What It Means To Leave Your Comfort Zone | Jacob Waern, CEO of EduMe (Series A)

What It Means To Leave Your Comfort Zone | Jacob Waern, CEO of EduMe (Series A)

Author: Dave Bailey December 16, 2020 Duration: 45:05

What does it mean to leave your comfort zone as a CEO? Meet Jacob Waern, CEO of EduMe (Series A), a mobile-based training tool that gives desk-less workforces the knowledge they need to succeed.

In this episode, Jacob talks about his experience reducing his team by 90%, explains how he raised while sick with suspected Coronavirus, and we discuss what it takes to build a strong leadership team.

We also look at the tension between empowering processes and empowering people.

Key links:

EduMe website: https://edume.com/

Open job positions: https://edume.com/join-us

Jacob Waern profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-waern-a13165/

Key timestamps:

[01:23] What's the story EduMe?

[03:02] What are common misconceptions about pivots?

[07:43] What was it like to fire 90% of the company?

[13:37] When did you decide to build a category?

[17:00] What was it like to raise during Covid

[22:57] How did you build a relationship with a Valley investor?

[32:24] What system can result in a strong leadership team?

[37:37] What's it like to realise the company can grow faster than its individuals?

[42:41] Vulnerability vs. over-sharing

Thanks to Andreas Schörling, Anders Nilsson and Pietro Bezza for their great input.

Got feedback? Email us on podcast@foundercoach.co. And don't forget to hit follow/subscribe so you don't miss out on new episodes.


Behind the polished success stories and press releases, there's a messier, more human reality to building a company. The Founder Coach Podcast pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by Dave Bailey, a top CEO coach whose writing reaches millions of founders annually, these conversations get into the granular, often unspoken challenges that tech leaders face after the initial excitement fades. You’ll hear scale-up CEOs speak candidly, not about their victories, but about the difficult decisions, the personal doubts, and the operational grit involved in steering a growing business. Each episode feels like a private coaching session, focusing on pivotal moments like navigating the complexities that follow a Series A round-figuring out how to scale a team effectively, managing the relentless pressure of the board, and maintaining a clear vision amidst daily fires. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of raw, practical dialogues that reveal what the title of CEO actually demands day-to-day. For any entrepreneur or business leader who wants to learn from the real experiences of their peers, this podcast offers a rare and invaluable perspective. Dave facilitates a space where his guests can share the unvarnished truth, making each discussion a resource for anyone on the demanding path of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 22

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