(1) Who are you and what do you do?
James Watson, Fractional VP of Sales
(2) In two sentences or less, describe how you participate in the startup ecosystem.
I help small to midsized tech companies scale their sales processes and profits.
(3) What are you currently reading right now and would recommend to others?
‘The Go-Giver’, ‘Atomic Habits’, and ‘The Sandler Rules’.
(4) What makes you stay in the startup ecosystem?
I’ve worked for multiple startups, a couple ground-up. I enjoy the challenge and excitement associated with helping to build something meaningful.
(5) What drives your passion about the startup ecosystem?
Having the opportunity to be in the middle of so many great ideas that can change the way business is done and oftentimes the quality of people’s lives.
(6) Where do you see the startup ecosystem in 5 years?
I see it continuing to grow. The barriers to entry are lower, even though relative startup success rates (still very low) remain about the same. There are just so many more startups finding ways to fill the “white space” that the big players aren’t covering. That not only fills the gaps, it also creates new opportunities for established tech companies to simply acquire proven best-in-class start-ups with decent ARR rather than relying on costly (and oftentimes cost-prohibitive) product development. It increasingly creates a win-win environment that helps the startup ecosystem to thrive and continue growing.
(7) How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
In life, sports, and business, I’ve learned more from setbacks and adversity than I have from victories. That is how one grows and learns. Anyone can be good at winning, it’s how we respond when we are down or fail that truly defines us.
(8) What is one of the best worthwhile investments you’ve ever made (could be financial, time, energy, etc.)?
Helping others to achieve. It wasn’t until I took on leadership roles and became a father that I understood how gratifying that was. It’s the true measure of success.
(9) What do you do to refocus yourself when you feel overwhelmed or unfocused?
I try to focus on planning & process, being mentally and physically healthy. I listen to professional/personal development audio books and try to focus on little changes done consistently to realize steady improvement rather than trying to make it all happen at once.
(10) What’s one piece of advice you would give someone trying to break into the startup ecosystem?
Pursue an idea that you’re passionate about that provides a unique solution or benefit.
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