Entrepreneurship in Action: Building Businesses That Matter with Brett Larson

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, Bret Larsen — serial entrepreneur and CEO of Chief — shares his journey from launching his first startup in college to leading multiple high-growth B2B software companies, including the telemedicine platform E-Visit. He reflects on the lessons learned from scaling businesses, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and transitioning from founder to CEO. Bret discusses the vision behind Chief, a predictive operations platform designed to empower sales leaders, and offers candid insights on mentorship, resilience, and the personal side of entrepreneurship.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Brett Larson and His Journey03:03 The Birth of E-Visit and Telemedicine Innovations06:00 The Launch of Chief: A Predictive Operations Platform08:54 The Entrepreneurial Drive: Origins and Influences11:50 Navigating Challenges in Healthcare Innovation15:00 Growth During the Pandemic: A Turning Point18:09 Managing Rapid Growth and New Responsibilities20:51 Personal Growth and Leadership Development24:12 The Importance of Mentorship and Skill Evolution30:47 Unlocking Growth: The Role of Founders' Personal Lives35:50 Navigating Identity: The Founder vs. CEO Dilemma41:34 The Evolution of Chief: From Vision to Execution46:50 Building Chief: Insights from Market Research52:47 The Unique Value Proposition of Chief56:38 Passion and Pain: The Reality of Building BusinessesGuest Information:Guest's Name:Bret Larsen Guest's Title/Position:   Founder & CEOGuest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretalarsen/Company / Affiliation: Chief  https://www.getchief.com/Guest's Bio: Bret Larsen is the Founder and CEO of Chief, a sales performance management platform built to help modern sales teams turn complexity into clarity and make growth inevitable. A 3x founder and seasoned CEO, Bret has built multiple high-growth B2B software companies recognized by Inc. 5000, Deloitte Fast 500, Forrester, and Gartner. Named a Titan 100 CEO, Top 50 CEO in Healthcare Technology, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, he’s known for building high-performing teams and market-defining products. Backed by investors including Goldman Sachs and Kickstart Seed Fund, Bret also advises startups and serves on boards across technology, healthcare, and education.Takeaways:Brett Larson is a three-time founder and CEO with a strong background in B2B software.His first company was a small e-commerce business started during his undergraduate studies.Brett's journey in healthcare began with E-Visit, a telemedicine platform that gained traction during the pandemic.The idea for Chief, his latest venture, was inspired by the need for predictive operations in businesses.Brett's entrepreneurial drive is influenced by his family background and early experiences in business.Healthcare is often slow to adopt technology due to the risks involved, but there are opportunities for innovation.The pandemic created a significant growth opportunity for E-Visit, leading to a 1200% increase in team size.Navigating rapid growth requires a shift in leadership skills and adaptability.Brett highlights the importance of mentorship and executive coaching in his development as a leader.The role of a CEO can be lonely, and perception plays a crucial role in leadership. You cannot increase burn for six months post-investment without proving ROI.Founders' personal lives significantly impact business success.Hiring talented individuals can be intimidating but is essential for growth.Articulating a clear vision is crucial for leadership.Goldman Sachs provides unparalleled support for startups.Recognizing feelings of languishing can lead to renewed purpose.Unlocking operational data is key to business success.The ideal customer for Chief is a VP of Sales or CRO.Pain tolerance is directly correlated to impact in business.Passion for the problem drives resilience in entrepreneurship.