Episode 47

Why I Left My VP Role for a Seed-Stage Startup | Inside Beehive's Growth Story | Preeya Goenka - E47

Published on: 18th January, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Preeya, COO of Beehive, to discuss her journey from being a VP at a large tech company to joining Beehive as employee. Learn how she helped scale the company from seed stage to Series B, growing from 8 to 80+ employees. Priya shares insights on startup operations, remote work culture, board management, and making the leap from big tech to early-stage startups.

Priya shares how she:

  • Transitioned from a VP role to an early-stage startup
  • Helped scale Beehive from 8 to 80+ employees through Series B
  • Built and maintains a successful remote-first company culture
  • Navigates board management and metric tracking
  • Approaches goal setting and prioritization in a high-growth environment

Whether you're considering joining a startup or already in a leadership role, Priya's insights on scaling operations and building successful teams are invaluable!

Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and Background 3:29 - Evaluating Early-Stage Companies 6:18 - First 90 Days at a Startup 8:41 - Transitioning Industries 11:22 - Understanding the Chief of Staff Role 14:16 - Red Flags When Joining Early-Stage Companies 16:38 - Compensation Structure in Startups 21:57 - Scaling from 8 to 80 Employees 29:06 - Remote vs In-Person Work Culture 31:42 - Prioritization and Goal Setting 34:27 - Board Management and Metrics 48:39 - Importance of Mentorship 55:04 - Future of Beehive 56:15 - Book and Resource Recommendations 57:21 - Support Systems for Startup Life 58:09 - Personal Growth and Freedom

Connect with Preeya: Email: priya@beehive.com Website: https://beehive.com

#startup #tech #leadership #entrepreneurship #careeradvice

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About the Podcast

Funds and Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs
Welcome to "Funds & Founders: Untold Journeys Behind Their Breakthroughs," where we dig deep into the stories of successful Austin founders. Instead of focusing on their successes though, we dive into their journeys, particularly the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome.

This weekly podcast is tailored for Austin founders navigating the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey and hosted by fellow Austinite Abhinav Sinha. Here’s what to expect by tuning into Funds & Founders:

🚀 Embark on a Journey to Success
Join Abhinav as he takes you behind the scenes, exploring the highs and lows of building a company. This isn't your typical success story – we dive into the failures, the struggles, and those pivotal breakthrough moments that define a founder's path.

🌟 Real Conversations, Real Insights
Abhinav's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than dwelling on success, he crafts casual conversations that unravel the untold stories. Identify the setbacks that helped them grow, the lessons learned from failures, and the breakthrough moments that fueled these founders.

🤔 Why Didn't They Quit? Learn and Apply.
At the heart of each episode, Abhinav delves into the 'why' behind the perseverance. Why didn't they throw in the towel during tough times? And, most importantly, how can you apply their insights to your own journey? Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical takeaways for your entrepreneurial adventure.

🤝 Decoding Venture Capital
Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of Austin's venture capitalists? Abhinav sits down with local VCs to decode their criteria for investing in early-stage companies. Gain valuable insights into the world of venture capital, understand what investors look for, and appreciate the vital factor of founder-investor compatibility.

🎙️ Meet Your Host, Abhinav Sinha:
Abhinav's soft-spoken yet inquisitive style creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to share their authentic stories. His genuine curiosity and insightful questions make each episode a captivating journey into the minds of Austin's most successful founders.

If you're a budding Austin entrepreneur seeking the inspiration and insight needed for building a successful company, "Funds & Founders" is your go-to podcast.