What fuels the extraordinary journey from an unfocused youth to a driven adult who co-founded a leading data protection company? This episode of the Business Legacy we unravel the story behind Stacy Hayes, co-founder and EVP of Assured Data Protection. You’ll learn how Stacy’s early years in North Carolina, a transformative stint in the Navy, and his experiences in IT services laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial success. Discover the pivotal moments that led to aligning with OEM partners like Rubrik and the relentless commitment to operational excellence that propelled Assured Data Protection.

Stacy offers a candid look at the challenges of transitioning from a generalist role to a specialist environment, highlighting the intense growth and dedication required. Whether it’s the complexities of convincing customers to take significant risks or the vital importance of a strong team, this episode underscores the essence of hard work and the role of people in sustained business success. Tune in for an unforgettable journey of resilience, passion, and legacy-building.

Episode Highlights

• Early Life and Career Path: Stacy recounts his formative years in North Carolina, his education at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and his service in the Navy. He shares his experiences working on a 500-foot ship and his role as a White House liaison officer for the Secretary of the Navy.
• Transition to Civilian Life: After leaving the Navy, Stacy settled in Washington, D.C., where he discovered his passion for IT services and data protection. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of running a business in a high-cost, talent-rich area.
• Entrepreneurial Journey: Stacy describes how he co-founded DS3 Data Vaulting, a company that was later acquired by Verizon. He explains the lessons learned from this venture and how they paved the way for his current company, Assured Data Protection.
• Founding Assured Data Protection: Stacy discusses the inception of Assured Data Protection in 2016, built around the innovative Rubrik platform. He emphasizes their commitment to operational excellence and a strong go-to-market strategy.
• Challenges of Building a Business: Stacy reflects on the difficulties of starting a company, especially the Herculean effort required to secure the first few sales. He shares his philosophy of “outworking the problem” and the importance of perseverance.

Connect with Paul here:
Website: https://innovativewealth.com/
Instagram: https://businesslegacypodcast.com/

Connect with Stacy here:
Website: https://assured-dp.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayesstacy/

Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legacy/id1575634019

Thank you for listening, and hope you enjoyed this episode.
Please take the time to rate and review our show. Great reviews help us to reach a wider audience and inspire us here at Innovative Financial Media to keep it up.

About Stacy: 

Stacy Hayes is the Co-Founder and EVP, Americas at Assured Data Protection. At Assured Data Protection, Stacy has had a major impact on the company, which today is Rubrik’s largest and oldest global managed service provider. More specifically, Stacy has helped the company grow its number of managed sites to more than 1,000 in more than 50 countries; gained customers in a wide range of commercial segments, including financial services, legal, and pharmaceuticals; led the company to employ over 100 full-time team members, with twin HQs in Virginia (US) and Leeds (UK); and consistently win accolades, such as Rubrik’s 2023 Global Partner Award for MSP Partner of the Year. Stacy is a former US Navy Officer who has founded and held numerous senior channel roles. Before joining Assured Data Protection in 2016, Stacy was Vice President, of Channels & Alliances for Virtustream, a leader in the enterprise cloud management software sector. Stacy started with DS3 DataVaulting, a company he founded to deliver Backup as a Service in the early 2000s. As President, he led DS3 through a successful acquisition by Terremark in 2009. He remained in a business development role through their acquisition by Verizon in 2011. After this, Stacy ran U.S. Civilian sales for Terremark’s Federal Division, leaving the company in 2013 to join Virtustream. |

Chapters With Summaries:

Leadership Transition in Business Legacy

00:00

This chapter features an engaging conversation with Brian Doyle, President and CEO of Holden Advisors, as he shares his journey from being an Air Force pilot to a business leader. We explore the differences and similarities between military leadership and commercial business management, including the challenges of defining missions and managing diverse teams. Brian discusses his transition from a process-focused Six Sigma role at GE Capital to customer-oriented sales and marketing, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving and customer engagement. His insights provide a unique perspective on leadership and creating value in various environments.

Developing Value-Based Pricing Strategies

05:11

This chapter focuses on understanding price and value, particularly in the B2B space, where companies aim to develop effective pricing strategies. We explore the process of analyzing transactional data, market competition, and conducting in-depth customer interviews to uncover true customer values and determine pricing power. The importance of training sales teams to articulate value and manage dynamic pricing is emphasized. We also discuss selecting the right client profiles for pricing strategies and challenge assumptions about customer price sensitivity, distinguishing between genuine price buyers and those who may be bluffing.

Changing Leadership Style and Legacy

14:54

This chapter examines the evolution of leadership and its significance within corporate settings. We highlight the often-underestimated importance of leadership in enhancing team performance and the need for leaders to focus on empowering their teams. Drawing from personal experiences, we discuss how adopting a more inclusive and patient approach to decision-making can lead to better outcomes. We share a compelling client success story about doubling prices without losing customers and another about negotiating a favorable partnership deal by maintaining firm boundaries. Lastly, we touch on the legacy goals of Holden Advisors, emphasizing the importance of equipping clients with the skills to confidently charge for the value they deliver.