Generations of Hustle with Natan Edelsburg
In this episode, host Aaron Gordon chats with Natan Edelsburg, who shares the profound influence his grandfather and mother, both PR mavens, had on his career trajectory. Edelsburg recounts pivotal moments, such as meeting his future CEO during his...
In this episode, host Aaron Gordon chats with Natan Edelsburg, who shares the profound influence his grandfather and mother, both PR mavens, had on his career trajectory. Edelsburg recounts pivotal moments, such as meeting his future CEO during his time at NYU, that set him on the path to joining a startup instead of opting for a traditional corporate job post-2008 recession. He draws parallels between his experiences and his grandfather's, learning the value of networking, compensation, and passion for work. Natan dives into his journey with his current 300-person company, discussing his evolution from being the first employee to helping it grow its global presence. They touch on the benefits and challenges of a remote-first workplace, enhanced by off-sites and team retreats while maintaining the resilience to adapt during the pandemic. Throughout the episode, Edelsburg emphasizes the importance of believing in the people you work with and the vision of the company. Sharing stories about growth and learning from failures, he highlights how equity and trust have cemented his commitment. Ending on a motivational Michael Jordan quote, the episode underlines the hustle necessary for success and the value of learning from one's missteps. Enjoy the show!
Get To Know Natan Edelsburg
Natan Edelsburg's family played a significant role in shaping his career path. His grandfather and mother both had impressive careers in public relations, which inspired and instilled in him a sense of dedication and passion for the industry. Natan's upbringing was not only about observing; it was also an education in understanding the power of effective communication.
Currently, Natan is the Chief Partnerships Officer at Muck Rack, a software platform that helps organizations find the right journalists to pitch, report on media coverage, and measure the value of their work. In his role, Natan leads and cultivates strategic industry partnerships while driving international expansion. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Revenue Officer at Muck Rack, leading the Sales and Customer Success teams. Natan joined Muck Rack in 2009 as the company's first employee and held several positions, including Chief Operating Officer. He has been recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being named one of PR News' Rising Stars and one of PRSA's 15 Under 35. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Trustees for the PRSA Foundation and a frequent speaker on social media, PR, journalism, and the future of TV. Natan has moderated panels or presentations at various events, including SXSW, PRWeek, Social Media Week, Collision, Web Summit, Digital Hollywood, PRSA, and Cannes Lions.
3 Episode Key Takeaways
1. Networking & Legacy Influence: The value of connections and learning from seasoned professionals is immeasurable. His grandfather's wisdom and network significantly shaped Natan Edelsburg's career trajectory. This demonstrates the power of leveraging family and mentor legacies to pave the way in your industry.
2. Embracing the Startup Journey: Opting for a startup over established corporate entities can be a defining career move. Natan's commitment to a startup during the economic downturn led to his impactful role in its growth. The episode highlights how early risks can lead to substantial rewards and a profound sense of fulfillment.
3. Remote Work Model Success: Nurturing company culture and employee relationships is possible beyond the conventional office setup. Natan's experience with a company practicing a remote-first policy shows that remote work can thrive with innovative approaches like networking budgets and company off-sites. Listeners can take away strategies for maintaining a positive work environment and employee engagement, even at a distance.
Show Overview:
03:00 Influential guidance led Natan to NYU.
06:37 Natan’s Grandfather introductions led to valuable career connections.
10:22 Influential figure guided career, emphasized passion, peace.
14:32 Desire for recognition as startup cofounder discussed.
18:05 Long-term dedication to family business questioned.
19:07 Pride in PR family legacy defines career.
23:33 Question about remote work's impact on hustle.
27:06 Risks of slacking off in office environment.
32:15 Learn from failures, like Michael Jordan did.