S1 | E3 — Alex Fala on Vend, Scaling SaaS, and the Future of Retail

Guest Episode: Calling Operator — Harry Uffindell

Harry Uffindell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell/] is the Chief People Officer at Partly. He’s worn just about every startup hat: founder, growth, bizops, revops, people, culture; you name it. But he ultimately found his calling in the people space. Now, he’s scaling Partly, hiring the world’s top 1% talent, and building a culture where people stay excited about their work a decade in. In today’s episode, we discuss: * Scaling Partly from its first non-technical hire to ~100 employees—and the lessons behind making it the best startup to work for. * Building a company culture that lasts, where 10 years in, you’re still buzzing to show up every day. * Co-founding and selling MeatMail (a food subscription startup) with Dave Booth [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveboothy/], the zero-to-one story. * “This is a pretty good V1” — what Tim Ryan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyoryan/] taught Harry about quality work and scaling startups globally. * Tilt to Airbnb: From first APAC hire to Country Manager, scaling Tilt, and what it takes to land a global “boots on the ground” role. * A bad-reception phone call that changed everything. How Airbnb’s acquisition of Tilt set Harry on a path to helping make Australia Airbnb’s most penetrated market worldwide before the IPO. * Focus as a superpower. Mastering the art of focus is the most impactful skill an operator can develop. * Learning from the best. How Patti McCord, Reed Hastings (Netflix), and the Collison Brothers (Stripe) are shaping Harry’s playbook as a world-class Chief People Officer. * Angel Investing 101. His advice for operators making their first bets. Listen On: * Apple Podcasts * Spotify Harry’s Recommended Frameworks, Podcasts & Books: * Books: * Delivering Happiness [https://www.amazon.com/Delivering-Happiness-Profits-Passion-Purpose/dp/0446563048] (people and culture) * No Rules Rules [https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/no-rules-rules-9780753560969] (Netflix culture) * The Hard Thing About Hard Things [https://www.amazon.com.au/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205] (gritty leadership) * Amp It Up [https://www.amazon.com.au/AMP-Unlocking-Hypergrowth-Expectations-Intensity/dp/1119836115] (high-performance culture) * Powerful by Patty McCord [https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1939714095?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz] (freedom + responsibility) * Radical Candor [https://www.amazon.com.au/Radical-Candor-Kick-ass-Without-Humanity/dp/1250235375] (feedback and relationships) * Great by Choice [https://www.amazon.com.au/Great-Choice-Jim-Collins/dp/0062120999] (10x leadership) * How to Win Friends and Influence People [https://www.amazon.com.au/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034] * Podcasts: * Acquired, a16z, Founders, Tim Ferriss, Crucible Moments, 20VC. * Frameworks: * The One Thing [https://the1thing.com/free-resources/] (goal-setting) * The Quarterly Rhythm That Fuels Growth and High-Performing Teams [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com/p/beyond-the-annual-offsite-the-cadence] (includes duplicatable resources/Notion pages) * Eisenhower Matrix [https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/] (urgent/important prioritization) * Radical Candor (caring personally + challenging directly). * Operators—Future leader/vision: * Patti McCord and Reed Hastings from Netflix (culture) * Patrick Collison and the Stripe brothers (execution) Ones to Watch & Other Folks Mentioned in the Episode: * Pene Barton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelopebarton/] (CEO at Crimson Global Academy) * Kirsti Grant [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstigrant/] (Chief People Experience Officer at Auror) * Jamie Beaton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebeaton/] (CEO and Co-Founder at Crimson Education) * Dave Booth [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveboothy/] (Founder in Residence at Blackbird) * Mike Duboe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeduboe/] (General Partner at Greylock Partners) * Levi Fawcett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi4sit/] (CEO at Partly) * Tim Ryan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyoryan/] (Co-Founder and CEO at Atomic8) * Andrew Huynh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/huynhandrew/] (GTM Strategy Lead, New Products at Culture Amp) * Dan Brockwell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbrockwell/] (Co-founder and Head of Program at Earlywork) Find Harry Online: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell] * Harry’s Newsletter [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.harrysnewsletter.com [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

S1 | E4 — Gen George (LMBDW; Tamme; Skilld; OneShift) on Startup Growth and the Future of Work

Listen/Subscribe on: * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] From launching a babysitting hustle at 16 to building two successful startups, Gen George's journey is all about bold ideas and solving real-world problems. 🚀 In this episode, the co-founder of LMBDW (Like-Minded B*****s Drinking Wine) and founder of tamme, Skilld and OneShift joins us to share how she built and scaled multiple businesses, the lessons she learned along the way, and her insights on hiring, scaling, and the future of work. In today's episode, we cover: ✅ Early entrepreneurial ventures – How Jen’s childhood exposure to business shaped her mindset, from working in her parents’ factory to launching her first side hustle. ✅ From university dropout to startup founder – Why traditional education wasn’t the right path, and how her gap year led to unexpected business opportunities. ✅ Building OneShift & Skilled – The story behind launching her first marketplace startup, securing $5M in funding, and later pivoting to Skilled, a platform revolutionizing hiring for small businesses. ✅ Scaling a two-sided marketplace – Lessons on balancing supply and demand, leveraging AI for matchmaking, and overcoming hiring challenges in the service industry. ✅ Growth strategies & traction – From old-school flyer marketing to real-time ad optimization, the marketing playbook that took Skilled to 120,000 users in just six months. ✅ Startup culture & leadership – Why hiring for adaptability matters, how to foster a culture of experimentation, and the key traits she looks for in a team. Jen also shares her thoughts on the gig economy, what it takes to scale a lean startup, and her best advice for founders navigating the early stages of business. Resources & Links: 👋 Gen George: linkedin.com/in/gengeorge [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gengeorge/]👋 Harry Uffindell: linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell [http://linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell]🎧 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430]🎧 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] Thanks for reading Harry's Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts each month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.harrysnewsletter.com [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

S1 | E3 — Alex Fala on Vend, Scaling SaaS, and the Future of Retail

Listen/Subscribe on: * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] From McKinsey to Trade Me to leading one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing tech companies—Alex Fala’s career is a masterclass in leadership, strategy, and scaling businesses. 🚀 In this episode, the former CEO of Syft and Vend (now Lightspeed [http://lightspeedhq.com]) joins us to talk about his journey into tech, the challenges of scaling a SaaS company, and what the future holds for retail businesses navigating an ever-evolving landscape. In today's episode, we cover: ✅ Early career & McKinsey days – How Alex’s experience in strategy consulting shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making. ✅ Jumping into tech – From TradeMe to Vend, what drew Alex to the world of startups and high-growth SaaS businesses. ✅ Scaling Vend – The key milestones in Vend’s journey, from its early days to expanding across 140 countries and raising nearly $50 million in funding. ✅ Building a global SaaS business – The challenges of balancing rapid growth, hiring top talent, and keeping a company culture strong across multiple markets. ✅ Growth & go-to-market strategies – What’s worked for Vend, how their marketing has evolved, and lessons learned from optimizing for sustainable scale. ✅ Retail & the future of POS software – How technology is reshaping retail, why independent retailers still matter, and what’s next for Vend in an AI-driven world. Alex also shares his insights on fundraising, leadership, and the importance of resilience in building a world-class company. Resources & Links: 👋 Alex Fala: linkedin.com/in/alexanderfala [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderfala/]👋 Harry Uffindell: linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell [http://linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell]📌 Learn more at vendhq.com [https://vendhq.com]📌 Explore career opportunities at lightspeedhq.com [https://www.lightspeedhq.com/careers/]🎧 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430]🎧 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.harrysnewsletter.com [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

S1 | E2 — Niki Scevak on Blackbird, Startmate, and Investing in Global Startups

Listen/Subscribe on: * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] From launching a startup in the ‘90s to shaping Australia’s venture capital landscape—Niki Scevak’s journey is a testament to vision, resilience, and the power of community. 🚀 In this episode, the Co-founder of Blackbird Ventures and Startmate joins me to talk about building a world-class startup ecosystem, the evolution of Australia’s tech scene, and what founders need to know about raising capital. In today's episode, we cover: ✅ Early entrepreneurial ventures – How Niki’s first startup, a bookmark-sharing service, got acquired in the early days of the internet boom. ✅ Lessons from failure & success – What he learned from launching multiple ventures before pivoting to the investment side of startups. ✅ The birth of Startmate – Why Australia needed an accelerator, how Startmate helps early-stage founders and the traits that make a great startup leader. ✅ Scaling Blackbird Ventures – How Blackbird grew from an ambitious idea to billions of dollars under management and backing the likes of Canva, Safety Culture, Culture Amp and many other global success stories. ✅ Startup fundraising & investment – What founders need to know about venture capital, common pitfalls in pitching, and why clarity of vision is crucial. ✅ Building a strong startup ecosystem – Why ‘lighthouse companies’ matter, how a thriving tech scene fuels future entrepreneurship, and what’s next for Australian startups. Niki also shares his insights on hiring, the role of resilience in startup success, and the advice he gives to founders navigating their first fundraise. Resources & Links: 👋 Niki Scevak: linkedin.com/in/niki-scevak [https://www.linkedin.com/in/niki-scevak-15856/?originalSubdomain=au]👋 Harry Uffindell: linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell [http://linkedin.com/in/harrisonuffindell]📌 Learn more at blackbird.vc [https://blackbird.vc]📌 Explore career opportunities at blackbird.vc/careers [https://www.blackbird.vc/careers-at-blackbird]🎧 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/harrys-podcast/id1796049430]🎧 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3CEAXINhB8a4lxQDaTPw36] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.harrysnewsletter.com [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

S1 | E1 — Tim Fung on Building Airtasker, Scaling Marketplaces, and the Future of Work

ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode, I interview Tim Fung, Co-founder & CEO at Airtasker. Airtasker is an open community marketplace where people can outsource everyday odd jobs as well as professional tasks. They’ve seen some pretty incredible growth and last year closed one of the largest startup fundraising rounds in Australia, securing $22m led by Seven West Media. In Today's Episode We Cover:Early entrepreneurial ventures (including hiring out and selling tickets to the local race track) Founding Australia's first low-cost mobile service provider, AmaysimHow the world needs to adapt to the shared economy and a new way of working Airtasker's experimental culture and the importance of optimisationHow to measure customer happiness through KPIsImportance of speaking one language across the countryWhy we should encourage overseas talent to set up in AustraliaWhat advice to take and the importance of being true to yourself This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.harrysnewsletter.com [https://www.harrysnewsletter.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]