Unwavering Resilience and Hustle with Kat Ternes

Keep Hustling

In this episode, Aaron Gordon welcomes Kat Ternes, CEO of Indium, known for her grit and resilience. They start by discussing their childhood experiences of feeling like outcasts due to family dynamics. Katherine shares her upbringing on a Midwest farm and its impact on her candid nature. They delve into grit and perseverance, emphasizing their importance in challenging environments, particularly in sales. The conversation also covers Katherine's pivotal career moments, including a failed funding round and her subsequent promotion to head of revenue. She recounts how she supported her team through job losses by leveraging her network to set up interviews for them. They discuss Kat's decision-making process and her attitude toward preparing for opportunities that align with her future goals.

The episode ends with Kat receiving praise for her inspirational leadership, and she shares two impactful quotes that have guided her. The host highlights the importance of experiencing setbacks and getting back up.. The episode showcases Kat's strength, resourcefulness, and commitment to her team, making it a compelling and inspiring listen for anyone navigating challenges in their professional and personal lives.

Get To Know Kat Ternes

Kat Ternes is an accomplished business woman currently serving as the CEO of Indium, a network of independent insurance agencies known for their exceptional market access, strong use of technology, and supportive community. She has a wealth of experience in the tech industry, having worked at four different technology firms before joining Indium. Kat's interest in Indium was sparked by its dedication to promoting true independence and driving progress within the industry. As a young and ambitious leader, she has been instrumental in building Indium's reputation for innovation and excellence. Known for her sharp attention to detail and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, Kat's leadership has been shaped by the employee-centric cultures of the startups where she previously worked. She is a natural leader with a passion for helping others grow and succeed.

3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Embracing Grit: Kat shares her experiences and stresses the importance of resilience and perseverance, especially in challenging environments. Her "keep hustling" version of perseverance is a powerful reminder for all of us to weather storms and keep pushing forward.

2. Fostering Relationships: Kat's commitment to building and nurturing relationships shines through from seeking advice to calling in every favor to support her team. Her actions highlight the significance of fostering strong connections in both personal and professional spheres.

3. Future Mindset: Kat's decision-making process emphasizes believing in one's future self. Her unwavering confidence in aligning present actions with future goals is an inspiring guide to making impactful decisions for our careers and lives.

Show Overview

05:55 Growing up on the farm.

11:57 Challenging stereotypes, generations, and educational opportunities.

13:05 Parents took teacher conferences seriously, shaped successful family.

16:57 Emphasizing importance of perseverance and determination in career.

27:27 Co-workers share concern, then company lays off.

29:56 Called every sales leader, set up interviews.

41:26 Take opportunity even if feeling unprepared.

42:15 Act on your future goals in present.