Ep 127: Pain Makes Us Grow | Alejandro Navia (Co-Founder & President, nft now)

Alejandro Navia is the co-founder and President of nft now, the premier source of NFT content and analysis. As an advisor, coach, and early supporter of web3 and the creator economy, Alejandro has helped numerous founders and creators scale their communities and raise over $92MM in funding. Prior to NFT Now, he held leadership positions at startups and enterprises in AI, aerospace, and media, including Verizon, where I led Strategy and Acquisitions, and Elite Daily, which I helped lead to a $50MM acquisition. This is a story where Alejandro transparently shares some of his lowest moments, e.g.: - being suicidal at age 16; - being kicked out of Harvard; and - scoring a $4.5 million deal only to lose $125k two days later due to a huge mistake! Highlights: 2:26 A rupture in his life 8:49 Being suicidal 14:41 Turning point 21:13 From getting kicked out of Harvard to becoming the Director of Innovation and Culture at Elite Daily 29:02 Losing potentially $250,000 36:09 Worthy of receiving love 39:17 Building company culture 41:43 Best hire & hiring process 43:48 Identifying rug pulls 📍Show notes: https://www.sothisismywhy.com/127 💌 Weekly STIMY Newsletter that deconstructs how you build a portfolio career to prepare yourself for the future of work: https://sothisismywhy.ck.page/acd5bd1062