In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, Susan Sly talks to Karen Gordon, Founder of Simpli5. Karen shares her journey from managing a thriving business with $1 million in monthly revenue to navigating that customer's bankruptcy. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance and strategic pivoting. Karen shares the practical implications of cognitive diversity. She discusses the importance of understanding one's strengths and actively seeking out and surrounding oneself with diverse individuals who possess complementary skills and perspectives. She explains this is the key to building high-performing teams that foster collaboration and innovation. Karen and Susan discuss balancing work and family responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout and the role of flexibility in fostering a supportive work environment. Karen shares her experience managing her company while dealing with her daughter and husband's cancer diagnoses. They also address gender disparities in entrepreneurship, particularly women's challenges in securing funding. Tune in to be inspired by Karen's resilience and gain actionable insights on leading with passion, embracing flexibility, and harnessing the power of diverse teams to drive high performance. Karen Gordon, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Simpli5, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming workplace cultures through collaboration and team performance. Recognized as a two-time Inc. 500 Honoree and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Karen's expertise is featured in top publications like The CEO Magazine and Huffington Post. Her TEDx talk on "The Myth of Difficult People" highlights her thought leadership in navigating complex workplace dynamics. Under her guidance, Simpli5 partners with Fortune 500 companies, universities, and healthcare organizations to promote cognitive diversity and productivity. Connect with Karen Website https://www.simpli5.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-wright-gordon-1937a66 Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly and redefine your entrepreneurial journey. Connect With Susan Website https://susansly.com Website https://thepause.ai/ LinkedIn @susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices