This episode features our host Preethy Padmanabhan in conversation with authors of the book Sail to Scale: Steer Your Startup Clear of Mistakes from Launch to Exit. The book is a practical guide for entrepreneurs, written by Mona Sabet, Heather Jerrehian, and Maria Fernandez Guajardo. The book draws on the authors’ collective experience as successful entrepreneurs, executives, and investors to help founders avoid the most common pitfalls that cause startups to fail Sail to Scale is designed for prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs, as well as anyone involved in the startup ecosystem. Its lessons, though often illustrated with SaaS and tech examples, are broadly applicable to a wide range of businesses. The book stands out for its clear organization, visual metaphors, and focus on both what to do and what not to do at each stage of growth

Topics: 00:00 Welcome to the 100th Episode of 10X 01:00 Heather's Inspiring Career Journey 02:57 Mona's Multifaceted Career Path 05:43 Maria's AI-Driven Mission 07:19 The Birth of 'Sale to Scale' 12:15 Key Lessons from the Launch Phase 20:18 Navigating the Pivot Wave with Hitch 24:46 Scaling Companies: The 10X Growth Mindset 25:23 Paradoxes of Scaling: Leadership and Focus 29:07 Hiring Strategies for Scaling Companies 29:48 The Importance of Avoiding Single Points of Failure 30:03 Turnover in Scaling Companies: A Necessary Challenge 30:47 The Final Wave: Navigating Exits and Acquisitions 39:05 AI's Impact on Launch Phases and MVPs 42:05 Distribution Fit: The Key to Market Success 44:07 Final Thoughts: Diverse Paths to Success