Behind Numbers

5 Became Unicorns. 4 Went to Zero. Here's What He Learned.

Five unicorns. Four failures. Nearly 30 startup investments.Most investors never back a unicorn. Baba Page has backed five.In this episode of Behind Numbers, Baba breaks down how he evaluates founders, why he believes people matter more than ideas, and what separates the companies that scale from those that disappear.But this conversation goes far beyond investing.We also discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, the myth of multitasking, building systems that create leverage, and how Baba balances business, investing, and fatherhood as the father of eight children.In this episode:• How Baba evaluates founders before writing a check• The common traits shared by successful entrepreneurs• Why he believes multitasking is a fallacy• The difference between lifestyle businesses and venture-scale companies• Lessons learned from backing winners and losing money on failed startups• How to build systems that scale both at work and at home• What he wishes he had known 20 years earlierWhether you're an entrepreneur, investor, operator, or leader, this episode is packed with practical lessons on decision-making, focus, growth, and priorities.Guest: Bubba PageHost: Alessandro Cozzi#behindnumbers #Startups #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #AngelInvesting #Business

98% of Venture Capital Money Goes to the Same People...

In this episode of Behind Numbers, Senofer Mendoza — Founder & General Partner of Mendoza Ventures — shares an inside look into the world of venture capital, startup investing, and the challenges of building a fund outside the traditional system.From representation in venture capital to founder psychology, leadership, AI, and the future of innovation, this conversation explores what really happens behind the scenes of the startup ecosystem.Senofer also explains why she believes capital should be assigned to talent, why more women need to write checks, and how diverse perspectives can shape stronger businesses and better outcomes.A powerful conversation on investing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the future of venture capital.#VentureCapital #Startups #Leadership #Business #BehindNumbers

She Thought She Chose the Wrong Career… Then Everything Connected

Why do some people build successful careers without having everything figured out… while others feel stuck even when they’re doing everything “right”?In this episode of Behind Numbers, Catherine shares how her path evolved from early storytelling to journalism, marketing, and eventually building her own business, without a perfectly planned roadmap.Along the way, she reveals one pattern she’s seen again and again when working with leaders: most professionals struggle to communicate clearly, and it often holds them back more than they realize.But this conversation goes far beyond communication.Topics include:– Navigating career uncertainty and wrong turns– The overlap between journalism, marketing, and leadership– What it really takes to build something on your own– Why many leaders feel pressure and responsibility differently than expected– The role of clarity and brevity in effective communicationIf you’re thinking about your next step, building something, or improving how you communicate your ideas, this episode offers a practical and honest perspective.Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of work.#careergrowth #Leadership #Communication #Entrepreneurship #Clarity #BehindNumbers

He Left Google… Then Realized Something Was Very Wrong

He left Google at the peak of his career… but something still felt wrong. Even on a beach in Mexico, the stress didn’t go away. In this episode of Behind Numbers, Julian Pistone (ex-Google leader) shares the moment he realized success wasn’t enough—and what it really takes to redesign your life from the inside out. After nearly a decade at Google leading international teams, Julian walked away from everything to pursue a deeper question: 👉 What if the system you're optimizing for isn't the one you actually want to live in? In this conversation, we explore: * Why high achievers often feel stuck (even at the top) * The hidden cost of success and identity * How to know if you're on the wrong path * The question that can change your life If you’ve ever felt like something is “off”… this will hit home. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders redefining success and the future of work. #JulianPistone #GoogleCareer #CareerChange #Burnout #Purpose #SelfGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #Success #PersonalGrowth #LifeDesign #BehindNumbers

I Wasted Years Worrying… (Ex-Microsoft Leader)

What if the key to a successful career isn’t working harder… but worrying less? In this episode of Behind Numbers, I sit down with Monica Pool Knox — former CHRO and Leader at global companies like Microsoft, Twitter/X, Sony, and PepsiCo — to unpack what really drives career success, leadership, and long-term impact. From building high-performing teams across global organizations to transitioning into venture capital, Monica shares the real, behind-the-scenes lessons that most professionals never hear. We dive into: * What it really means to be “great” at your job  * How relationships shape your entire career trajectory  * The truth about company culture (and how to spot the right one)  * What separates good leaders from exceptional ones  * Why talent and people still matter more than AI and tools  * The mindset shift that can change your entire career  And at the end, one powerful reflection: 👉 “I would worry less and have fun more.” If you’re navigating your career, leading teams, or thinking about your next move — this conversation will change how you think. #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership #BehindNumbers #CareerAdvice #Management #Hiring #CompanyCulture #VentureCapital #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SuccessMindset #HR #FutureOfWork