In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, Bret Larsen — serial entrepreneur and CEO of Chief — shares his journey from launching his first startup in college to leading multiple high-growth B2B software companies, including the telemedicine platform E-Visit. He reflects on the lessons learned from scaling businesses, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and transitioning from founder to CEO. Bret discusses the vision behind Chief, a predictive operations platform designed to empower sales leaders, and offers candid insights on mentorship, resilience, and the personal side of entrepreneurship.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Brett Larson and His Journey
03:03 The Birth of E-Visit and Telemedicine Innovations
06:00 The Launch of Chief: A Predictive Operations Platform
08:54 The Entrepreneurial Drive: Origins and Influences
11:50 Navigating Challenges in Healthcare Innovation
15:00 Growth During the Pandemic: A Turning Point
18:09 Managing Rapid Growth and New Responsibilities
20:51 Personal Growth and Leadership Development
24:12 The Importance of Mentorship and Skill Evolution
30:47 Unlocking Growth: The Role of Founders' Personal Lives
35:50 Navigating Identity: The Founder vs. CEO Dilemma
41:34 The Evolution of Chief: From Vision to Execution
46:50 Building Chief: Insights from Market Research
52:47 The Unique Value Proposition of Chief
56:38 Passion and Pain: The Reality of Building Businesses

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name:Bret Larsen
• Guest's Title/Position: Founder & CEO
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretalarsen/
• Company / Affiliation: Chief https://www.getchief.com/
• Guest's Bio: Bret Larsen is the Founder and CEO of Chief, a sales performance management platform built to help modern sales teams turn complexity into clarity and make growth inevitable. A 3x founder and seasoned CEO, Bret has built multiple high-growth B2B software companies recognized by Inc. 5000, Deloitte Fast 500, Forrester, and Gartner. Named a Titan 100 CEO, Top 50 CEO in Healthcare Technology, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, he’s known for building high-performing teams and market-defining products. Backed by investors including Goldman Sachs and Kickstart Seed Fund, Bret also advises startups and serves on boards across technology, healthcare, and education.

Takeaways:

• Brett Larson is a three-time founder and CEO with a strong background in B2B software.
• His first company was a small e-commerce business started during his undergraduate studies.
• Brett's journey in healthcare began with E-Visit, a telemedicine platform that gained traction during the pandemic.
• The idea for Chief, his latest venture, was inspired by the need for predictive operations in businesses.
• Brett's entrepreneurial drive is influenced by his family background and early experiences in business.
• Healthcare is often slow to adopt technology due to the risks involved, but there are opportunities for innovation.
• The pandemic created a significant growth opportunity for E-Visit, leading to a 1200% increase in team size.
• Navigating rapid growth requires a shift in leadership skills and adaptability.
• Brett highlights the importance of mentorship and executive coaching in his development as a leader.
• The role of a CEO can be lonely, and perception plays a crucial role in leadership.
• You cannot increase burn for six months post-investment without proving ROI.
• Founders' personal lives significantly impact business success.
• Hiring talented individuals can be intimidating but is essential for growth.
• Articulating a clear vision is crucial for leadership.
• Goldman Sachs provides unparalleled support for startups.
• Recognizing feelings of languishing can lead to renewed purpose.
• Unlocking operational data is key to business success.
• The ideal customer for Chief is a VP of Sales or CRO.
• Pain tolerance is directly correlated to impact in business.
• Passion for the problem drives resilience in entrepreneurship.