Steve Schlafman, Angel Investor // Growth Through Coaching

Bilal Zaidi (0:00)

In today's episode...

Steve Schlafman (0:04)

Most people, at least they come to me, are like, you know, I'm thinking about going into this industry, or I'm thinking about doing this. And I always encourage people to sit down and really do a lot of reflecting in terms of first, like, well, what kind of life do I want to have? What's most important to me? What are my values, right? Like, how does that show up every day?

And, like, this notion of, like, what would an ideal life look like? You know, do I value challenge, as you, as you said? Do I value being close to my family? Do I value making money? Do I value being in a really important role, whatever it is? And really doing that, like, fundamental work at the, at what I would call, like, the foundational layer, before then saying, like, okay, I want to go work for a venture-backed startup in the fintech sector in this specific role.

Bilal Zaidi (1:05)

This is Bill Alzadeh and you're listening to Creator Lab, where I'm learning from the greatest entrepreneurs and change makers of our time. We go beyond the surface to find the nuance in what it takes to turn your ideas into action. In a world of black and white headlines, we're looking for the magic in the gray. We're building an open and respectful community of doers who want to take action by creating. Whether that's a mission to help millions of people through a non-profit, building a company worth billions of dollars or changing the world through your art, we are all creators. Now let's get into the show.

This episode is sponsored by Squarefoot, where growing companies find their place. They're a new kind of commercial real estate company that understands the needs of growing companies better than anyone else. They've helped over a thousand growing companies find the right space for their needs without the hassle, uncertainty and the time suck normally required. They combine technology that minimizes the stressful parts of the search with brokers who are market experts to help you at every step along the way. Visit squarefoot.com/creatorlab to start your search today. Steve, thanks for coming on the show, man.

Steve Schlafman (2:18)

It's a pleasure to be here.

Bilal Zaidi (2:19)

So tell me how I pronounce your surname before I butcher it.

Steve Schlafman (2:22)

Schlafman.

Bilal Zaidi (2:22)

Schlafman.

Steve Schlafman (2:23)

So it's, you know, people have butchered it my entire life. And so it's that what I like to say, it's like, shh, laugh.

Bilal Zaidi (2:29)

Oh my God. That's the best. I have a similar thing. I tell people my name is like Bill Clinton Al Gore, Bill Al.

Steve Schlafman (2:35)

Yeah.

Bilal Zaidi (2:36)

I've said that thousands of times. It really works. But people that are around me a lot have heard it way too many times.

Steve Schlafman (2:41)

Yeah. I've been called Schlafman's. I mean, it's just been butchered for three years, Schlafman.

Bilal Zaidi (2:48)

Well, listen, man, thanks for making time to be here. You're someone that I've been following for a little bit of time. And to be honest, without even realizing, because Walid put us in touch. Right. And thanks to Walid, who's hopefully listening to this. He sent me an email and said, hey, I think you guys would really get on and you'd be a great guest on the show. And then I was like, oh, I didn't necessarily recognize your name straight away. And then I went on Twitter and I was like, oh, yeah, I've been like following you for ages. So, so, yeah, I guess we should probably introduce who you are. You know, in your own words, kind of what, who are you and what, what are you working on nowadays?

Steve Schlafman (3:24)

Sure. So I am a partner at one of the top seed funds here in New York called Primary Venture Partners. We've been around for about four years and invest exclusively at the seed stage, specifically in tech, technology companies. And we, we roll up our sleeves and get dirty on behalf of our entrepreneurs. And about 18 months ago, I decided to dive in headfirst into the executive coaching world. And so I'm now a leadership coach and I have my own private practice where I work with a very small, select few, usually at a time it's about five founders and executives. And so five at a time. Yeah. So I'm part, part investor, part executive coach. And when I'm not at work and in doing these things, I'm a husband, a father, brother, all the, all the great things.

Bilal Zaidi (4:18)