Episode 55: Navigating Equity in Tech Companies with Fred Deworken

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Frederick DeWorken grew up on a 3-acre poor farm in Amarillo, Texas, and would travel to Santa Cruz, California every summer with his grandmother. In 1989 his step-father bought him his first computer. He has been hooked on "high-tech" ever since. 

Connect with Frederick

https://www.linkedin.com/in/data-cloud/

In this episode Fred DeWorkin, founder and CEO of Blue Yeti, who shares his journey from working in the Peace Corps and as a claims adjuster to transitioning into the tech industry. 

Fred discusses the value of storytelling, building relationships, and articulating one's worth in career transitions. 

He highlights the importance of investing in oneself and the foundational role of training in shaping his successful tech career. Join them as they explore strategies for career growth, building wealth, and achieving financial and lifestyle goals in the tech industry.

Fred's experience highlights the importance of self-discovery, belief in oneself, and the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone to pursue new opportunities. His journey serves as a testament to the possibility of successfully transitioning into the tech industry, even without a traditional tech background. Fred's story also underscores the value of mentorship, networking, and continuous learning in navigating a career transition.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Belief in Yourself: Fred's journey highlights the importance of believing in your own value and skill set. By investing in himself and having the confidence to pursue opportunities in the tech industry, Fred was able to carve out a successful career path.
• Focused Approach: Fred's strategic approach to targeting specific companies and industries, such as pre-IPO growth companies in Latin America, showcases the power of focus and determination. By narrowing down his options and honing in on key opportunities, Fred was able to make significant strides in his career.
• Learning from Experience: Fred's experience working with both Tableau and Snowflake taught him valuable lessons about the dynamics of hyper-growth companies, leadership changes, and the importance of understanding equity and tax implications. His ability to adapt and learn from each experience contributed to his overall success.

Episode Timeline:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Personal Value and Investment in Self
• 00:00:29 - Building a Career Foundation in Sales
• 00:00:47 - Welcome and Podcast Overview
• 00:01:08 - Guest Introduction: Fred DeWorkin
• 00:01:47 - Fred's Career Transition and Value Articulation
• 00:02:12 - Importance of Personal Stories in Career Advancement
• 00:02:53 - Realizing Opportunities in Tech
• 00:04:03 - Decision to Pursue a Tech Career
• 00:04:25 - Job Search and Strategic Focus
• 00:06:57 - Learning from Industry Leaders
• 00:08:20 - Reality Check and Adjusting Expectations
• 00:09:11 - Professional Development through ProLango
• 00:10:07 - Effective Job Search Techniques
• 00:11:37 - Narrowing Down Job Targets
• 00:12:40 - Joining Tableau Software
• 00:13:46 - Leadership and Product Impact at Tableau
• 00:16:15 - Belief in Self and Skill Set
• 00:18:02 - Receiving an Offer and Equity at Tableau
• 00:20:33 - Learning from Tableau's Operational Excellence
• 00:24:10 - Transition to Snowflake and IPO Preparation
• 00:27:36 - Emotional Impact of Career Transitions
• 00:30:46 - Joining Snowflake and Recognizing Opportunity
• 00:32:53 - Equity Strategy and Financial Planning at Snowflake
• 00:36:18 - Observing Leadership Changes and IPO Strategy
• 00:38:44 - Wrap-up and Reflections on Career and Equity