Allison Baum Gates: The Disruptor's Journey: From Trading Floor to VC

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com  Summary In this episode of the #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Alison Baum Gates, an early-stage tech investor and author of 'Breaking Into Venture.' They discuss Alison's journey from the trading floor to venture capital, the importance of a global perspective, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and employee well-being. Alison shares insights on the VC mindset, the challenges of writing a book, and the impact of AI on business and the writing process. The conversation culminates in a discussion about defining success and the importance of creating opportunities for others. Takeaways - Alison's parents' careers were disrupted by technology, influencing her career choices. - She transitioned from finance to venture capital to be on the disrupting side. - The trading floor experience taught her about opportunity spotting and creativity in finance. - Living globally has given her a competitive advantage in evaluating investments. - A VC mindset is essential for navigating today's abundant career opportunities. - Writing her book was a way to save time and share knowledge about venture capital. - Venture capital is not just glamorous; it requires hard work and patience. - Measuring progress in venture capital is crucial to avoid FOMO. - Success is defined by the number of successful people one creates. - AI is changing the landscape of entry-level jobs, making it essential for new graduates to adapt. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alison Baum Gates and Her Journey 01:17 The Impact of Technology on Career Paths 02:43 Lessons from the Trading Floor 06:34 Global Perspective and Competitive Advantage 10:59 The VC Mindset: Thinking for Abundance 13:21 Writing 'Breaking Into Venture' and Its Purpose 15:14 The Reality of Venture Capital 16:50 Self-Discovery Through Writing 19:44 AI's Role in Writing and Business 21:02 The Dual Nature of Entrepreneurship Today 21:53 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape 25:08 The Role of Semper Virens 29:52 The Impact of AI on Entry-Level Jobs 32:34 Evaluating Founders and Building Relationships 35:00 FOMO in Venture Capital 36:51 Defining Success in Career and Life