In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/) talks to Zander Barth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zanderbarth/), Director of Colophon New Media, a web development and marketing agency with 18 remote team members. His hiring philosophy flips conventional wisdom: personality and culture fit first, credentials last. His most recent hire had never touched a website backend but had spent two years teaching himself development by building random weekend projects. Zander also explains why intrinsic motivation and willingness to get your hands dirty matter more than experience, especially as AI reshapes what agency work looks like.

The 5 Q's:

(3:19) What's the latest thing you've learned?

(6:46) What's a business bet you're making right now?

(12:18) What's one thing you think everyone should know?

(14:33) Who are you grateful for at the moment?

(17:59) What's your biggest challenge right now?

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Zander Barth here;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zanderbarth/

https://www.cnmwebsite.com/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Rameel Sheikh (https://x.com/ramshe1000), discussing his journey from bootstrapped companies to creating a successful newsletter and his insights on content creation, distribution, and balancing work and personal life.

Rameel Sheikh is the former COO of Y Combinator company First Base, founder of The Bottleneck, a newsletter for CLOs, operational execs, and senior managers, and creator of Cornerstone, a vetted community of COOs, VPs, and heads of operations.

[00:00] Introduction and Rameel's background

[03:30] The Bottleneck newsletter

[05:45] Latest learning: Market running after the product

[08:30] Business bet: Content to SaaS or data information product

[11:15] Living in tier-one cities: blessing and curse

[14:30] Gratitude for family and reprioritizing life

[18:00] Challenges in balancing work, family, and health

[20:45] Wrapping up and contact information

[21:30] Discussion on project management vs. operations roles

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Rameel Sheikh here;

https://x.com/ramshe1000

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameel-sheikh/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Nik Hulewsky (https://x.com/cofoundersnik), who shares insights on modern industrialism, building an audience, and the challenges of transitioning between industries.

Nik is a former healthcare entrepreneur who has transitioned into the digital space. Nik is currently exploring digital businesses and building an online audience.

[00:00] Introduction and Nik's background in healthcare

[02:45] Nik's interpretation of being a modern industrialist

[06:30] Nik's current ventures and transition to digital businesses

[10:15] Discussion on crypto mining business challenges

[14:30] Latest learning: Setting up a podcast studio and observing similarities with his sons

[17:00] Business bet: Building an audience as a future competitive advantage

[18:45] The importance of effective communication skills

[20:00] Gratitude for his wife's support in his entrepreneurial journey

[21:15] Current challenge: Balancing exploration with tangible results

[22:30] The value of curiosity and asking questions

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Nikolas Hulewsky here;

https://x.com/cofoundersnik

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-hulewsky-617b132a/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Kevin Bibelhausen (https://x.com/bibelhausen), who shares his insights on entrepreneurship through business acquisition, the import industry, and leveraging existing infrastructure for growth.

Kevin is a former technology executive for a large public hospital system, in early 2022 he acquired a textile company, and now focuses on textile sourcing, design, and distribution.

[00:00] Introduction and Kevin's background

[03:30] How Kevin acquired the business

[06:15] Latest learning: Complexities of imports

[09:30] Business bet: Leveraging changes in the textile space

[12:45] One thing everyone should know: Alternative paths to entrepreneurship

[16:00] Gratitude: The importance of a support network

[18:30] Current challenge: Updating technology infrastructure

[21:00] Discussion on HR outsourcing and PEOs

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Kevin Bibelhausen here;

https://x.com/bibelhausen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibelhausen/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Jack Burlinson (https://x.com/jfbrly), who shares insights on intentional information consumption, business strategies, and personal growth.

Jack is the founder of Stageglass, a technology startup building 3D design products for interior designers, architects, and renovation contractors. Jack is also the former co-founder of Stanford Barbell Club.

[00:00] Introduction and Jack's background

[02:15] Latest learning: The importance of intentional information consumption

[05:30] Business bet: Leveraging customer acquisition costs in the FF&E industry

[09:45] One thing everyone should know: The critical importance of sleep

[12:30] Gratitude: Jack's mother

[14:00] Current challenge: Achieving product-market fit

[17:30] Jack's life outside of work

[20:15] Discussion on business history and potential podcast ideas

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Jack Burlinson here;

https://x.com/jfbrly

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-burlinson/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Donald Spann (https://x.com/DTSpann), who shares insights on modern industrialism, his various business ventures, and the importance of taking action in entrepreneurship.

Donald is a serial entrepreneur with a focus on staffing and service businesses. Donald is also the founder of multiple staffing and service businesses.

[00:00] Introduction and Donald's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[03:15] Donald's current business ventures

[07:30] Latest learning: Spanish language studies

[09:15] Business bet: The shift in how and where work is performed

[13:45] The importance of knowing how to sell

[16:30] Gratitude for friends and family

[18:15] Current challenge: Breaking into senior-level staffing in life sciences

[20:00] Discussion on Donald's core skill set in recruiting and staffing

[21:45] Final thoughts on taking action in entrepreneurship

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Donald Spann here;

https://x.com/DTSpann

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald2/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Rob Levin (https://x.com/levin411), who shares insights on entrepreneurship, business growth, and the importance of delegation.

Rob is the co-founder and co-owner of Work Better Now, a company providing remote talent from Latin America to US-based small and mid-sized businesses. Rob is a Serial entrepreneur focused on small and mid-sized business market.

[00:00] Introduction and Work Better Now's business model

[02:30] Rob's perspective on being a modern industrialist

[04:45] Latest learning: The "Who Not How" principle

[08:15] Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer and stepping back

[11:30] Business bet: Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer to accelerate growth

[13:00] One thing everyone should know: Every business owner must have an assistant

[15:15] Gratitude: Family, team, clients, and more

[17:00] Current challenge: Growing beyond referrals and organic growth

[20:00] Discussion on CEO groups and mastermind experiences

[22:00] Contact information and final thoughts

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Robert Levin here;

https://x.com/levin411

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertslevin/

In this episode of 5Q's, host Michael Greenberg (https://x.com/gentoftech) interviews Cody Schneider (https://x.com/codyschneiderxx), who shares insights on AI-powered content creation, innovative marketing strategies, and the future of automated business growth.

Cody runs growth for a venture studio focusing on workflow tools. He also specializes in content marketing and AI-powered growth strategies.

[00:00] Introduction and Cody's role in the venture studio

[02:15] Latest learning: Enhancing AI outputs with context and brand voice

[07:30] Business bet: Building comprehensive AI-powered workflows

[11:45] The importance of understanding traditional content creation processes

[14:30] Gratitude: The value of a founder community

[17:00] Current challenge: Balancing growth and financing options

[20:15] Cody's growth stack and innovative marketing strategies

—

Connect with Michael Greenberg here;

https://x.com/gentoftech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentoftech/

https://www.3rdbrain.co/

—

Connect with Cody Schneider here;

https://x.com/codyschneiderxx

https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyxschneider/