The First Customer - The Power of Community in Building A Successful Consultancy with Dave Reinhold

In this episode, I was very, very lucky enough to interview my former boss, Dave Reinhold, Founder of VentureCPO. Growing up in New York, Dave recounts his first “business” selling bubble gum and fans to classmates, reflecting a lifelong drive for independence and resourcefulness. His early passion for technology blossomed with his first computer, a Commodore 64, which sparked a fascination with digital products. Dave went on to study management information systems at Binghamton University and earned an MBA in entrepreneurship and MIS from NYU’s Stern School. He built a career around startups, notably working at Loeb as a fractional product leader for portfolio companies, where he gained expertise in various industries and honed his methodology for product strategy. Launching VentureCPO allowed Dave to bring his fractional CPO services to early-stage companies. His consultancy is structured around a playbook adaptable to diverse industries, focusing on product strategy, roadmaps, and execution. In the conversation, Dave discusses the challenges of transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship and the unexpected interest from later-stage companies. Now five months in, he’s navigating the business development landscape, exploring partnerships with venture funds, joining fractional executive platforms, and even experimenting with LinkedIn advertising. Dave also emphasizes the value of building a community and finding niche expertise, which he sees as pivotal in differentiating VentureCPO in the fractional product leadership space. Listen in as Dave Reinhold brings a fresh perspective on growth, challenges, and lasting client partnerships in The First Customer! Guest Info: VentureCPO https://www.venturecpo.com/ Dave Reinhold"s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjreinhold/ Connect with Jay on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/ The First Customer Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast The First Customer podcast website https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/