In this episode, your host John Pelle, has the honor of being joined by two Air Force veterans. Join Blake Mathies, part-owner and CEO of Purple Mountain Solutions and Acrisure client, and Tina Semotan, Managing Partner of Acrisure’s Midwest Region as they candidly discuss the transition from military service to entrepreneurialism, how to lead teams through change, and the power of communication.
“When you start your [military] leadership journey, you become responsible for more than just yourself. And when you translate that into starting a company or entrepreneurship, it’s the same thing… but you have the confidence that you can overcome that unknown.” — Blake Mathies
Description:
In this episode, your host John Pelle, has the honor of being joined by two Air Force veterans. Join Blake Mathies, part-owner and CEO of Purple Mountain Solutions and Acrisure client, and Tina Semotan, Managing Partner of Acrisure’s Midwest Region as they candidly discuss the transition from military service to entrepreneurialism, how to lead teams through change, and the power of communication.
Key Takeaways:
[1:22] Tina introduces her background and the new role of Managing Partner at Acrisure.
[4:24] Blake shares the entrepreneurial spark that led him to co-found Purple Mountain Solutions.
[8:20] Tina and Blake share lessons learned in the Air Force and how they put them into practice in the business world.
[9:11] Blake shares how his life in the armed forces prepared him for his life as an entrepreneur.
[15:40] Tina talks about her perspective on the importance of a player-led team in a company’s transformation.
[19:34] What role does purpose play in change management?
Further Reading:
Notable Quotes:
“You have to get comfortable in the uncomfortable chaos, and if you can do it, that is how you can outperform and win over other people.” — Tina Semotan
“When you can pull that thread through to the purpose and where we're going… that's when you get the buy-in, that's when you get people running up a hill no matter what, trying to make sure that they get the mission done.”— Tina Semotan