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What makes a startup worth acquiring when software has never been easier to build? Salesforce’s John Somorjai says the answer goes well beyond technology: the best acquisitions can accelerate a product roadmap, bring in exceptional talent, and put a startup in front of 15,000 Salesforce sales reps almost overnight. John joins a16z General Partner Alex Immerman to unpack the thinking behind nearly $100 billion in acquisitions during his tenure, from Slack and MuleSoft to a new generation of AI-native companies. They discuss Salesforce’s build-versus-buy framework, why outcome-based pricing is replacing seats in parts of enterprise software, and what founders should consider when deciding whether to sell. John also shares what can kill a deal during diligence, why he thinks parts of today’s venture market are overvalued, and how Salesforce Ventures is expanding from enterprise software into frontier AI and robotics.

Not every dollar is worth it. 🚫💸 In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we dive into one of the toughest but most important skills in entrepreneurship—spotting and cutting off toxic clients. You’ll learn: 🚩 Red flags to watch for in toxic clients (constant complaints, low respect, energy drainers) 🛑 Why holding on to the wrong clients keeps your business small and stressed 🔑 How firing toxic clients actually creates space for high-quality, high-paying clients 💡 Why setting boundaries is key to scaling your business with peace and profits Protect your time, your team, and your energy. A high-level business can’t survive on low-level behavior. 🎧 Tune in now and learn how to fire smart so you can grow strong. "Your Network is your NETWORTH!” Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024 Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ LinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you:www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com

Trump holds a 100 Day Achievement rally in Michigan, actions taken by Robert Kennedy Jr at HHS to make America healthy again, and AI chatbots on Facebook. Get the facts first with Morning Wire. Shopify: Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1 per month trial period and upgrade your selling today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Lumen: Head to http://lumen.me/WIRE for 15% off your purchase. Shopify: Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1 per month trial period and upgrade your selling today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

rump hosts El Salvador’s President at the White House, tech giant Nvidia makes a major manufacturing announcement, and Meta stands accused of being a monopoly in a landmark antitrust trial that kicks off today. Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire. Fast Growing Trees: Get 15% off your first purchase when using the code WIRE at checkout or by visiting https://fastgrowingtrees.com/wire Old Glory Bank: Go to https://oldglorybank.com/wire today to open your account and put your money in the hands of people you can ACTUALLY trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump holds firm on tariffs, several elite colleges face federal funding review and more women refuse to compete against men. Get the facts first with Morning Wire. Lumen: Head to http://lumen.me/WIRE for 15% off your purchase. Shopify: Go to https://Shopify.com/morningwire to sign up for your $1 per month trial period and upgrade your selling today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gap Inc. was once the king of mall-brand fashion. ⁠In recent years though⁠, its Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta chains have been outmaneuvered by discount stores like Target and fast-fashion brands like Zara and ⁠Shein⁠. ⁠Ryan Knutson⁠ speaks with ⁠the new CEO⁠ Richard Dickson who is translating his previous experience resurrecting the Barbie brand into a new era for the iconic clothing seller.    Further Listening: - ⁠Rent the Runway’s CEO on How it Survived the Pandemic⁠ - ⁠Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO⁠ - ⁠How Target Got Off Target Photo: Uncredited Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walmart has been America’s largest retailer by revenue for over three decades. But that title might change hands this year, with Amazon hot on the supercenter’s heels. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explains how Walmart has fought hard to keep its crown.  Further Reading: -How Walmart Built the Biggest Threat Amazon Has Faced  -Walmart’s Reign as America’s Biggest Retailer Is Under Threat  Further Listening: -The 20,000 Steps to a Walmart Manager’s Six-Figure Salary  -What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A controversy among YouTube influencers has led to a series of lawsuits accusing browser extensions like PayPal Honey of swiping their commissions. PayPal said it disagrees with the claims in these lawsuits and look forward to defending itself. The litigation shines a light on the sometimes murky world of affiliate marketing, a $12 billion business.  Further Reading: -Creators Insist Coupon Browser Extensions Are Stealing Their Money. Will the Courts Agree?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Target used to be a cheap and chic place to shop, but now the retailer is in a sales funk, losing market share to competitors like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explores what happened to the beloved box store’s numbers and the strategies executives may be discussing to get back on target.   Further Reading: -Target’s Slide From Cheap Chic to Dull Chore  Further Listening: -What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond?  -Old Navy Tried to Make Sizes for All. It Backfired.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Violet Affleck, the daughter of Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner, goes viral for speaking to the LA County Board, George Clooney writes a New York Times Op-ed for Biden to step down, and Russell Brand & I are going to break the internet. PreBorn! To donate, dial pound 250 & say the keyword “BABY” that’s pound 250 “BABY” or donate securely at https://preborn.com/candace GoldCo Go to CandaceLikesGold.com for up to a 10% instant match in BONUS SILVER. https://rb.gy/dwx4ym American Financing Act today! Call 800-795-1210 or visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Owens NMLS182334, NMLSconsumeraccess.org Candace on Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/Pp5VZiLXbq Candace on Spotify: https://t.co/16pMuADXuT Candace on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RealCandaceO Subscribe to Club Candace: https://www.clubcandace.com #CandaceShow #Candace #CandaceOwens #News #Politics #Culture #PopCulture 00:00 - Start  01:00 - Russell Brand & I are going to break the internet  16:53 - Violet Affleck calls for more governance in LA  25:04 - George Clooney tells Biden to step aside  30:40 - Comments  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Developing stories you need to know just in time for your drive home. Get the facts first on Morning Wire.Birch Gold: Text "WIRE" to 989898 for your no-cost, no-obligation information kit. Shopify: "Get a $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.com/morningwire" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The bookseller has gone from big-box villain to company on the brink of bankruptcy to bright spot in the mostly dismal retail space. The Verge’s Nilay Patel and author Brendan Ballou explain the unlikely story of its apparent turnaround. This episode was produced by Isabel Angell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The three biggest private employers in North America are Walmart, Amazon, and a security firm you’ve maybe never heard of: Allied Universal. Time’s Alana Semuels explains the rise of poorly trained and poorly paid private security guards across America. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Michael Raphael, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever dreamt of doing something big, today's episode will get your head spinning, open your heart, and inspire you to take the leap. It doesn’t matter how young or how old you are. You are meant to go big, to swing for the fence, and to do something no one has ever done before. No more small plans. You have something big to do. And there’s no better person to inspire you to make big plans than my friend and IT Cosmetics Founder, Jamie Kern Lima. Jamie went from serving up stacks of pancakes at Denny’s to creating a product that would help millions of women around the world feel confident in their own skin. Today you’ll hear the story of how she transformed the beauty industry, created the most successful product launch in QVC history, and ultimately sold IT Cosmetics to L’Oreal for 1.2 billion dollars (becoming the first female CEO at L’Oreal in their history). If you think Jamie had it easy on the way there, you’d be wrong. And you won’t have an easy time either, but so what? Her story is a rollercoaster of rejection and disappointment, fear, self-doubt, and near bankruptcy. But when you’ve got big plans, you just keep going. Jamie never lost faith, and today she is teaching you how to never give up on your big plans either. In today’s episode, you will learn What to do when you have no idea what you’re doing. Why it’s okay to do something that’s been done plenty of times. What it’s like to pitch live on QVC. How to handle someone saying “Women won’t buy from someone who looks like you.” How to believe in yourself when nobody else does. A truth about success we rarely ever hear about. What to do when QVC says “NO you can’t sell that way.” How to react when some idiot tells you they won’t invest in you. How to break into an industry event and pitch your idea. How to harness belief in yourself when you want to give up. Wow. Just wow. If you don’t know what to get the graduates in your life, send this episode because it’s a real gift. Xo Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: 4:50: Introducing today’s guest- my good friend, Jamie Kern Lima. 7:30: Jamie learned this important skill while working as a server at Denny’s. 9:00: Never disregard the seasons of your life that feel setbacks. 10:00: What the hell does it mean that our lives are happening “for” us? 10:45: Here’s how Jamie defines life’s purpose. 13:15: If you hate your job, listen to this. 16:50: The moment where Jamie knew she was meant to do something meaningful. 20:15: Not sure what your purpose is? Think about what you struggle with. 24:00: This is the biggest reason we talk ourselves out of following our dreams. 27:30: But how do you get started when you don’t even know what to do? 32:00: Ever had a gut feeling? Hear Jamie define intuition and how to tune in. 35:30: Try going through your day this way and build your intuition muscle. 37:20: Two reasons why we go through horrible, unspeakable times. 38:30: This was the biggest rejection moment that inspired Jamie to keep going. 41:15: Listen to the “no” or listen to the “knowing.” You get to choose. 44:30: How do you determine the NEXT right step? 46:45: Jamie lands a ten-minute do-or-die spot on QVC after multiple rejections. 57:00: Here’s how all that rejection became Jamie’s strength. 1:02:00: Does your purpose have to be part of your job? Disclaimer

Companies have been leaning into Pride month for years. So why are brands like Target and Bud Light facing such intense backlash now? Vox’s Emily Stewart and historian Kyle Williams explain. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Michael Raphael with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Major credit card companies have announced a new merchant category code that will track the sale of guns and ammunition, a potential strike among U.S. rail workers further threatens the supply chain, and a fraud investigation and home robbery have made the LA mayor’s race national news. Get the facts first on Morning Wire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest this week is Mary Portas. You may know Mary from the high street, from business, or you may know her as the red bob, hard exterior business woman from the TV. In this conversation today I saw a very different one to the one I’ve seen in the media. Mary Portas is an English retail consultant and broadcaster, known for her retail and business-related television shows, founding her creative agency Portas and her appointment by David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, to lead a review into the future of Britain's high streets. She’s worked in various retail roles: John Lewis and Harrods, Topshop. Then creative director at Harvey Nichols – which was her rise to fame. In 1997 launched an agency called Yellow Door producing campaigns for clients including Clarks, Louis Vuitton, Oasis Stores, Swarovski, Dunhill, Boden, Thomas Pink, Patek Philippe and Mercedes-Benz, Sainsbury's, Habitat, Westfield, Liberty and The Body Shop. In 2013 she re-launched her agency as Portas Agency Ltd. Today, Portas Agency advises retail clients from every continent, and the businesses success is built on an obsessive understanding of human and cultural behaviour. Today she’ll talk about an idea thats fairly radical to some people, especially people that are building or have built big businesses which is based on her new book ‘Rebuild: How to thrive in the new Kindness Economy’. This conversation is incredible, Mary is hilarious, she is smart and she is kind. On top of all that her brutal honesty blew me away which is a central part of what we spoke about, the idea of being true to yourself or facing the inevitable of ending up in disappear. Mary’s been a public figure, a media star, she’s faced public scrutiny but through it all she’s emerged as this levelled headed, down to earth, warm hearted individual. I laughed, I realised and I was deeply inspired and you will be too. Follow Mary: Twitter - https://twitter.com/maryportas Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maryportasofficial Mary’s book - Rebuild: How to thrive in the new Kindness Economy - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08V85WGNK  Follow me: https://beacons.ai/diaryofaceo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices