Technically Speaking with Harrison Wheeler Harrison Wheeler

About the Guest(s):Arlan Hamilton is an esteemed figure in the entrepreneurial and investment landscape, best known for her role as the founder of Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm that champions underrepresented founders by investing in their companies. With over 200 companies in her portfolio, Arlan is a champion for diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. She's also an acclaimed author, having penned titles such as "It's About Damn Time" and "Your First Million," the latter being the inspiration for her podcast sharing the same name. Her journey from overcoming personal challenges to leading a movement in the VC world has made her an inspirational and influential voice in the industry.
Episode Summary:In this episode, Harrison welcomes Arlan Hamilton, a visionary entrepreneur and investor renowned for her dedication to underrepresented founders. The conversation begins by acknowledging the profound connection between the guest and the host, ranging from crowdfunding initiatives to shared investment ventures, effectively setting a tone of mutual respect and collaboration.
The episode delves into Arlan's passion for the daytime drama "General Hospital," showcasing her unique and relatable interests. In a powerful narrative, Arlan reveals her personal motivations, emphasizing the importance of pursuing goals that transcend self-interest. She candidly shares her journey through homelessness and overcoming addiction, and talks through the pivotal moments that solidified her resolve to make a lasting impact in the venture capital space. The discussion pivots to offer valuable insights into her latest book, "Your First Million," which serves as a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on how to navigate the business world with wisdom and resilience.
Key Takeaways:Arlan Hamilton's profound impact on the venture capital industry stems from her focus on underrepresented founders and her personal mission that extends beyond individual success."Your First Million" acts as a mentor and guide, offering practical frameworks and advice for entrepreneurs looking to make a significant leap in their careers.Understanding the motivations behind one's entrepreneurial journey is crucial, with emphasis on creating a vision that benefits others, not just oneself.The entrepreneurial path is fraught with challenges, and success often requires a blend of calculated risk-taking, resilience, and persistence.Planning and housekeeping are essential before seeking outside funding for a business idea, emphasizing revenue generation over investment as a primary goal.
Notable Quotes:"I only do what I want to do. I figured out those boundaries, so don't feel sorry for me.""It's the fact that I can still bounce back.""There's no question here. And again, it goes back to who else is it affecting if it plays out?""We have so much agency of our own lives. And it's hard for me... but because of the way that I built Backstage and because of the things I've been through, I know firsthand how much of our own power we have."
Resources:Arlan Hamilton's Book: "Your First Million"Arlan Hamilton’s Podcast: "Your First Million"Event Mention: Your First Million Live in LA, April 9-12 yourfirstmillionlive.com
Join us for more engaging and inspiring episodes by tuning in to this podcast series. Arlan...

Fonz Morris, a growth design lead at Netflix, shares his journey from working at a strip club to becoming a successful designer and investor. He discusses his role in growth design at Netflix and highlights the importance of balancing business and design decisions. He also talks about his upcoming memoir and its therapeutic writing process. He emphasizes the need for patience, self-belief, and continuous learning in one's career. He shares his speaking experiences at various events and his impact on others' lives. He encourages designers to improve their communication skills and utilize networking opportunities. He also discusses his involvement in the VC space and angel investing.

Key Takeaways:
Discover what growth design is and what it focuses on for business growthLearn about Fonz's book-writing process, its requirements, and benefitsRemember why it’s important to trust the process and believe in yourself even when faced with rejection or setbacks Find out what’s essential for career growth and opportunitiesUnderstand why soft skills are crucial for success in the design industry and what designers should strive to beExplain why investing in startups can be a pathway to building generational wealth and identify the various entry points into the VC and angel investing space
Quotes:
"If you believe in something, you can get it done." - Fonz Morris"Treat yourself like a project. Don't be too hard on yourself." - Fonz Morris"Designers, we have a seat at the table, so take the seat." - Fonz Morris"Work on your communication. It is critical for your success." - Fonz Morris"Get out there, meet people, network, ask questions, get a mentor, have fun, shine, be great, and lean on a community when you need support." - Fonz Morris
Timestamps:
(03:15) Introduction to Fonz Morris and our mutual connections through networking
(05:01) His personal growth and industry impact
(06:00) On Growth Design at Netflix, retention projects, and global impact
(08:41) Password-sharing initiative at Netflix
(11:04) How to overcome impostor syndrome
(14:04) On writing his memoir, Self Design
(17:28) His early career and personal challenges
(19:57) Public speaking and strengthening his voice
(21:07) A full-circle moment speaking at Google
(26:46) His Involvement with VC and angel investing
(33:02) Encouraging community engagement in VC
(36:02) His final Advice for listeners
(37:56) How to connect with him
(39:10) How his airport habits and commitment helped with the episode

About The Guest:
Fonz Morris is a growth design lead at Netflix. With a background in computer science and a passion for design, he has worked on various projects at Netflix, including the password-sharing initiative. He is also involved in the VC space as an LP in a fund and is an angel investor and board member for several companies. He strongly advocates education and community building and is dedicated to helping others succeed in their careers.

Connect with Fonz Morris:
Website
LinkedIn
Twitter
Email

Referenced Links/Episodes:
a href="https://publishizer.com/self-design/checkout/22016/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Krislam Chin, a designer and educator based in West LA, shares her journey in the design industry and her passion for teaching. She discusses the importance of travel for creative individuals and the need for designers to experience the world. Her studio, Hello World Studio, aims to provide opportunities for emerging designers. She emphasizes the importance of not defining success based on external factors and encourages emerging designers always to acknowledge opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
Learn the importance of travel for creative individuals to gain new perspectives and experiencesUnderstand why designers should have the experience to stay relevant in the industryDiscover how her studio, Hello World Studio, aims to provide opportunities for emerging designersExplain the responsibility of Millennials to prepare the field for future design workforce and what we all can learn from Gen ZFind out Krislam’s success tips for emerging designers


Quotes:
"If you stay in one place for too long, you just need to see different things, be with other people." - Krislam Chin"Success is what you determine what success is." - Krislam Chin"Never let the world define what success looks like to you." - Krislam Chin
Timestamps:
(02:27) Introduction to Krislam Chin, how she met Harrison, and the benefits of traveling to creative individuals
(04:53) How she achieved her ultimate dream of being submerged in education as a student, educator, and studio owner
(07:04) The interplay between teaching and being a student running a studio and the importance of providing experience for emerging designers
(10:41) Acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities of students, making dreams come true for emerging designers and companies through Hello World Studio, and her motivation to move to Downtown LA
(15:25) What we can learn from Gen Z, reflecting on the stress and toxic culture in design, and the responsibility of Millennials to prepare the field for future design workforce
(24:48) From What If to Why Not: Success Tips for Emerging Designers 
(31:01) Why the individual, not external factors, define success
(34:12) How she radically accepted herself as a fun teacher using rubber duckies
(37:44) How to get in touch with Krislam and collaboration with small businesses
(38:48) Her appreciation for the podcast and community-building efforts

About The Guest:
Krislam Chin is a designer and educator based in West LA. With a passion for teaching, she has pursued a career in graphic design and recently launched Hello World Studio. She is dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging designers and helping them gain the experience they need to succeed in the industry.

Connect with Krislam Chin:
Website
Hello World Studio
LinkedIn

Referenced Links:
Michael Dahms
Two Backpacks Book


What's Next:
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We will be diving into the fascinating story of the rise and fall of InVision. In this episode, join host Harrison Wheeler and special guest Jay Demetillo as they take you on a journey through the history of InVision and discuss the impact it had on the design industry. They explore the evolution of design tools, from the days of Photoshop and Dreamweaver to the emergence of Sketch and the game-changing introduction of InVision. Join us as we reminisce about the challenges designers faced, the joy of collaborative work, and the race to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving design tool landscape.
About The Guest(s):
Jay Demetillo is a design practitioner with extensive experience in the industry. He has traveled the world giving talks on design and has a deep understanding of the importance of inclusive design and bringing value to design through business.
Key Takeaways:
InVision was a disruptive design tool that gained popularity in 2014-2015 with its cloud-based sharing and commenting features.InVision failed to keep up with competitors like Sketch and Figma due to a lack of updates and communication.Invision's collaborative tool, Freehand tool was acquired by Miro in 2023.Invsion announced their termination of services by end of the 2024 calendar year.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration
00:29 The Rise and Fall of InVision
02:04 The Evolution of Design Tools
02:23 The Emergence of Collaborative Work
02:51 Insights and Anecdotes
03:52 Jay's World Tour and Talks
06:39 The Rise and Fall of Envision: A Discussion
10:10 The Challenges of Designing for Multiple Devices
11:39 The Emergence of Sketch
17:01 The Role of Zeppelin in the Design Process
18:13 Discussing Envision's Early Days
18:41 Introduction to Envision's Features
20:22 The Impact on User Testing
22:14 Marketing and Community Engagement
24:30 Investment and Funding
25:17 Product Updates and Innovations
27:32 The Downfall of InVision Studio
33:17 Reflecting on InVision's Missteps
35:10 Final Thoughts on InVision's Journey

Chris Do, a personal branding coach and host of The Futur podcast, discusses the importance of personal branding and standing out in a changing market. He emphasizes the need to show up authentically and express your unique perspective and the value of thought leadership and writing in building your personal brand. He also shares his experience with coaching and the benefits of investing in mentorship. He encourages listeners to start now and act toward their goals, reminding them that their future selves will thank them.
Key Takeaways:
Gain insight into Chris' fascination with luxury goods and brandsInvestigate AI's impact on design and explore alternative approachesIdentify his most notable 20-year career projectsUncover the essence of personal branding and authentic representationLeverage social media to enhance your personal brandDevelop an audience through engaging writingImplement a two-step product development approachUnderstand different learning styles and apply knowledge effectivelyOvercome development plateaus by applying learned skillsReceive his high-level advice: What he would do differently if he could travel back in time

Quotes:
"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." - Simon Sinek"Your CV are your qualifications, but what perspective do you bring? What about your cultural currency?" - Chris Do"Every decision you make has a consequence. Otherwise, there's no point to have a lens or perspective on this." - Chris Do"Develop in public, iterate as you go. Your audience is bought in, and you have great use case and feedback." - Chris Do"Start now. Your future self will thank you for it." - Chris Do
Timestamps:
(03:01) Introduction to Chris Do
(04:17) Icebreaker: Why he's currently obsessed with luxury goods and brands
(07:57) Icebreaker: How AI replaces designers and why it's essential to shift and explore options
(08:54) Icebreaker: The 2 projects that stood out in his 20-year career
(12:19) What it means to show up and brand yourself
(15:01) How your social media presence can either make or break your personal brand
(20:16) Building an audience through writing
(22:46) Product development in 2 steps
(25:41) The 2 types of learners, why it's essential to apply what you've learned, and how to navigate plateaus through development
(29:41) What he would do if he could travel back in time

About The Guest:
Chris Do is a personal branding coach, renowned designer, and the host of the successful podcast The FuWhat'sth Chris Do. He is also the CEO and Founder of The Futur, a platform providing creative professionals education and resources. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he has worked on various projects, including music videos and 360 campaigns. He is passionate about helping individuals and businesses build their personal brands and achieve success in their creative endeavors.

Connect with Chris Do:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Podcast

Referenced Links:
a href="https://www.grailed.com/"

Adekunle Oduye, a Design Engineer at Plaid, discusses his journey from art to design to engineering and how he became a design engineer. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both design and code and communicating and collaborating effectively. He also talks about his podcast, "Code & Pixels," which aims to provide practical guidance and insights for those interested in design engineering. He encourages listeners to try new things and not be afraid to fail to learn and grow. 
Key Takeaways:
Discover the importance of understanding design and code to bridge the gap between the two disciplinesUnderstand why design engineers should be comfortable with ambiguity, project management skills, and excellent communication and collaborationLearn the power of trying new things and not being afraid to fail to learn and innovate
Quotes:
"I think for me, it's always, you're going to learn best by doing. That's how I learned, I was like, all right, I'm going to build this thing. I have no clue. I'm going to build it, but I'm just going to figure it out." - Adekunle Oduye"Don't be afraid to try new things. You're going to try things and it's going to be frustrating and you're going to feel down about yourself. But I think that's like anything, it's like you're going to suck at first." - Adekunle OduyeTimestamps:
(01:20) Introduction to Adekunle Oduye and his experience in design and engineering
(01:54) Icebreaker: His current obsession with going to museums
(03:23) Icebreaker: His interest in incorporating AI into his work
(05:29) Icebreaker: His preference for lo-fi hip-hop music while working
(06:54) His background in art and transition to design and engineering
(11:32) Evaluating the role of a design engineer based on project needs
(15:28) Core competencies of a design engineer: ambiguity, project management, communication
(21:05) "Code & Pixels Podcast and its impact
(24:58) His upcoming speaking engagements
(26:31) Why you should try new things and not be afraid to fail
About The Guest:
Adekunle Oduye, a design engineer at Plaid, is based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in art and design, Adekunle has a unique perspective on the intersection of design and engineering. He is passionate about using AI in his work and constantly explores ways to leverage it in design systems. He is also the co-host of the podcast "Code & Pixels," where he discusses various topics related to design engineering.
Connect with Adekunle Oduye:
Website
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
Code & Pixels


Referenced Links:
That Conference
Converge US


What's Next:
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