Pigment CEO, Eleonore Crespo – on Startup Scaling & Leadership Growth

The Bob Johnston Podcast

The intricacies of entrepreneurship and scaling a startup are massive – from hiring talent to raising capital to securing customers, the clock is often the enemy. Today, we dive into the life of launching and running a startup with Eleonore Crespo, CEO of Pigment, a fast-growth company based in Paris. Eleonore and I discuss the rewards of leadership and taking care of your teams (and yourself and family!), aimed at providing valuable insights, whether you sit in the founder's seat at a startup or are scaling a new project within a Fortune 100 company. We cover the following topics:

• Work-Life Balance: Eleonore shares her journey of managing a growing business while balancing family life, emphasizing the non-traditional hours and dedication it requires.
• Motivation and Growth: We discuss how personal motivation, influences, and expectations can be your guideposts as things scale.
• Leadership Philosophy: Eleonore discusses advice she receives from seasoned leaders (she has several top leaders in Silicon Valley on speed dial)
• Team Dynamics: She highlights the significance of creating a supportive environment, where work ethic sets the tone
• Long-Term Vision: We explore the importance of sustainable growth strategies and the patience required for building a successful organization.

I hope you enjoy the insights and experiences from one of my inspiring leaders, Eleonore Crespo!

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About Eleonore:

Eléonore Crespo is a dynamic leader and co-founder of Pigment, a business planning platform designed to empower organizations to make better, faster decisions in an ever-evolving landscape. Built for agility and scale, Pigment connects people, data, and processes in one elegant, feature-rich platform that allows planners in every department to prepare for any eventuality. The company is trusted by industry-leading companies around the world including Unilever, Merck, Klarna, Miro, and Poshmark.

Before launching Pigment, Eléonore was an investor at Index Ventures, where she collaborated closely with entrepreneurs and led investments in innovative companies such as Alan, Spendesk, Swile, and Slite. Her prior experience includes a significant role as a senior analyst at Google, where she reported directly to the EMEA president and CFO, focusing on strategic planning and initiatives.
Eléonore holds a background in quantum physics and engineering, having studied at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure and the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines, two of France's most competitive institutions of higher education. Her unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight positions her as a prominent figure in the business planning landscape.