Pavilion

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-mikowski-a349903/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russ Mikowski</a>, CEO of SurePeople and longtime revenue leader intech, never planned to become a CEO, until he was recruited to transform a 10-year-old company grappling with technical debt, a scattered ICP, and untapped potential. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, Russ opens up about the tough decisions he’s made since taking the helm: rebuilding instead of refactoring, saying "no" to legacy customers, and doubling down on a focused go-to-market strategy for SurePeople’s innovative psychometric assessment platform, Prism. You're invited! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks. Key Moments:(00:00) Introduction to Topline Spotlight(03:00) Understanding SurePeople and Its Mission(05:51) Russ's Journey to CEO and Company History(08:55) Navigating Technical Debt and Product Development(12:01) Defining Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and Market Focus(14:50) Company Culture and Communication Strategies(17:53) Inspiration and Leadership Philosophy

Russ Mikowski, CEO of SurePeople and longtime revenue leader in tech, never planned to become a CEO, until he was recruited to transform a 10-year-old company grappling with technical debt, a scattered ICP, and untapped potential. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, Russ opens up about the tough decisions he’s made since taking the helm: rebuilding instead of refactoring, saying "no" to legacy customers, and doubling down on a focused go-to-market strategy for SurePeople’s innovative psychometric assessment platform, Prism.

SPOTLIGHT: Untangling Tech Debt and Finding Product-Market Fit with Russ Mikowski of SurePeople

Untangling Tech Debt and Finding Product-Market Fit with Russ Mikowski of SurePeople

The #1 podcast for founders, operators, and investors in B2B tech. Tune in every week to hear Sam Jacobs, AJ Bruno and Asad Zaman discuss and debate the trends, news, and developments impacting the B2B tech world. Enjoy the hot takes, strong opinions, and dry humor.

Topline

In this episode, Sam Jacobs and Asad Zaman are joined by Eric Wilford, a venture partner at Accel, to discuss venture investing with a focus on AI-first companies. The discussion delves into what defines an AI-first company, the implications of AI on product development and go-to-market strategies, and the influence of macroeconomic conditions on venture investments. Eric also shares his perspectives on valuation, the competitive dynamics in AI, and the role of authenticity in successful entrepreneurship. Thanks for tuning in!<a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks. Key Moments:&nbsp;(00:00) - Introduction(03:21) - Discussion on AI-First Companies(06:35) - AI in Enterprise SaaS and Product Customization(18:00) - Macro Economy and Venture Investing(22:23) - Navigating Recessions and AI Era(25:05) - Valuations in the AI Market(30:58) - Raising Capital: Strategies and Debates(35:57) - Founders' Goals and Investor Alignment(38:53) - Inspiration and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Sam Jacobs and Asad Zaman are joined by Eric Wilford, a venture partner at Accel, to discuss venture investing with a focus on AI-first companies. The discussion delves into what defines an AI-first company, the implications of AI on product development and go-to-market strategies, and the influence of macroeconomic conditions on venture investments. Eric also shares his perspectives on valuation, the competitive dynamics in AI, and the role of authenticity in successful entrepreneurship.

Thanks for tuning in! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!

Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

Key Moments: 
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:21) - Discussion on AI-First Companies
(06:35) - AI in Enterprise SaaS and Product Customization
(18:00) - Macro Economy and Venture Investing
(22:23) - Navigating Recessions and AI Era
(25:05) - Valuations in the AI Market
(30:58) - Raising Capital: Strategies and Debates
(35:57) - Founders' Goals and Investor Alignment
(38:53) - Inspiration and Final Thoughts

E106: AI-Driven vs AI-First vs AI-Native with Eric Wolford of Accel

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoslrivera/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marcos Rivera</a>, Founder and CEO of Pricing I/O offers an inside look into how he transformed his solo consultancy into a thriving team of SaaS pricing experts. He shares practical insights on pricing strategy, including why companies should revisit pricing regularly, how underpricing affects customer perception, and why adding more features isn't always the solution to retention problems. You're invited! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks. Key Moments:(01:50) - Interview with Marcos Rivera: Pricing Expertise(04:44) - Common Misconceptions About Pricing(14:10) - Solving Business Problems: Talent Acquisition(23:05) - Reflections and Recommendations(25:48) - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Marcos Rivera, Founder and CEO of Pricing I/O offers an inside look into how he transformed his solo consultancy into a thriving team of SaaS pricing experts. He shares practical insights on pricing strategy, including why companies should revisit pricing regularly, how underpricing affects customer perception, and why adding more features isn't always the solution to retention problems.


SPOTLIGHT: Solving SaaS Pricing Challenges with Pricing I/O Founder Marcos Rivera

The hosts dissect Attio's AI-native CRM disrupting traditional customer management and examine the surprisingly resilient seed/Series B funding landscape despite economic headwinds. Learn how AI is fundamentally changing go-to-market playbooks, enabling tech companies to scale faster than ever before, and which AI sales tools have genuine staying power. Thanks for tuning in! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks. Key Moments:[02:07]&nbsp;AJ's Boating Adventure[04:05] Sam on Pavilion's CMO Summit and Personal Updates[06:56]&nbsp;Marketing and Revenue Insights[10:36]&nbsp;AI in Business[13:34]&nbsp;Economic Sentiment and Business Strategy[33:02]&nbsp;Hiring in Volatile Times[37:04]&nbsp;Compensation Strategies for Sales Teams[40:55]&nbsp;AI in Sales: A Conversation with an AI SDR Founder[48:06]&nbsp;The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing[01:00:15]&nbsp;Novel Uses of AI[01:08:54]&nbsp;Closing Remarks and Shoutouts

The hosts dissect Attio's AI-native CRM disrupting traditional customer management and examine the surprisingly resilient seed/Series B funding landscape despite economic headwinds. Learn how AI is fundamentally changing go-to-market playbooks, enabling tech companies to scale faster than ever before, and which AI sales tools have genuine staying power.

E105: AI-Native CRMs and Early Stage Resilience: Scaling in Economic Uncertainty

LucidLink CEO and Co-founder Pete Thompson offers an inside look into how he rapidly scaled LucidLink, a company that transforms cloud storage into an accessible, high-performance drive. Pete discusses the critical steps and strategies that propelled the company from its inception in 2016, through struggles to find product-market fit, to achieving breakthrough success during the pandemic. Key Moments:(00:46) - Spotlight on Pete Thompson of LucidLink(01:42) - LucidLink's Innovative Cloud Storage Solution(03:09) - Finding the Ideal Customer and Product Market Fit(08:02) - Challenges and Breakthroughs During the Pandemic(18:21) - Rapid Growth and Fundraising Success(20:42) - Reflections and Future Outlook(23:05) - Closing Remarks and Recommendations(25:15) - Outro and Subscription Information You're invited! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

LucidLink CEO and Co-founder Pete Thompson offers an inside look into how he rapidly scaled LucidLink, a company that transforms cloud storage into an accessible, high-performance drive. Pete discusses the critical steps and strategies that propelled the company from its inception in 2016, through struggles to find product-market fit, to achieving breakthrough success during the pandemic.

SPOTLIGHT: Resilience and Growth with LucidLink CEO Pete Thompson

Resilience and Growth: The Journey of LucidLink with Pete Thompson

What should founders and operators prioritize when the market swings 6% in a day?&nbsp;In this episode, Sam, Asad and AJ break down the fallout from historic tariff whiplash, trillion-dollar market swings, and the signals that separate resilient companies from risky bets. They debate:<ul><li>Defensive moves vs. offensive plays: When to cut costs, when to lean into growth, and why “profitable efficiency” is the new mantra.</li><li>Customer psychology in chaos: Why “delay” is the word of the year—and how to combat it.</li><li>The global ripple effect: How geopolitical instability impacts hiring, pricing, and even brand perception for U.S. companies abroad.</li><li>AI, offshoring, and variable costs: Tactics to future-proof your team and margins.</li></ul> Plus, live data from Pavilion’s pulse survey reveals how 56% of companies are already adjusting 2025 forecasts—and why the CEOs argue volatility isn’t going away. Whether you’re debating layoffs, M&amp;A, or just how to sleep at night, this episode is your survival guide." Thanks for tuning in! Want more content from Pavilion?&nbsp; You're invited! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks. Key Moments:[01:19] – Market Volatility &amp; Whiplash[07:07] – Defensive Strategies for Volatile Times[31:36] – Customer Psychology: Fighting "Delay" Mindset[47:01] – People Strategy: Building a Resilient Team[57:52] – Offensive Plays: When to Attack[01:05:41] – Wins &amp; Fails

What should founders and operators prioritize when the market swings 6% in a day? In this episode, Sam Jacobs (Pavilion), Asad Zaman (Sales Talent Agency), and AJ Bruno (QuotaPath) break down the fallout from historic tariff whiplash, trillion-dollar market swings, and the signals that separate resilient companies from risky bets.

E104: Tariffs, Turbulence, and Tough Calls: Operating in an Era of Economic Whiplash

Most SaaS companies don’t fail because they grow too slowly—they fail because they grow&nbsp;too fast&nbsp;and ignore the warning signs. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, the team engages with Michael Dzik, an operating partner at Radian Capital. Mike shares insights from his extensive experience in the B2B technology sector, discussing the challenges and strategies for companies at different stages of their growth. Key topics include identifying growth stall points, the importance of product flexibility, the role of customer discovery, and best practices in pricing and packaging. Mike emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and reveals how Radian Capital supports companies through various investment approaches. Additionally, Mike recommends notable books he is currently reading, such as 'Blood Meridian' and 'The Mosquito'. Key Moments:(00:00) - Introduction to Top Line Podcast(00:45) - Spotlight on Michael Dzik(02:21) - Radian Capital's Investment Strategy(06:05) - Challenges and Solutions in Vertical SaaS(19:36) - Insights on Pricing and Packaging(21:59) - Book Recommendations and Closing Remarks You're invited! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-slack" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the free Topline Slack channel</a> to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast! <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/topline-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to the Topline Newsletter</a> to get the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends delivered to your inbox every Thursday. <a href="https://www.joinpavilion.com/the-revenue-leadership-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tune into The Revenue Leadership Podcast with Kyle Norton</a> every Wednesday. Kyle dives deep into the strategies and tactics that drive success for revenue leaders like Jason Lemkins of SaaStr, Stevie Case of Vanta, and Ron Gabrisko of Databricks.

I work with founders to grow their enterprise technology start-ups. I have been in the technology industry for my entire career - always in the B2B space. My current role as an Operating Partner (GTM & Growth) is with Radian Capital headquartered in New York City, a $1B AUM growth equity fund focused on enterprise software investing. We try to help founders expand their companies in a durable and profitable manner.

Michael Dzik

Operating Partner | Radian Capital

Most SaaS companies don’t fail because they grow too slowly—they fail because they grow too fast and ignore the warning signs. In this episode of Topline Spotlight, the team engages with Michael Dzik, an operating partner at Radian Capital. Mike shares insights from his extensive experience in the B2B technology sector, discussing the challenges and strategies for companies at different stages of their growth. Key topics include identifying growth stall points, the importance of product flexibility, the role of customer discovery, and best practices in pricing and packaging. Mike emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and reveals how Radian Capital supports companies through various investment approaches. Additionally, Mike recommends notable books he is currently reading, such as 'Blood Meridian' and 'The Mosquito'.