SMV9: Sue Tyler on growing from zero to $300 Million of revenues in 4 years, and why people and culture matter. 


In this episode, you will learn:

  1. What its like to grow from Zero to $300 Million of revenues in 4 years.

  2. Why surrounding yourself with the right mentors is crucial to success.

  3. Why most startups are a series of failures until they’re not.

  4. How the Heartland culture gets s##t done without unrealistic expectations.

  5. Why people and culture are critical to success in innovation.


Episode Summary:
This episode of the SmartMoney Ventures Podcast features Sue Tyler who is a C-level executive, board member and investor who has a unique combination of experience with billion-dollar Fortune 500 companies along with hands-on work in the trenches of rapid growth startups. 

Sue encountered rapid growth early in her career at Progressive Insurance where she served in Finance and Product Management, introducing new products and technologies and generating significant revenue growth for the company.  

She went on to serve as SVP-Marketing & Division President for a startup insurer formerly known as Reliant Insurance that grew from $0 to $300 M in revenues in less than 4 years and was ultimately acquired by Farmers Insurance.  

Sue went on to serve in multiple C-level roles at Medical Mutual, a multi-billion-dollar insurance company for 15 years. During her tenure, the company grew and diversified through new product introductions, expansion into new markets and acquisition.  

Sue currently serves as a Venture Partner with Caduceus Capital Partners and is a member of North Coast Ventures, investing in early stage digital health companies and software-as-a-service companies. She is a member of the Board of Directors of several digital health & insurtech companies including Beam Benefits, ForMotiv, ScriptDrop and HealthPlan Data Solutions.  She is committed to value added board governance, serving as a founding member of the Cleveland chapter of Private Directors Association. 

Sue serves on the Cleveland Clinic Innovations External Advisory Council and is an alumni Advisor to the student led venture fund and a venture mentor to the medical school at Case Western Reserve University where she holds both an MBA and an undergraduate degree.  


 

Companies, people & topics
mentioned in this episode:

Companies Sue has worked at:
Caduceus Capital Partners, LLC
North Coast Ventures
Progressive Insurance
Reliant Insurance
Medical Mutual

Companies/Institutions where Sue serves or previously served as a Board Member or Observer :
ScriptDrop
Beam Benefits
ForMotiv
HealthPlan Data Solutions
Healthy Roster
Janus Health

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SMV10: Chris Heivly’s entrepreneurial journey from Mapquest to ecosystem builder.

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SMV8: Dwight Smith shares why personality & integrity lead to success. He won E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year, built & sold his company, and Chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.