From Comic Book Dreams to Tech Reality with Mike Reynolds of InnovateMap

Throughout his childhood, Mike Reynolds had always been fascinated by comic books. He was not just an avid reader; he was also a budding artist, drawing superheroes and creating his own comic books. However, as he grew older, Mike realized that his passion for drawing was more a hobby than a career path. His fascination for technology and business steered him towards a different path, leading him to pursue a degree in business and computer science at Purdue University. From there, he began his career in the tech industry during the boom of consulting in the late 90s, working at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and later at Aprimo. In 2014, after nearly 15 years in product management, Mike founded Innovatemap, a company that helps businesses dream, design, and deliver meaningful software products. His journey from a comic book enthusiast to a tech visionary is a testament to his adaptability, passion, and relentless pursuit of knowledge and efficiency. Today, Mike continues to find ways to innovate and drive forward in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Show Highlights 02:26 Mike reveals his dislike for ketchup and preference for guacamole. 04:04 Mike shares his love for coffee and concerts. 05:12 Mike discusses his reading habits, favoring audiobooks and podcasts for efficiency. 06:22 Mike expresses his preference for podcasts over audiobooks. 07:10 Mike provides a brief background about himself, his family, and his journey into the tech industry. 08:38 The dream of becoming a comic book artist and how it evolved into a tech career. 10:00 Mike’s early career in tech consulting and how he was drawn to software over hardware. 13:52 Mike shares how he knew he wanted to go into tech, attributing it to his interest in business applications and software. 15:47 Grayson discusses how product management became a hot field during COVID. 16:02 Mike’s journey at Aprimo, starting as a software consultant. 17:10 Mike talks about his transition into product management, prompted by his natural instincts and feedback from the Aprimo team. 18:56 Importance of the product’s role in a company. 20:22 Mike discusses the genesis of InnovateMap and the decision to focus on digital products. 22:10 Mike explains the three components of a successful digital product: marketable, valuable, and usable. 24:15 Mike discusses how Innovatemap works with clients to create successful digital products. 26:38 Mike shares how Innovatemap grew organically through the success of the products they helped to create. 28:00 Mike talks about the challenges of managing a growing team and the importance of maintaining the company culture. 32:17 Mike discusses the formation of their early team and the importance of networking in business development. 33:42 Mike talks about the therapeutic and learning benefits he gained from networking. 36:16 Mike emphasizes the value of community and the importance of giving back. 38:36 The approach to balancing work and family life. 43:00 Mike highlights the significance of a founder's passion for the problem they're solving rather than the product itself. 48:26 Mike discusses the challenges faced by technical products in securing funding due to their focus more on the product than the problem it solves. 52:45 The importance of a founder's ability to effectively communicate their vision to their team. 54:16 The significance of having a compelling product narrative that clearly conveys the product's value is discussed. 56:55 Mike highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the target market and the problem the product is solving. LINKS MENTIONED Connect with Mike Reynolds on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-reynolds-innovatemap/ https://innovatemap.com/ Connect with Grayson Faircloth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nosyarg/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Crystal Bell on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-bell-ms-eit/