Who Got Me Here

Magdalena Yesil was the first investor and founding board member at Salesforce, a company that now has a $200 billion market cap. She is the Founder of Broadway Angles and serves on the SoFi, Smartsheet, and Zuora board. In a conversation with Annie, Magdalena shares her experience breaking into Silicon Valley, including stories about how Steve Jobs and Marc Benioff shaped her career. She describes how persistence and resilience let you take bold steps forward.---“The piece that a lot of people miss is that if you are going to go get advocates and you are asking them to basically be putting their own necks on the line for you, then you need to think, ‘what will I do for them?’ Life is always a two-way street. ‘If you are advocating for me, how do I return the favor?’” - Magdalena Yesil---Episode Timestamps:*(01:19) - Magdalena’s career success with networking*(13:58) - Attending Stanford and breaking into Silicon Valley*(20:46) - Experience working with Apple’s Steve Jobs*(26:57) - First investor and founding board member at Salesforce*(33:29) - Magdalena’s approach to advocates and networking*(37:48) - How to overcome obstacles and earn acceptance*(44:58) - Final thoughts---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Magdalena YesilConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Nick Mehta is the CEO at Gainsight, a company with 1,200+ global employees and 20k growing customers. Their mission is to be living proof that you can win in business while being human first. 99% of the reviewers on Glassdoor approve of their CEO. So what’s Nick’s secret to success? In a conversation with Annie, Nick talks about breaking into the customer success industry, standing out through the details, utilizing LinkedIn as a career-building strategy, and his most important advice for what NOT to do when networking.---“Business is fundamentally about human beings first. It's about human beings in your company and human beings with your customer and not losing sight of the human side of it. And that's something we're really passionate about. Our purpose and our mission statement at Gainsight is to be living proof you can win in business while being human first. So that's actually more than just customer success; it's about this new way of thinking about business.” - Nick Mehta---Episode Timestamps:*(01:42) - How to use LinkedIn as part of a career-building strategy*(09:51) - Celebrating 10 years of Gainsight and reminiscing back to it’s beginnings*(13:50) - Why customer success ignites passion inside Nick*(15:51) - Taking a ‘human-first’ approach in networking and relationship building*(22:24) - Advice for networking calls. Don’t be transactional!*(26:11) - How Nick broke into the customer success industry*(30:15) - Anecdotes of pivotal relationships that lead to Nick’s success*(37:41) - Looking back on his career and learning from mistakes---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Nick MehtaLearn more about GainsightConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Kicking off a job search can feel overwhelming. It takes motivation to put yourself out there, and it’s emotionally draining when you don’t know where to go next. The good news is there are simple techniques to surface new opportunities and set yourself apart from all the other applicants. Who Got Me Here is a podcast about connections, career building, and relationships. In this episode, Annie and Jamie will share advice on tapping your network, making great asks, and acing the interview. If you know someone who has been laid off or is coming to you for career advice, share this link. The recommendation might prove immensely helpful in thinking about their next career move.  ---“Don't think about the job search as a one-time campaign. This is really about developing your career. So success in a job hunt and success in your career is about the number of good relationships that you can foster. These are the people that are going to be your advocates and sources of your next career opportunity. Reid Hoffman said this, “if you're looking for an opportunity, you're really looking for a person.” So you want to think about developing good relationships throughout your career and keeping track of those people. The second thing is really about the number of quality touches. It's about how many people you reach out to, how many conversations you're able to set up, and quality means that you're taking the time to craft good asks of different people. And then, finally, acing the interview. You want to make sure that, if it's a company that you love, you are the best candidate and you're going to land that job.” - Jamie Grenney---Episode Timestamps:*(02:11) - Introducing Jamie Grenney, CMO and Head of Product at Connect The Dots*(02:47) - A story about Annie Riley, Host of Who Got Me Here*(05:12) - Advice for first steps and getting tactical with job searching*(14:54) - Building relationships and making good asks *(19:02) - Relationship refreshes as a means of reconnecting the dots*(27:56) - Keeping conversations going by following up on initial connections*(31:02) - A multi-time CMO’s advice for acing the interview process*(37:48) - How to decide which company to accept an offer from*(40:14) - Final piece of advice - don’t think about the job hunt as a one-time campaign; think about relationship building as the key to career success---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Jamie GrenneyConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

April Underwood is the former Chief Product Officer at Slack. She was early at Twitter and made great friends at Google. As she describes in the podcast, the collection of people from companies A, B, and C is the foundation of one's network. April picked companies where she loved the product and knew these were people (Stewart Butterfield, Dick Costolo) she'd love building with. At this point in her career, April is an early-stage investor, co-founder of #ANGELS, and serves on the boards of Zillow and Eventbrite. In a fun conversation with Annie, hear April’s recommendations on building relationships, making good asks, and connecting friends. ---“Networking and mentorship oftentimes sounds like something that you can just go do. I think that you have to, in my experience, foster those relationships.  You network and you cultivate mentors through both on the job experiences, but also like real personal connection. Those are where I think people can really show up for one another because they know, they know you and you know them.” - April Underwood---Episode Timestamps:*(03:50) - How April’s begnings as an intern at Deloitte Consulting as an intern lead to connections*(05:31) - Why it’s important to foster work relationships outside of the workplace*(07:52) - How April cultivated a relationship with Dick Costolo, former CEO of Twitter*(09:29) - How April made smart choices throughout her career by joining, Google, Twitter, Slack*(12:33) - Let your gut be your guide *(14:57) - Choose the path where you feel at ease and feel like your best self*(17:11) - How April created a relationship with Katie Jacobs Stanton*(23:39) - Why relationships don't get built in a single meeting, but in multiple interactions *(29:27) - The importance of #ANGELS---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with April UnderwoodLearn more about #ANGELSConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Pejman is the co-founder and managing director of Pear VC, one of the most successful investment firms in Silicon Valley. Over the past two decades, he has been a seed investor in some of the most iconic tech companies including Doordash, Dropbox, Applovin, Gusto, and many more. An Iranian immigrant, Pejman took an unconventional career path, building up his network while working as a rug salesman in Palo Alto. Hear him share incredible stories—like the time he brought the entire partnership of Sequoia Capital into his rug gallery—and timeless lessons about the value of carefully building a network over time and the power of leaning in to what makes you unique. ---“For me, I realized there is an opportunity. I think I was very lucky. I saw people around me and I wasn't really afraid. I wasn't afraid to jump into a community that I was not part of, ask a lot of questions, and I used my differences as my power.” - Pejman Nozad---Episode Timestamps: *(02:10) - Pejman's beginnings from Iran to Palo Alto*(04:32) - How working at a Rug Gallery gave Pejman access to tech and venture capita entrepreneurs *(06:22) - Have a genuine interest in getting to know people*(07:23) - Using you differences as a power*(10:21) - Cultivating a relationship Lou Montulli founding member of Netscape, from customer to friend*(12:30) - How a relationship with Doug Leone changed the trajectory of Pejman's career*(14:07) - Getting Sequoia Capital to invest in Dropbox early on, with a ROI around $2 billion *(17:38) - How Pear VC is partnering with founders to turn great ideas into category-defining companies.*(29:27) - Understanding the market and product when investing---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Pejman NozadLearn more about Pear VCConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Bob Metcalfe, the godfather of ethernet and namesake of Metcalfe’s Law, knows a bit about networking. His perspective on how connected nodes come together to form a whole greater than the sum of its parts is well-earned after a 50+ year career stretching back to the salad days of Xerox PARC. Hear Bob offer timeless advice on building relationships, making connections, and the value of helping others succeed.---“I was late to this, but you got to learn how to sell. In the course of learning how to sell you have to learn how to communicate, and the way you communicate is to listen. Listening is the secret to communication, which is the secret to selling.”- Bob Metcalfe ---Episode Timestamps: *(02:13) - Bob’s accidental visit to David Rockefeller’s office, and discovering the Rolodex*(05:18) - Bob’s connection to his most famous mentor Steve Jobs *(06:49) - Turing a no in to a long term relationship with Steve Jobs*(08:34) - The importance of providing value to people *(09:20) - Listening is the secret to communication *(11:23) - The secret of happiness is enthusiasm*(13:02) - Bob’s time mentoring as a professor of innovation at the University of Texas*16:27) -  How Bob’s conference Agenda helpled him secure relationships with Bill Gates and others in the personal computing industry*(20:53) - Sincerity is a key ingredient to success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

As Global Head of Recruiting at Notion, Kate has an interesting vantage point on tech career journeys. But her own path is a powerful example of how growth is a jungle gym, not a ladder. Kate launched her career with a cold email to Marc Benioff (at a point when Salesforce had 4,000 employees!) and spent years in sales roles at Salesforce, Dropbox, and Notion, where she rose to become Head of SMB revenue before making a leap into people and recruiting. Kate’s story is full of simple but powerful points on the value of relationships across careers—and she offers priceless advice on how to ask strangers for help. ---I think people often are afraid to reach out to someone up, down, whichever direction they are near you. But at the core, most people I run into, want to help other people or they want to lend a helping hand. Anyone who’s asked me anything on LinkedIn, even if I don't even know them, I'm like sure, why not? Let me help you in some way. I find that's not unique to me asking a favor from someone or reaching out to someone, and not being afraid of what the answer is, and the response. Don't overthink it, just ask someone for help.” - Kate Taylor---Episode Timestamps: *(02:10) - How a cold email to Marc Benioff launched Kate’s carrer*(05:57) - How Kate moved from Salesforce to Dropbox*(07:42) - Why Kate gravitated towards Armando Mann’s leadership style at Dropbox*(11:16) - The importance of having a job that shares your core values*(15:08) - The benefits of building genuine connections and personal relationships*(16:35) - Why you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to people or to ask for help*(19:55) - Being authentic with your ask*(22:08) - How a personal connection with Kate’s intern came full circle to a job at Notion*(29:15) - People love to be remembered ---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---Links:Connect with Kate TaylorConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Veere has been recognized numerous times as one of the top interior designers in the world by leading magazines and tastemakers. At the helm of his eponymous firm, Veere has designed interiors across the globe and seen his own homes featured in World of Interiors and Architectural Digest and Vouge, among others. Veere built his career slowly but organically, combining a relentless drive to follow his passions with a strong work ethic and commitment to service. In our conversation, Veere offers timeless and universal insights into how apprenticeship, professionalism, and dedication to craft can weave into a powerful fabric of relationships capable of elevating anyone to the top of their profession.---“I think what lets you down is a preconceived idea of how you have to be, to be that very thing you would like to be, that's punishment. But being a free spirit but never losing sight of the essence of where you want to be or the world you inhabit, that is what you must never leave.” - Veere Grenney---Episode Timestamps: *(02:25) - Why your work should be about service*(06:51) - Being a free spirit and never losing sight of where you want to be *(10:02) - Why travel was important for Veere’s personal and professional career*(15:18) - Planting yourself in an environment that enriches you*(19:40) - Why the person itself is more important than the qualification*(21:10) - The importance of an apprenticeship, growing, developing and mastering*(28:48) - The benefits of having someone who's pragmatic around you*(31:02) - Being brave and taking the risk*(38:31) - There is no timeline for success---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksLearn more about Veere Grenney AssociatesConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Michael Jaconi is the CEO of Button, with a long career including executive roles at Rakuten and a stint as a presidential campaign aide to John McCain. Authentic, meaningful relationships have been a throughline across his expansive career—and he offers a load of helpful tips on how to build them. Check out this episode for nuggets including the best jobs to get out of college, the three strongest paths to connecting with a VC, and how to avoid a major networking mistake the first time you meet someone.---"I think that a lot of times people just let life go by with their usage of time, and the most finite thing we've got is time. So how you can spend it and who you value is really important." -Michael Jaconi---Episode Timestamps:*(01:37) - Sharing your passions and vulnerability*(04:11) - How Micheal’s fishing passion lead Don Garber to join the board of the Billion Oyster Project*(06:16) - Securing a connection with Mickey (Hiroshi Mikitani), Founder & CEO of Rakuten*(11:03) - Why grit is paramount, and the best transferable skill*(16:20) - How Mark Lore provided a valuable introduction for Michael*(18:18) - Why working for presidential campaign or startup gives you opportunity to ascend ranks *(26:25) - Finding a more intimate way of staying connected *(35:41) - Why its important to listen, be curious, and understand the passions of people---Sponsor:Who Got Me Here is brought to you by Connect The Dots, mapping professional relationships so you can find the strongest connections to the people and companies you want to reach. Visit ctd.ai to learn more.---LinksConnect with Michael on LinkedInConnect with Annie RileyLearn more about ButtonLearn more about Connect The Dotswww.caspianstudios.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com

Molly Graham, a technology executive who has helped giants like Google and Facebook scale, shares her career wisdom. She emphasizes the transformative power of authentic friendships in professional life. Molly reveals that effective networking begins with genuine curiosity and active listening, encouraging listeners to help others without expecting immediate returns. She also discusses the importance of having a personal advisory council and how stepping outside comfort zones can lead to valuable opportunities.