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 In This Episode You’ll Hear About:

• [01:02] Introducing Bruce Smith, the Founder and CEO of Hydrow.

• [03:37] Bruce’s early days: Growing up in Canada with a schizophrenic mother, leaving home early, and supporting himself financially while pursuing music.

• [11:16] How he supported himself in college; how he became a hustler by necessity!

• [14:24] His journey from academia to entrepreneurship, real estate, and coaching.

• [20:08] Bruce’s passion for rowing and his transition from rower to rowing coach.

• [22:49] The mind-body connection associated with rowing and the addictiveness of synchronization.

• [25:18] Bruce shares success stories from his career as a rowing coach.

• [27:42] The genesis story of Hydrow; the rowing machine company connecting the indoor rowing experience to the magic of rowing on water.

• [33:49] Hydrow’s impressive fundraising journey in the face of countless rejections.

• [47:09] The company’s team structure, Bruce’s leadership approach, and Hydrow’s future goals!

 To Find Out More:

Bruce Smith on LinkedIn

Hydrow

Community Rowing, Inc.

Lee Greene on LinkedIn

Stairway to CEO

Stairway to CEO on Instagram

 Quotes:

“[Entrepreneurship] is really hard but it's really satisfying. Honestly, I think it's the most fun thing you can do. It's like creating art that's worth the trouble.” [0:03:21]

“I got my driver's license the day that I turned 16 and I got in the car and I drove away and I basically never went back.” [0:07:40]

“I really do believe poverty is an amazing motivator.” [0:13:12]

“The power of the man is real and you’ve got to adapt and bend a little bit if you're going to be successful.” [0:17:28] 

“In the United States, especially in Chicago, it is a meritocracy. If you have good ideas, people embrace you with open arms.” [0:19:46]

“That moment of synchronicity – is wildly addictive.” [0:23:59]

“We wanted to take that smoothness and that analog feeling [of rowing on water] and translate it to a machine. So we had to reimagine how people think of our machines from the ground up.” [0:32:28] 

“You want to be sure that the people who invest in your company will be able to continue to invest in your company.” [0:38:54]

“I like bankers. They're the most socially capable people I've ever met.” [0:40:35]

“Overall, I've become an even stronger believer in investing in culture and – who you are.” [0:47:52]