Introduction to Psychological Security with Zachary Eikenberry

Today, I’m excited to talk to Zachary Eikenberry, a CoFounder, Director and CEO of Hook Security, which uses Psychological Security, or PsySec™, to teach employees how to spot and avoid phishing attacks and create a healthy security-aware culture company wide.

Before Hook, Zach was a Founder and the CEO of The NEXT Schools in Greenville, SC. These schools provided entrepreneurial experiences for over 900 students between 2 high schools and a middle school. 

Zach has over 14 years of startup experience since graduating from Purdue University with degrees in Philosophy and Economics, including the successful launch of a SaaS company in addition to his ongoing consulting practice. 

He has been recognized as a Top Ten most Innovative Educator, a TEDx Speaker, and a conference speaker on the nature of innovation and education.

Welcome Zach!

In this episode…

In this episode you will hear why Zach likes the summer olympics over the winter olympics, and the curious reason why.

Also, Zach recalls a story in relation to an offer that was too good to refuse, but it all came down to a personal guarantee.  So, this offer?  Ultimately it was turned down.

When it comes down to sharing, describing and showing data of the pipeline, authenticity is key and of ultra importance.  Oftentimes as things gain traction, people get worried they are missing out and that should not be the case.  But, on the flip side, putting yourself in the investor’s shoes may help you see more clearly as to why they feel this way.

Relationships that align with investors make an almost-perfect relationship.  Most founders feel they need to be perfect and not show weakness when in front of them but in reality, most investors are skeptical of perfection as they wonder why they’re at the table if everything is all “unicorns and rainbows.”  Now, some investors do want to hear perfection and a pretty picture without negativity, but not all.  

Let’s talk home runs!  Institutional investors have to hit home runs.  However, hitting the moon isn’t always reality, and one hopes to never crash into the oceans.  Hitting projections is the true objective, and that is all investors really need to hear.

Finally, it comes down to this, investors need entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs need investors.  They go hand-in-hand.  One cannot go on without the other.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• https://designli.co/blog/zach-eikenberry-on-pursuing-radical-ideas/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikeinc/
• [email protected]
• Finance-Ability
• Stephanie Sims
• Stephanie Sims LinkedIn

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