EMS@C-LEVEL

The Reluctant Entrepreneur: Mike Konrad's Journey Through Entrepreneurship, Networking and SMTA

Philip Spagnoli Stoten

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a reluctant start into a flourishing entrepreneurial journey? Discover the fascinating story of Mike Konrad, a podcaster, author, and industry raconteur, as he shares his unexpected path to entrepreneurship and authorship. With his book, "The Reluctant Entrepreneur," at the heart of our conversation, Mike opens up about the motivations that fueled his writing and the invaluable lessons learned from a 32-year business journey. He recounts how engaging with university students helped him reflect on significant anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes. Mike also shares his thoughts on the evolving entrepreneurial landscape and the vital qualities of resilience and adaptability amidst the ever-changing venture capital market.

Shifting gears to the essence of customer relationships, Mike draws inspiration from iconic brands like Nike and Patagonia to illustrate the power of emotional connections. Through his active involvement with the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA), he highlights the unique, volunteer-driven approach that fosters genuine networking and collaboration within the electronics assembly industry. As we round off our conversation, there's an air of excitement about upcoming industry events such as Apex in Anaheim, California, where opportunities for future connections abound. With a delightful mix of personal anecdotes and industry insights, this episode promises to enrich your understanding of entrepreneurship and the profound impact of networking.

USEFUL LINKS

Information about The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast is available from Mike at:
mike@mikekonrad.com
 
The Reliability Matters Podcast website: https://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com
 
Links to my book, The Reluctant Entrepreneur - Anatomy of a Business Start-Up - From Uncertainty to Unstoppable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFFN6ZG2/?bestFormat=true&k=the%20reluctant%20entrepreneur&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_26&crid=1YOISPXML4C0N&sprefix=the%20reluctant%20entrepreneur
 
Aqueous Technologies: https://www.aqueoustech.com

EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com)

You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.