What does it take to scale a startup without losing sight of your vision?

In this episode of the Peer Effect podcast, Jonathan Cornelias, shares the lessons learned from building four companies, including Elevent Inc, a marketplace connecting experience providers and companies to deliver unique, memorable virtual and physical experiences.

Jon opens up about the mindset and strategies that have helped him navigate the challenges of scaling a business while staying true to his vision.

Together we’ll dive into:

• Why belief in your idea and finding joy in the journey are essential for long-term success.
• The power of disciplined experimentation, prioritising ideas by impact, confidence, and effort, and iterating step by step.
• Why an effective go-to-market strategy often matters more than product perfection early on.
• How learning from others’ successes and mistakes can shortcut your path to growth.

Jon’s insights will inspire you to embrace challenges, bet on yourself, and stay focused on what truly works for your business!

Connect with Jonathan Cornelias on LinkedIn to follow his journey and learn more about Elevent Inc.

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What if work-life balance isn’t the answer?

As founders, the pressure to keep moving forward can feel relentless. But what if the secret to success isn’t sprinting harder, but intentionally slowing down?

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Ryan Bailey, a serial entrepreneur who’s launched 15 startups, one of which sold for $300m, to explore the power of pausing. Kelly has mastered the art of aligning personal and professional success, turning moments of reflection into a framework for sustainable growth.

Together, we dive into:

• Why aligning personal and business goals is critical for long-term success.
• The role of intentional pauses in preventing burnout and fueling creativity.
• Kelly’s “growing forward” method for reflecting and resetting goals.
• How redefining success can lead to a more authentic, fulfilling life—without sacrificing financial growth.

More from James:

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Has your identity become wrapped up in your business?

Setting boundaries and separating your identity from your business could be the first step to building a successful business sustainably.

Sean Campbell, Co-Founder & CEO at Cascade Insights, has navigated this very issue for the past 25 years and has learned through the ups and downs of running two businesses.

Together we unpack:

• How to separate your identity from your work.
• The importance of delegating and creating space for your team.
• Why it's important to expose yourself to information you disagree with.

For more, follow Sean Campbell on LinkedIn to learn more about his current business, Cascade Insights.

More from James:

Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

What is the true cost of a bad hire for your company?

In this episode, we’re joined by Akbar Karenga, founder of Maarusi, a talent and people consultancy driven by his passion for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Akbar is an expert in high-stakes hiring and shares powerful tips for founders who need to hire fast without skipping steps.

Together, we discuss:

• The key difference between hiring to grow versus hiring to simply keep up.
• When to bring in pro recruiters and how to create an effective, unbiased hiring process.
• The hidden financial and cultural costs of a bad hire—and how to avoid them.

Connect with Akbar Karenga on LinkedIn for more hiring strategies and insights.

More from James:

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What does it really take to scale beyond the early wins?

For founders who’ve already seen a degree of success, reaching the next level means facing new challenges, and Keven Lavelle, founder of Harbor and Mizzen + Main knows all about it.

He’s taken both companies to impressive heights, from securing a spot on Time Magazine’s 2024 Best Inventions list to hitting hundreds of millions in revenue!

Together, we dive in:

• How joining a founder forum can offer you unmatched support & accountability– and where to find them!
• The differences between founding your first and second startup—and why experience doesn’t always mean an easier road ahead.
• Lessons learned in building a peer network that challenges you to make better decisions, see blind spots, and avoid common scaling mistakes.

Stay updated on Kevin's journey of building Harbor by following him on LinkedIn.

More from James:

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Ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of starting and scaling a business?

In this episode, we’re joined by Bob Bowdon, founder and CEO of VidaFair, a pay-per-stream video platform. Bob has worked as a reporter and producer for companies such as Bloomberg, Choice Media, and PBS.

Together, we explore:

• How leveraging your immediate network can make all the difference in hiring.

• The importance of embracing a sustainable growth mindset for long-term success.

• Knowing when it's time to pivot in your entrepreneurial journey.

For more insights connect with Bob Bowdon on LinkedIn and explore his work at VidaFair.

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In this special mashup episode of Peer Effect, we bring together insights on mental health, well-being, and sustainable performance from leaders who are making it happen!

Michael Matania, Sam Rosen, and Dan Brownsher share real experiences on cultivating a workplace culture that prioritises authenticity, trust, and sustainability.

Learn about:

• Creating psychological safety and fostering open feedback
• Moving from high-intensity performance to sustainable, balanced growth
• Practical strategies for building a resilient culture remotely

Links:
Follow Michael Matania on LinkedIn!
Follow Sam Rosen on LinkedIn!
Follow Dan Brownsher on LinkedIn!

More from James:

Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

In this special mashup episode of Peer Effect, we’ve gathered insights from four tech founders who have successfully scaled their companies.

From navigating the complexities of AI integration to finding balance between innovation and operations, these founders reveal the critical strategies that propelled their companies forward.

Links:
Follow Eric Daimler on LinkedIn!
Follow Richard White on LinkedIn!
Follow Chuck Rinker on LinkedIn
Follow Kirsten Lum on LinkedIn!

More from James:

Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com