In this episode, Shawn sits down with Paul Adler, a veteran strategist in global revenue growth and a trusted advisor for companies entering the complex world of Federal Government markets. With decades of experience guiding businesses through the intricacies of federal contracting, Paul shares practical insights, battle-tested strategies, and hard-won lessons for founders and executives ready to scale through government channels.

Whether you’re a startup looking for your first pilot program, or a scaling company considering the government as a strategic customer, this episode offers the clarity and context you need to succeed.

• Why the Federal Government "market" is very different from a government “contract”

• What makes the U.S. Government a unique and relationship-driven buyer

• Why commitment and focus are non-negotiables when entering this space

• The best first steps a company should take—and the common mistakes to avoid

• How to think about networking, certification, and timing in your market entry

• Why subcontracting often beats aiming for the "prime" position from day one

• A real-world success story of an entrepreneur who pivoted to win federal business

• The truth about lobbyists, political shifts, and procurement dynamics

• Strategic entry points into government markets

• Building trust and brand in a relationship-first ecosystem

• Targeting decision-makers and navigating procurement

• The role of mentors and proven success stories in early wins

• Long-term thinking in a highly regulated, highly competitive environment

• 🌐 Website: www.thepauladler.com

• 📧 Email: linkedin.com/in/pauladler1

In this episode, we’re joined by Stan Christensen, a veteran dealmaker, negotiation expert, and founder of Arbor Advisors. With over two decades of experience teaching negotiation at Stanford University and leading high-stakes transactions in the tech world, Stan offers a masterclass in how to navigate complex deals, align incentives, and come out ahead—whether you're raising capital, selling your company, or simply trying to keep a negotiation from falling apart.

Stan shares his career-defining moments, hard-earned insights from the front lines of investment banking, and why most founders misunderstand who really does the work behind the scenes. This is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, operators, and anyone who wants to become a better negotiator.

• Stan’s journey from educator to investment banker

• The single biggest myth about great negotiators

• Advice for founders raising venture capital (hint: think twice)

• Why the best companies are sold—not bought

• How to renegotiate the preference stack and protect your payout

• Tactics to keep a counterparty at the table when they threaten to walk

• What separates good negotiators from bad ones

• Choosing the right investment banker (and what red flags to avoid)

• Are lawyers actually good negotiators?

• A behind-the-scenes look at a $70M deal that started with a $15M offer

• Stan’s favorite negotiation books, movies, and frameworks

• Influence by Robert Cialdini

• How to Know a Person by David Brooks

• Film: 12 Angry Men

Listen to Stan's Podcast All Things Negotiation - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

• Stan Christensen on LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Shalabh Gupta, a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of a publicly traded company. With deep experience in both public and private markets, Shalabh brings a mission-driven mindset to solving complex problems through innovation. In this episode, he shares his journey to the public markets, lessons learned from operating in the spotlight, and what it really takes to drive long-term shareholder value while staying true to your company’s core mission.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or aspiring public company executive, this conversation is packed with insights into what it means to lead boldly in the public eye.

• Why Shalabh chose to take his company public earlier than most

• The tradeoffs between staying private vs. going public

• Insights into IPOs, SPACs, and reverse mergers — and why his company took its specific route

• The biggest surprises and challenges of running a public company

• How to prepare for shareholder meetings (including the hardest questions he’s been asked!)

• Strategies for balancing quarterly pressures with long-term vision

• What it takes to personally transition from private leadership to the public stage

• The core mission of his company — and why it matters now more than ever

• Advice for future public company CEOs

• What’s next for Shalabh’s company and how you can follow the journey

📍 LinkedIn – Shalabh Gupta

Rahul Pangam — Entrepreneur, AI Strategist, and Founder

In this episode, we’re joined by Rahul Pangam, a seasoned entrepreneur and AI leader who successfully built and exited a company during its Series B round. Rahul takes us through the pivotal moments of his entrepreneurial journey — from raising capital to navigating a strategic sale — and shares his deep insights on how AI is reshaping industries, businesses, and the future of work.

This candid conversation covers the evolving dynamics between humans and AI, what businesses need to do to stay competitive, and the most common missteps leaders make when adopting new technologies.

✔️ Rahul’s Entrepreneurial Journey — From Silicon Valley to AI leadership ✔️ Navigating a Raise-to-Sale Conversation at Series B ✔️ The Biggest Differences Between the Pre-AI and Post-AI World ✔️ Where Humans Still Outperform AI ✔️ How AI Can Benefit Traditional Industries Slow to Adopt Technology ✔️ Ways AI Can Level the Playing Field for Small Businesses ✔️ AI Readiness: How Companies Should Assess and Prepare ✔️ Common Mistakes in AI Integration and How to Avoid Them ✔️ Measuring ROI on AI Investments ✔️ AI’s Role in Global Geopolitics, Deep-Tech, and Economic Shifts

• Startup founders and entrepreneurs
• Business leaders exploring AI adoption
• Investors and venture capitalists
• Tech professionals and AI enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in startup exits and digital transformation

LinkedIn Profile

In this episode, we sit down with Manish Patel, whose career has spanned Google, venture investing, and product innovation. From playing a pivotal role in scaling transformative products like AdWords and Google Maps to shaping Silicon Valley’s startup ecosystem, Manish brings invaluable insights from the front lines of technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital.

Listeners will hear about his inspiring journey — from growing up in a family business to navigating the world of big tech and early-stage investing — and get practical advice on building startups, raising Series A rounds, and preparing for the future of business.

✔️ Lessons from Manish’s Early Career and Leadership Journey ✔️ How OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) Powered Google’s Growth ✔️ The Role of Luck, Timing, and Preparation in Career Success ✔️ Why Series A Funding Is a Make-or-Break Moment for Startups ✔️ The Biggest Trends and Disruptions Shaping the Next Decade ✔️ Practical Advice for Founders Navigating the Venture Capital World

• Startup founders and entrepreneurs
• Early-stage investors and venture capitalists
• Tech enthusiasts and product managers
• Anyone curious about how world-changing products and companies are built

In this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we sit down with Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, to discuss the transformative power of AI Agents, the evolving landscape of M&A, and the future of customer experience. Tom shares his insights on how businesses can leverage AI to drive growth, the decision-making process behind strategic acquisitions, and what’s next for Zendesk.

✅ AI Agents vs. Traditional AI – What sets them apart and how they’re reshaping customer service. ✅ The Role of AI in Business Growth – How AI can enhance both customer and employee experiences.

✅ M&A Strategy at Zendesk – The company’s approach to acquisitions and lessons from past deals. ✅ AI's Impact on Competitive Advantage – Will AI adoption create stronger moats or increase disruption risks? ✅ Zendesk’s Future Vision – What innovations are coming and where the company is headed in the next decade.

🔹 How are AI Agents revolutionizing customer service, and how do they differ from traditional tools? 🔹 What are some real-world examples of businesses benefiting from AI adoption? 🔹 How can businesses balance AI-driven efficiency with personalized customer experiences? 🔹 What metrics should companies track to measure AI's impact on operations? 🔹 What’s Zendesk’s M&A playbook, and how does it guide acquisition decisions? 🔹 How can AI enhance the employee experience, not just the customer experience? 🔹 What groundbreaking innovations is Zendesk unveiling at Zendesk Relate? 🔹 What’s Tom’s vision for the next 5-10 years in AI and customer service? 🔹 How does a CEO continually adapt and grow in a fast-changing market?

🔗 Tom’s LinkedIn 🔗 Zendesk Website

Email: Tom.eggemeier@zendesk.com

In this episode of [Podcast Name], we sit down with Cameron Herold, a world-renowned business leader, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind the explosive growth of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, where he scaled the company from $2 million to $106 million in just six years.

From launching businesses as a teenager to coaching top CEOs—including Kimbal Musk—Cameron has mastered the art of scaling operations, creating high-performance cultures, and driving business success. He’s also the founder of COO Alliance, the only peer group dedicated to helping Chief Operating Officers excel in their roles.

✅ How Cameron transformed 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into a global brand ✅ His Sunday Night Planning Method for a productive week ✅ The DORAGI Coaching Framework and its impact on leadership ✅ The secret behind Vivid Vision and how it fuels business growth ✅ How to delegate effectively without micromanaging ✅ The TORC Hiring Method to ensure you build an A+ team ✅ The power of daily huddles in maintaining team alignment ✅ Real-life strategies for handling workplace conflict and fostering company culture

Cameron also shares actionable insights on project management, hiring strategies, and leadership development, making this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone looking to scale a business effectively.

🔗 Connect with Cameron: CameronHerold.com 🔗 Learn more about COO Alliance: COOAlliance.com

If you're looking for proven leadership strategies to take your company to the next level, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Episode Summary: Shutting down a business is a complex and often overwhelming process—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we sit down with Dori Yona, Co-Founder & CEO of SimpleClosure, a venture-backed startup using technology to streamline business closures. Dori shares his personal journey as a founder facing the challenges of winding down a company, what he learned, and how those experiences led to building a solution that reduces a months-long process into days or weeks.

From understanding the legal and financial considerations to ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders, this conversation is packed with practical advice for founders, investors, and anyone involved in the startup ecosystem.

Guest Bio: Dori Yona is a seasoned entrepreneur and startup founder who understands firsthand the challenges of shutting down a business. During his previous venture, his company came close to closing, and he was tasked with navigating the shutdown process—only to find a lack of clear information, guidance, and support. After dealing with lawyers, accountants, and endless confusion, he realized that 90% of startups that raise capital will eventually shut down, yet the process remains a daunting mystery. That experience led him to co-found SimpleClosure, a company dedicated to helping startups wind down properly and efficiently through technology-driven solutions.

Key Topics Discussed: ✔️ The step-by-step process of winding down a business ✔️ The do’s and don’ts of business closures and why they matter ✔️ The timeline and costs associated with shutting down a company ✔️ Best practices for ensuring fair treatment of employees, investors, and creditors ✔️ How founders can turn a difficult shutdown into a learning experience

Guest Website & Links: 🔗 Dori Yona on LinkedIn 🔗 SimpleClosure Website

Questions Covered in This Episode:

1. What are the key do’s and don’ts when shutting down a company, and why are they important?
2. Can you walk us through the wind-down process step-by-step?
3. Who is responsible for each part of the wind-down, from decision-making to execution?
4. What is a typical timeline for winding down a business, and what factors affect it?
5. What are the costs involved in closing a company, and how can founders manage them efficiently?
6. If a company sells its assets, does it still need to formally close, or are there alternatives?
7. How can founders ensure employees, investors, and creditors are treated fairly during a wind-down?
8. What are the main differences between an asset sale and a stock sale in a business exit?
9. Are there any legal or financial implications of asset vs. stock sales that founders should consider?
10. Can you share a real-world example of a successful wind-down and what made it effective?
11. How does experiencing failure as a founder contribute to future success?

If you could give one piece of advice to a founder facing the decision to shut down, what would it be?