Jon Waldman, co-founder of SBS Cybersecurity, joins Mike to discuss the evolution from a small team of college classmates into a cybersecurity powerhouse. They delve into the challenges of marketing and growing a startup, strategies for managing and sustaining growth across 90 employees in 27 states, and the importance of putting people first. Jon shares insights into the role of cybersecurity in various industries and the success SBS has achieved in transforming client organizations.
Employee Empowerment is Paramount: Successfully scaling a business involves prioritizing employees' satisfaction, which inherently enhances customer experience.
The Unique Journey of SBS Cybersecurity: From a collaborative start among college classmates, SBS Cybersecurity has evolved into a trusted powerhouse with a diverse clientele spanning multiple industries.
Continuous Adaptation and Innovation: Emphasizing the importance of adaptability in an ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, leaders must view their organizations as technology companies to remain resilient.
A significant theme within the transcript is the importance of putting people first—whether they are employees or customers. Jon Waldman, co-founder of SBS Cybersecurity, passionately notes how his company thrives by treating its people well. "Our philosophy is that if you take great care of your people, they're going to take great care of your customers," Jon emphasizes. This approach is not merely a matter of good business practice; it carries broader implications for corporate culture in the tech industry.
A people-first mindset shifts the paradigm from profit-driven strategies to a more balanced approach where employee satisfaction and customer loyalty drive growth organically. This ideology challenges the often profit-centric focus of many tech organizations, promoting a more sustainable and ethically aligned business model. "People that like what they do tend to take really good care of their customers," Jon adds, reinforcing that a happy workplace produces a ripple effect reaching all stakeholders.
Another prominent theme arising from the dialogue is SBS Cybersecurity's humble beginnings and subsequent rise to one of the top cybersecurity firms on the Inc. 5000 list. What started as a "garageband" of IT enthusiasts from Dakota State University, quickly evolved into a formidable cybersecurity entity. Jon reflects, "There were eight members of our first-ever Master's of Information Assurance program… and we really figured our way around the world of information security."
The challenges and triumphs described in their journey reveal insights into the nuances of bootstrapping in tech. By initially capitalizing on academic networks and gradually building a tight-knit team, SBS Cybersecurity effectively navigated the challenges of marketing and selling—a common hurdle for many startups. Joining forces with like-minded peers, Jon and his team touched on various sectors, from agriculture to aerospace, highlighting the versatility and adaptability required to sustain and scale a business within tech’s volatile environment.
In the transcript, Jon Waldman underlines the need for constant innovation and adaptation in the cybersecurity field. He posits that every business, regardless of the sector, is a technology company that must harbor cybersecurity practices. "Banks are technology companies that provide banking services to their customers," Jon expounds, highlighting the essential role technology plays in our daily business operations.
Viewing a business through this lens suggests profound implications for how companies strategize around IT and security. Organizations that embrace this mindset can better anticipate vulnerabilities and are more likely to avoid potential disruptions. They must prepare for various contingencies, considering not just their technological stack, but also their partners and vendors. “If something breaks,” Jon warns, “it doesn’t even have to be your organization that gets hit with ransomware.”
Within the transcript lies an intricate tapestry of insights into building a sustainable and future-ready organization. The candid conversation between Jon and Mike captures the essence of the evolving tech landscape and emphasizes the importance of adaptive learning and strategic foresight. The conversation repeatedly returned to Jon's personal philosophy of creating a legacy—building an enduring entity that continues to thrive.
This approach translates well into broader practices within the cybersecurity industry and beyond, serving as a reminder of the importance of addressing not just present-day challenges, but preparing for those yet to come. From modest beginnings to its prominent status, SBS Cybersecurity epitomizes what meticulous planning, continuous learning, and honoring the human element can achieve in a competitive market. The insights shared by Jon and Mike resonate as a clarion call to other tech leaders eager to cultivate a resilient and people-centric corporate environment.