19. Alec Stern – Everything Entrepreneurship

In this Build-isode Aaron & his co-host Ryan are joined by the renowned co-founder of Constant Contact Alec Stern. Together Alec, Aaron & Ryan cover a wide variety of topics that apply to entrepreneurs from small startups to billion-dollar companies.

Alec Stern sheds his light on how pivotal ‘culture’ was to the growth and scale of Constant Contact. We learn from Alec how culture and customer experience became a bond that allowed Constant Contact to lead an industry.

Next Alec shares how Constant Contact was able to develop a referral strategy that allowed for a low cost of acquisition of new customers and how that strategy help Constant Contact to scale. We learn how Alec married the customer delight with their referral strategy which ultimately was anchored in their company culture!

Finally, Aaron and Ryan ask what advice Alec would give an entrepreneur early on in their career. Then we discuss the importance and practice of keeping your eye on the things in life that matter to you, all while running a company.

Show Notes:

Guest:

  • Alec Stern is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and investor.  He has become known as “America’s Startup Success Expert” for performing hundreds of keynote speeches worldwide and for his popular sessions at top conferences like Secret Knock, CEO Space International, City Summit, Powerteam International, and Habitude Warrior.

  • He has been a co-founder or founding team member of 8 startups with 5 exits – 2 IPOs and 3 acquisitions.  As a primary member of Constant Contact’s founding team Alec was one of the original 3 who started the company in an attic. Alec was with the company for 18 years from start-up, to IPO, to a $1.1 Billion-dollar acquisition. 

  • Alec was selected to the Influence 100 Authority List by Influence Magazine.  In 2020, he was a 2-time Visionary Award winner at top conferences for his success as an entrepreneur and for his work helping startups and entrepreneurs.

Connect with Alec:

Host:

Aaron Keith is the CEO and Founder of Buildify Systems which is a business education and consulting company. Aaron is a nationally recognized business consultant, coach & speaker, who shares his structured wisdom gained from having coached over 10,000 entrepreneurs in nearly 20 years. Aaron has worked with everything from celebrities, billion-dollar companies down to small startups. Aaron uses ‘The Buildify Method’ to help CEO’s and entrepreneurs grow and scale their companies. 

  • Website: www.BuildifySystems.com
  • Personal Handle: @TheAaronKeith
  • Company Handle: @BuildifySystems
  • Podcast: @TheBuildifyMethod

Cohost:

Ryan Coyne a veteran tech consultant & speaker, who both will be providing coaching, insight, & specific advice on key topics that matter. Aaron & Ryan will deconstruct the mental game and the physical game of each topic while providing actionable steps, business systems, and techniques that enable you to build a thriving company.

  • Website: www.ryanjcoyne.com
  • Personal Handle: @RyanJCoyne
  • Company Handle: @BuildifySystems
  • Podcast: @TheBuildifyMethod