John Roa
New York
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📍 NYC 📚 Get my book: “A Practical Way To Get Rich...And Die Trying” on Amazon 🧑🏼💻 CEO AnthologyAI. Last exit to Salesforce.
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Articles by John Roa
Navigating the Future of AI: From Data Limitations to the Promise of AI Search
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the engine of modern innovation, but it faces a pivotal moment in its evolution. As discussions around data scarcity for large language models (LLMs) continue to proliferate, a new frontier has emerged: AI search. The shift brings an exciting opportunity to leverage actionable consumer data across various sectors, from retail to travel.
John Roa, Author at Techstrong.ai
John Roa is a lifelong entrepreneur, technologist, philanthropist, business investor, and writer. He has founded and managed seven technology companies since learning to program as a teenager. His largest company, ÄKTA, went on to be one of the fastest-growing companies in America in both 2013 and 2014 and was acquired by Salesforce Inc. in September 2015. He is currently the CEO of AnthologyAI, a consumer intelligence company in New York City.
Acer holds Acer Day 2023: #AceYourWorld concert with Sarah Geronimo, Sandara Park, DonBelle, and many others at SM MOA Arena
The line-up made the Acer Day 2023: #AceYourWorld concert a dream concert, with Acer brand Ambassadors Sarah Geronimo, Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, international superstar Sandara Park, and a powerhouse cast of artists that included, Sunkissed Lola, December Avenue, Zach Tabudlo, Sponge Cola, Mayonnaise, Ben&Ben, and Ely Buendia.
Bandang Lapis, John Roa, Earl Agustin, Ace Cirera, and Angelo Garcia and their new music offering
Bandang Lapis, John Roa, Earl Agustin, Ace Cirera, and Angelo Garcia... each has new music to offer that's all worthy of attention. Check them out. "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" By Bandang Lapis Bandang Lapis returns with a brand-new single titled “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak.” This rousing ode to every “dalagang Filipina” is worthy of the precious subject indeed.
SMH, WTF Is ZPD?!
Remember in the 90s when the Internet felt like the Wild West? People didn’t trust one another (or brands or media companies for that matter), there were no high-speed connections, and things could get lawless at the drop of a drunken cowboy’s hat. Things are (a bit) more civilized now. Publishers, advertisers, and consumers all inhabit their own hyper-connected corners of the web, navigating them with relative ease.
7 Pinoy R&B bops of the moment thanks to TikTok
TikTok has played a huge part in shaping the massive hits of the last two years. From plucking underrated jams out of obscurity to putting a spotlight on meme-ready tunes that cut across various sensibilities, the app reinforces its authority as a cultural marker of prevailing trends. It’s been a while since a new entertainment platform challenged established conventions and considerably changed the way the music industry works.
Capturing Kobe and Starting Anew with Andy Bernstein on Apple Podcasts
49 min Over the last 40 years, Andy Bernstein has become one of the most iconic photographers in sports history. Even if you don't watch basketball, you're likely familiar with his work shooting historic figures like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and the late Kobe Bryant. On today's show, John and Andy discuss how he got into sports photography, the battles regarding self-worth along the way, and the pitfalls that success can bring.
Finding Strength in Vulnerability with John Roa
Join Chris Gronkowski, - NFL player for the Cowboys, Colts, and Broncos and entrepreneur owner of the Ice Shaker protein drink bottle (a Shark Tank winner). Chris and his guests talk about life, entrepreneurial skill and lessons, and what it takes to make it. Let's get Gronk'd UP!
The Dark Side Of The Startup World on Apple Podcasts
1 hr John Roa is an entrepreneur and an author. We often hear about the galactic successes of high growth startups, but what is the price that the founders pay to enable it? Expect to learn what the real culture of silicon valley is, how your business can cause a psychotic breakdown, what John realised is truly valuable in life, how market sentiment and true value have become detached and much more...
Amanda Knox vs The Court of Public Opinion on Apple Podcasts
1 hr In today’s episode, the harrowing story of how Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted of murder by an Italian court and spent 4 years in prison — only to be exonerated and acquitted of the crime in 2011, and again exonerated in 2015. Amanda shares her thoughts on the mental health impact of COVID, and some of the misinformation that has surrounded masks and distancing during the pandemic.
An entrepreneur who sold his company to Salesforce for 8 figures on how the pressures of early success crushed his mental and physical well-being
John Roa is an entrepreneur who's run several technology companies including design agency ÄKTA, which was bought by Salesforce in 2015. He's also an author, speaker, and podcast host of "The John Roa Show." The following is an excerpt from his new book, "A Practical Way to Get Rich ... And Die Trying." In it, he candidly discusses the plight of the young entrepreneur, and shares how early success took a toll on his mental health, ambition, and well-being.
Why Are Business Leaders So Full of Sh*t?
I am conscious of my mental health on a daily basis. Either I recognize when I am feeling good, or when I am feeling depressed, anxious, or suffering some long-standing post-traumatic stress. There isn’t a day that goes by where I am unaware of where I exist on this spectrum. There have been periods of bliss—feeling no adverse effect for days or weeks at a time.
Blood, Fyre and Psychopaths: Why You’re Wrong About Startup Disaster Stories
“Can we start calling her [Holmes] ‘The Silicon Valley Psychopath’?” “Finished reading ‘Bad Blood’ and no doubt Elizabeth Holmes is a sociopath” “Billy McFarland is a sociopath, this guy is an asshole, and almost everyone who was involved in Fyre fest is an absolute idiot” I am not a psychiatrist. I don’t know Elizabeth Holmes or Billy McFarland. I don’t have a clue if these claims are accurate or not.
The Tech Gold Rush, and its Dangers
During the Gold Rush in 19th century California, 75 percent of San Francisco’s population fled for the gold mines, along with 300,000 more Americans from states as far as Hawaii, and immigrants from all over the world. It was the greatest mad dash for wealth and power in American history. The literal gold-diggers boasted the slogan “California or Bust”, and the estimated 15,000 that died in their efforts to attain the dream were said to have been “Busted by God.” Thousands went insane.
Broke at 28, Millionaire at 31. This Tech Guy Reveals His ONE Secret to Getting Rich! It Will SHOCK You!
(Hint: stop clicking stupid headlines like this) If you had asked me in my mid 20s if I thought I’d ever be successful or wealthy, I would have given a bold ‘OF COURSE!’ — but that would really just be my characteristic over-confident answer to hide what I really felt: that I was going to continue failing and be broke for the rest of my life. Thankfully, things went the other way.
Screw “Work-Life Balance”. This is what you should strive for…
For entrepreneurs, work is life and life is work, but if you do it right, you can experience the best of everything. The phrase “work-life balance” is ubiquitous in any dialogue about entrepreneurship. The implication is both clear and inaccurate: One side is positive (life) and one is negative (work), thus one should strive for equilibrium.
I Tried Ketamine to Fix My Brain
Me, high as a kite Ketamine, to me, was just a party drug in the 90s. When my doctor recommended I try it, I was more than a little confused. I’ve experienced varying levels of depression and anxiety since I was a teenager. It peaked during my years running ÄKTA, especially during our sale process. Depression amongst founders is incredibly common. 49% of entrepreneurs suffer from a mental health condition.
A Practical Way to Get Rich . . . and Die Trying: A Memoir about Risking It All
John Roa "A young tech entrepreneur's memoir of building his hugely successful company and the mental and physical price he paid for it"-- READ FULL DESCRIPTION Hardcover Bulk non-returnable discounts Quantity Price Discount List Price $28.00 1 - 24 $22.40 20% 25 - 99 $19.60 30% 100 - 499 $18.20 35% 500 + $17.64 37% Quick Quote Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit Copies Needed: Ship to Zip: By Date: $28.00 Book Information Publisher: Viking.
5 Ways To Get Rich Even During a Pandemic, According to a Successful Start-Up Founder
The world may be exhausted, but 2020 is truly an unprecedented time, especially for entrepreneurs. I’ve been an entrepreneur for more than 20 years and have to say, I have never been so happy to not be running a business. The majority of my friends are in leadership positions, and the stories I hear daily are tragic. But with adversity comes opportunity. There may be some (crazy) folks out there thinking: How can I take advantage of this dumpster fire?
Give Me 30 Minutes, and I Will Kill Your Entrepreneurial Dream
“I had a boyfriend who told me I’d never succeed, never be nominated for a grammy, never have a hit & hoped I’d fail. I said to him someday, when we’re not together, you won’t be able to order a cup of coffee at the fucking deli without hearing or seeing me.” — Lady Gaga What makes an entrepreneur? Nature? Nurture? 80% of what it takes to win the entrepreneurial lottery is engrained deep inside ones mind and cannot be taught or learned.
You Probably Never Should Have Trusted Facebook in the First Place. Here's Why
As Zuckerberg continues his apology tour for Facebook's recent scandal, I've been thinking about something far more surprising than the social network harvesting our personal data for private companies or shady firms swaying elections using advanced technical means. What has surprised me most is the amount of people who seemingly didn't realize this has been happening since the rise of the modern internet.
7 CEOs Share Their Must-Read Books
If you're looking for some new reading material, this might be a good place to start. Reading requires focus. It requires time. And, let’s be real, it requires a lot of discipline–because at the end of the day, you’re probably more likely to reach for your phone than your Kindle. Of course, you know that you should be reading more (and binging less). After all, it’s what so many successful leaders say gets them ahead.
3 Niche Markets That Are Difficult to Enter, But More Than Worth It
These three audiences show why "Small is beautiful." It’s not often that you hear “aim low” when building a business. After all, we all want to be the next Amazon or Microsoft. But, in the marketing world, drilling down to a more specific niche audience may land you more sales than a wide net could ever catch.
2 Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself When Starting a New Business
As a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist investor, I have witnessed the inception of hundreds of businesses and enjoy analyzing what leads to their success or failure. Through this leisurely study, I have found that a business’s fate often depends on whether the entrepreneur has asked themselves these questions: Am I solving a real need or just a perceived need? And if it’s real, does the value of solving the problem outweigh the behavior changes required by the customer?
Social Media Is Changing. These 3 Things Are the Key to Staying Ahead of It
Social media is changing. After repeated scandals around the impact of things like fake news, cybersecurity, and even technology addiction, major social platforms are making changes to the way they sort and display content. And that has impacts for business owners large and small. Many of these changes come from an increasing recognition of the harm caused by technologies that have been relentlessly optimized to capture our attention.
The 2 Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself When Starting a Business
As a serial entrepreneur and venture capital investor, I have witnessed the inception of hundreds of businesses and enjoy analyzing what leads to their success or failure. Through this leisurely study, I have found that a business's fate often depends on whether the entrepreneur has asked these questions: Am I solving a real need or just a perceived need? And if it's real, does the value of solving the problem outweigh the behavior changes required by the customer?
Hack-Proof Your Company's Wi-Fi
Your company's Wi-Fi can be an entry point for hackers. Protect your data, customers, and employees with these simple steps. Wi-Fi is now an essential tool used by businesses internally, as well as an expected feature by customers frequenting a business. With such a high adoption rate on both sides of the business ecosystem, securing Wi-Fi networks and connectivity is a top priority. Experts have already exposed vulnerabilities in even the most secure Wi-Fi technology.
Forget Work-Life Balance--You Should Strive for 'Work-Is-Life' Instead
The phrase " work-life balance" is ubiquitous in any dialogue about entrepreneurship. The implication is both clear and inaccurate: One side is positive (life) and one is negative (work), thus one should strive for equilibrium. In the U.S., over 70 percent of city workers don't like their jobs, according to a 2017 Gallup poll--so having a fulfilling lifestyle that offsets one's unhappiness during the day makes sense. Fortunately, that's not the case for most entrepreneurs.
Ready to Start Your First Start-Up? Here are 10 Pieces of Advice from a Self-Made Millionaire
I started my first business at age 13. Over the next eighteen years, I launched six more, with only the final company leading to an acquisition by Salesforce. Throughout my journey, I made about every mistake a young entrepreneur can make and learned a lot of painful lessons in the process. Back then, there were fewer resources for beginners. Here are the best ten pieces of advice I can give to entrepreneurs that I wish I had known when I was starting out. 1. Just start.
Why Do Wanna-Be Billionaires Choose Tech Startups? Here Are 2 Attractive Misconceptions
During the Gold Rush in 19th century California, 75 percent of San Francisco's population fled for the gold mines, along with 300,000 more Americans from states as far as Hawaii, and immigrants from all over the world. It was the greatest mad dash for wealth andpower in American history. The literal gold-diggers boasted the slogan "California or Bust", and the estimated 15,000 that died in their efforts to attain the dream were said to have been "Busted by God." Thousands went insane.
Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur Is as Likely as Becoming a Rock Star. Here's What It Really Takes, According to a Self-Made Millionaire
If you had asked me in my mid 20s if I thought I'd ever be successful or wealthy, I would have given a bold "Of course!" - but that would really just be my characteristic over-confident answer to hide what I really felt: that I was going to continue failing and be broke for the rest of my life. Thankfully, things went the other way.
6 Ways Playing Poker Can Help You in Business (and 2 Ways It Can't)
Poker and entrepreneurship have both been long-time companions in my life. Starting my first business at the age of 15, I had an earlier start in entrepreneurship than most. Many of the hard lessons I learned from my early experiences helped to build me as a strong poker player -- and even stronger entrepreneur.
Separate, Delegate, Focus: Why the CEO Doesn't Need to Be the Guru
CEOs like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Bill Gates all contribute to the narrative fallacy that you need to be an expert in your field to be an effective CEO. While they are all incredible leaders with deep expertise in their respective fields, I don’t believe that being an expert in what your business does is a prerequisite to being a successful CEO.Related: 5 Influential CEOs Weigh in What Makes a Good LeaderTo be clear, knowing the business you’re in is important.
3 Ways Exploring the World Challenges Your Thinking and Ultimately Betters Your Business
Whether you’re a corporate leader, a serial entrepreneur or a little bit of both, you need to maintain focus, stay inspired and regularly find the time to re-energize. Distancing and even periodically detaching yourself from your everyday life (not just from work) enables you to see things from different angles and gives you new perspective through which you can formulate novel solutions and navigate uncharted business landscapes.Staying engaged is only half the equation.
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