Fletcher Wimbush, CEO The Hire Talent
Fletcher Wimbush is CEO of Discovered Performance Hiring Software
What's your industry?
Hiring Saas
For those who don't know anything about you or your work, can you provide a bit of background?
My father was a management consultant and developed a series of behavioral assessments. You guessed it! We spent our time together learning about how to become a better person and leader. I was also his chief guinea pig when it came to testing out new assessments and ideas. He was an introvert and I am an extreme extrovert, which naturally landed me in leadership roles my whole life from student body President to becoming a Regional Manager running a commercial dish machine rental and service company. Where through people we turned our business units from last to the top 10 out of over a 100 business units.
The one concept I gravitated towards the most was how important it was to build organizations with teams of high performing people. I have spent virtually my entire life thinking about this concept and perfecting the strategies in real life. 10 years ago my father passed away. I had a choice to shut down his small assessment business or take it on. Today I live with my father memory in every interaction I have with clients and others.
I spent my early days in the business interviewing over 10,000 people. I felt like an imposter and wanted to prove my expertise by perfecting the candidate selection process. How could I advise others if I hadn't done the work my self.
Today we have helped over 1,000 companies transform their talent selection process to drive business results.
What does an average day look like for you?
Now that I have a 2 year old and another one on the way I must say it's very efficient! I wake up at 5:30am-6am, get myself together and start in on the first cup of coffee while inspecting the Surf conditions. Honestly I need a little time to get my motor running in the mornings, so I read articles and clear my inbox to get my brain working. I kick off my first team meeting at 8am then go surfing for an hour. I hate the gym so getting in the water and catching some waves is great physical and mental exercise and fun. Then all the action begins. I generally have back to back zoom calls that consist of client meetings, in depth 90 meeting interviews, and one on ones with team members. At 3pm we do our last team meeting on the Saas side of our business and hopefully I am done for the day!
Riley and I take the dog for a walk and stop by the playground then back home to start assembling dinner for her and my wife. Then it's bath time, book time and bed time for the little one. My wife and I curl up watch a boob tube, and talk about the next adventures we are off too.
How do you balance the needs of your business with the needs of your personal life?
Well I described in my previous response I get a ton of work done in a condensed amount of time which allows for 90 minutes of exercise time and 90 minutes of kid time, and couple of hours of family time. Weekends and Fridays are often set aside to do adventures with the family and friends.
I am also a member of EO the Entrepreneurs Organization which offers a number of great learning, social and once in a life time experiences so I make sure to fit those in too!
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you on your journey in business?
Get laser focused on your Why and the problem you solve for others. Keep the squirrel chasing to a minimum. Every time I get it wrong I get stuck every time I have succeeded in that focus we see enormous growth.
What's been the hardest part about the path you've taken and how would you advise someone facing a similar situation to overcome it?
A million small and large failures. it's financially draining and stressful with each failure, I feel like a gambling addict! Every time you try something new or miss on a hire a ton of resources and emotional energy is drained. But yet the commitment to the cause is unwavering and can feel unhealthy sometimes. But when you look back at what ahs been accomplished you suddenly realize how far you have some, it's hard to remember the early struggles sometimes when every day can be one!
Are there any well-known Books, Podcasts, or Courses that you credit your current success to?
For sure on leadership I read and read "Frist Break all the Rules", from the Hiring side I LOVE Lou Adlers content but Hire with your Head has been extremally influential for me. Also Top Grading!
What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful business owner or executive to have?
You have to have a short memory there will be a lot of pitfalls you can't let them get to you. Ultimately you have to be clever, you need to solve a problem that many other people are probably already trying to solve but you have to do it better in some way.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out as a business owner?
Have a clear vision for what problems you are going to solve for the world, your why and stay focused on your one thing.
What are the top three things you think are essential for business success?
Hiring Great People
A clear purpose and mission "problem solved"
Focus
Do you think someone can be a great business owner without having many years of experience first?
Yes for sure but keep the business focused simple and within your area of expertise or in an area of expertise you can master relatively quickly. Here is a great example, I have seen young people spin up very successful eCommerce businesses which are fairly complicated. But they are simple enough that you can master each skill set to execute the business as you go and make incremental improvements as you learn.
In general, do you think the world is producing better business owners in 2023 than it was fifty years ago?
I think owning a business 50 years ago was a whole different animal. In this era there are so many digital and consulting businesses. People who have high levels of expertise in something are becoming agencies and consultants allowing larger businesses to bring them in as needed. I think there is a renaissance of Micro businesses which is an interesting concept. Would not call it better or worse just different.
