Telling the stories of builders in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Jeffrey Stern is a NYC transplant, entrepreneur (co-founder @ Axuall; founding team @ Votem), product manager, investor, and optimist who believes telling the stories of those most inspiring builders around us is one of the best ways to learn and to inspire more to build.
Lay of The Land #210: Umberto Fedeli Round III — Patience & Persistence, Progress & Perfection, Rationality & Uncertainty
|
👋 Hello – My conversation today is with Umberto Fedeli for his third appearance on the Lay of the Land. In our first two conversations — episode 135 and episode 171 — we explored Umberto’s remarkable life journey, deep-rooted wisdom, and how he's mastered the craft of building authentic relationships and connecting people across business, politics, and philanthropy. Those episodes are timeless and packed with valuable insights — I highly recommend listening to them to set the stage for today’s discussion.
In this episode, we delve deeper into these foundational ideas, unpacking the origins of Umberto’s relentless commitment to relationships, mentorship, and personal growth. We explore how to navigate the delicate balance between patience and persistence, between progress and perfection, and ultimately, how to cultivate resilience and rationality during times of uncertainty. We also dive into Umberto's perspective on the current state of the world — from economics and politics to tariffs. We talk about volatility, the fundamental human need for love and connection, regrets, legacy, and much more. With Love, Jeffrey |
Lay of The Land
Telling the stories of builders in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Jeffrey Stern is a NYC transplant, entrepreneur (co-founder @ Axuall; founding team @ Votem), product manager, investor, and optimist who believes telling the stories of those most inspiring builders around us is one of the best ways to learn and to inspire more to build.
👋 Hello – today my conservation is with Ibrahim Mohmed, the founder of CourtSide Media Group and the co-founder & CEO of Taja AI. His entrepreneurial journey began right here in Ohio, where he launched CourtSide Media, a digital media agency that serves influencers with audiences ranging from 1 million to 75 million followers across various social platforms. Through CourtSide Media, Ibrahim has collaborated with high-profile clients including NBA legend Kevin Garnett, Cleveland’s FutureLAND...
👋 Hello – today my conservation is with Carey Jaros. Carey joined GOJO in 2014 as a board member, later taking on executive roles as Chief Strategy Officer—where she oversaw Marketing, Product Management, and Innovation—and as Chief Operating Officer, before becoming CEO in January 2020. Listen to The Episode Our conversation today covers Carey’s call to lead—shaped by a lifelong passion for solving problems and telling stories—her reflections on leadership and decision-making, GOJO’s...
👋 Hello – My conversation today is with Jodi Berg, PhD who recently retired as the fourth-generation President and CEO of Vitamix, having joined the family business in 1997. Listen to The Episode Under her leadership, Jodi built on the 100+ year history and legacy of her family’s business, — founded in 1921 and headquartered in Olmsted Township in the greater Cleveland area — to grow the iconic and beloved brand to what it is today, with expanded distribution to over 130 countries and over...