{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Beyond the Startup","title":"Beyond the Startup Ep. 5: Peter Briden","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/8bbb03f2\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3390,"description":"In this Beyond the Startup episode, Lliam Holmes (CEO of MIS Solutions) interviews Peter Briden, an IT services veteran from Pittsburgh, about his path from struggling in school to launching a career in IT after attending DeVry, then leaving corporate life to start his own company. Peter explains how an attorney connection helped him land his first clients, the challenges of hiring the first employee and managing transactional revenue, and how documentation, processes, and learning finance improved stability and profitability. \nHe discusses the impact of peer groups like Strategic Coach and industry groups, leadership development as a key growth hurdle, and using tools like Gazelles and EOS. Peter recounts selling PC Network Services after 27 years and shares his post-exit “rules of engagement,” coaching work, and core advice on unique ability, societal value, continuous improvement, and financial discipline.\n00:00 Quitting to Start Up00:41 Meet the Hosts02:19 School Struggles to DeVry05:04 First IT Career Break07:33 The I Quit Moment10:31 Landing First Customers13:39 Hiring and Cashflow Reality16:08 Systems and Profitability19:28 Strategic Coach Framework24:02 Peer Groups That Scale27:34 Choosing the Right Peer Group28:09 Peer Groups That Work29:25 Breaking Through Stuck33:03 Leadership Chasm Explained34:51 Owner Role and Vision37:40 EOS And Gazelles Tools40:12 Selling After 27 Years43:57 Four Rules Of Engagement45:52 Purpose After The Exit51:22 Three Career Lessons54:27 Spouse Team And Farewell ","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/wdEP5kxLXZor2olvL3ehuWvX12eIjQRTrSAdLm5qkQQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85OGI0/ZmIzODA4N2NkYTE5/NDNjNWYzMmQ1MGEw/MDhkMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}