Drawing on my experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and improv comedian I help entrepreneurs, leaders, teams, and companies create and grow companies make a positive impact on the world.
I am the author of "Straight From the Investor's Mouth: 111 Pieces of Advice for Entrepreneurs" (because 100 wasn't enough), the creator of the Improv4 methodology, a framework that applies improv comedy, behavioral psychology, and business frameworks to improve leadership, team effectiveness, and communication, and the founder of Iorio Gelato, a gelato producer and retail cafes I started in 2004. I am a founding board member of a philanthropic fund that helps entrepreneurs make contributions to good causes they care about and spearheaded The Collective 30, a philanthropic giving commitment where individuals commit to donating 1% of their wealth, annually, for 30 years. To share the stories of and celebrate entrepreneurs, leaders, and investors in a fun and entertaining way I co-produce and host Startup Late Night, a late-night talk show where I welcome entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofits, and other guests to an evening of comedy, music, conversation, and competitions.
I have helped hundreds of companies, including SoFi, Plenty, Ozlo (Acquired by Facebook), True Link Financial (YC S13) and Fixed (YC S14, Acquired by Lawgix), and other ventures on leadership, communication, growth, marketing, strategy and business development, fundraising, and culture and team development.
Before I got a concussion (a longer story for another day, or another bio) I was a Director at SoFi, a multibillion-dollar online lender, where I led a marketing team, built out the business development team, and ran SoFi’s entrepreneur program and investments in startups. Prior to SoFi, I worked at RPM Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, concentrating on investments in online marketplaces, e-commerce, and other internet/software companies. With R/GA Ventures, I worked with the global digital ad agency R/GA in partnership with Westfield Labs, Macy's, Walmart, Verizon, Bank of America, Shopify, among others to invest in startups driving the future of commerce.
I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, Minor in Environmental Science, and Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the College of Engineering. I also studied improv and comedy writing with some of the most talented people (and probably some future SNL cast members) at The Second City and The Annoyance in Chicago, The Upright Citizen's Brigade and People's Improv Theatre in NYC, EndGames Improv and Bay Area Theatre Sports in San Francisco, and other workshops with Groundlings, Vancouver Improv Festival, among others. I have performed improv and comedy all over the country, including at Gilda Radner’s Laughfest, The Punch Line in San Francisco, and the Lady Laughs Comedy Festival.
When I am not improvising, telling jokes, selling gelato, or helping other business leaders and teams, I am illustrating food puns and sharing them on Instagram @ProducePuns.
CURRENT VENTURES
a methodology that combines improv comedy, behavioral psychology, and business frameworks, to improve leadership, team effectiveness, and communication
Learn more about our methodology, trainings, and contact me for more information
Artisan Italian gelato
delivering sweetness through an authentic Italian gelato experience
We make and sell artisan Italian gelato to restaurants, food service providers, grocery stores and in our cafes in Michigan.
a late-night comedy show featuring startups
a late-night comedy talk show hosted by yours truly.
Join us as we welcome special entrepreneur and investor guests to an evening of comedy, music, conversation, and competitions.
A philanthropic giving circle in which each member commits to donating 1% of their wealth annually for the next 30 years.
Available for Kindle & paperback online
111 pieces of real advice for entrepreneurs from real investors.
Produce Puns
Greeting cards & gifts to deliver delicious joy for any occasion
Available at www.ProducePuns.com
Check out my latest updates!
TED TALK
and other speaking, performances
Other Speaking, Performances, Presentations
The University of Michigan Positive Business Conference 2019
Agile 2019
Agile 2018
The University of Michigan Guest Lecture "The Art of Leading" 2018
* Entre-SLAM 2012 *
For more short clips, check out the videos on Improve and YouTube
For longer versions (30 minutes+) please email me
GET IN TOUCH
find me on the interweb
Keep up to date
I won't send you spam, but I will send some sweet treats to your inbox from time to time.
Copyright 1988