In this episode, Caleb talks with Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty, III in an interview from Startup Junkie’s inaugural startup week event in September 2020. Mack is well-renowned for his business acumen, and he served as the White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton’s administration. Caleb and Mack discuss a handful of entrepreneurial topics, as well as several things that Mack attributes to his success. You do not want to miss out on this standout episode!
Shownotes
(1:08) Introducing Mack McLarty
(3:20) The importance of positively impacting others
(6:01) How the late 90s became a golden age for entrepreneurs
(9:15) Closing the capital gap between the Heartland and the Coasts
(12:12) The Ferment Group’s investment criteria
(16:13) Advice for growth-oriented entrepreneurs taking on investors
(18:09) The government’s role in the democratization of innovation
(23:17) Widening investment opportunities while protecting investors
(25:35) Surrounding yourself with quality people
(28:25) Being true to yourself
(34:05) Succession planning
(37:32) Mack McLarty’s game-changing moments
(40:42) Mack McLarty’s legacy
Links
Quotes
“It is essential that the investor be aligned with the management and founder - entrepreneur - and vice versa. That the management and founder be aligned with the investor. As my father liked to often say, have as good a front-end understanding as you possible can have. In other words, understand really what the other is trying to accomplish.” (17:04)
“Human nature being what it is, people are going to naturally want to work for someone they respect, that they trust, and they feel who will be fair and even-handed in giving them an opportunity to succeed.” (27:28)
“If you are not finding meaning in what you’re doing and some joy and sense of accomplishment, you probably should be thinking about maybe shifting that at some point and doing something else.” (19:08)
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