This week, we welcomed Tyler Denk, the brilliant mind behind beehiiv. If you aren’t familiar, Tyler's journey is one that's sure to inspire - from teaching himself how to code and founding his first company, VentureStorm, to playing an instrumental role in Morning Brew's incredible growth and $75 million exit. Now, as the CEO and Co-Founder of beehiiv, Tyler is empowering creators and publishers to engage with their audiences like never before.

Below we are going to talk about what it takes to build a company that can thrive in the unique landscape of 2024. Tyler shared insights on everything from building a strong remote culture to harnessing the power of a global team. What stood out the most was Tyler's transparency and authenticity - he didn't hold back, and his genuine approach to leadership is something that any founder can learn from.

If you're looking for practical advice, entertaining stories, and an unfiltered look at the journey of building a successful company, you won't want to miss this episode.

You can listen to the full thing here:

We'll dive into these five key takeaways from our chat with Tyler below:

• Be Your Authentic Self to Create an Awesome Remote Culture
• Tap into the Superpowers of a Global Team
• Embrace Transparency to Build Genuine Connections
• Stay Nimble as You Grow
• Celebrate Your Users' Wins

Be Your Authentic Self to Create an Awesome Remote Culture

Remote work is becoming the norm, but how do you create a company culture that makes people feel connected? Tyler believes the key is authenticity. He shares:

"Part of being outspoken and really being myself 100% of the time invites everyone else to share funny stories and feel comfortable doing different things, which makes people feel more happy. I think we have a great format."

When you, as a leader, show up genuinely and aren't afraid to be vulnerable, you give your team the green light to do the same. By fostering an environment where people can be their authentic selves, you create a culture of trust, comfort, and happiness. And when people feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work, you’ll notice things like better collaboration, increased creativity, and a stronger sense of belonging. In the end, it all leads to a more engaged and productive team.

Tap into the Superpowers of a Global Team

One of the biggest advantages of building a company in 2024 is the ability to access a global talent pool. Tyler explains the impact this has had on his own company:

"What that does at the company level is we have so many different unique perspectives and skill sets and access to different communities and networks from all of our employees across the world."

This diversity is so crucial when it comes to problem-solving, innovation, and understanding your global customer base. With a team that brings different viewpoints to the table, you're better equipped to tackle complex challenges and come up with creative solutions. Plus, having team members from different parts of the world can help you build stronger connections with your international customers and partners.

Embrace Transparency to Build Genuine Connections

People today are craving authentic connections more than ever. Tyler understands this deeply, and he's seen the impact that transparency can have on building relationships with users, employees, and investors alike. He shares:

"I'm always so conscious of being like, hey, look at me. We're now doing $1 million a month. And my brain immediately goes to the flip side of that. We're at $1 million a month, which means we could be valued at this. And because you're all stakeholders in this company, that means, you know, maybe we can keep working harder and continue to execute."

Tyler's approach to transparency goes beyond sharing numbers and milestones to inviting people to be part of the journey, creating a sense of shared purpose and ownership. By openly sharing the ups and downs, Tyler builds a narrative that people can relate to and root for. In a world where authenticity is becoming rare, embracing transparency can be a true differentiator that attracts people who share your values and want to be part of something genuine and meaningful.

Stay Nimble as You Grow

As companies grow and scale, there's often pressure to conform to traditional corporate structures and processes. Tyler cautions against losing the very qualities that made your company successful in the first place:

"A lot of companies get to a certain point, whether it's 100 employees or series B or series C, and they feel like, oh, just because every company larger than us does it this way, we have to now change over what has got us here to be an official company that has performance reviews and processes and this and whatever. And I try to push back on that as much as possible."

In 2024, agility and adaptability are more essential than ever for continued success. While it's tempting to implement rigid processes and bureaucratic procedures as your company grows, it's crucial to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking that got you where you are today. By resisting the urge to conform, you can remain responsive to market changes and continue to innovate at a rapid pace. Remember, just because other companies are doing things a certain way doesn't mean it's the right path for your unique business.

Celebrate Your Users' Wins

Putting your users first is no longer optional - it's a requirement for success. Tyler emphasizes the importance of highlighting user success stories rather than always making the company the star of the show:

"I try to find ways where we can highlight and emphasize the success of our users and show them like, yes, we played a small part in their success. I think that's part of what we're highlighting."

By celebrating your customers' wins and showing how your products or services have made a real impact on their lives, you build trust, credibility, and loyalty. When potential users see real-life success stories from people just like them, they're more likely to give your company a try. Plus, by making your users the heroes of your brand narrative, you create a sense of community and belonging that goes beyond just using your product.