Season 3 Episode 3: (Originally Recorded February 2024) What happens when inspiration strikes and leads to an unexpected journey? In this episode of Onwards! Infonauts, we sit down with Michael Holland, who shares how a chance encounter with Infonautics founder Marvin Weinberger during his time at Cornell University changed the trajectory of his career forever. From hopping on a tiny plane for a last-minute interview to his first day on the job bumping into a Cornell fraternity brother in the hallway, Michael’s introduction to Infonautics was anything but ordinary.

Michael takes us on a whirlwind ride through his time at one of the pioneering internet startups of the ’90s. Whether it was navigating job roles, working on groundbreaking projects like Encyclopedia.com, or helping launch innovative products like Company Sleuth, Michael’s stories reflect the excitement, chaos, and ingenuity that defined the early internet era. We hear behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including the hilariously unconventional interview questions from his hiring process and some legendary office pranks that scream startup culture.

With wisdom honed through years of experience as a product management executive, Michael shares insights on leadership, adaptability, and the art of storytelling in technology. He reflects on the simplicity of early metrics, the lessons learned from building platforms, and the power of clarity in product development. This episode is a treasure trove of anecdotes, nostalgia, and actionable advice for anyone in tech or curious about what it was like to be at the forefront of the internet revolution.

Contacts:

Michael Holland can be reached on LinkedIn.

Jim and Sean can be reached at Onwards! Infonauts.

Sponsors:

JMX Advisors for Interim or Fractional CFO work

Disclaimer:

None of these discussions are to be relied upon as professional advice.