Leading a Digital Agency in an AI Era

Culturally Sound

Overview

In this episode of Culturally Sound, host Chandler Cutler interviews Stratten Walt, founder of Baobab Partners, a boutique consulting firm specializing in custom software development and CRM implementation.

Stratten shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, detailing how Baobab Partners helps small and medium-sized businesses transform operations with bespoke solutions. He highlights a client case study where implementing Salesforce improved sales by 15% and streamlined operations.

The discussion explores challenges in scaling customized services, leveraging AI to enhance productivity, and fostering critical thinking in the tech-driven future. Stratten’s leadership philosophy centers on empathy, user-focused innovation, and maintaining integrity in business.

Guest Bio

Stratten Walt is the co-founder of Baobab Partners, a company focused on building scalable enterprise applications with a strong emphasis on Salesforce and providing white glove technology consulting services to companies from various industries. With experience across roles including developer, solution architect, and project manager, I have helped guide Baobab’s growth from a small startup into a company with team members in multiple countries. I am committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and practical expertise within the team, ensuring a high standard of work and growth opportunities for all involved.

Baobab Partners, founded in 2017 by Stratten Waldt and Oladimeji Abidoye, focuses on building scalable enterprise applications with Salesforce at its core. Over the years, Baobab has grown into a distributed team with a strong presence in Nigeria and other countries. The company values continuous learning, providing structured training and mentorship to keep team members at the forefront of Salesforce and related technologies. With a team that brings diverse expertise in IT, sales, marketing, and business strategy, Baobab Partners is committed to delivering practical solutions for its clients.

Episode Breakdown

💡 Introduction to Baobab Partners (00:02 - 05:37)

• Stratten introduces Baobab Partners, founded 5–6 years ago to serve small and medium-sized businesses with custom software solutions.
• Shares a case study about a self-storage manufacturing company that transitioned from an unwieldy 400,000-row spreadsheet to Salesforce, resulting in a 15% sales increase.

🏗️ Client Case Study: Transforming Operations (05:37 - 10:43)

• Baobab helped the client de-risk operations, implement Salesforce, and streamline processes.
• Results included improved work-life balance for employees and a significant boost in efficiency.

🚀 Stratten’s Career Path (10:43 - 19:35)

• Stratten’s journey from the Army engineering corps to consulting through certifications like Salesforce, Zoho, and Dynamics.
• Experiences in large-scale consulting firms, leading to his decision to start Baobab Partners.

🤝 Founding Baobab Partners (19:37 - 29:48)

• Started freelancing on platforms like Upwork and partnered with a college friend to handle technical projects.
• Grew the business through referrals, high-quality work, and a focus on long-term client relationships.
• Baobab now boasts a team of 12–13 people, delivering elegant, customized solutions.

⚖️ Challenges in Scaling Bespoke Services (29:48 - 40:33)

• Stratten discusses the difficulty of scaling customized services while maintaining quality.
• Explores ways to productize custom solutions to create scalable offerings.
• Balances team growth with ensuring interesting and meaningful work.

🤖 AI Integration and Future Outlook (40:33 - 53:49)

• Stratten sees AI as an assistive tool that enhances productivity for skilled professionals.
• Concerns about training the next generation of solution architects in an AI-driven era.
• Highlights the enduring importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

🧠 Leadership Philosophy and Company Culture (53:49 - 01:03:08)

• Stratten describes his leadership style as ambitious, thoughtful, and empathetic.

• Focuses on creating intuitive, user-friendly applications that align with client needs.

• Emphasizes maintaining a culture of integrity and innovation.

🌟 Personal Insights and Future Plans (01:03:08 - 01:10:22)

• Discusses routines like exercise and spending time with pets for work-life balance.
• Reflects on avoiding tunnel vision and striving for professional growth beyond company size.
• Plans to shift focus toward product innovation while upholding Baobab’s core values.

Conclusion

This conversation with Stratten Walt is an inspiring deep dive into the journey of building a boutique consulting firm that values empathy, innovation, and integrity. From transforming client operations to navigating the challenges of AI and scaling bespoke services, Stratten’s story provides actionable insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs alike.

Relevant Links

• Baobab Partners Website: Visit Baobab Partners – Learn more about Stratten’s firm and their custom solutions.
• Follow Stratten Walt on LinkedIn: Stratten Walt – Connect with Stratten for updates on his work and insights.
• Subscribe to Culturally Sound: Podcast Page – Don’t miss episodes featuring inspiring leaders and innovators.