Month: November 2023

Introduction:

In this episode of “The Credentialed Podcast”, Mack McKelvey engages in an insightful conversation with Keith Hernandez, VP of Tech at Future.  A seasoned tech leader, Keith shares his journey from an accidental entry into advertising sales to managing tech sales at a leading digital publication. He emphasizes the importance of purpose and diversity in your career and how he’s evolved professionally by, embracing failure and leaning into the work and hobbies that energize him. 

Careers Aren’t Always a Ladder, But a Jungle Gym 

Like many leaders in our space, Keith’s career trajectory is a  mix of experiences in both large-scale corporations like Microsoft and media giants like BuzzFeed. He started as a creative writing major and stumbled into advertising sales, which eventually led him to embrace leadership roles in tech-focused companies like Microsoft.  After consulting for a few years during the pandemic, he started considering his next move and thought deeply about where he felt most energized. For Keith, he realized that he thrived in smaller, collaborative companies where he could have a direct impact on the business. Now, he is successfully leading his team at Future and mentoring the next generation of leaders.  

Dig into the Why, Not Just the What:

Reflecting on his time at Slate during the Hillary Clinton election year, Keith shares a valuable lesson learned about understanding a company’s legacy systems y. He candidly recounted how jumping right into solution mode caused tension with his team. This taught him why leaders need to look holistically at a situation and should take the time to understand how certain processes came to fruition and who was involved. From there, leaders can work hand in hand with different stakeholders to build a more impactful solution.  

Finding  Purpose in His Career & Passions 

Keith’s commitment to purpose-driven work extends beyond his professional sphere. He discusses his passion for podcasting and the lessons learned from embracing failure, as evidenced by his experiences as a volunteer firefighter. Engaging in multiple activities has helped Keith not only maintain a healthy work-life balance but excel in his career as a more well-rounded leader. Based on his own experience and upbringing, he is dedicated to empowering the next generation of professionals, especially from diverse backgrounds.

Nurturing Decision-Making in Team Members:

Keith cares deeply about fostering an environment conducive to open and thoughtful decision-making within his team. During his weekly 1-1s, he asks them to send an agenda so they can work together on professional development outside of what tactically needs to get done. As a leader, Keith encourages his team to think critically and constructively and has built a culture that welcomes curiosity and questioning the status quo. 

Keith Hernandez’s career trajectory exemplifies the significance of purpose, resilience, and diverse experiences in shaping a successful professional journey. His insightful approach to leadership and decision-making provides valuable lessons for individuals navigating complex career paths in the ever-evolving business landscape. As a champion for diversity and purpose-driven work, Keith sets a compelling example for the next generation of professionals, highlighting the importance of embracing failure and maintaining a healthy work-life balance in pursuit of professional fulfillment.

Listen to Keith’s full episode here.

Catherine Tabor, the founder and CEO of Sparkfly, recently sat down for an insightful podcast interview with Mack McKelvey where she shared her entrepreneurial journey and her approach to decision-making in leadership. Catherine’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and dedication to her business.

Catherine Tabor’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Catherine’s career began when she was a student at Georgia State, looking for an extra income stream while in school. She started house-sitting and dog walking in her community, which eventually led to her involvement with the Coca-Cola Company. Coca-Cola was running an employee discount program and, through a series of events, Catherine ended up winning the contract to manage this program. This opportunity inspired her to create a promotional platform connecting digital promotions and discounts with physical store transactions.

As a result, Catherine founded Sparkfly, which provides a platform that tracks online promotions and coupons from the point of interaction to the transaction. Today, Sparkfly serves a variety of clients, primarily in the food service, hospitality, and retail services industries. Catherine’s dedication, creativity, and problem-solving ability have led her to success, and she has expanded her business while maintaining a strong company culture.

Decision-Making and Leadership Philosophy

In the interview, Catherine emphasized her approach to decision-making, which revolves around trusting her instincts, staying true to her beliefs, and making thoughtful decisions. She mentioned using tools like pros and cons lists to assess decisions, but she also highlighted the importance of listening to her gut and pursuing opportunities she truly believes in.

Catherine is a firm believer in being transparent with her team and clients, even when the news may not be positive. She shared an example of a challenging situation with one of her major clients, Chipotle, where a campaign launch caused a system crash. In this instance, her honesty and willingness to address the issue directly with the client ultimately strengthened their trust and relationship.

The interview also delved into Catherine’s leadership style, which is characterized by her willingness to listen and connect with her team. She conducts one-on-one meetings with each of her employees, focusing on building relationships and understanding their needs, both professionally and personally. Catherine emphasized that she’s not just a leader at work but also a mentor and listener for her team, fostering trust and empathy.

What’s Next for Sparkfly

Regarding the future of Sparkfly, Catherine shared her company’s ambitious growth plans. They are working on aggressive revenue targets and expansion into new verticals. While food service, hospitality, and retail services are their primary industries, Sparkfly plans to diversify into other retail sectors and convenience stores. The company’s continued growth and value creation for its customers are driving its future endeavors.

In summary, Catherine Tabor’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience, creativity, and dedication. Her approach to decision-making and leadership centers on transparency, trust, and empathy, both within her team and with her clients. As Sparkfly continues to grow, it remains committed to creating value for its customers and expanding into new verticals. Catherine’s success story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and integrity in business.

Listen to Catherine’s full episode here.