Sarah Jones Simmer, CEO of Found, shares her wealth of experience in this episode of The Knowledge Project.
She delves into the intricacies of scaling a business, the importance of trust in a team, and the value of investing in people.
Simmer also opens up about her personal journey through a cancer diagnosis and how it reshaped her perspective on life and work.
Personal Health Journey
A personal health journey can lead to a reevaluation of priorities and a focus on what truly matters.
Despite health challenges, it’s possible to continue contributing professionally and find joy in work.
Trust as a Foundation
Trust within a team is a critical component for the successful growth of a company.
It involves active listening, understanding the business, and building strong relationships with the team.
Trust becomes even more crucial when stepping into a new role.
Diversity in Leadership
Diversity in leadership is important for bringing together a range of lived experiences to drive better business outcomes.
This is not just a matter of gender, but includes a wide range of perspectives.
Behavior Change for Health
Behavior change, especially in the context of health, is challenging but necessary.
Technology can be leveraged to reinforce positive behaviors, and a supportive community and accountability partners can facilitate behavior change.
When you have that beating heart of something that’s so clear, then it’s just about setting up the infrastructure for scale but doing it in a way that doesn’t crush the magic. – Sarah Jones Simmer
The Art of Scaling
Scaling a business is a delicate balance between maintaining the core passion and setting up the necessary infrastructure for growth.
It involves implementing systems and processes that support the business without stifling its creative energy.
An analytics function can provide valuable insights that help every part of the business become smarter and more efficient.
People Investment
Investing in the people of the business is a multifaceted process.
It includes setting up HR processes and benefits, building a performance review cycle, fostering a positive culture, and equipping emerging managers with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Hiring the right leaders is a key leverage point for rapidly scaling a business.
Growth Management
Managing people who are not able to grow at the same pace as the business can be a challenge.
It’s acceptable for people to write their own chapter and pass the baton to the next person when they are no longer able to keep up with the pace of growth.
Addressing Weight Issues
Addressing weight issues is key to tackling many downstream health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
A multifaceted approach that considers factors such as hormones, genetics, and lived experiences is necessary.
Promoting Self-Acceptance
Promoting self-acceptance, empowerment, and body positivity is crucial in addressing weight issues.
Shaming is counterproductive and people should be equipped with the tools to improve their health and quality of life.
Outcome-focused Approach
Focusing on outcomes rather than hours can enhance productivity and effectiveness.
Taking time out of the workday for activities like exercise can actually enhance productivity and effectiveness.
Maybe the goal shouldn’t be to grow with the pace of the business, maybe it should be to write the chapter that you need to and enable you to pass the baton to the right person who’s going to write the next chapter. – Sarah Jones Simmer
Fundraising Challenges
Fundraising can be challenging, especially for women and those with health issues.
However, personal experiences can provide a deeper understanding of the problem a company is trying to solve and can be seen as an asset by investors.
Unit Economics Comprehension
Understanding unit economics on a market-by-market basis requires a deep dive into the financial aspects of the business.
It involves having a clear understanding of the costs and revenues associated with each unit of a product or service.
