#304 - Ryan Denehy, Electric AI - What It Takes To Build & Run A Unicorn

DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

Episode brought to you by More Staffing
Ryan Denehy is the Founder and CEO at Electric AI, an IT platform that empowers SMBs with user-friendly tools and guidance to streamline their IT management and secure their business.

Electric, valued over $1B has raised over $200M to date and is backed by GGV Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Primary Venture Partners, Greenspring Associates, 01 Advisors, Bowery Capital, The Slack Fund, Vintage Investment Partners, and Atreides Management.

Ryan joins Blaine & Ramon to give a first hand look at what it takes to build a unicorn, how to level up as an entrepreneur, and some hot takes on current market affairs.
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On this episode of DTC pod we cover:
1. Importance of Spending Control
2. Value of Experienced Advisors
3. Persistence in Challenging Situations
4. Significance of Self-Awareness Growth
5. Product-Market Fit Exploration
6. Strategic Business Pivots
7. CEO Evolution and Delegation
Timestamps
00:00 Low barriers allow starting any type of business.
09:33 Successful DVD distribution leads to sponsorship deal.
15:30 Learned perseverance through years of daily skateboarding.
21:33 Focus on solving specific problems for customers.
26:52 Unknowingly found product-market fit through mountain biking.
30:06 Founders need creativity and abstract thinking.
34:59 Transition from experimentation to disciplined business operations.
39:25 Founder transitions rapidly from customer focus to management.
46:11 CEO aspirant emphasizes learning, adapting to challenges.
54:59 You control spending and bank account balance.
Shownotes powered by Castmagic
Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.

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• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content

• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views

• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands

• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook

• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands

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Ryan Denehy - Founder and CEO at Electric AI
Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic
Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic