As the host of Founders and Empanadas, I've had the privilege of sitting down with many entrepreneurs to explore the intersection of business and life's major milestones. My recent conversation with Devon O'Rourke, founder of Fluvio, was particularly enlightening. We dove into how becoming a new parent will change your life— but maybe not as much as you might think.

Over spicy mystery-meat empanadas (which we later discovered were chicken), Devon shared how his journey into fatherhood coincided with his most successful month at Fluvio. What struck me most was his approach to preparing for paternity leave – instead of micromanaging every detail, he empowered his team with greater autonomy. This trust-based leadership not only resulted in record revenues but also demonstrated how parenthood can push us to build more resilient organizations.

One of the most compelling insights from our discussion was Devon's observation about patience. As someone who described himself as naturally impatient, he found that his three-month-old son was teaching him valuable lessons about slowing down and being more deliberate in his decision-making. This newfound slowness has begun influencing his business approach, particularly in how he evaluates new opportunities.

The conversation took an interesting turn when we explored how becoming a parent affected Devon's perspective on metrics and KPIs. Rather than completely revolutionizing his approach, parenthood reinforced his existing journey toward simplification. He stripped back Fluvio's metrics from seven different KPIs to four core measurements focused on growth, profitability, and quality. It's a reminder that sometimes life's biggest changes don't create new paradigms ,but crystallize the wisdom we've been accumulating all along.

What particularly resonated with me was Devon's candid admission about the myth of parental pressure. While many entrepreneurs feel an increased burden to succeed after becoming parents, Devon shared that running a bootstrap business with employees depending on him had already created that sense of responsibility. His son became another important consideration rather than a source of additional pressure – a refreshingly honest perspective that challenges conventional wisdom about entrepreneurial motivation.

Our discussion about product marketing revealed some fascinating insights about the industry, particularly regarding the challenges faced by early-stage startups. Devon's experience has shown that product marketing truly shines in mid-market and enterprise companies where multiple product lines and complex market dynamics create a rich playground for strategic thinking. This observation has shaped Fluvio's evolution, leading them to focus on larger clients where they can make the most impact.

Perhaps the most practical takeaway from our conversation was Devon's approach to rest and energy management. As a new parent facing interrupted nights and early morning calls, he's had to completely restructure his schedule, sometimes going to bed as early as 7 PM. It's a reminder that success is all about adapting them to new circumstances.

What makes Devon's story particularly compelling is his "second party" approach to consulting. Rather than positioning Fluvio as either an internal team member or an external vendor, they've created a hybrid model that allows them to deeply integrate with clients while maintaining their unique perspective. This approach mirrors the balance many parent-entrepreneurs must strike: being fully present in multiple roles without losing their distinct identity in either.

As we wrapped up our empanadas and conversation, Devon shared one contrarian belief that I found fascinating: while most founders preach the importance of saying "no," he's built his success on defaulting to "yes" – whether it's taking meetings with potential competitors or testing new business ideas. It's an approach that's served him well, even as he navigates the new demands of parenthood.

My conversation with Devon reinforced something I've believed for a long time: the best insights often come from unexpected intersections. Whether it's the parallel between product development and raising a child, or the way personal growth influences business strategy, these connections help us become better entrepreneurs and better humans.The empanadas might have been a mystery, but one thing was clear: the journey of parenthood, much like entrepreneurship, isn't about having all the answers. It's about staying curious, remaining adaptable, and finding joy in the process of figuring it all out.

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