Clare Jones: From scaling what3words to Series C and taking over as CEO at TravelTech, Polarsteps

“It’s easy to look from the outside in and think ‘wow, what an adventure’ and it is an adventure, but if you’re thinking about going on a startup joinery you need to ask yourself: am I okay if this fails?”

For episode 1 in our brand new 40 Minute Mentor season, we’re joined by Clare Jones, ex CCO of what3words and CEO of Polarsteps.

Clare has had an impressive career so far, including joining what3words in its very early days as a startup and helping them scale to post-Series C in 8 years.

Earlier in the summer, Clare joined Polarsteps, a rapidly growing team building the essential tool for modern day explorers - before, during and after their trips.

In today’s episode we discuss the leadership skills that helped her through her tenure as CCO and now CEO, what makes a successful CCO and what it’s been like to join as the first CEO hire, as a succession hire from the Founders.

Episode Chapters:

➡️ Her upbringing in an activist household [04:30]

➡️ Early NGO experiences & transferable skills [06:15]

➡️ Joining what3words as a scrappy startup [09:50]

➡️ Lessons from scaling the what3words team [13:45]

➡️ More about today’s sponsors [20:55]

➡️ Becoming comfortable with failure [22:00]

➡️ Deep dive into the CCO role [26:15]

➡️ Why the move to Polarsteps & the origin story [28:30]

➡️ When it’s time for Founders to step back [31:55]

➡️ Making Founder succession work [43:00]

➡️ Learning to be patient [47:25]

⛳ Helpful links:

➡️ Connect with Clare: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-jones-/

➡️ Find out more about Polarsteps: https://www.polarsteps.com/

🔔 Find out more about today’s sponsors

Today’s episode was sponsored by Amplified Group - the People services group that supports technology companies from inception to IPO.

Together, the Group combines the leading brands in the People, Talent, Culture and HR space to provide the services Founders and Leadership teams need to build high-performing teams and businesses.

Find out more at www.amplifiedgroup.com or drop the team a note on people@amplifiedgroup.com

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Enjoyed this episode?

Keep up to date with all our latest episodes by hitting the subscribe button on your favourite podcast platform. And for any feedback on what you enjoy most and ideas on what we can do to make 40 Minute Mentor even better, please leave us a review.