In this episode of the Legacy Podcast, you’ll hear an insightful conversation between host Paul Dio and guest Brett Martin, co-founder of Kumo Space. Brett shares his experiences and thoughts on entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of customer focus and surrounding oneself with talented individuals. He highlights the value of solving pain points for customers and discusses the joy of working with his co-founder at Kumo Space. Brett’s passion for using technology to foster authentic human interaction shines through, as he shares his vision for creating a legacy that brings smiles to people’s faces. He believes in the power of warm and positive experiences and aims to be remembered as a good person who made a positive impact. If you’re an entrepreneur seeking to build a successful business and learn from someone who values customer-centricity and creating genuine connections, this episode is a must-listen. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired by Brett’s entrepreneurial journey and insights.
Topics covered in this Episode:
- Discover how focusing on customer pain points can drive entrepreneurial success.
- Uncover the gratification of creating positive experiences and building a strong team culture.
- Explore how technology can enhance virtual work environments and foster authentic human interactions.
Connect with Brett here:
Website: https://www.kumospace.com/
Website: https://charge.vc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettlucasmartin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brett1211
Connect with Paul here:
Website: https://innovativewealth.com/
Instagram: https://businesslegacypodcast.com/
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About Brett:
Brett Martin is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Charge Ventures, a NY-based venture fund, as well as the President & Co-Founder of Kumospace, a digital workplace for remote teams. He’s also an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches data analytics and technology strategy. A serial entrepreneur, Brett has spent his career building and investing in technology startups, including stints as an EIR PrimaryVC (seed stage fund with >$100MM AUM), Co-Founder of Switchapp (mobile recruiting), Co-Founder of Sonar (pioneering location-based social network), and Director of Investments at Appfund (NYC-based incubator and seed stage fund). Brett and his companies have received awards such as Ad: Tech Best Mobile Startup and TechCrunch Disrupt Runner Up and have been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Huffington Post, Fast Company, The Atlantic, TIME, Financial Times, and Ad Age. Brett published his Fulbright research in Harvard Business Review and graduated from Dartmouth College.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:01:06 – Background and Introduction,
Bret Martin, co-founder of Charge Ventures and President of Kumo Space, shares his entrepreneurial journey and how his dad’s influence sparked his interest in business.
00:03:48 – Sailing Adventure and Lessons Learned,
Bret talks about his sailing adventure and the valuable lessons he learned about staying positive and being a steady hand for his team, even in chaotic situations.
00:07:22 – Unexpected Hedge Fund Job Offer,
While sailing in the British Virgin Islands, Bret received a job offer from a hedge fund, which made him reflect on the networking and socializing aspect of finding the right opportunities.
00:08:31 – Fulbright Commission and VBS TV,
Bret shares his experience receiving a Fulbright scholarship and his work on setting up the website for VBS TV, which later became Vice Media.
00:16:08 – The Importance of Customer Focus,
Brett emphasizes that it’s crucial for entrepreneurs to focus on their customers rather than themselves. He highlights the need to be careful when too focused on one’s own vision and encourages entrepreneurs to prioritize their customers’ needs.
00:16:22 – Starting Kumo Space,
Brett discusses his experience starting Kumo Space, a virtual office for remote and distributed teams. He explains how the platform solves problems related to accountability, collaboration, and culture for distributed teams. Brett also expresses his admiration for his co-founder, Yang, and the importance of working with good people.
00:19:18 – The Vision for Kumo Space,
Brett shares his passion for using technology to create more authentic human interactions and connections. He envisions a world where people can work remotely and be more present in their personal lives, while still being productive. He emphasizes the importance of building a product that brings a smile to people’s faces and creates meaningful connections.
00:22:48 – Legacy and Impact,
Brett reflects on how he wants to be remembered and what he wants his legacy to be. He values being a good person, always trying his best to help others, and leaving a positive impression on people. He believes that the feeling he leaves with others is what they will remember, and he strives to bring warmth and positivity into the world.
00:25:44 – Connecting with Brett,
Brett invites listeners to connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
