Inspiring Conversations with Michael Zalle of YellowBird

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Zalle.

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I am the Founder and CEO of YellowBird.

Over a 25+ year tech career, which began in California in the mid-1990s, I’ve been responsible for creating, building, and launching new concepts and companies which has resulted in multiple successful exits. My career has been built through a unique balance of commercializing novel business models, operationalizing innovative technologies and platforms, rapidly scaling operations, and building market-shaping ecosystems.

My companies and purpose are focused on serving others and my ‘why’ is very much the feeling I get when my business help the community. Whether it be in orbital satellite systems for emergency responders, environmental products for flood and spill response, or time and economic support for difference-making organizations, I truly have a passion for “doing well while doing good.”

My college journey began at San Francisco State University, then transitioned to Pepperdine Universitys’ Graziadio Business School, while working full time and traveling for business at age 19. As a lifelong member and mentor for the Amputee Coalition of America, I enjoy the time I am able to invest in mentoring kids with physical challenges.

I’ve been married 22 years, have two great teenage kids, and spend most of my free time at dance competitions or music concerts as a front-row cheerleader.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The best part of being an entrepreneur is watching your idea come to life. It’s hard, REALLY hard. My experience has helped me become more level-headed about the fundamentals of business setbacks. Raising money, clearly defining success (incrementally), hiring with purpose, and learning from every punch in the gut.

My first year was very anxious as you aren’t sure what you’re really doing. There’s an idea that needs to take shape and as you fail, and you will, even if not catastrophic, what did you learn from that failure? The best thing I did was recruit a co-founder who is a really great tactical operator and Angel Investor. She thinks like an investor and focuses on the big hindrances to sales success (which is the most important validator in the first year).

She and I quickly identified the 2 or 3 roles we needed (in our case it was a Product leader, marketplace operator, and a general marketer). We had the team focused on the PMF (product-market fit) while I built the database and called on Angel investors, VCs, and friends & family. The pandemic hit 60 days into our launch. We were able to grow to $400k in revenue and raise $1.7 million in the first 18 months. I had to personally invest several times while we ‘closed’ new investments.

By far the hardest part of the early-stage journey is capital raising. Even with our team, my past success, and great traction, raising money takes focus, resilience and the mantra ‘it only takes one.’

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about YellowBird?
YellowBird’s professional gig platform quickly and easily connects vetted and certified Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Professionals to opportunities on-demand. YellowBird uses matching technology to connect the right people, in the right location, with the right experience for the job. Safety has never been so simple!

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Building a fun, focused, and positive culture must be front of mind. It’s so easy to say ‘people and culture’ but defining core values, hiring for them, and finding ways to reinforce them is hard.

Especially while you are trying to figure out what you are going to do as a company (what problem you are solving). We follow the Ideal Team Player (book) mentality of hungry, humble, and smart while interviewing but even with experience, looking for red flags and hiring for core values.

One of our core values is Be Spicy which we take to mean bringing zest to your role. Once a month during our All Hands Meeting, our team dresses up in a themed outfit and they bring their A-Game! It’s a small silly thing but something we look forward to every month.

Contact Info:

• Email: mzalle@goyellowbird.com
• Website: www.goyellowbird.com
• Instagram: @goyellowbird
• Facebook: facebook.com/goyellowbird
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/goyellowbird
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTwpURg9dl3wDSq16o2Ci9w