a leading startup market. The conversation covers the collaborative nature of Atlanta's startup ecosystem, the importance of talent and diversity, and initi…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Beyond the Pitch: Communicating with Confidence
27:17
27:17
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
27:17Every 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…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

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 dep…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Essential Annual Planning Strategies for Startup Leaders with Christy Johnson
34:23
34:23
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
34:23As 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 p…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Current and Future State of AI with Mark Buffington of BIP Capital
28:32
28:32
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
28:32The 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 s…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

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…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
How to Build High-Performing Field Sales for Repeatable Growth
41:49
41:49
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
41:49In 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 st…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

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 tailo…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Mastering Early-stage Hiring: Tips for Startups from Renata Mathison
18:11
18:11
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
18:11A 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, keepin…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of the BIP Ventures Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, Colleen Hoke, co-founder and CEO of Objective Health, joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to discuss the significance of partnerships, the innovative business models that drive Objective Health's success, and the company's ambitious goals for scaling and improving clinical research. …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
How Successful Startups Navigate Venture Deals: John Yates of Morris Manning & Martin LLP
37:39
37:39
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
37:39Building and scaling in a thriving tech ecosystem demands a deep understanding of the relationship between venture capital, deal flows, and the marketplace. Founders striving to build traction in top innovation regions must focus on building strategic networks, partnering with the right investors, and collaborating across the ecosystem. The most su…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
State of Startups(SM) in the Southeast 2024 Preview
21:48
21:48
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
21:48Since 2017, the BIP Ventures State of StartupsSM in Southeast report has been a leading trend resource on the region's innovation and investment landscape. In this special episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Capital General Partner and COO Mark Flickinger joins us to give a preview of the 2024 report. Mark’s conversation with colleag…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
RevOps Strategies for Startups: Scaling Sales and CRM Efficiency with Brendan Tolleson
35:57
35:57
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
35:57For high-growth startups, sales momentum and operational efficiency depend on streamlined, scalable Revenue Operations (RevOps)—but getting there is complicated and can easily go wrong. The balancing act of managing customer relationships, sales processes, and marketing strategies too often results in scattered data, misaligned teams, and cumbersom…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Innovate, Scale, and Unlock Entrepreneurial Success
33:04
33:04
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
33:04Innovation is more than new ideas—it's about connecting with the right resources and networks to drive growth. To scale, you need a culture of creativity, collaboration, and access to talent, strategic partnerships, and capital. Successful innovators build ecosystems where entrepreneurs, corporations, and educators work together to promote growth. …
…
continue reading
In this mini episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Ventures talent expert and SVP of portfolio performance, Jacki Hertenstein, sits down with Renata Matheson, co-founder of aquesst. This brief, compelling discussion focuses on what startup leaders need to do to interview candidates well and hire strategically. Renata and Jacki explain …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Blueprint for a Thriving Startup Ecosystem: A Conversation with Venture Atlanta CEO Allyson Eman
39:54
39:54
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
39:54A thriving innovation ecosystem has many components that work together to create progress. They include the businesses building there, the visionary entrepreneurs, and the support system comprised of legal, financial, accelerators and incubators, consultants, and mentors. Among all the contributing factors to a startup’s ability to build and grow, …
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Building Scalable Product-Market Fit: Abstrakt.ai Founder & CEO Greg Reffner
38:41
38:41
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
38:41Scaling an innovative startup requires agility, particularly in an evolving marketplace. But agility comes second to establishing the right fundamentals for your startup – the ideal client profile (ICP), go-to-market (GTM) strategy, and product-market-fit (PMF). All of them require a willingness to listen to customers, but none more than PMF. Ensur…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this episode of BIP Capital CMO Tammy McQueen joins the VP of Content, Rachelle Kuramoto, for a short discussion about the most important key performance indicators (KPIs) for marketing and sales teams. Learn what to zero in on as you scale, including annual revenue (ARR), customer retention rate (CRR), adoption rates, and customer acquisition c…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
How to Choose the Right Outsourced CFO: Expert Advice for Startups with John Frazier
37:36
37:36
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
37:36Outsourcing your CFO could be a game-changer for your company as it allows you to access expert financial guidance without the hefty cost of a full-time executive. An outsourced CFO can help you navigate complex financial challenges, optimize cash flow, make informed strategic decisions, and set a solid foundation for long-term success. This suppor…
…
continue reading
In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, BIP Ventures financial performance authority Mike Vandiver talks with Stephen Bradshaw, a partner in Bennett Thrasher's state and local tax practice. They discuss ways that technology companies can navigate complex tax landscapes to stay compliant and gain advantages. In a few short minutes, you’ll le…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Optimizing Sales Strategy: ICP, Buyer Personas, and Market Segmentation with Michelle Seger
45:27
45:27
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
45:27Focusing your sales strategy on ICP, buyer personas, and market segmentation is more than just identifying basic demographics, behaviors, pain points, and decision-making processes. It involves gaining a personal view of your potential customers and dividing the broader market into distinct groups. This targeted approach enables businesses to alloc…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, successful serial entrepreneur Jan Heybroek shares a skill he’s built in his entrepreneurial journey: the ability to simultaneously work in the business and on the business. The capacity to strike this balance is critical for staying ready for known and unexpected opportu…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
From Pitch to Press: How Startups Can Earn Media with Maija Ehlinger
38:57
38:57
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
38:57Capturing earned media is one of the most powerful marketing tools a company can achieve. Positive, relevant, wide-reaching media coverage can literally change the trajectory of a startup’s future. But effective public relations is hard. In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, journalist and Hypepotamus editor-in-chief Maija Ehlinger offers stra…
…
continue reading
Investing in skilled sales professionals or managers is essential for business growth. Knowing the right qualifications and characteristics to hire for should happen before any interview takes place. In this mini episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Christy Johnson speaks with John O'Brien, the founder, CEO, and managing partner of Sales Talent Group…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Scaling a Startup from Vision to National Impact: A Founder Story with Colleen Hoke of ObjectiveHealth
32:58
32:58
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
32:58Building and scaling a business requires a builder's mindset and a willingness to embrace risk. As a founder, your ability to envision solutions that effectively solve problems for your target audience is the key to progress. This involves stepping into uncharted territory, navigating uncertainties with resilience, and venturing forward to drive in…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Navigating Entrepreneur Support Organizations with Dr. Malcolm Muhammad
35:54
35:54
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
35:54Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) help people who want to start or grow their businesses. These organizations provide various resources such as advice, training, and funding. They might also offer workshops, mentorship programs, or networking events to connect entrepreneurs with experts and other business owners. In this episode of the Extr…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
Measurement Matters: How to Set the Right KPIs for Your Startup
37:02
37:02
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
37:02Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics for any company. For startups – particularly those that are backed by private capital – KPIs are not only necessary for setting a path to manageable growth, but they also are critical indicators for investors. KPIs can include metrics like revenue growth, profit margins, customer acquisition c…
…
continue reading
To become a Top Five innovation community, Atlanta needs to produce 2000 companies per year—that's 10 times the number of companies we’re currently developing. Listen to this fascinating mini-episode of for an honest conversation between Donnie Beamer Jr., CFA and Mark Buffington. You'll learn how the ATL Tech Hub team from the City of Atlanta Mayo…
…
continue reading
E
Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

1
The Entrepreneurial Survival Plan: Market Fit, Planning, and Perseverance
34:52
34:52
Später Spielen
Später Spielen
Listen
Gefällt mir
Geliked
34:52As any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you, starting and running a business is challenging. In fact, almost 90% of new startups fail—10% of those fail within the first year. The causes range from poor product-market fit to ineffective marketing, talent issues, and cash flow problems. Even with a real challenge to solve and the desire and grit to tr…
…
continue reading
Building an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is a critical first step for startups. It forms the foundation for targeted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, building customer traction, and understanding how to evolve the brand as the company scales. In other words, the ICP is the guiding beacon for every aspect of sales, marketing, and customer success. The…
…
continue reading