Building a company and family, the responsibility cloak, mistakes and setting irrevocable guidelines | Nick Soman (father of 2, Decent, Gusto, Amazon)

from Startup Dad · host Adam Fishman

Nick Soman is the founder and CEO of Decent, a healthcare company that helps small businesses band together to get more affordable health insurance for their employees. Prior to that he led growth for Gusto, was a product manager on the Kindle at Amazon, and started a company that he sold to Napster! In this episode we discuss:How Nick's parents influenced his own parentingThe challenging early times as a Dad and startup leaderDiscoveries he's had as a DadThe importance of partnership in your marriage and how to navigate conflictHis "irrevocable guidelines" around familySilicon Valley hustle culture and incompatibility with family lifeBringing his own values into his companyMany mistakes he's made as a father and what they've taught him—Where to find Nick Soman:- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicksoman- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksoman/ Where to find Adam:- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:50] Introductions[2:36] Nick and Decent Health[4:28] Nick’s background[7:08] His Parents[8:58] Family life and Starting a family[12:27] Challenging early times as a Dad[16:00] Responsibility cape/choice vs. obligation[17:12] Masculine energy/Nature vs. Nurture[20:44] Dad discoveries/Do as I say, not as I do.[24:41] Dissonance between partners[25:32] Importance of partnership/conflict[28:00] Marriage advice[30:22] How do you and your wife recharge?[32:46] “Irrevocable guidelines” around my family[33:27] Silicon Valley “hustle culture”[34:19] A trap he fell into/a walkabout[37:44] Bringing values into his company[40:46] Mistake he’s made as a father[44:28] Rapid fire round—Links we reference:Rivianhttps://rivian.com/ “Hold Me Tight,” Dr. Sue Johnson https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/B084G9QFZY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=194BNQXYUKRWA&keywords=hold+me+tight+sue+johnson&qid=1680733560&sprefix=hold+me+tight+sue+%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-2 Nick's company, Decenthttps://www.decent.com/Andy Johns - How to Know When to Stophttps://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-know-when-to-stop—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

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