Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

Why Every Startup Needs KPIs and How to Set the Right Ones

Ambition can launch a startup, but metrics scale it. Without clear, measurable goals, teams can lose focus, waste time, and miss opportunities. That's where KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) come in. They transform big ideas into trackable milestones, ensuring that every effort aligns with the company's mission.
This episode of Extraordinary Pursuits features Andy Seavers, the co-founder and CEO of Case Status, a BIP Ventures portfolio company. Andy and host Rachelle Kuramoto discuss how startups can unlock growth by setting (and sticking to) intelligent, accurate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Andy shares how his company scaled in the chaotic world of legal tech by turning operating data into a strategic asset.
From using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to make metrics actionable to building team-wide accountability through numbers, Andy offers a playbook for any founder looking to scale with precision. Whether you're just getting started or trying to systematize growth, this episode will show you why setting, benchmarking, and tracking the right KPIs isn't optional. It's foundational.
Timestamps: 
[02:27] Andy's background and his role at Case Status
[03:49] What sparked Andy's entrepreneurial drive
[09:52] The problem that led to Case Status
[10:14] How Case Status has evolved
[13:40] Practical tips for how to set successful KPIs 
[17:37] How Case Status uses the EOS Framework
[22:43] How the EOS Framework keeps everyone aligned and accountable  
[25:00] Creating structures to move quickly—and in the right direction
[29:24] Case Status operating principle and how it uses data to drive operations 
[31:18] Andy's advice to startups on being data-driven
[35:38] Where to learn more about Andy and Case Status
Points of Wisdom:
"The core piece of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is that everybody has a number." [22:44]
"You can't make good decisions without data, and with data, a lot of changes become factual." [26:05]
"Being prepared for what could happen is trying to look into the future and see what happens if you're here or there." [33:13]
About Andy Seavers:
Andy Seavers is the co-founder and CEO of Case Status, a legal tech platform that has transformed how law firms engage with clients. With secure messaging, real-time updates, and AI-driven insights, Case Status helps law firms streamline communication and improve satisfaction. As an entrepreneur since 2014, Andy has led Case Status to achieve outstanding growth, including a top spot on the Inc. 5000 list.
Website: https://www.casestatus.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseavers/
BIP Ventures
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Extraordinary Pursuits: https://www.bipventures.vc/podcasts

Lead at Speed:How to Accelerate Purposefully

Success isn’t (just) about working hard; it’s (also) about working smart. It’s about bringing clarity, efficiency, and purpose to your efforts. But how do you build and sustain focused momentum without burning out? In particular, how can organizational leaders drive change and set the right pace, rather than falling into reaction mode, especially as things get busy? 
True leadership at speed is about control, intention, and the courage to drive forward with clarity, purpose, and direction in an ever-accelerating world. It’s the ability to create high-performing teams that can move fast while staying aligned and grounded in a shared purpose. 
In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast by BIP Ventures, Sophie Devonshire from The Marketing Society shares how leaders can succeed in a fast-paced environment by sustaining a high-functioning team of individuals.  
This is an episode for anyone who wants to grow up without slowing up.  
Timestamps:  
[02:06] Sophie's background and what she does in the leadership space 
[04:54] The inspiration behind Sophie’s book Superfast: Lead at Speed 
[10:21] How founders can lead effectively in a high-speed world 
[17:41] How leaders can create velocity and move in the right direction  
[19:54] How to build a successful team and business relationships 
[24:26] Assessments and classic listening in building a high-functioning team  
[28:35] Setting up structures and rituals to listen, connect, and build inside out    
[30:47] What a super team looks like and what happens when we achieve that  
[35:01] Sophie’s advice for founders looking to build velocity and accelerate their company  
[37:22] How to connect with Sophie and get her book 
Points of Wisdom: 
“There’s a shortcut and accelerator in learning from the stories of other people; it’s what the most curious and smart business leaders do.” [06:33] 
“Whatever the size of your business, you need to slow down to build relationships in order to have the permission and the support to take risks and to move faster.” [20:59] 
“It’s not strategy, it’s not finance, it’s not technology, that’s is the ultimate competitive advantage, it’s teamwork.” [30:53] 
Resources Mentioned: Superfast by Sophie Devonshire 
About Sophie Devonshire: 
Sophie Devonshire is the CEO of Marketing Society, which is a global network of marketing leaders. Sophie is an experienced business leader and entrepreneur who has experienced firsthand the thrill of starting up, scaling up, setting a pace, and building velocity. She is also the author of the best-selling, award-winning book Superfast: Lead At Speed, which was shortlisted for Business Book of the Year and reached #1 on Amazon. With a background spanning multinational corporations, high-growth startups, and leading agencies, she brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and commercial expertise to leadership.  
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Mini-episode: The Unexpected Upside of Imposter Syndrome

In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, ON Partners’ executive recruiting leader Tara Flickinger shares a different approach for founders seeking to improve how they share their “why” as part of the company storytelling. She explains how to lean into unique strengths to simplify complex company narratives.  
Tara also gives useful tactics for facing self-doubt. She speaks candidly about why Imposter Syndrome is more likely to afflict high achievers, and why feeling like an imposter can be a signal that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. For anyone navigating bold ambition, the stress of pitching and sales, or the emotional weight of being the one out front, this short conversation will inspire truth, courage, and clarity. 
Timestamps
[00:00] Finding and Framing Your Why 
[01:25] Turning Superpowers Into Storytelling 
[02:00] Imposter Syndrome and High Performers 
[03:26] Keep Reaching: Reframing the Feeling of Not Belonging 
Points of Wisdom 
"If you're feeling imposter syndrome, the fact that you're feeling that way means that you are not." 
About Tara Flickinger
Tara Flickinger is a partner and executive committee member at ON Search Partners, a retained talent search firm specializing in VP, C-level, and board searches. Tara came to ON Search Partners from Parker Executive Search and, before that, Goldman Sachs. She earned an MBA at the University of North Carolina Keenan-Flagler Business School and a BA from Brown University, where she captained the women's golf team. Tara brings extensive experience with environments that demand presence and presentation. 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-flickinger-mba-7041b97/ 
Website: https://onpartners.com/  
BIP Ventures  
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/bipventures/   
Extraordinary Pursuits: https://www.bipventures.vc/podcasts 
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The HR Data Revolution: Build High-Performing Teams with People Analytics

What does it really take to build scalable, high-performing teams—without relying on guesswork? In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Noelle London, founder and CEO of Illoominus, explains how data-driven decision-making is transforming HR from a reactive function to a strategic advantage. From her entrepreneurial journey through Peace Corps, economic development, and Accenture Ventures, Noelle shares why she launched Illoominus and how the platform equips mid-market companies to use workforce data with the same precision as enterprise giants. 
You’ll learn why companies need to treat people data and analytics as a core KPI, how to avoid overcomplicating your HR tech stack, and how Illoominus is building a community-led platform to scale best practices across companies. Whether you're a founder, operator, or people leader, this conversation will help you understand how to move from static reports to real-time insights—and why that shift could be your key to growth. 
Timestamps: 
[03:23] Noelle’s entrepreneurial journey—from jewelry maker to tech founder 
[08:12] The HR challenges that led Noelle to launch Illoominus 
[16:02] How people analytics integrates into the HR tech stack 
[20:50] Why early-stage companies should treat people data as a core KPI 
[26:28] Avoiding overcomplication: building an efficient HR tech stack 
[31:36] The role of strategic people leadership in scaling culture 
[34:44] What’s next for Illoominus—community, AI, and workflow innovation 
[38:27] How to connect with Noelle and explore Illoominus 
Key Takeaways: 
“At those key moments when you’re growing quickly, think about having real-time data on what is working and not, so that you can make changes quickly and derisk losing high performers.” [19:15] 
“There are point solutions for absolutely everything in HR, and a lot of them aren’t necessary, so focus on the basics, get a good HRAS that pays your people on time and does the basics.” [28:25] 
“Having somebody who has a strategic direction on knowing how to use data to help make decisions is important.” [31:37] 
About Noelle London: 
Noelle London is the founder and CEO of Illoominus, a technology platform that works within HR systems to help organizations build and scale efficient, cost-effective, high-performing teams. With a mission to build high-performing, cost-effective teams, Noelle brings over a decade of experience in startups, civic innovation, non-profit, and corporate strategy. Noelle has led initiatives ranging from launching the Atlanta Mayor’s Office’s startup economic development strategy to opening the Crystal City office of global incubator 1776. Her work has consistently focused on connecting startups to capital, customers, and diverse talent. 
Website: https://www.illoominus.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noellelondon/ 
 
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From Chaos to Clarity: Four Principles of Strong Leadership

What if the key to exceptional leadership isn’t in strategies or techniques but in self-awareness and inner alignment? True leadership isn’t just about managing others—it begins with understanding who we are before influencing others. It requires clarity, patience, and the courage to pause amidst the chaos. By developing a strong inner foundation, leaders can cultivate fearless compassion, make thoughtful decisions, and inspire those around them with authenticity. When leadership flows from the inside out, it transforms teams, organizations, and the leaders, creating a lasting impact driven by purpose and integrity. 
In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast by BIP Ventures, we’re joined by Sally-Anne Airey, leadership coach, founder of Skillful Leaders, and author of the award-winning book Mindful Command. Sally-Anne shares four core concepts of leadership, actionable steps, and a powerful personal example. This episode is for anyone who manages day-to-day stresses and all the pressure that comes with being a leader.  
Timestamps:  
[02:37] Sally-Anne’s personal story on leadership and courage  
[07:06] The four concepts of leadership from Mindful Command  
[18:30] Fearless compassion: The recipe for leadership longevity   
[19:35] Where to start: Learning how to pause in three steps   
[22:44] How to manage day-to-day leadership in a fast-paced company  
[24:26] What happens when leaders don’t take a moment to pause and step back  
[26:29] Sally-Annie’s personal experience with leadership pressure in a growing company   
[31:47] Where to learn more about Sally-Annie or find her book   
Points of Wisdom:  
“Good leaders lead themselves first, and to do that, we need to create the space to be with ourselves and find a calm center.” [04:03]  
“Figuring out who you are and how you bring that into your leadership is a journey from the inside out, and it needs time, space, patience, and trust.” [04:31]  
“Clarity is the first principle of leadership; if the leader is not clear, how can you expect anyone to work with or much less follow them.” [13:40]  
Resources Mentioned:  
Mindful Command by Sally-Annie Airey    
About Sally-Anne Airey:  
Sally-Annie Airey is a leadership coach and the founder of Skillful Leaders, a leadership coaching and executive retreat consultancy. She guides leaders in teams to align personal and professional aspirations. Sally’s four-decade career includes 23 years in the Royal Navy, where she achieved the rank of commander and became the Navy’s serving mother. Following her Naval service, she transitioned into international business and leadership coaching. She developed the Mindful Command framework, which integrates principles of mindfulness and leadership. Her book, Mindful Command: The Way of the Evolving Leader, shares her extensive experience.     
Skillful Leaders 
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Mini-episode: Reimagining In-Home Healthcare with Technology

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, HealthyMed CEO Steve Pontius joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to explain how the company is transforming healthcare by meeting underserved patients where they are. 
Steve discusses HealtheMed's innovative technology offerings, which include remote monitoring devices, a health scoring system, and television-based streaming information customized for each patient. Through these efforts, the company is improving patient engagement and medication adherence.
This conversation highlights the importance of understanding diverse audience needs and the power of technology to positively impact communities. 
Timestamps: 
00:26 Meet Steve Pontius and HealthyMed 
01:57 Understanding HealthyMed's Technology 
05:49 Engagement and Outcomes in Home Healthcare 
Points of Wisdom: 
"You have a health score with us." 
About Steve Pontius: 
Steve Pontius is the CEO of HealtheMed, a groundbreaking organization delivering in-home health healthcare and support to underserved populations in Minnesota. He has decades of entrepreneurial, operational and marketing experience within complex businesses in the healthcare space, including Minute Clinic. Under Steve’s leadership, HealtheMed is bridging gaps by bringing innovative technology and care into the homes of the people who need it most. HealtheMed has improved access to vital care services, the health and longevity of typically underserved populations, and the outcomes for caregivers and the healthcare system.  
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Virtual Assistants 101: A Startup’s Guide to Scaling Smarter

Having an expert assistant is not a luxury reserved for large enterprises—it’s a strategic necessity for any business striving to scale with efficiency and accuracy. In a world where time is our most valuable (and often limited) resource, delegating administrative tasks and specialized operations to a skilled virtual assistant can be the key to unlocking higher productivity and growth.  
How do you know if that person is right for you? They don’t just take tasks off your plate. They become an extension of your team. Whether you’re in startup mode, have hit a rapid scale phase, or are an established company, integrating virtual assistants can streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive long-term success. 
In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast by BIP Ventures, Brad Stevens from Outsource Access explains what virtual assistance is, how to know if your company could benefit from using a virtual assistant, and how to make the most of the strategic investment. Brad shares specific, actionable tools and information, along with his own impressive company case study, to help you maximize your team’s rarest and most valuable resource—time. 
Timestamps: 
[02:16] Brad's journey and how he created Outsource Access 
[05:31] Brad’s guiding principles for building a company during challenging times 
[10:14] Virtual assistance: What it is and what makes a great virtual assistant 
[13:56] The benefits of integrating virtual assistants into your strategy 
[17:45] A two-question assessment for every startup 
[19:26] How to find the right virtual assistant and equip them to succeed 
[24:02] Practical ways to manage time zone differences effectively 
[25:35] AI trends and how it’s impacting virtual assistance 
[28:55] Brad’s advice on how to start adding virtual assistants in 2025 
[31:25] Where to learn more about Brad and Outsource Access  
Points of Wisdom: 
“When you hire people directly, they’re not part of your company, so it’s important to build a connection and a relationship with them so they don’t disappear.” [16:40] 
“AI can do this, that, or the other, but if you don’t have someone managing, overseeing, and coordinating it, it doesn’t matter.” [27:14] 
Resources Mentioned: 
Jim Collins Bullets & Cannonballs  
Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud  
The Two-Question Assessment
About Brad Stevens: 
Brad Stevens is the founder and CEO of Outsource Access, a business processing, outsourcing, and virtual assistance company. A serial entrepreneur and recognized authority in scaling, automation, outsourcing, and high-performance virtual teams, Brad has grown Outsource Access to 500 employees in just four years, serving over 75 industries.  
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Hustle Culture is Failing Founders: Energy, Focus, and the Power of No

Hustle culture can look like progress. It rarely is. More likely, it’s a path to burnout and diminishing returns. In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, host Rachelle Kuramoto sits down with productivity expert and bestselling author Graham Allcott to explore why managing your attention, not your time, is the key to real, repeatable progress. 
Graham is the founder of Think Productive and author of the best-selling business books, How to Be a Productivity Ninja and KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work. In this helpful conversation, he shares insights rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and real-world executive coaching. His approach is especially useful for entrepreneurs who feel stretched thin: building companies, leading teams, and navigating uncertainty. 
You’ll learn how to: 
Identify and protect your hours of “proactive attention”—your most valuable resource as a founder. 
Reframe productivity around energy cycles, recovery, and mental clarity (not late-night hustle). 
Understand the hidden causes of procrastination and how to gently dismantle them. 
Apply kindness—not only to your team, but to yourself—as a practical leadership strategy. 
Whether you're scaling a startup or reinventing your approach to leadership, this conversation is packed with tools that can help you do less, better. 
Timestamps: 
[02:33] Graham’s Career Journey: From Chaos to Structure 
[08:31] Leaders vs. Managers: Building a Framework for Focus 
[12:46] Attention is Your Most Valuable Resource 
[15:42] Early Hours and Energy Cycles 
[17:20] “Going Dark” and Protecting Time for Deep Work 
[22:05] Productivity is About Space, Not Speed 
[24:51] Procrastination and the Power of Being Present 
[27:31] Hustle Culture vs. Empathy: Reframing Success 
[29:44] Self-Kindness as a Leadership Strategy 
[34:25] Where to Find Graham’s Books and Work 
Points of Wisdom: 
"Your most precious resource is your attention, not your time." 
"Productivity is about making space for what matters." 
"You can’t be present and busy at the same time." 
“You only have about 12 hours of truly proactive attention per week. Use them wisely.” 
“Don’t grind through the lows. Rest, then reset.” 
About Graham Allcott: 
Graham Allcott is a social entrepreneur, former charity chief executive, and founder of Think Productive, a professional development company. He is a global speaker on kindness at work and productivity and the author of numerous books, including the global bestseller, "How to Be a Productivity Ninja" and the new book “KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work". Graham is a go-to speaker and productivity advisor for companies such as Amazon, British Airways, Disney, and eBay.  
Website: https://grahamallcott.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamallcott/ 
Graham’s work: https://www.grahamallcott.com/links 
Resources Mentioned: 
How to be a Productivity Ninja by Graham Allcott 
KIND: The quiet power of kindness at work by Graham Allcott  
Graham Alcott Newsletter: Rev Up for the Week 
BIP Ventures 
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Mini-episode: Winning the Ground Game – Field Sales for Startups

Rapid growth can feel like whiplash for founders—especially once they’ve nailed product-market fit and start scaling fast. But without a repeatable structure for the sales team, growth is often unsustainable. In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Bart Fanelli, founder and CEO of Skillibrium, breaks down the fundamentals of building a high-performing field force. 
Drawing on years of experience helping companies scale from startup to billion-dollar success stories, Bart explains why great sales strategy starts with consistent execution. He shares the importance of aligning leadership and frontline teams, using leading indicators (not just lagging revenue), and growing from the inside—not by throwing more money at marketing. 
Whether you’re just starting to scale or reevaluating your go-to-market approach, this conversation delivers tactical insight into the discipline behind smart sales growth. 
Timestamps: 
[00:00] Starting with Structure: What to Build First in a Scaling Company 
[03:01] Repeatable Cadence as a Catalyst for Growth 
[05:45] Market Dynamics, Messaging, and the Pendulum Trap 
Points of Wisdom: 
"Most companies don’t ever focus on the baseline. They just chase the revenue." [02:13] 
"You have to grow from the inside." [05:45] 
About Bart Fanelli: 
Bart Fanelli is the founder and CEO of Skillibrium, a company focused on transforming the way organizations drive scalable growth. With decades of experience in sales leadership and a deep understanding of organizational strategy, Bart created Skillibrium to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in sales: aligning talent and tactics to drive predictable and repeatable success. His extensive experience spans roles as an executive advisor, entrepreneur, and co-author of The Success Cadence: Unleash Your Organization’s Rapid Growth Culture.
Resources Mentioned: The Success Cadence by Bart Fanelli 
Website: https://skillibrium.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartfanelli/
 
BIP Ventures
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Scaling from Startup to $15B – The Compaq Case Study with Karen Walker

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, strategic advisor and executive coach Karen Walker talks with host Rachelle Kuramoto about navigating hypergrowth. An early executive at Compaq, Karen had a direct role in one of the biggest success stories in American business. She played a direct role in scaling the company from startup to $15B in revenue in a matter of years – navigating the infrastructure, talent, and other operational details that come with the opportunity. 
In this discussion, Karen taps into experience from Compaq and years of consulting to offer counsel on product market fit, cross-team alignment, and maintaining a strong culture as a company is enduring growth and change. She emphasizes the need for curiosity, effective communication, and decision-making in the midst of ambiguity.  
This is an episode for startup leaders, founders, and growth-stage operators looking to build a resilient and high-performing organization. 
Timestamps
[05:32] Understanding Hypergrowth and Product Market Fit
[09:52] The Importance of Alignment and High-Performance Teams
[12:52] Navigating Growth vs. Scale
[16:00] Building a Healthy Company Culture
[19:32] Key Considerations for Startup Leaders
[22:49] Common Issues in Leadership and Communication
[24:56] Decision-Making in Ambiguous Situations
[30:02] Summary of Key Insights and Closing Remarks 
Points of Wisdom
"Your most precious resource is your time."
"You have to figure out how to carve out time."
"The culture is the action to reward and tolerate."
"Over-communicate to keep alignment."
"You have to be comfortable with ambiguity."
"Curiosity is a skill to hire for." 
About Karen Walker 
Karen Walker is an executive coach, consultant, and board advisor who helps CEOs and senior leaders navigate hyper-growth with clarity and confidence. A former executive at Compaq, where she helped scale the company from startup to $15 billion in revenue, Karen now advises global enterprises like AWS, Pfizer, JPMorganChase, and Aetna, as well as high-growth Inc. 5000 startups. She is the author of No Dumbing Down: A Guide for CEOs on Organization Growth and a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. Karen serves on the board of Mosaic and draws on her engineering background from Texas A&M, along with executive education from Columbia and Stanford. 
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