We sit down with Max Sedghi, VP of Business Development at ICSI to discuss driving business performance through smart IT and security services. From his early work at Oracle to leading ICSI’s client services, Max unpacks the process of building secure, compliant, and productive client environments. We dive into the business' legacy, the challenges of cyber threats in the age of AI, and compliance issues like SOC 2 and HIPAA, blending professional insights with relatable moments.

About Max:

Partnerships are how he leads the Client Services division. A customer centered focus and a commitment to excellence are the cornerstones of this division. Max utilizes a road map with strategic solutions to maximize our clients’ assets allowing for a more secure, compliant and productive environment. He is committed to staying current with the latest trends and technologies, allowing us to provide our clients with the best possible solutions. Before joining ICSI, Max worked at Oracle, creating and implementing solutions. Max graduated with a B.A. in Finance from James Madison University and a Master of Technology, System Design and Management from Georgetown University.

Free IT assessment: https://www.icsi.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxsedghi

Find us online at: https://prevetted.ai/podcast

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction

01:39 - Anecdotes and travels

03:40 - Personal plans and guacamole

06:00 - Max’s background and ICSI’s mission

09:43 - Co-managed IT and supporting businesses

13:25 - Team collaboration and daily standups

18:20 - Managing cyber threats and attack surfaces

24:06 - Compliance challenges and SOC 2

30:20 - Zero trust policies and business needs

36:43 - Closing and future discussions

In this episode of the PreVetted Podcast, we sit down with Elisa Camahort Page, co-founder of BlogHer and Optionality, to explore her journey from a theater major to a tech entrepreneur. Elisa shares insights on scaling BlogHer from a bootstrap startup to a $30 million VC-backed media company, the lessons learned from navigating the 2008 financial crash, and the importance of fostering diverse, inclusive teams. She also discusses her current venture, Optionality, which champions a portfolio career approach, encouraging professionals to diversify their income streams and embrace flexibility in today’s dynamic work environment.

About Elisa:

Elisa Camahort Page is a serial entrepreneur, trusted advisor, and strategic consultant who launches and scales businesses, products, and authentic user communities and initiatives, harnessing the power of people -- community members, employees, and partners.

Elisa is currently the principal of ElisaCP Consulting and the co-founder of Optionality, a community of practice sharing wisdom, community, and connections with and between independent workers.

Elisa was previously the co-founder and COO of BlogHer, Inc. In that role, she represented the face of the company to the user community and drove the transformation of a movement into a market. BlogHer bootstrapped to drive momentum, raised venture capital to scale, reached tens of millions of users, and ultimately exited via acquisition.

Since that time, Elisa has worked with founders, executives, and organizational leaders to define and deliver on compelling products, content and messaging, foster passionate community, craft achievable resource plans, and bring constituencies together in alignment with brand values.

A frequent public speaker, course instructor, and freelance writer, Elisa also writes the This Week-ish newsletter and is the co-author of Road Map for Revolutionaries: Resistance, Activism, and Advocacy for All (Ten Speed Press, 2018).

Links:

• Optionality
• https://elisacp.com
• https://bio.site/elisacp

PreVetted Podcast:

Our site - https://prevetted.ai/podcast

X - https://x.com/PrevettedPod

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/prevetted-podcast

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:46 - Elisa's background

00:02:20 - The BlogHer Origin Story

00:04:00 - Theater skills in business

00:09:48 - Scaling BlogHer: Lessons learned

00:16:30 - The VC funding dilemma

00:24:08 - Optionality and the job stability landscape

00:33:24 - Challenges managing people

00:35:20 - Generational Shifts and Worker Empowerment

00:40:45 - On Resilience and Redefining Value

00:45:00 - Advice for Founders, Consultants, and Creators

01:00:10 - Optionality and community building

On this episode of PreVetted Podcast we sit down with Chris Champion about a shared passion for food, from homemade bread to quality coffee, while touching on Chris's tech and crypto ventures. The conversation weaves through personal anecdotes about dogs, health insights, and plans for the Podcaster Summit LIVE in Lubbock, Texas, offering a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and relatable lifestyle discussions.

Links:

Podcaster Summit LIVE - https://www.wearechampionai.com/

Follow Chris on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamchrischampion/

Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-champion-48236/

Get the travel French Press - https://amzn.to/3IgbVbX

PreVetted Podcast:

• Our site - https://prevetted.ai/podcast
• X - https://x.com/PrevettedPod
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/prevetted-podcast

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro and welcoming Chris

01:39 - Dog tales

05:50 - Homemade bread and the wonders of olive oil

09:43 - Coffee culture and flavors

15:41 - Podcaster Summit LIVE

19:56 - The final Ruby on Rails conference

27:44 - French press and coffee gear

30:20 - Starlink and off-grid adventures

34:11 - Closing and part 2 teaser