Episode 16: Pat Sullivan, Founder & CEO, Defendry
Pat Sullivan has built several successful companies in his almost 40-year career as an entrepreneur. One of his biggest successes was ACT, the very first CRM software. With his newest venture Defendry, Pat is trying to literally save lives by using AI and drones to reduce the number of people killed in mass shootings. Even though the pandemic brought Defendry to a screeching halt, Pat says he'll do what he's doing until he's in the ground. In this episode, Pat shares some of the most important lessons he's learned in his long career.
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00:00 Introduction
01:10 Defendry background
06:31 Is it fool-proof technology? What happens with open and concealed carry laws?
10:50 “It’s not over till it’s over.”
14:30 Developing a CRM system before CRM existed
19:55 Changes he’s seen in tech since his start
23:43 Entrepreneurial wisdom -- challenges he's faced
27:49 Pitching investors, venture capitalists
32:28 Hiring the right people
35:22 Tagline, branding, positioning
39:15 How do you know when to sell?
41:27 Staying recharged
47:33 What are you excited about in tech in AZ?
55:24 Personal investments
58:43 AZ’s Covid response, vaccinations